Ah, a cruise vacation—the best vacation, right? Sun, sea, all-you-can-eat buffets, and endless entertainment. But beware: not all expenses are covered once you’re on board. While most cruisers are prepared to splurge on a cocktail (or ten), a shore excursion, or that fabulous souvenir to bring home, what they don’t often expect is a fee for something as simple as checking their blood pressure. Yet, that’s exactly what happened on the Carnival Horizon, and one passenger got a lesson in what happens when you leave your medical equipment at home. Let’s dive into the story (pun intended).
Who Knew? A Routine Medical Request Costs Money!
Some cruise-goers have to monitor their vital signs regularly. We’re talking about things like blood sugar, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and yes, blood pressure. For most of us, it’s no big deal to pack a compact device to track these stats. It’s as easy as throwing in an extra pair of socks. But one couple on the Carnival Horizon was caught off guard by a surprise medical fee for something they thought would be free—a quick blood pressure check at the ship’s infirmary.
The passenger shared their experience, saying, “[My husband] has to check his blood pressure several times a week. We did not bring his machine with us. We went to the medical center/infirmary to have a routine blood pressure check and were charged. How can Carnival justify a charge for that? The nickel and diming of us is out of control.”
The Response From Carnival: No Freebies Here
The frustrated guest took their complaint straight to John Heald, the well-known Brand Ambassador for Carnival Cruise Line, who commands a Facebook following of over 585,000. He responds to hundreds of cruise-related questions, rants, and raves daily. But in this case, the answer wasn’t the freebie the passenger hoped for.
“Yes, there is a charge for every medical service on board ship. I’m pretty certain that if you want to do that on land in North America, there would probably be a charge if you went to your doctor,” Heald replied. “I may be wrong. But yes, there is a charge for all medical services on board.”
Heald added that even though a blood pressure check might seem like a quick, basic procedure, the fact remains that it’s a service performed by medical personnel. Carnival’s onboard doctors and nurses aren’t there to hand out Band-Aids for free; their expertise—and yes, their time—comes with a price tag.
Why Didn’t They Bring Their Own Machine? (Or: How To Avoid Surprises)
Let’s be real for a moment: If you’re cruising the high seas and you know you need to monitor your health regularly, wouldn’t it make sense to bring your own equipment? According to the guest, they simply didn’t pack their blood pressure monitor. While that could be a minor oversight, the solution is surprisingly simple. Portable blood pressure machines are small, easy to use, and fairly inexpensive (usually around $20-$50, depending on the model). Plus, they’re not banned on cruise ships.
As someone who travels often and needs to monitor my own vitals, let me tell you—these devices are lifesavers. Or at least, line-savers, because they’ll save you the hassle of a trip to the infirmary and the resulting charges.
Should Carnival Offer Free Blood Pressure Checks?
Sure, one might argue it would be a nice touch if Carnival provided a free blood pressure check station on each of their vessels, similar to those free-standing machines you see in pharmacies. Sounds logical, right? Well, not so fast. Those machines don’t come cheap, running anywhere from $2,500 and up. Outfitting all 27 ships in the Carnival fleet would be an investment of over $65,000—and that’s just for the machines themselves. Factor in delivery, installation, ongoing maintenance, and upgrades, and the numbers start to climb higher than your blood pressure after an all-you-can-eat cruise buffet.
And let’s be honest: it could get chaotic. Imagine 5,000 passengers lining up for a free blood pressure check. You’d have a scene straight out of “Titanic”—minus the iceberg but plus a whole lot of impatient people.
Not to mention, accuracy matters. Machines meant for self-use can easily be miscalibrated or worn down over time, leading to potentially inaccurate readings. With a health professional, you’re getting expert oversight, ensuring your vitals are checked correctly.
But What About Other Vital Sign Checks?
Now, if Carnival did offer free blood pressure checks, where does it end? Passengers might expect complimentary tests for blood sugar, pulse rate, oxygen saturation—the whole nine yards! Before you know it, the ship’s infirmary would turn into a floating urgent care clinic. And that’s not what a cruise vacation is meant to be.
The solution? If you have any pre-existing conditions that need regular monitoring, pack your own devices. Plan ahead, so there are no surprises. And if you’re not sure about what medical services might cost on board, contact your cruise line beforehand. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did when you’re sipping that piña colada on the Lido Deck instead of haggling over an unexpected medical bill.
Carnival Cruise Line’s Position on Medical Services
In Heald’s words, “Yes, there is a charge for all medical checks in the medical center, but the wonderful nurses and doctors will provide you with expert care if you need it.” So, there you have it—no freebies in the infirmary, but quality care when you need it. At the end of the day, Carnival’s onboard medical staff are professionals, there to help keep passengers safe and healthy, and that level of care comes at a cost.
Plan Ahead for the Best Vacation
Let’s wrap this up. A cruise can be the best vacation you’ll ever take, offering unforgettable experiences and countless amenities. But part of having a great time is being prepared. Bring your medical equipment, know what services come at an extra cost, and enjoy the smooth sailing. Just remember to leave room in your suitcase for that blood pressure monitor—trust me, it’s worth the space.
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