While most cruisers bring their smartphones and keep in some level of contact with land, that can vary greatly. Some passengers might not buy an internet package and that means they can be reached only while they are in port.
Bad things, however, happen on land, even when your cruise ship might be on a sea day.
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That means that at times family, friends and even your employer might need to get in touch with you. If you're a "put your phone away, I'm on vacation" passenger, that can be a major challenge.
Even people who check their phones might not be on the same apps as whoever might be trying to reach them. And since Carnival does not support WiFi calling, some passengers may be truly out of touch when they're on board.
That's something Carnival Cruise Line has considered, and Brand Ambassador John Heald recently addressed what people on land should do in the event of a true emergency.
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Image source: John Heald/Facebook
Carnival has an emergency-contact procedure
"I do realise that many people if not most stay in contact with their family and friends through the various messaging services through the Internet when they cruise," Heald shared. "However, I do get asked a lot if there is an emergency telephone number for family and friends to call from home?"
Carnival does have a system set up for exactly that.
"Indeed, there is and this is to be used for true family emergencies and if somebody needs to contact the ship that a loved one is sailing on" Heald explained. "Please call this number, one of our wonderful employees at the mothership will answer and will pass the immediate message back to the vessel."
Once a call is made from land, emergency procedures get activated.
"Guest services will then contact the person on board and of course if this is a true emergency they will allow complementary communication with the person back home," he added.
Heald made clear that this number is not to be used casually.
"Thank you, I should remind you that this is again kindly for true family emergencies only and the number is: 1-800-227-6482 on Mon-Sun, 7 a.m. - 12 a.m. EST," he said.
Carnival passengers share emergency stories
Nobody wants to receive an emergency call from land, but it's comforting to know that Carnival does have a process in place.
"I received a call on the Dream about 7 years ago when my daughter and family lost their home to an electrical fire," Tina Cochran posted. "I must say the Carnival staff were absolutely so compassionate and I was able to receive updates and speak with family members until we returned to port. Carnival truly cares for their guests."
Mary Clark Merlino had a less dramatic story to share.
"The alarm at our house in NC went off and the service called my son who lived in PA. He called us to get our password so the company could shut it off. Guest services was so helpful," she wrote.
Susan Pflaster Paintner shared another horrible story about bad news on land while someone was cruising.
"My mom was cruising when she got the news that her brother died. The staff was very helpful in getting plane tickets, packing her stuff and making arrangements to get to the airport. We are forever thankful for all their help," she posted.
Mary Ann Capace always plans for something to go wrong.
"No matter what ship I'm on or where it's going, I always leave the number to contact the ship," she posted. :I'm also the person who leaves a copy of all our ports and sea days. What time we will be where. You never know. I did have a family member pass while on a cruise. Guest services was amazing."
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Amy Amari Conley was grateful to Heald for sharing.
"I had no idea about this, and honestly never even thought about it! But now I know, thank you John! Definitely something we'll leave for our families when we're on board next month," she posted.
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