Thinking of a cruise for our anniversary - problems??

I am thinking of a cruise for my husband an I for a BIG wedding anniversary - I live in Australia
I presumed that my Dreamstation would be okay but after reading some website information from P&O, I am now unsure.
I would appreciate any advice (particularly from any Aussies who have been on a cruise)

50HZ (Hertz) is the standard electricity frequency in Australia, however the ships can only deliver electricity at 60HZ (Hertz). The ships cannot change the frequency of the power supply (Hertz). A transformer only converts electricity to different voltages and will not alter the frequency (Hertz) of the supplied frequency. Most Australian electrical equipment designed to work at 50Hz will either not work on the ship, or will be damaged if used on the ships.

Hello Snoozysue,
I went to the Philips Respironics Dreamstation site and looked at the user manual, digging down into obscure specs the manual states that the power "Brick" operates on 110-240 V 50/60 hrtz so you should be ok using your pap therapy on the cruise. Go to the manufacturers website and look into this yourself, please!

I would also ask the cruise line people (who probably see lots of cpaps on board) what people do.

snoozysue wrote: 50HZ (Hertz) is the standard electricity frequency in Australia, however the ships can only deliver electricity at 60HZ (Hertz). The ships cannot change the frequency of the power supply (Hertz). A transformer only converts electricity to different voltages and will not alter the frequency (Hertz) of the supplied frequency. Most Australian electrical equipment designed to work at 50Hz will either not work on the ship, or will be damaged if used on the ships.

Don't just trust the manual - the power brick should say on it "110-240 V 50/60 hrtz" (in very fine print). I'd bet dollars to donuts (there an obsolete phrase!) that is does.

An American here, so my experience may not help. My husband and I just returned from a Diamond Princess cruise out of Sydney. My DreamStation uses standard U.S. power (which the ship had) though I needed an extension cord because the outlets are not conveniently located. Not sure if an adapter would work for you. Princess provided distilled water at no charge for my humidifier.

AC Power Consumption (with 80W Power Supply): 100 - 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 2.0 - 1.0 A

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-dre ... #specs-tab

jnk... wrote:

AC Power Consumption (with 80W Power Supply): 100 - 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 2.0 - 1.0 A

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-dre ... #specs-tab

I repeat - don't rely on manuals or specs - they may or may not be for your device. Always look on the power power brick itself - in the long run it will save you a problem.

When the brick says 50/60 110-240 it means it will convert any common incoming AC power to the needed power, in this case 12 volts DC. You won't need a "transformer" but it is possible you'll need a simple plug adapter. And don't forget an extension cord.

CapnLoki wrote:And don't forget an extension cord.

Some lines do not officially "allow" use of your own extension cord (if you get caught ) and may "require" that you use theirs. Some ships may even try to require you to sign a statement of deposit to make sure you bring their brightly-colored cord back to them. Such policies may be in place to prevent trip hazards for those serving your cabin and to prevent added risk for electrical fire--perhaps a remote possibility from an extension cord in good shape but a catastrophic issue for ocean travel. Each family of lines has its own policies that are not equally enforced on each ship.

I have a DreamStation Auto. I have used it in in seven European Countries and in Myanmar (aka Burma) as well; including on a river boat. All those countries have 220 volts / 50 Hz (like Australia). I live in the US which has 110 volts / 60 Hz and it works equally well here.

I do suggest verifying your CPAP with the cruise line as they sometimes don't like extension cords and the electric socket might not be near the bed. Also, they can probably supply you with distilled water.

Princess had no problem with my extension cord from home. When I discovered it wasn't quite long enough, the room steward brought in a longer, heavier-duty cord. I didn't have to sign any waivers. He even taped the cord down where it laid across the carpet to prevent tripping. I was able to order distilled water ahead of time, at no charge, and it was waiting for me when I got to my room.

First, congratulations on your big anniversary!
Second, it would be nice to know which cruise lines are jerks about cpap.
More than likely, the problem lies with individuals trying to line their pockets.
Take what you need--it is MEDICAL equipment--
you can make more trouble for them than the other way around.

I am not a major cruiser, but I have not found any lines to be jerks about CPAP. Nevertheless, the medical staff still generally appreciate having a heads-up on any medical equipment and medical conditions on board, no matter how common. Some cabins were designed with the outlets far away from the beds to keep people from setting a curling iron down on the bedding, etc., though--for good reason. There is no IQ test for taking a cruise, and a fire is every line's, and informed passenger's, worst-case nightmare scenario, so I get the purpose of that design.

I am not aware of any line charging anything for an extension cord--only it being policy on some ships to request that passengers, in general, give permission to be charged if extra-request stuff in general isn't returned. Silly policy that should not apply to cords for medical purposes. I was asked to do that once on Carnival, I think it was, a few years ago, and I handled that request by just laughing at the new kid and saying 'No, I won't give that permission. It's for a medical device.' They gave me the fancy-shmancy extension cord anyway, of course. Maybe I looked suspicious, since I was out of uniform, or something. If I had used my own extension cord, I would have felt obligated, myself, to put it away during the day. (Not their rules. Mine.) Using their bright one taped down made it more convenient for me. I still put my machine away every morning on a ship--it is mission-critical equipment and too easily bumped accidentally by rushing workers. But hey, just me. Rather than being jerks, I have found every line willing to go above and beyond for PAP users. Some have dropped off distilled water without my even asking for it, since they assumed I would want it and it is their policy to provide it. That was on Norwegian in Europe, I believe.

The only time I confused a line was when they automatically upgraded me to a balcony and I refused it and insisted on having an inside room, no windows. It was more important to me to have complete darkness in a quiet part of the ship for purposes of getting good sleep--which is the only time, in my opinion, to ever actually be in the cabin on a cruise ship. I don't go on a cruise to sit in my cabin and look out the window. And if I want to be outside, that's what outside decks are for. Just more of my odd opinions.

I guess all the jerks work for airlines . . .

chunkyfrog wrote:I guess all the jerks work for airlines . . .

At least, the ones that cain't get a guv'ment job.

I would think if you can afford a cruise, you could lift up the seat cushions on the sofa and find a Dollar in change, then go to Wal-Mart and buy a couple of 10 foot extention cards from China. put them in your XPAP Bag. Jim

Maybe if you find more, buy a 3 prong adaptor too, and blow up life vest.