CPAP on a Cruise

sinclaj · Post by **sinclaj** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 11:39 am

I will be going on a 3-week European Cruise in 2006.

I travel with my CPAP all of the time domestically, but since starting therapy, this will be my first European trip and first cruise.

My question to the group concerns distilled water.

Will I be able to buy it on the ship (Princess Lines if that matters)?

If not, is it as easy to find in Europe as it is in the states (usually I look for a pharmacy in big cities since grocery stores aren't on every corner)?

I usually take enough for 2 nights in my carry-on and then buy a gallon when I get to my destination. Thank heavens it is so cheap!

Any advice would be appreciated.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 12:31 pm

Will you be sleeping on the ship the whole time?

You might need socket converters it you'll be sleeping on shore in differnet countries - take a look at this url, which has very useful info and picturesabout electricity around the world.

http://users.pandora.be/worldstandards/ ... .htm#plugs

By the way, in case you're wondering - you won't need a transformer, your machine's power supple handles the voltage differnces on its own.

O.

mikemoran · Post by **mikemoran** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 1:07 pm

Water on a cruise is not really a problem. The water supplied by the ship is usually de-salinated salt water which is purified and very close to distilled water. For the few days of a cruise it should work out okay.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 3:04 pm

I just got back from a cruise. You will need a long extension cord because there were no power outlets near the bed.

dsg · Post by **dsg** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 3:47 pm

Never travel anywhere without a good extension cord and plug adapter. You just never know, I've found. I can do without the distilled water for days at a time, but electricity is everything.
signed,
A zillion hotel rooms, about 2 dozen inns and bed & breakfasts and assorted other places in 5 or 6 countries, and counting....

Barnaby · Post by **Barnaby** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 4:25 pm

I have been on the Carib Princess and the Dawn Princess this year of 2005 and found that the distance from the one and only 110 Volts outlet was far enough away that I was glad I brought my own extension cord. Also you will be pleased if you took a 3 way adapter so that you will be able to use a night light or electric accesory of any kind at the outlet usually across the cabin from where you will sleep. I took enough water in my pack to handle about 5 nights and used water from faucet last few nites....no problem On 12/11 I sail with Celebrity and expect to be right on target for my needs BON VOYAGE !!!!

Barnaby

smyles · Post by **smyles** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 5:18 pm

I just got off the Carnival Spirit two weeks ago and had no problem with the CPAP. As documented above, the tap water is essentially distilled, don't forget a good 6' extension cord as they rarely have a power outlook adjacent to the beds. You'll have no problems!!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 5:56 pm

I dont think 6 ft of extension is enough...I think I have 10 ft. and of course the correct plug at the end of the extension cord to fit the cpap or make sure you have an adapter to put them together.. Dont think you need you worry about the water supply. You can email Princess and sk where their water comes from
Barnaby

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 6:33 pm

Cruising, my favorite pasttime! I took the Spirit on her maiden voyage in Alaska! Nice ship. I cruise at least once a year and sometimes two and have for many years. The extension cord suggestion is a ver ygood one but if you forget, call housekeeping and they will supply one. As far as water, I carry three distilled water in bottled water bottles and it lasts the 7 nights of the average cruise. Take four, they don't take much room at all in luggage and you will be fine on shore. It is hard to find and you ddon't want to spend your precious time worrying about it. Take a small container of vinegar with you for cleaning.

Have a great time!

tlc95066 · Post by **tlc95066** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 9:42 am

I hope you enjoy your cruise. I was on a 12 day inagural cruise on the Carnival Liberty leaving out of Rome, Italy over the summer. Great fun! This was our first cruise and it will certainly not be our last!

I just used bottled water in my humidifier and that worked just fine. We were gone for 2 weeks and I was not sure how much distilled water to bring. The one issue that we encountered was the electrical plug. I took a 10 foot extension cord and a surge protector and boy was I glad that I did. I needed every inch of the cords put together. I am sure that I could have obtained more cord from Carnival if needed thought.

Have a great time!
Teri

GoodKnight · Post by **GoodKnight** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 5:03 pm

You do not need to use distilled water in the humidifier. Over a very long period of time with tap water a residue will be deposited on the inside of the container but this will not interfere with the operation at all. The manufacturers recommend distilled water only to avoid this, but it will not make any difference to the quality of the therapy you get.

I recently returned from a 5 week European trip to Spain, Portugal and England, used tap water all the way and had no problems.

But heed the previous advice of other posters: Get long extension cords.

Using tap water for a few weeks will not affect anything. Simply rinse the humidifier every night and residue will not be a problem at all. You probably don't even have to do that.
So don't worry about it and have a good time on your cruise.

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 5:36 pm

I totally disagree. If you want your humidifier to last a long time, and I do, use distilled water. Don't believe me, look at the inside of your electric tea pot or coffee port. Most tap water is hard and contains all kinds of minerals that stay after the water has been used up. And who wants to clean out the humidifier each and every day? Why? Distilled water is cheap!

IMHO and that of most everyone else, I would not heed the advise to not use distilled water!

GoodKnight · Post by **GoodKnight** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 7:37 pm

The whole point was that you don't have to worry about it on a three week vacation.
Of course use it at home, it is easy to get, but on vacation, have fun and don't worry about it.

Mask	Humidifier

Mask	Humidifier

CPAP on a Cruise

CPAP on a Cruise

Extension cords