Going on a cruise

[Nokomis]

I am wondering how does one travel on a cruise ship with a CPAP. I will be going on my 1st cruise in June and want to know about:
1) distilled water or should I used bottled water for my humidifer? Do cruise ships provide distilled water?
2)Small rooms: how to set up CPAP in a small room?
3) checking on board with luggages and CPAP.

If you have had experiences going on a cruise with CPAP, please share. Thanks

[amos]

Nokomis,

I have been on several cruises with cpap. Sometimes it takes a little ingenuity, but it can be done. First, I always carry on my cpap machine. I do not trust the baggage handlers with it. I also carry on a few 16 oz. Gatorade bottles filled with distilled water in my luggage. If you let them know ahead, some cruise ships will have distilled water in the room when you get there. Also if you let the cabin steward know, he will get you a little table if one is not already available.

Also, here is another tips: Usually there is only one electrical outlet in the cabin. Bring a multiple outlet with you and 12-15 feet of extension cord. I have run the extension cord under the beds and over head sometimes.

I'll be happy to share any other tips with you if you like. Which cruise line are you sailing with.

Amos

[NeurosurgeryNP]

[quote

Nokomis,

I have been on several cruises with cpap. Sometimes it takes a little ingenuity, but it can be done. First, I always carry on my cpap machine. I do not trust the baggage handlers with it. I also carry on a few 16 oz. Gatorade bottles filled with distilled water in my luggage. If you let them know ahead, some cruise ships will have distilled water in the room when you get there. Also if you let the cabin steward know, he will get you a little table if one is not already available.

Also, here is another tips: Usually there is only one electrical outlet in the cabin. Bring a multiple outlet with you and 12-15 feet of extension cord. I have run the extension cord under the beds and over head sometimes.

I'll be happy to share any other tips with you if you like. Which cruise line are you sailing with.

Amos

Ditto - all of the above. We just got back from our 4th cruise on CPAP.

NEVER check your CPAP = the longshoreman are known to manhandle bags like the airline workers do.

DIstilled water - can be arranged with your cruise line in advance. We call the cruise line's representative - who this is depends on the cruise line - on Princess it was the dietary coordinator (since they order the water) on Carnival - it was the guest special needs office. We arranged it, and once ont he ship, we called room service and it was promptly delivered. On Princess -w e never got charged for it, on Carnival it was $3. Worth it to not have to carry it onboard. You can however, use the tap water on board too -it is produced by reverse osmosis and desalinated. However, they do add small amounts of chlorine, as with the public systems, in order to rpevent bacterial growth in the pipes, etc. It is entirelly up to you. I do drink the tap water onboard - it tastes better than our home water.

If you forget your extesnion cord, the steward can bring you one if you ask. There are usually night tables besides the bed - they are often and small and you may have to put you machine on an angle in order for it not to be jutying out and risk toppling it if you knock into it. As Amos said - you have to bring a power strip - on all the cruises we have been on (including the differenct lines) there has only been one outlet in the cabin aside from the bathroom for a razor (we haven't stayed in a suite though ). Becasue husband and I are both on CPAP, we bring the power strip and an extra extension cord to run behidn the bed as the outlets are almost always on one side of the bed in our experience.

With Carnival, because we arranged ahead of time for the distileld water with the special needs department, our Sign and sail card was flagged when we boarded to see the purser right after embarkation. We didn't know why - but when we got there, they wanted to make sure we didn't need anything for the CPAP, that we had HAND carried on the CPP (and not put it into our checked bag) and to tell us to call room service for the distilled water.

[OutaSync]

Bring something to manage your hose. A big clip to clip to the curtain over the bed and a hair scrunchie to run your hose through. You may have a window over your bed, so bring along a suction cup with a hook for your scrunchie, or one of those 3M easily removeable hooks. These things don't take up much space and can really make sleeping more comfortable.

Have fun on your cruise!! I'm only a little jealous!!

Bev

[S-Dubya]

I just returned from a cruise on 2/1. I have to agree - bring and extension cord and a multi-outlet jack (surge protector).

As for the water, I used the tap water the entire week with no issues. I don't worry about distilled water at home and I figured that if the water was okay to drink it was okay to breathe.

And definitely carry on your gear. xPAP gear and baggage handlers do not mix.

Enjoy the cruise. I am totally jealous!

[Nokomis]

Thank you all for your input. I am writing all this down on my "what to bring" list for the cruise.

We are going on the Holland American Cruise to Alaska to celebrate my father in law s 75 th Birthday.

[OutaSync]

If you call ahead, Holland America will have a gallon of distilled water waiting for you in your cabin. They also provided (without me even asking) a long extension cord.

I love Holland America!!! Alaskan cruises are awesome. Bring layers of clothing with a waterproof one for the outside. Even in August, it was cold and rainy.

Enjoy!

Bev

[PEELS]

I've cruised with Royal Caribbean and they have provided a gallon jug of distilled water and an extension cord. Contact their Special Needs" department as well to set up the request ahead of time. As previously posted, bring your own power strip as there is usually only one outlet and I (because I find it so critical) bring my own extension cord just in case ... Recommend at least a 12 foot cord. I believe most cruise lines are very accommodating and are more than willing to help paying cruiser.

Oh, enjoy your cruise!

[Fredman]

I am wondering how does one travel on a cruise ship with a CPAP. I will be going on my 1st cruise in June and want to know about:
1) distilled water or should I used bottled water for my humidifer? Do cruise ships provide distilled water?
2)Small rooms: how to set up CPAP in a small room?
3) checking on board with luggages and CPAP.

If you have had experiences going on a cruise with CPAP, please share. Thanks

Everyone is correct on this one...I am going on my second with Carnival, but they did not provide on my first and confirmed that they do not provide distilled water and that you will have to bring it on board yourself. My Carnival Personal Vacation Planner checked with the special needs group and confirmed for this cruise. This confirms the findings of my independant Travel Agent on the first cruise we took this past January.

On the Carnival Liberty, I had to place the CPAP on the sofa next to the bed as the night stand was too small and the table lamp is permanently fixed to the table. I had 4.5 ft power strip with surge protection...worked perfectly just be careful that a cabin mate doesn't trip over the cord in the middle of the evening.

Also, I recommend draining the humidifier each morning, just in case for any reason your CPAP takes a tumble.

Enjoy, once you cruise, your done for...I just love it!

[lovey]

Just seconding that Carnival doesn't provide, and doesn't have distilled water on board. But, because of the reverse osmosis, and the short duration of most cruises, I wouldn't worry too much. I haven't noticed anything bad happening while I have been on cruises in the last few years to my bipap.

Also, if you are going by air to get there, make sure to give extra time for security. Your pap is not counted in the carry-on limit. Pull your pap out of it's bag and set it in one of the bins. They will always take it and run a special "bomb" test on it. The cruise lines have stepped up security too, but they don't have the "bomb" test yet...

I'm jealous.. have a good time... Lovey

[Fredman]

Just seconding that Carnival doesn't provide, and doesn't have distilled water on board. But, because of the reverse osmosis, and the short duration of most cruises, I wouldn't worry too much. I haven't noticed anything bad happening while I have been on cruises in the last few years to my bipap.

Also, if you are going by air to get there, make sure to give extra time for security. Your pap is not counted in the carry-on limit. Pull your pap out of it's bag and set it in one of the bins. They will always take it and run a special "bomb" test on it. The cruise lines have stepped up security too, but they don't have the "bomb" test yet...

I'm jealous.. have a good time... Lovey

Good points. I used the bottled water the large bottle 1.5 liter bottle for $3.45! The bottled water had too much mineral content so that started to build up a bit on the inside of the humidifier tank. I think you are on to a good thing about using the drinking water, the mineral content should be lower. I use filtered reverse osmosis water for Wine making so it is really pure.

I always leave my CPAP in the case and 98% time they just xray it. Often they will say it CPAP? A couple of times they opened it and swabbed it. Airport Security have seen these units lots of times.

[jay182009]

I used a bottle that 1.5 liters only this mineral content a good and fresh water!I can say its very guaranteed than the another one.I used it every day.


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[OceanGoingGal]

Just seconding that Carnival doesn't provide, and doesn't have distilled water on board. But, because of the reverse osmosis, and the short duration of most cruises, I wouldn't worry too much. I haven't noticed anything bad happening while I have been on cruises in the last few years to my bipap.

Also, if you are going by air to get there, make sure to give extra time for security. Your pap is not counted in the carry-on limit. Pull your pap out of it's bag and set it in one of the bins. They will always take it and run a special "bomb" test on it. The cruise lines have stepped up security too, but they don't have the "bomb" test yet...

I'm jealous.. have a good time... Lovey

As a Cruise Specialist I have recently checked with Carnival (7/19/10) I am cruising with them in September, my first cruise since starting cpap therapy. I was told that Carnival will provide distilled water for $4.00 a bottle. I thought it expensive as I can buy 4 gallons at that price.This information came to me directly from Special Needs. I am opting for it as I really do not want to carry a gallon aboard. I will have enough to carry with my carry on and my cpap.

Laura

[OutaSync]

The price is well worth not having to worry about it, IMHO. I use less than one half gallon on a two week cruise. Cruise lines will also provide you with an extension cord if you ask through special needs. One less thing to have to lug around in your carry on.

[OceanGoingGal]

Thanks Bev, They did tell me that too but I never thought to post it. I always have an extension cord in my case anyway.Part ot my standard equipment. Since I sleep around a lot it comes in handy on some jobs. I do relief work for live in companions at supported living homes, it requires overnights.

Laura