Going on a cruise in January

[apneawho]

This will be our first cruise with cpap machines, both my husband and me. Does anyone have any experience with cruise lines and whether they can provide distilled water? We are driving to the port but not sure if we should take a bottle of distilled water with us; not sure cruise security will allow that much liquid through. I made a request thru the travel agent, but have not heard back yet.

[xenablue]

Contact the cruise line, and also look on their website. The cruiseline we use has a special form if you need specific allowances for medical conditions. Whenever we go on a cruise, I have a sharps container waiting in our stateroom for my glucose testing and pen tip gear.

I'm sure you could just call your cruise contact and they would tell you. We haven't done a cruise since Dx of OSA, but I have no anxiety over them bending over backwards as on previous occasions to accommodate our every need.

There should be ample outlets for your machine, but again, check with the cruiseline on this - they really are experts and used to all kinds of special requests.

Have a great time!

Cheers,
xena

[SMenasco]

I have taken my machine on several trips and always use potable tap water if I am gone less than two weeks. Since the cruise will probably not be longer than a week or so, plain water will be fine and you won't have to worry about lugging or obtaining distilled water. However, you could ask a steward if dw is available. Tap water is safe (home humidifiers do not use distilled water), and the heater plate in your humidifier doesn't get hot enough to cause the deposit of any noticable minerals in that short period of time. Of course, there may be those that might think my recommendation is blasphemus, reckless, dangerous, outrageous and should be a capital offense, or at least, punishable by approved waterboarding, my favorite enhanced interrogation technique (that's when only distilled water is used). Go have fun. P.S. I would take a couple of 6 ft. extension chords, though.

[Perrybucsdad]

worst case you could use regular tap water just for the cruise. I have the ResMed unit with the take apart water tank and I use tap water most days. I just have to clean it a little more each week, but I can't see any harm for a short use of tap water.

I guess the other side is I would think they have to allow medical devices and if the distilled water is necessary, you may be able to get it on board. You may have to pack a suitcase for this, but not sure.

John

[Wonka]

I was provided a bottle on royal Caribbean last year with an advance request...don't remember the cost bu it wasn't free,or cheap.

[eulie99]

I have had my CPAP for almost 3 years now. When I went to the medical supply company to pick up my machine and be instructed in its use, they told me to only use distilled water, unless I am travelling. Bottled water is fine when travelling. It is easy to find and available everywhere. Was on a cruise the last week of September and I used (purchased) the large bottle of water in the refrigerator. I did need to request an extension cord; the outlets were not close enough to the nightstand in the cabin. My request was quickly accommodated. I liked the previous suggestion to pack an extension cord. I would suggest the same. Enjoy your cruise!

[Treesap]

I used the terrible Los Angeles tap water when I went on a trip there last month. After a week, I had scale in my humidifier. I let it soak with vinegar, and it became as good as new.

[Kit]

We cruised with Holland America. I bought some distilled water the night before the cruise and brought it on the ship...no biggy. But I have traveled some places where I was unable to get distilled water...I just used regular...no problem...it won't be that long. Once I got water from a science lab.

[yardbird]

Most modern cruise ships are making their own fresh water using evaporators and/or osmosis. Desalination doesn't run while in port for a lot of reasons. It usually requires the engines to be running and the water in port or near shore isn't clean enough and would require a lot of extra work. So in port you may often see a large blue water line attached to the ship. They actually add minerals back IN to the purified water for drinking.

I've taken my CPAP all over the US and Canada, to the Bahamas, to St. Lucia, and used whatever water was coming from the tap most of the time. In some places, the bottled water may actually contain MORE minerals than the tap water. So if you can get distilled water free or really cheap, go for it, but don't worry about it.

ALSO... if you're going on a cruise, there's a real good chance you won't need your humidifier. I use my humidifier in winter because I live in the northeast and the house air gets dry, but when traveling to the Caribbean or Florida to see my brother, I've stopped taking it because I didn't need it.

Relax and have fun on your cruise. Cross this concern off your list as you'll be fine with whatever is at hand.

[SleepyInIndy]

Been to Alaska twice using Holland. The frist trip I requested distilled water through the agent, and a gallon jug was waiting for me in our room. It was expensive vs purchasing at your local grocery (don"t remember the cost - about 2-3 bucks). The second trip I used tap water. I just cleaned the humidifier chamber after the trip - no issues.

What was needed was the 15 foot extension cord I always carry in my travel cpap. The outlet available was across the room from the nightstand. I could have gotten a cord from the steward, but I prefer using what I have (I have visions of some heavy-duty cable). It was also needed because there was only the one outlet available in the room and I had cpap, battery chargers (3 cameras, cell phone). I needed the extra outlets.

so go, enjoy, and relax. The cruise lines have seen it many, many times.

John

[jamiswolf]

Apneawho,
Sounds like great fun. I second the motion to just use tap water. Taking (and paying for) bottled water from the fridge is an option...but if it's spring water, it probably is worse then the tap water...far as minerals is concerned.
Have a blast...
J

[mowdoc]

My wife and I have been on 18 cruises. Can't wait till the next!!

As stated above, the ship makes its own water and that water is very clear. I would not worry about using it in a CPAP. Odds are, they will allow you to bring distilled onboard if you wish.

Most cruise ships only have two outlets in a standard cabin - 120V. One in the main cabin that is very close to one in your house for capacity, and one more in the bath that is only rated for a shaver. They also frown on power strips and often collect them when found.

My advice is to contact the cruise line directly, no travel agent, and make them aware of your needs and plans. They will bend over backwards to help you IF they know in advance. All you need when you call is your booking number and they will have everything ready when you board the ship.

Now, stop worring about your CPAP and get to the important stuff, like which activities to do in ports, and what drink you are going to sample next!!!

Bon Voyage!!!

[Linus]

The water from the tap on board if fine. I found no issues with it. Make sure you take a power strip and a three pronged extension cord. I showed up with a power strip but it would not reach. The crew did not have extension cords with three prongs. I had to buy an adapter to deal with this.

Hope this helps. Also, I never slept better. Sleeping at sea was so relaxing.

[Sheriff Buford]

You people!!!!.... I've been wanting to take a cruise for so long, I can taste it!!! I haven't been able to talk the wifey into it. I'll keep tryin'... I'm jealous!!!

Sheriff

[xenablue]

OMG!!! Sheriff!! I can't believe you can't talk your wife into a cruise... they are AWESOME!!!

Where else can you take a holiday where you don't have to do a damn thing - no cleaning, cooking, making the bed, tidying the house/bedroom??? You can shop on board, go to the gym, lie by one of several pools, party all night, eat pizza, dine in elegance, take in a show, visit exotic ports ..... WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE???

My whimpy DH was worried about seasickness - never happened - even in pretty high seas, that boat hardly moved due to the incredible stablizers they have now.

Did I miss anything??? LOL

Cheers, and good luck with convincing her - once you get her on the first cruise, though be warned - she'll be planning the next one before she gets home from the that one.

xena