CPAP Cruise or Conference

Well, that's interesting. I admit, I don't get out much. Pretty sheltered life.

I'm in, if its less than $100 per day.

Also, can we just wear our usernames on our name tags, and not give out our real names?

Think that would be fun.

Jay

I would think that a conference is more likely.

A cruise would be cool, but trying to put together the logistics would be a nightmare (having gone on one group cruise - it was fun, but the organizers were going nuts).....There are some groups that do it for a living, but it's not free......

cheers
goose

For whatever reason, I happened type 'penguicon' and 'cpap' into google.....evidently The Tron Guy is a CPAP user. There were other hits for CPAP, so....

Penguicon is a fairly open conference....wonder if a few CPAP user sessions could be planted on its schedule.

Or perhaps there are other established conferences that meetups can be arranged?

The Dreamer.

Or maybe I'm suddenly scared of traveling alone with a CPAP....

Last spring there was an email that went around that stated this older lady decided to go on a cruise and decided that was far cheaper than assisted living rooms.

Said that the room was tidied up for her, meals were prepared, if something was amiss in the room she just had to call customer service, etc. There were plenty of people around so she wasn't alone.

Don't know if it was actually true but it did make a lot of sense if you were mobile and wanted to save. I know in our area assisted living is going to cost you more than $100 a day.

I read the same story!!! And I believe it would be cheaper than extended care here, too. I know when I went on a cruise one time, there was a woman that was staying on the same ship for the next cruise. They didn't make her get off and then back on.

One thing about the cruise....make sure they can accommodate the machines. My late DH was unable to use his Nebulizer on the airplane even though we had checked with the airline and the travel agent. We even had a letter from the airline stating it wouldn't be a problem. The problem was due to something about the "electricity not being enough wattage"....my words - I never really understood other than it wouldn't produce the force he needed. He ended up in crisis and having to leave the airplane by wheelchair. Also - on our cruise....I wasn't able to use my hairblower because the plug in wouldn't fit the socket.

I love the idea of a cruise - probably the best value for the buck. Everyone can do their own thing outside of any group meetings or activities. You can be a couch potatoe or very active; it's great for groups withvarious ages, interests and backgrounds. 2nd choice would be a coference in the US. I'd vote for Vegas or the beach. We'd just have to advise the ship/hotel to stock up on distilled water and maybe extension cords!

A cruise could be interesting -- except that whichever cruise line would have to make sure I have a refrigerator in my cabin, and be prepared to handle special diets, because my diet is no more negotiable than my use of my Bipap Auto SV.

My other problem is finding a critter-sitter, since most cruises probably won't accept the Dachshund Duo.

With a conference, I can request a handicapped-accessible room and a refrigerator and microwave. I can eat some meals in restaurants, but pre-planned conference meals are deadly for me. If the conference hotel accepts fur kids, no hassle. If the conference hotel is difficult about fur children, then I'll stay at one nearby which does. I'll regret not giving the conference my room nights, but that's the way it goes.

I just returned from a music convention in Atlanta (see http://www.gafilk.org)which was lots of fun. The convention hotel was a Holiday Inn property which does not accept pets, so we stayed catty-corner from it at the Red Roof Inn, which does. The convention was small -- about 130 people, but this is its eleventh year, and I had a great time.

Now you're talking!! I go by the name OcenGoingGal and my license plate reads Cruznut!! I think I would be interested in a cruise for sure. I also run a small friendly message board forum for cruise addicted people like me. Quite a few of us are also c-pap users. Our motto is any excuse for a cruise.

Laura

As an avid cruiser and a former cruise agent I will say the best rates are in September.

Laura

A CPAPing cruise board? Where do I sign up?

Bev

Noro Virus is a Virus not something that is caused by the ship. It is usually brought aboard by someone that is infected. It spreads by hand to hand contact. For some reason the media seem to target the ships when there is an outbeak. Funny they never mention that it is more prevalent in schools. Whole school districts have been shut down by this virus.

Laura

OceanGoingGal wrote:Noro Virus is a Virus not something that is caused by the ship. It is usually brought aboard by someone that is infected. It spreads by hand to hand contact. For some reason the media seem to target the ships when there is an outbeak. Funny they never mention that it is more prevalent in schools. Whole school districts have been shut down by this virus.

Laura

Guess it depends on the school...a blog (run by a professor of food safety) at our school was talking about numerous noro virus outbreaks at other schools.

Recently there have been new hand washing posters all over campus....but it like all handwashing campaigns....it doesn't do anything. I still see co-workers blow by without washing their hands. The one by our office finally got defaced.

I kind of like having waterless hand cleaner dispensers around. Wish there were more places that had them. I just remember that they weren't there on cruise ships...and then they were.

The Dreamer.

Hi I started this thread last year, no real interest. In fact this was tried once before and we have a member on board you will see in this thread who is I believe a certified Travel Agent and he was involved I believe in the very first attempt to have a CPAP cruise.

Hand Sanitizers are apparently not effective in killing Noro Virus, but washing your hands does keep them clean so that if you transfer bugs to your face....where is Kopolov and the others we have quite a few scientific types here who are well informed on these issues.

Anyways I just got back from a cruise...our first cruise and just loved it! Started in Miami with stops at San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, USVI; St. Maarten, NA. We will cruise again!

I have a message forum for people who are as hopelessly cruise addicted as I am. Most of the members there have met either on cruises or on the dinners we have organised in Florida. We are all friends and the atmosphere on our board is very friendly. Most of us belong to a large cruise board also. Some of the members of my board use c-pap also. It was through their urging that I went for my study. We have a group cruise coming up in December. Anyone is welcome to join us for that.The cruise experience of the members ranges from those waiting for their first cruise to those who have cruised near 100 times. Please note, I am not an agent selling this cruise. I have nothing to gain financially from it and this is not intended to sell the cruise. It is ust an invitation for those who love to talk cruises to come and visit.

Laura

Fredman,

I'm so glad that you loved your cruise. People who have not been on one have no idea how much fun it is. And then there are those who wouldn't have fun anywhere. Did the cruiseline provide your distilled water and an extension cord? Wasn't it much easier than you thought it would be?
For those of you who are wondering about cost, I just saw a 12 night cruise for $488, leaving April 19, from New Orleans.

Oceangoinggal,

I dropped into your forum and looked around a little. You all seem to be such great friends, I'm almost afraid to join, lest I get addicted to yet another forum!!

Bev