4 day with sister- questions

[ckekjhaze]

We are taking my sister on a 4 day on the Carnival Glory. I am so excited, I think we are all going to have a great time. A 4 day with 1 port will be a good first cruise for her to see how she does.

Also, it shouldn't be too hot because she can't take a lot of direct sun.

 

She is on oxygen and has the large concentrator at home and the portable metal tanks for trips.

 

She is on 4 liters and a tank gets used quickly. We don't have the type of tanks that we can refill from home, and a truck brings new ones every week.

 

I want to know what kind of portable concentrator to request for the trip.

We have connecting OV cabins- and I heard there are no extension cords allowed so will I have a problem with her concentrator, CPAP and I also have to keep her ipod charged.

 

What do you do for incontinence? She wears depends-and I will take her frequently to the bathroom but sometimes she doesn't make it or she leaks through when sleeping.

I was going to bring a plastic shower curtain liner for under the sheet and then put disposable chuks pads on top. Anything you reccommend me saying to the room steward?

 

If we do a bus tour in Saint John is there room for a foldup chair?

 

Any other tips?

 

Thanks

Kathy

[katisdale]

Contact the special needs desk at Carnival and discuss your need for the extension cord with them. This should not be an impossible to solve problem. I have to bring one to charge the batteries on my scooter and it has never been a problem. When you board ask the steward for extra trash bags which he will happily provide for you. We were with friends who took a baby with them and that is how the diapers were handled. They were asked to put the diapers in the bag and then to tie it shut. I have problems with walking, not breathing so I can't help with the oxygen question

[Joy2Day]

Not a problem for me in July 2009 or Oct 2010. I carry my own extension cords ... good shape, heavy-duty, etc... and label them for "used for medical equipment". My husband has a CPAP and I have my concentrator. I only need oxygen for sleeping, so I rent a standard machine. It is waiting in my cabin for me, and I leave it there when I leave.

 

It is a little more pricey that my rental charges for trips on land. And since this is "for my convenience", insurance does not reimburse me. , But that's just part of the price of cruising for me.

[ckekjhaze]

OK thanks I'll ask for extra trash bags.

 

We are sailing from New York so I'll have to research which company to rent the oxygen from.

[Joy2Day]

Check with Carnival since they have approved companies. I've used CareVacations and Special Needs at Sea, and both have been fine to work with.

[RuthieandTony]

As far as the incontenance issue goes, my mom suffers from the same thing. I would suggest going to Wal-Mart or Big Lots and purchasing a few plastic mattress liners. They are relatively inexpensive. If you have chuks, bring those along also. I would talk with your cabin stewart on the day that you board and ask him to put the liner on the bed, and explain the situation to him. The additional garbage bags are also an excellent idea so that there isn't an issue with any lingering odors.

 

But above all, don't worry about it and have a great time. We often tip mom's cabin stewart extra for being kind and helpful. ;););)

[Splinter]

My mother also has incontinence sometimes. At night she wears a good quality pull-up type adult diaper with a booster pad, and sleeps on large sized disposable "chux". We bring them with us. We also bring two non-disposable large size cloth chux, which go under the paper ones. These we can wash if needed. We also bring a bunch of plastic grocery type bags so we can bundle up any used disposable pads or chux and tie, and leave with the trash for the cabin attendant. This way we don't have wet sheets (have only had VERY rarely) and it is easy for the cabin steward to clean up.

 

We take all of these supplies, along with day incontinence pads, wipes, and straight catheters (5 per day), gloves, etc. in one carry on duffel bag, along with her medications. This is well labeled "medical supplies" so it does not count against her carry-on stuff. We never check this, only clothing, as it would be a disaster if that bag were to get lost. By the time we go home, I can usually fold up that bag and stash it in another large bag as we have used up all or nearly all the supplies.

 

I have occasionally had disposable chux or pads left over at the end of the cruise that I don't want to have to drag home, and I have always found the nurses at the ship's infirmary more than happy to take them off my hands as a donation.

 

(KLD)

[ckekjhaze]

Thanks!

Good idea donating the remainder to the infirmary. I checked out CareVacations and even thought about renting a wheelchair because with 6 of us our minivan will be packed tight. We drive to the port. But the chair would get delivered to the room, correct? We would need it for checkin so I'll have to find room for it.

I'm thinking of using soft duffle bags for everyone and they will have to hold them on their laps. It's only a 2 hour ride.

[krisnme]

Don't worry about the w/c being delivered to the ship, just request a chair at the port from any of the luggage porters. you can use this chair all the way to the ship and then retrieve the chair from your cabin. check with customer service when you board and if your rental is in your cabin they should escort you to get it. if it is not there yet they will allow you to use one of the on-board chairs until you can get yours. Check with your sisters insurance to see if they loan any portable oxygen concentrators. most will handle at least 6lpm and if you get extra batteries you will not have to carry any tanks at all! Much easier when doing a lot of sight-seeing. just remember to bring a large backpack or bungee cords to hook it to the w/c or else someone will have to roll it along-side. you are allowed to bring a good quality extension cord to use for medical purposes, never had this questioned when packed with our medical equipment/supplies. Have a great cruise!