Refrigeration on Alaska Land Tour?

[lwf99]

We are taking a land tour with some friends and they have medication for their daughter that needs refrigeration. Do the rooms at the various lodges have refrigeration? The medication is incredibly expensive and they can't risk putting it in a refrigerator other than in their room. Thanks for your help!

[Toto2Kansas]

If I were you I would contact each lodge you plan to stay at. Most that we have seen do not usually include a frig in the room, but they can be provided at most if there is a medical reason. Maybe packing a very small ice chest for the land tour may be the trick, as during the day, if it has to be kept cold, you won't have access to a frig on the bus or trains either.

[lwf99]

Thank you for the advice!!! We will try that!

[cb at sea]

Many pharmaceutical companies that make medications that require refridgeration will provide some sort of "cooler" for travel....my SIL was on an injectable med. that HAD to be chilled all the time....the Rx company sent her this battery-powered fridge...just large enough for the medication....have them check that out.

[Dayenu]

Bring something like a cooler or lunchbox. The tour company can switch hotels any time! And usually on tours you leave your hotel in the morning, spend the day on the bus, and arrive at another hotel.

[Loonbeam]

From the Princess side, our room in fairbanks had one, our room in Denali (in the older section) did not, and while ours in McKinley did, we were upgraded to a suite so can't say if all rooms do.

 

You will still need some way to keep the medicine chilled on the ground portions of the trip, so a cooler is a good idea. Note that icepacks are not necessarily the best option as the temp can vary, a battery operated rechargeable cooler may be the best option if it can retain temp.

 

Unfortunately I don't know of any commercially available right now, so the idea of contacting drug providers or a medical supply store is a good one.

 

It all depends on how strict the temp range needs to be.

[Budget Queen]

You may also want to verify the actual shelf life with the manufactor/pharmcist.

 

Many times the refridgeration is RECOMMENDED, but not necessary. Some injectables, can be room temp for 30 days.

 

As noted, you are going to be on the road EXTENDED. If you happen to be on the "Direct to Denali" tour, you are 10 hours on the train. It is at least 6 hours on a bus, Denali/Anchorage.

 

Your own "cooler" is necessary. Do NOT count on any being provided/available for you.