Cruising with Dialysis machine

[fredlbear]

Hi, I want to book a cruise but I need to do dialysis, I have my own machine and do the whole thing by my self. My question is will the cruise line accept the boxes of supplies I need and store them for when I need them. I do the dialysis over night so I can enjoy the whole day on the cruise. The procedure is called home hemodialysis. If anybody body has experience with this situation I would appreciate your help

[jlp20]

Before you start thinking about of the logistics of moving supplies, you better contact cruise line(s). I do know there are organized cruises where dialysis is done by techs. From the little I know about cruise lines doing every thing possible to avoid responsibility, I doubt they would allow this. Contact the cruise line and get answer. If allowed, get it in writing. Your machines and supplies have to pass the ship's security who are famous for flagging items.

[Grandma Dazzles]

Welcome to CC.

 

I would suggest contacting the special needs department of the cruiseline that you are contemplating sailing on.

[Silver Sweethearts]

You might try posting this on the Disabled Cruise Travel message board. They seem to have the most up-to-date information and current experience on matters such as this. Enjoy your cruise!

[Hlitner]

This is the first time I can recall hearing a request for this info. We do know of a group "Dialysis at Sea" who works with several cruise lines and actually provides specialized medical staff and equipment which is done with the cooperation of the onboard medical staff. You might Google this organization and see if they can provide you with specific guidance and perhaps the procedures of the various cruise lines. Otherwise, if you know a cruise line or lines that have your interest, you might try to call their toll free number, explain your question and ask if you can speak with their medical office. At the very least you should be prepared to obtain a letter from your treating physician saying that its OK for you to travel and cruise.

 

I also am posting a link to a site that talks about cruising on Carnival with home dialysis:

https://homedialysis.org/news-and-research/blog/196-cruising-with-home-dialysis-tips-from-a-platinum-cruiser

 

Best of luck to you...and we hope it all works out :).

 

Hank

[1025cruise]

It shouldn't be an issue, but I expect all supplies would need to be kept in your cabin. Best option will be to contact special needs.

[fishywood]

You didn't specify which cruise line(s) you are considering but this is from Princess' web site:

 

Guests undergoing dialysis should be aware that our ships’ medical facilities are similar to those of an urgent care center. We do not have available specialists or specialized facilities. Should an emergency situation arise during the course of your cruise, it is recommended that you be prepared to provide a complete list of medical conditions, medications, and allergies to the medical center.

Although we strongly recommend against undertaking the risks involved, Princess Cruises will allow a guest requiring peritoneal or hemodialysis to travel on our ships at the guest’s own risk. It is recommended that a guest requiring dialysis consults with his or her nephrologist prior to making travel arrangements. You should be stable on your dialysis treatments for a period of at least 12 months prior to sailing.

[...]

Guests are expected to make all arrangements regarding dialysis, whether self-administered onboard or at a shoreside facility. Environmental Officers can assure that dialysis waste disposal policies are followed, including providing the stateroom with a closed lid waste receptacle lined with a bio-hazardous bag for care of bags or pouches of bio-hazardous waste.

Finally, you should be aware that there are charges associated with being treated in the medical facility during the course of the cruise, and that ordinary trip travel interruption insurance does not generally cover such treatment costs if you require medical consultation or treatment. An itemized bill will be provided which can be submitted to the guest’s health insurance company after the required treatment is charged to the onboard account.

Please contact the Fleet Medical Office at (661)753-2680 for your risk acknowledgement form and to receive supply delivery information.

So yes the cruise line will accept delivery of supplies, but you will likely need to use an approved medical supplier. And if you do not fully disclose everything the cruise line asks about your condition in advance--including documentation that you have been stable for at least one year--you could be either denied boarding or medically disembarked at the first port after any issues arise.

[cb at sea]

We, too, do home hemo.....but you will need all supplies shipped to the ship...we don't do nocturnal though.....I applaud you if you can do it all on your own. Hubby is required to have a "partner"...so that's me. He can't self-cannulate, so I do that, and pull needles. It's quite the process.

 

There is a group called "Dialysis at Sea"...google it. They can make your trip smoother. It's totally doable, tho...go and enjoy!

[lost4sure]

Hello,

 

My Mom was a paritoneal dialysis patient; it is also a nocturnal process. We cruised from 14 days to 50 days while she is doing nightly dialysis. We completed with HAL SRI form to inform them of the dialysis shipment. We used Baxter (the solution and materials provider) to logistic the whole process to the cruise port. HAL provided the storage for the solution and deliver the boxes to our cabin every few days as requested. Believe me, there were many boxes of solution 1.5 times in case of mal-function of the dialysis machine so we can do the old fashioned way. Princess won't store our solution so we only cruise with HAL. We carry on the dialysis machine, syringes, cassettes, drainbags, caps, tapes, gauze, gloves, masks, sanitizers, antibacterial soap and all other necessities on flight with us. DO NOT CHECKED THE DIALYSIS MACHINE ON FLIGHT; NO MATTER WHAT THE AIRLINE SAYS!!!! Baxter might ship the cassettes and drainbags depending on the length of cruise. We have done over 6 cruises while Mom was on dialysis. We never have an issue but it can be nerve wrecking on embarktion day to locate the solution. I ran from front office to Medical office to the cabin supervisor in order to ensure the solutions are on board. I made them show me the skid of solution below deck. Baxter will let you know how many boxes shipped in advance. Whatever left over, you need to discard it at the end of the cruise by draining all unused solution down the drain. Yes, it is a waste but HAL doesn't want it.

 

I hope this will help you. Please enjoy your cruise. My Mom certainly did and I am so blessed that I was on all those cruises with her.

 

Grace

[Keith1010]

You have been given excellent advice and as been mentioned do start by contacting the cruise line.

 

Keith

[lovemycrazy cats]

This is the first time I can recall hearing a request for this info. We do know of a group "Dialysis at Sea" who works with several cruise lines and actually provides specialized medical staff and equipment which is done with the cooperation of the onboard medical staff. You might Google this organization and see if they can provide you with specific guidance and perhaps the procedures of the various cruise lines. Otherwise, if you know a cruise line or lines that have your interest, you might try to call their toll free number, explain your question and ask if you can speak with their medical office. At the very least you should be prepared to obtain a letter from your treating physician saying that its OK for you to travel and cruise.

 

I also am posting a link to a site that talks about cruising on Carnival with home dialysis:

https://homedialysis.org/news-and-research/blog/196-cruising-with-home-dialysis-tips-from-a-platinum-cruiser

 

Best of luck to you...and we hope it all works out :).

 

Hank

 

That attachment post was awesome! I am not a dialysis patient, just a disabled RN who wants to encourage other folks with disabilities, be it physical mobilities, renal failure or other conditions that keep them from traveling to know that it is still possible to get out there and continue to enjoy that aspect of life that they assumed they had lost.

[ChiAngie]

I to plan on cruising with a home hemodialysis machine. Any tips are helpful and greatly appreciated. I have done dialysis off the ships in several ports but the first time on.