Oxygen Concentrator for London cruise

[Sweet Te]

My family is planning a Northern European (Golden Princess) cruise and we need oxygen for my mom while on the ship. Princess certainly allows it but they don't help with logistics. Oxygen leasing company in US will provide a concentrator crated for shipping, but we're concerned about it getting lost or mishandled. The ship leaves from Southampton, UK so we'd like to rent equipment in the UK and have it delivered to the ship. Does anyone have experience with this at all? Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

-Te

[Efisio]

There is a portable machine available which may be of benefit to you. Try this link. http://www.airseplifestyle.co.uk/

 

Port operations at Southampton are very good, and if you have anything to be shipped on board you really shouldn't worry too much. If you have to carry your own supply on, try ringing Princess Cruises, and ask them if you can get a pass to board the ship, soley for the purpose of putting your oxygen supply in the cabin. You would then have to disembark, and go through the same embarkation process as the rest of the passengers.

We used to do this to install a kidney machine on P&O ships.

[DEL67]

I know CareVacations services Barcelona so they may also provide service in Southampton.

 

However, have you asked the company that provides her oxygen in the US if they will lend you a travel concentrator? Our old one used to It was bulky to travel with, but it saved us a lot of money.

 

I had contacted Carevacations because our new oxygen company will not lend us a concentrator for travel. I did not use them because the cost of renting from them for our 11 night Transatlantic was not much less than buying a used one. Since we travel several times a year purchasing one made more sense.

[Queenie2]

Here is a list of suppliers in the UK, from the Better Breathers guide

 

Alm Hospital Equipment Ltd

Stafford Shire (Burton), England

Phone: 011-44-12.83.56.62.33

Fax: 011-44-12.83.51.19.55

15 No. Side Bus. Park Hawkins Ln.

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Penzance, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Oxford, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Nottingham, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Norwich, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Northampton, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Newcastle, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Middlesbrough, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Manchester, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Maidstone, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

London, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Peterborough, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Plymouth, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Portsmouth, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

York, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

York, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Wolverhampton, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Weymouth, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Southend, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Southampton, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Sheffield, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Scarborough, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Salisbury, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Reading, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Liverpool, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Lincoln, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Colchester, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Cheltenham, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Carlisle, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Cambridge, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Bristol, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Brighton, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Bournemouth, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Blackpool, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Birmingham, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Berwick-on-Tweed, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Darlington, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Derby, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Leicester, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Leeds, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Lancaster, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Ipswich, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Hull, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Grimsby, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Gloucester, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Exeter, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Dover, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Doncaster, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Air Products - Medical Group

Barrow, England

Phone: 011-44-292-049-8866

Fax: 011-44-292-048-8255

Post: Sherwater H, OceanPk Cardiff CF15HF

Email: holiox@oxygentherapy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

If it was me, I would also go with one of the new portable ones - the airsep listed earlier or the inogen one (http://inogen.net/). The logistics just seem easier.

 

Candy

[DEL67]

I investigated some of the new, small ones. They were much much more expensive and because they are new, there were no used or rebuilt ones available. I bought a used Oxlife Excel. It weighes 18 lbs so it is still portable and it cost less than 20% of what the smaller ones costs.

[Queenie2]

Dale:

 

Question. Won't insurance and/or medicare cover oxygen concentrators? Or do the only cover a small amount of the price? It would seem a savings for insurance companies, as compared with cannister oxygen (over time that is). What has your experience been?

 

and sweet Te: you didn't mention which airline you are using, but depending on the airline you may be able to use the oxygen concentrator on board the plane (airsep and inogen for now). If that's the case, you may be able to save on oxygen for the flight.

 

Candy

[Sweet Te]

Wow! Thanks, Ladies, for all the great info. My Mom only needs oxygen to sleep and she uses a concentrator in her home that is quite large, bulky and HEAVY! Her oxygen supplier here in the US will crate one similar to hers and ship it for her and Medicare will cover that cost. We have to insure it and that's not a problem but we're worried that it might get lost in shipping or misdirected. You know how luggage is sometimes when you need it worst. If it didn't make it to the ship for some reason, we'd be in big trouble because she has to have it at night. Hence our preference to pick up a concentrator once we arrive and return it before we start home. But I will check into the small ones and see how much one of those would be to rent. Is it small enough to carry on to the plane? We'd be OK handling something small ourselves, but we're dubious in our trust of the baggage handling process for something so critical.

-Te

[DEL67]

Candy:

 

Yes, our insurance company pays most of the rental cost of the oxygen concentrator my husband uses at home; however, it is too large to take with us when we travel and the insurance company will not pay for rental of a smaller one.

 

Ironically, the vendor used by our old insurance company not only had travel concentrators which they lent us at no additional cost, but they also serviced most cities in the US so we could have gotten a concentrator delivered to us in our destination city if we preferred. Not being a trusting individual, I always used travel ones even though it added to the luggage we had to transport.

[DEL67]

Sweet Te:

 

If you rent one of the small ones, just make sure it runs on an AC power supply as I believe that the batteries only last a few hours at most and you would not want to have to change them in the middle of the night.

[Seapuffer]

Hello Sweet Te,

I do have experience with supplying a group with O2 in London and the man is magnificent. Please email me directly at ampmmack@frontiernet.net.

Seapuffer

[Seapuffer]

Hi Candy,

Not everyone is able to use the portable concentrator. For some the flow rate is not high enough, for others they are not ready to put all their eggs in one basket.Travelling with oxygen is daunting to some people, others take it in stride.For those who would like the comfort of travelling with others in a like condition, going with a group escorted by Respiratory Therapists who are there for support and also hold learning sessions onboard is the way to go.There are not a 'ton' of travel agents who do this.Taking a group of travelers who are on oxygen is labor intensive with months of pre-planning with the therapists, airlines, transfers(not by waiting ages in a coach, but in taxis or limos), meeting travelers at the gate with their oxygen, cruising and shore excursions, and back-up supplies.It takes a travel agency dedicated and willing to stretch to its limits to do this.

Sincerely,

Pam at Seapuffer Cruises