Liquid Oxygen Cruise Completed on HAL

[Amukinamerika]

We just got back from taking my 82 year old mother and father on the Holland America Ryndam Southern Caribbean cruise from Tampa.

 

What a trip it was!

 

My husband had offered to take my folks on a cruise before investigating cruising with oxygen. When I contacted HAL I found them much less supportive than I thought they would be, telling me that I would have to wrestle those tanks myself (no "for hire" help allowed on the ship) and her concentrator or have their only oxygen vender (Care Vacations) deal with the oxygen.

 

My mother would not allow us to use Care Vacations as she felt that their rates were abusive and then we found www.seapuffers.com through her oxygen supplier, Apria.

 

I must report that we were all suspicious at their low rates. But the staff were wonderful. They sent two respitory therapists along who were responsible for the oxygen transport from and to the hotel before and after the cruise and getting it into her room (she has those really big heavy tanks). They had informative meetings and gave out freebies out to their clients. Those ladies "mothered" my mother, allowing us to have our cruise too. They even decorated her door and sent her chocolates on Valentine's day making her feel special.

 

If anyone is looking for cruising with a virgin cruiser on oxygen, I heartily endorse this group. Cruising with the Seapuffers is a great experience, one I look forward to doing again.

 

Are there other companies that offer this service on HAL ships? At present there are limited cruises offered by Seapuffers.

[Queenie2]

I have to admit I was confused with your post. I thought you found another oxygen provider, when all you found was a TA doing a group oxygen cruise. Tons of TAs do these cruises. It’s what they do -- group cruises.

 

TAs that do those cruises have access to a specific number of cruises and a specific number of accessible cabins before they are released again.

 

Otherwise you can just cruise independently and have an oxygen provider deliver your equip to your room. That is what care vacations does. Most cruise lines have restrictions on oxygen providers - part is because of security and part is because of the quality of their work.

 

Or you may want to consider a portable oxygen concentrator. That way you won't need any assistance.

 

Candy

[AAAAmerican]

Always nice to see affection, care, love and caring from children for there parents too.

 

Help can come aboard most ships but you have to get there own room and/or share yours...

 

But the cruise lines are getting better I know as they have to with the new laws passed about that too ..

 

Accesability is Vital. NCL lost in court on that and has gotten better ..

[Amukinamerika]

Hi Candy, I am just learning about the troubles with traveling with oxygen, just what is a TA? We checked into the POC and my mother has too high of a consumption to keep her saturation level correct at night according to a local provider. She needs the constant flow.

 

Care Vacations refused to contract to move her 3 Tall Apria tanks and concentrator aboard and insisted that we purchase oxygen from them to the tune of $2800 for a 17 day cruise.

 

Sounds like there are some new laws that AAAAmerican speaks about that I need to track down and read.

 

Thanks,

Becky

[Queenie2]

Just to clarify:

 

TA= Travel Agent

 

And when I said you should consider it, that meant that you should ask your doctor . No I don't think anyone should just convert to concentrated oxygen, you should of course consult with your doc. But if you can do it, it's so easy as far as travel is concerned.

 

I also have to add that I know of about 2,000 TAs that claim they specialize in accessible travel. They e-mail me constantly and ask me for an endorsement. I would only recommend about 6. It's pretty much the "in niche" to specialize in, and a lot of TAs are doing it for the bucks. Buyer beware.

 

I also have to say that my mom had oxygen supplied by Apria when she was alive. It caught fire in her home and the delivery person then pushed my dad down the stairs and broke his arm. And yes, there was a substantial settlement for that. Just mentioned that because I don’t' think you should hold up "Apria" as the be all and end all in oxygen service.

 

Candy

[Amukinamerika]

<snip>

 

I also have to say that my mom had oxygen supplied by Apria when she was alive. It caught fire in her home and the delivery person then pushed my dad down the stairs and broke his arm. And yes, there was a substantial settlement for that. Just mentioned that because I don’t' think you should hold up "Apria" as the be all and end all in oxygen service.

 

<snip>

 

My, you have really been through the mill with your folks - there is not a settlement big enough to compensate for the stress. I am so sorry for your grief.

 

Apria found us the "Seapuffers" group. I know my mom got set up with Apria 10 or so years ago because they had many offices scattered around the U.S. which allowed them to travel via automobile fairly easily and Medicare picked up the tab. Apria found this group through some pulmonary resource.

 

At this point, I don't think I am looking for traveling companions, nor porters - just another outfit similar to the Seapuffers. My folks pride themselves on their independence and have for respect for medical professionals. Do you know of any others that deal with Holland America and are medically trained therapists and will transport the goods? I would be very interested. I did my search through Google and speaking with HAL directly and came up completely empty handed.

 

The girls were more therapists than baggage handlers although they said that they did carry tools for minor repairs. I think the inhalation therapists had informational meetings with the group of 18 or so clients just about every day and the information they presented and the camaraderie that ensued was heartwarming.

 

Any help is appreciated, thank you.

Becky

[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.They work with providers at each port to get the best equipment at the best price for the cruisers.

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

[katsted69]

We are getting ready for our first cruise ever and we are taking our 2 kids and grandma which is on o2 at night. We too looked into Care Vacation and found them to be way to high. We have decided that since we are driving to FL, we would take her concentrator with us. It isn't the portable kind that you can carry but since she only needs it duringthe night, we will deal with the hassle of getting it on board.

[elsje]

We are getting ready for our first cruise ever and we are taking our 2 kids and grandma which is on o2 at night. We too looked into Care Vacation and found them to be way to high. We have decided that since we are driving to FL, we would take her concentrator with us. It isn't the portable kind that you can carry but since she only needs it duringthe night, we will deal with the hassle of getting it on board.

Hi Katrina,

I was put on a concentrator a month ago. I had already planned my Trans Atlantic cruise in January, so hear I am trying to figure out what to do. I too found Care vacations way too expensive. For the small 9lb it would cost me $1500 for 16 days and the big concentrator would cost me $575 and I could not take that one with me into Rome for another three days.

I called my Oxygen medical Co. who is suppluing me with the big concentrator at night and as a courtesy they are letting me use the smaller one, that weighs 28lbs, and they will box it for me so I can carry it on board or check it with my baggage.

Hopefully you might find a service like that one too on your next cruise. Hope all of you had a great cruise.

Els;)