Oxygen on a Cruise; From NYTimes

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By PAUL FREIREICH

Oxygen on a Cruise

Q. I have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and use an oxygen concentrator when I sleep. Will I be able to travel on a cruise that originates and ends in New York and goes to Nova Scotia and several New England ports? - Peggy Lambeth, Greensboro, N.C.

A. Although the requirements of cruise lines vary, they typically call for having you or your travel agent get in touch with them in advance; sometimes a note from a doctor is required. Oxygen concentrators, which are about the size of an under-the-counter refrigerator (depending on the model), seem to be the easiest for cruise lines to deal with. But since concentrators rely on electricity, it is prudent for users to have accessible a nonelectrical source of oxygen - such as an E-type cylinder - should there be a power failure.

The concentrator in dealing with the lung disease you mention - which generally involves emphysema and chronic bronchitis either alone or together - makes up for the decreased ability of the lungs to take in oxygen.

Here's a look at the policies and sailings of some major cruise lines that run trips including the ports you mention and focusing on those leaving in September and October, when fall foliage is a popular attraction.

Carnival Cruise Lines, http://www.carnivalcruiselines.com, (800) 227-6482, has no limits on the form of oxygen used, but asks that passengers contact its guest access services department at (305) 599-2600, extension 70025, before the cruise. It also requires that oxygen be delivered only by medical supply companies.

Celebrity Cruises, (800) 437-3111, http://www.celebrity.com, imposes no limits on the kind of oxygen passengers can take aboard. If the supplier is a company other than CruiseShipAssist, Celebrity asks for the name of the person who will be delivering oxygen to the passenger's cabin and picking it up so that it can do a background check.

The Cunard Line, http://www.cunard.com, (305) 463-3000, allows oxygen concentrators without advance notice.

Holland America Line, (877) 724-5425, http://www.hollandamerica.com, allows passengers to take their own oxygen concentrators aboard. But oxygen can be delivered to a ship only through one of Holland America's vendors, Advanced Aeromedical and CruiseShipAssist (see details below).

Princess Cruises, http://www.princesscruises.com, (800) 774-6237, asks that passengers fill out a health questionnaire in advance and that the passenger or agent arrange for delivery of equipment.

Silversea Cruises, http://www.silversea.com, (800) 722-9955 or (954) 522-4477, requests that passengers provide a doctor's letter and get in touch with the line's special service department, which handles passenger needs case by case.

The provider you now use may be a source for oxygen, assuming the line you are using has no objection. Among the other sources for renting an oxygen concentrator for a cruise starting and ending in New York - including delivery to the ship and pickup - are these:

Advanced Aeromedical, (800) 346-3556, http://www.aeromedic.com, has focused on oxygen and mobility equipment for 12 years. Cost: $412.50 for one week, $440 for two weeks. An E-cylinder setup - including cart, cylinder, cannula (or tubing) and regulator - is an extra $75.

CareVacations CruiseShipAssist, (877) 478-7827, http://www.cruiseshipassist.com, which has focused on special needs since 1998: $295 and $395. E-cylinder setup: a total of $125 for one week or two.

TravelO2, (800) 391-2041, http://www.travel02.com, a subsidiary of Travel Med since 2001: $310 and $360. An E-cylinder setup is free; a cart is an extra $25 to $40.