Cruising and Dialysis

[Jeffares]

Has anyone any experience with cruising on a ship like the Holland America Line and doing dialysis onboard?

[CSLewis]

Been on Holland America and Carnival with NxStage home hemodialysis, have cruise planned for Royal Caribbean. On board dialysis was no different from home. Things to note - get the aluminum travel case for both airline flight and getting cycler on board. Get a large room/suite since all your supplies will be delivered to your room. Be sure to start process of getting supply delivery 30 days in advance. You will need the letters from your Dr., etc, that HA and RC require right at the 30 days to sailing limit. You will need a second large case for IV solutions and other supplies and ancillary parts to Cycler that don't fit aluminum case. Cycler and case weigh just under 100 lbs - airlines absolute weight limit. Be sure second case does not exceed 100 lbs as well. Take plenty of cash for tips for loading/unloading cycler and supplies at airport, hotel, docks. Hotels, get ground floor if no elevator, make sure they have a large van or whatever for guest transport (same for taxis, etc.) or you will never get everything in. Plan dialysis days and times in advance,but be prepared to modify as necessary. Have never been on PD, I guess a lot of the stuff would be similar.

[gildajean]

Like to know if anyone knows a ship that does hemo dialysis on board for a cruise?
gild

[Panor]

Has anyone any experience with cruising on a ship like the Holland America Line and doing dialysis onboard?

what are the itinereries and cost?

[Karren36]

Cruising to Baltic new to PD

My husband, who is new to PD, and I went on a 7 day Cruise on Holland America. We did not plan well as we told Baxter two weeks before we sailed! And did not take enough min-caps. HA was so helpful as we had to have the caps fedex to next port of call. We're learning! anyway, we're thinking of cruising next year to the Baltic on a 12 day cruise. We board the ship in Copenhagen. Anybody have any tips? Please note: also new to forum so excuse any misdirection.

[Karren36]

We just came back from a 7 day cruise to Alaska on Holland America and I can't say enough good things about the office staff. We had a problem as my husband did not bring enough min cap (we're newbies) HA went overboard (!?!) to help us. My husband did manual PD took a few s hooks and sat by the window enjoying the view while dialysis. QUOTE=Jeffares;44013]Has anyone any experience with cruising on a ship like the Holland America Line and doing dialysis onboard?[/QUOTE]

[DIANEROOD]

I have had dinner with several people getting dialysis while cruising. They all have said great things about the care. Go with Dialysis At Sea.

[Catrow3865]

Been to Baltic cruise last year although not on dialysis. I suggest to attend ballet while in St. Petersburg. if you are not so gung ho with Berlin, it is a long bus drive, train and return. i did not go for it coz was warned by a friend who did it. have fun and keep well..

[Catrow3865]

it is so wonderful to know that if or when i do have to undergo dialysis that i can still cruise. thanks everyone.

[laushway]

There is a company called Dialysis at Sea. They book on board in center hemo dialysis. The website is www.dialysisatsea.com You have to book your cruise/room
through them. Everyone in your party must book with them. Their prices for the cruise is higher than booking with the cruise line and the listed price does not include the cost of dialysis. You have to call them for that. I called last year and for a 7 day cruise it was about $1700. Check them out, they may have changed things since I called. Oh and they do not take insurance.

[abelpd2016]

laushway, if on PD do you suggest using dialysis at sea, or do you mean only if hemo dialysis? Info for all: I was told by Holland America that I would have to be on PD for minimum of one year before they allowed me to travel on their cruises. Planning on traveling in 2017.

[drsteve54]

Have traveled to Portugal. Hawaii twice.Philadelphia 4 times. Paris..Great Britain ....never had a problem..davita arranged everything

[23savage]

Wow hope you found somewhere nice! Hope it is as nice as a custom shower door. It is hard to find something as nice as custom shower door - there is just something about it that makes it's such a necessity I think for anyone!