Your Cart is Empty
Using Oxygen Concentrators on a Cruise Ship
How to use an Oxygen Concentrator while on a Cruise Ship!
Bringing Portable Oxygen Concentrator on a Cruise Ship can be a confusing and intimidating thought. Some questions you have maybe...- How do I transport my Oxygen Concentrator
- How much Oxygen do I need?
- How many batteries do I need?
- How do I check my Oxygen Machine on to the cruise?
- What cruise lines accept Oxygen Concentrators?
- Where do I put my Oxygen Concentrator?
- What is the best Oxygen Concentrator to use?
- What Oxygen Concentrators are allowed on a cruise ship?
- How do you check an Oxygen Concentrator on to the ship?
With the help of this guide, we will answer the most frequently asked questions in hope to get you prepared for your cruise.
As an Oxygen patient, we often hear from our customers that they feel trapped or chained to their oxygen tanks, and often opt to not travel, and just stay home. That does not have to be the case! With some planning, you can enjoy the time of your life!
Doctor Involvement:
Before your trip, discuss your oxygen needs with your Doctor. Do you need pulse flow or continuous flow? How many Liters Per Minute? Do you need a humidifier bottle? Once you have discussed these points, make sure to obtain your prescription. You will need this in order to purchase or rent a Portable Oygen Concentrator for your trip. While it is not always mandated that you present your prescription, individual cruise lines may require it. It is a good idea to keep it handy while you are traveling.
What Oxygen Concentrator do I need?
Now that you have your prescription, and it tells you if you need Pulse or Continuous flow, we can choose an appropriate machine for your needs. Pulse-only machines tend to be smaller and lighter Portable Concentrators. They are designed to deliver oxygen based off 20 breaths per minute. They do not need to work as much as a machine operating at continuous flow. Therefore they are smaller, more compact, and generally use much less battery. Pulse dose machines can weigh between 2 pounds up to about 7 or 8 pounds. The more LPM you need, the larger the Oxygen Concentrator will be. Continuous flow Portable Oxygen Concentrators typically do Pulse Flow as well. They start around 10 pounds and go up to 18 pounds. They have a travel cart, so you do not always have to carry them. You can pull them behind you like a piece of luggage.
What Oxygen Concentrators are approved?
Oxygen Tanks are no longer allowed on cruise ships. As a necessary medical device, all cruise lines should allow any Portable Oxygen Concentrator on board. It is always a good idea to ask ahead of time just to make sure though. Here is a comprehensive list of POC that are available to use.
Airsep Portable Oxygen Concentrators
- AirSep Focus
- AirSep Freestyle
- AirSep Freestyle 5
- AirSep Lifestyle
Applied
- OxyGo
- OxyGo FIT
Devilbiss / Drive Portable Oxygen Concentrators
- DeVilbiss iGo
Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators
- Inogen One
- Inogen One G2
- Inogen One G3
- Inogen One G4
InovaLabs / Resmed Portable Oxygen Concentrators
- Lifechoice
- Lifechoice ActivOx
- Lifechoice ActivOx Pro
- Lifechoice ActivOx 4L
Invacare Portable Oxygen Concentrators
- Invacare Mobile Platinum
- Invacare XPO2
- Invacare Solo 2
O2 Concepts Portable Oxygen Concentrators
- Oxlife Independence
Oxus Portable Oxygen Concentrators
- Oxus
Respironics Portable Oxygen Concentrators
- Respironcis SimplyGo
- Respironcis SimplyGo Mini
SeQual / Caire Portable Oxygen Concentrators
- SeQual Eclipse
- SeQual Eclipse 3
- SeQual Eclipse 5
- SeQual eQuinox
- SeQual Saros
Precision Medical Portable Oxygen Concentrators
- EasyPulse 3
- EasyPulse 5
Battery Requirements
Since you have picked out the machine you would like, it is time to calculate how much battery you need.
Do you plan on being on deck most of the day? Are you attending a show, or going to a banquet dinner at night? How long will these activities take? It is always a great idea to factor in extra battery time over what your activities might take. This will give you a cushion of battery power in case the show goes long, or you are having a good time with friends at dinner, and time slips away from you a little. Be sure to bring along enough oxygen for the entire voyage. Assume you will spend 10-12 hours per day outside of your stateroom while onboard; that’s the average based on statistics and feedback from our customers. Be sure to learn everything you need to know about your portable oxygen concentrator on your cruise ship before you leave - and learn it thoroughly. It is always better to have MORE battery, than not enough! Always bring your charging cables. Make it a practice to plug in and charge your unit while using it.
Where should you store your Portable Oxygen Concentrator?
POC are compact machines. You can store them easily in places like the closet in your room, under a desk, or even on your night stand.
How do I bring my POC with me?
Much like when flying with a POC, you should always call your cruise line ahead of time for planning. A few things you may not need, but should bring anyway just in case:
- Doctor Prescription
- Medical History
- A letter from your Dr. explaining in detail the LPM needed, and possibly how long you should use it per day. The more information, the better!
Here is a list of some of the most popular Cruise Lines, their contact info, and their guidelines:
Amazara Cruise Lines
Guidelines
Medical Needs
Azamara Club Cruises® accommodates guests with medical conditions that require the use of dialysis or oxygen. These guests should contact us to discuss policies and procedures for bringing the appropriate equipment onboard. If you have another type of medical condition, please inquire about policies and procedures that may affect your voyage.
Oxygen
All types of oxygen are permitted onboard. Please notify us as to quantity, type and delivery schedule. Each vessel has a different storage policy; however, you will be able to keep some or all of your cylinders in the stateroom.
For additional information, contact our Access Department
Toll-free: (866) 592-7225 (voice)
Local: (954) 628-9708
Fax: (954) 628-9622
E-mail: Special_Needs@AzamaraClubCruises.com
Crystal Cruises
Guidelines
Medical Information
It is our goal to ensure that your Crystal® cruise is an enjoyable and rewarding experience. We will do everything we can to accommodate those who have physical challenges or disabilities and require special assistance. Guests who may need special assistance due to a mobility disability, hearing or sight impairment, or who require a service animal or oxygen should refer to our Onboard Accessibility Guide for help preparing for the upcoming cruise.
The professional services of our medical staff, as well as certain medications, are available on board at reasonable costs. Guests requiring ongoing medication, or having specific dietary needs, are advised to bring an ample supply of medication or dietary supplements with them in their carry-on luggage.
International regulations require Crystal Cruises® to maintain a list that identifies guests who may require special assistance in the unlikely event of an emergency. In addition, Crystal Cruises strives to make certain all guests receive the highest level of personalized service possible while on board. In order to meet both objectives, we ask for your cooperation in providing us with information regarding any special assistance that you may require. Guests who have existing medical conditions and who may require treatment by the ship’s medical staff, or those who may require other types of special assistance due to a mobility disability, must contact Crystal Cruises Onboard Guest Services Department by fax 310-785-3975, email onboardgstsvcs@crystalcruises.com, or complete and return the Special Assistance form provided in the document package prior to departure.
The professional services of our medical staff, as well as certain medications, are available on board at reasonable costs. Guests requiring ongoing medication, or having specific dietary needs, are advised to bring an ample supply of medication or dietary supplements with them in their carry-on luggage.
International regulations require Crystal Cruises® to maintain a list that identifies guests who may require special assistance in the unlikely event of an emergency. In addition, Crystal Cruises strives to make certain all guests receive the highest level of personalized service possible while on board. In order to meet both objectives, we ask for your cooperation in providing us with information regarding any special assistance that you may require. Guests who have existing medical conditions and who may require treatment by the ship’s medical staff, or those who may require other types of special assistance due to a mobility disability, must contact Crystal Cruises Onboard Guest Services Department by fax 310-785-3975, email onboardgstsvcs@crystalcruises.com, or complete and return the Special Assistance form provided in the document package prior to departure.
Miscellaneous Mobility Devices, Facilities for the Physically Challenged and Oxygen Dependency
Oxygen
Portable oxygen tanks and concentrators may be used on board. However, for safety reasons, Crystal Cruises Onboard Guest Services Department MUST be notified and a completed and approved Release and Indemnity Form received no later than 30 days in advance of the sailing. Liquid oxygen is prohibited on board due to safety concerns. A guest bringing his or her own oxygen equipment must make direct arrangements with an independent medical contractor who has agreed to undertake all required arrangements without involving the ship's onboard Medical Center and its personnel. For a list of approved vendors, please refer to the Onboard Accessibility Guide (also available in hard copy from our Onboard Guest Services Department). The oxygen-dependent guest should travel with a companion who is also completely familiar with the operation of the equipment. The guest is responsible to ensure that the equipment is off-loaded at the end of the cruise.
Oxygen-dependent guests are limited to those cruises on which they can be properly supported by equipment vendors and which have itineraries that will easily allow medical disembarkation if it should be required. The number of oxygen-dependent guests using portable equipment is very limited on any cruise. Requests for oxygen equipment for a specific cruise will be processed by Crystal Cruises’ Onboard Guest Services Department in the order of date received.
Oxygen-dependent guests are limited to those cruises on which they can be properly supported by equipment vendors and which have itineraries that will easily allow medical disembarkation if it should be required. The number of oxygen-dependent guests using portable equipment is very limited on any cruise. Requests for oxygen equipment for a specific cruise will be processed by Crystal Cruises’ Onboard Guest Services Department in the order of date received.
For complete details and guidelines, guests who have special requirements, physical challenges or need oxygen should refer to our Onboard Accessibility Guide. If you would like a hard copy of the Onboard Accessibility Guide, you may request it through Onboard Guest Services department by calling 1-310-785-9300, or via email at onboardgstsvcs@crystalcruises.com.
Going Ashore
In select ports, the ship will be at anchor and not docked next to the pier. In these ports guests are taken ashore by small boats called tenders. Please be advised that even if the ship is originally scheduled to dock at a pier, it may need to be changed to anchored (as determined by the Captain) and tendering will be required.
Additional conditions may apply and should be discussed in detail with Onboard Guest Services at time of booking.
Additional conditions may apply and should be discussed in detail with Onboard Guest Services at time of booking.
Oceania Cruiselines
Guidelines
Any Guest who requires oxygen canisters or oxygen concentrators must
independently make all the necessary arrangements, including procuring and moving any oxygen containers while on board.
Please be advised that liquid oxygen is not permitted onboard the Ship. Failure to obtain a certificate of fitness when required
as described above, or Your attempt to bring on the Ship equipment not permitted on board may result in denial of
embarkation and forfeiture of the applicable Cruise Fare or CruiseTour Fare and in such event
Leave a comment
Comments will be approved before showing up.