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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...
Oxygen is permitted for personal use as long as the guests provide their own cylinder and pay for any costs incurred. Guests must inform thetravel agencyabout the type of oxygen and cylinder type that they intend to bring on board. It is also important to communicate safety limits.
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.
Guests requiring continuous or intermittent oxygen for chronic conditions must make their own arrangements prior to travel. Seabourn ships are not equipped to provide guests with these services other than on an emergency basis in the Ship's Medical Center.
Please be advised that all oxygen and oxygen equipment rental arrangements must be made by the guest and the third party provider. Consequently, you assume the entire risk of utilizing these third party services subject only to whatever terms or arrangements are made by you or on your behalf with the service provider. Refund issues must be dealt with solely between you and the service provider. We recommend contacting one of these companies to confirm your arrangements as soon as possible in order to ensure the availability of your specific requests. You are also welcome, however, to bring your own oxygen and/or oxygen equipment from your home. Please note that the staff and crew are not permitted to handle your oxygen and/or oxygen equipment during the embarkation and disembarkation process. Thus, you must be able to handle your supplies if you bring your own. Please contact Seabourn in advance if you will require oxygen while on your cruise.
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
Carnival Cruiselines
OXYGEN
The Medical Center is equipped with oxygen for emergency use ONLY. If you require the use of oxygen during your cruise, you must arrange for an adequate supply to be delivered to the ship on your sailing date. Please contact Guest Services once on board for proper storage of your oxygen. Guests are responsible for the pickup and delivery of their own oxygen. Please have your medical supply company contact us, otherwise port clearance may not be granted. If you choose to bring your own personal supply of oxygen, you must hand carry it with you. Packing oxygen cylinders and/or tanks in your checked luggage is strictly prohibited, as is putting them through security x-ray machines. Please hand-carry your oxygen machines (BiPAP, CPAP, Concentrator, Nebulizer, etc.) and not place them in your checked luggage.
Celebrity Cruises
Guidelines
OXYGEN
All types of oxygen cylinders are permitted on board. Please notify us as to quantity, type, and delivery schedule. Although storage policies differ among ships in our fleet, you will be permitted to keep some or all of your oxygen cylinders in your stateroom.
For more information, contact our Access Department at (866) 592-7225 or send an e-mail to special_needs@celebrity.com, or have your local travel agent or international representative contact us.
Costa Cruiselines
Oxygen is permitted for personal use as long as the guests provide their own cylinder and pay for any costs incurred. Guests must inform thetravel agencyabout the type of oxygen and cylinder type that they intend to bring on board. It is also important to communicate safety limits.
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.
Cunard Cruise Lines
CPAP/BiPAP/Nebuliser/Oxygen Concentrator Once onboard please notify reception so that an Electrical Officer can check your equipment prior to sailing to ensure that it is safe to use with the onboard electrical supply. Should you require the use of your CPAP/BiPAP/Nebulizer/Oxygen Concentrator during your flight, please call our Cruise Department no later than 14 days prior to departure. Please refer to the ‘Electrical Supply Section’ in this document. Holland America Cruise Lines
Oxygen: Any guests needing continuous or intermittent oxygen for chronic conditions must make their own arrangements prior to travel. Please contact us, or your travel professional, for more information. You are welcome, however, to bring your own oxygen and/or oxygen equipment from your home. Please note that our staff and crew are not permitted to handle your oxygen and/or oxygen equipment during the embarkation and disembarkation process, thus you must be able to handle your supplies if you bring your own. Please contact the Access & Compliance Department prior to sailing if you will require oxygen while on your cruise. If you require additional information on the ship’s facilities or ability to accommodate your needs, please feel free to contact the Access & Compliance Department. Please Note: Some airlines have restrictions concerning traveling with oxygen and oxygen containers. It is the traveler’s responsibility to be familiar with and comply with the regulations of the airline on which he/she is traveling. For information regarding the Transportation Security Administration’s Screening Tips for Persons with Disabilities, please visit the Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions section of their website at www.tsa.dhs.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/Disney Cruise Lines
Oxygen using guests must make independent delivery arrangements for oxygen use onboard. Due to safety concerns and storage limitations, Disney Cruise Line does not allow carriage or use of liquid oxygen or large cylinder (greater than 680 liters or E / M-24 size) systems. Additionally, the types and quantities of oxygen cylinders allowed onboard may be limited. Only two (2) cylinders per stateroom may be personally hand carried aboard by Guests; all other quantities must be delivered. Oxygen concentrators are acceptable. Guests are responsible for notifying their air carrier of any oxygen requirements. Disney Cruise Line ground transportation can only allow Guests to carry one (1) oxygen cylinder for use while on board the transportation. Norwegian Cruise Lines
Guidelines
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
Paul Gauguin Cruiselines
MEDICAL FACILITIES
The Medical Center is designed to provide medical care for certain temporary illnesses and accidents. These facilities are not intended or capable of providing ongoing treatment of pre-existing medical conditions. Any such special requirement or need for health services aboard ship must be cleared in writing with PGC before booking(s) will be accepted. The ship’s doctor is on 24-hour call for professional and emergency services, which are available at customary charges. For guests requiring oxygen equipment, an oxygen concentrator is the only form of oxygen equipment allowed aboard ship and must be provided by the guest. Wheelchairs provided onboard are for emergency purposes only.
The Medical Center is designed to provide medical care for certain temporary illnesses and accidents. These facilities are not intended or capable of providing ongoing treatment of pre-existing medical conditions. Any such special requirement or need for health services aboard ship must be cleared in writing with PGC before booking(s) will be accepted. The ship’s doctor is on 24-hour call for professional and emergency services, which are available at customary charges. For guests requiring oxygen equipment, an oxygen concentrator is the only form of oxygen equipment allowed aboard ship and must be provided by the guest. Wheelchairs provided onboard are for emergency purposes only.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
Guidelines
Regent Seven Seas Cruiselines
Physically Challenged Guests
Guests with any medical conditions(s) or special needs that may require treatment or attention or accommodation during the voyage, or needing to travel with medical apparatus, including wheelchairs, motorized scooters, oxygen therapy, etc., must advise Regent Seven Seas Cruises in writing at time of deposit. Please note some ports of call may not be suitable for guests with limited mobility and special arrangements may need to be made at the guests expense. Regent Seven Seas Cruises has the right to refuse or revoke passage to anyone who, in its judgment, is in a physical, mental or emotional condition unfit for travel or whose comfort on board may be compromised due to situations beyond the care that can be provided by Regent Seven Seas Cruises Regent Seven Seas Cruises will under appropriate circumstances, permit its guests to use special equipment as noted above
Seabourn Cruiselines
Guests requiring continuous or intermittent oxygen for chronic conditions must make their own arrangements prior to travel. Seabourn ships are not equipped to provide guests with these services other than on an emergency basis in the Ship's Medical Center.
Please be advised that all oxygen and oxygen equipment rental arrangements must be made by the guest and the third party provider. Consequently, you assume the entire risk of utilizing these third party services subject only to whatever terms or arrangements are made by you or on your behalf with the service provider. Refund issues must be dealt with solely between you and the service provider. We recommend contacting one of these companies to confirm your arrangements as soon as possible in order to ensure the availability of your specific requests. You are also welcome, however, to bring your own oxygen and/or oxygen equipment from your home. Please note that the staff and crew are not permitted to handle your oxygen and/or oxygen equipment during the embarkation and disembarkation process. Thus, you must be able to handle your supplies if you bring your own. Please contact Seabourn in advance if you will require oxygen while on your cruise.
Silversea Cruiselines
SPECIAL MEDICAL CONDITIONS
At Silversea, your health and safety are our first priority. If you have any existing medical condition that may require our attention, or should you require oxygen for medical reasons whilst onboard, we ask that you please send written notification prior to your voyage to:
Attn: Special Services Department 333 SE 2nd Avenue Suite 2600 Miami, Florida 33131 Fax to: 954.759.5049 e-mail to: specialservices@silversea.com Please Note:An oxygen concentrator is the only form of oxygen equipment that Silver Explorer can accommodate.- Guests who rely upon wheelchairs must bring their own.
- Not all expedition excursions are suitable for guests with impaired mobility.