Princess Cruises

[yliebert]

Have you ever sailed with Princess Cruises?  It seems that they have a much stricter policy re: dialysis than other cruise lines.  What is your experience?

[Riki]

I have yet to find a cruise line or agency that offers affordable dialysis cruising

[yliebert]

My husband is on home hemo.  We can travel with his NXstage, so the price is unaffected.  The question is , will they allow us on board with the cycler.
YL

[Riki]

I doubt they'd have a problem with it, but it's something I'd ask before booking a trip.  Some have luggage restrictions, and you may have to pay more to bring the supplies aboard.

[paris]

My daughter worked on cruise ship.  Patients with cyclers and nxstage were frequently on board.  This was in Hawaii and Baxter would ship all the cycler supplies to the dock. The crew would have them all in the cabin and stored before the passengers even boarded.  The crew took care of all the waste appropriately.  They all have a clinic on board for passengers, so medical attention was always available.   My daughter was a Sr Steward, so she would go to the rooms to make sure everything was sanitized and super clean.  She always explained her connection to kidney disease and took it very personally to make sure they had a safe and healthy trip.     There were no extra charges for the supplies, etc.  Just make sure you contact your supplier early in the planning.    Go on the cruise!!       

[yliebert]

Thanks Paris, You do give me hope!  We spoke with Princess and they said that they approve travel on a case by case basis.  My hubbie wrote a letter today and the center as well as 2 Drs. must also write letters.  In addition, they want 3 months of his labs.  I am hoping that this is approved, then I have to figure out how to get over 1,000 pounds of supplies to the port  in Southampton, England!

[Riki]

I gave up trying to find a cruise line or agency that would help my friend and I get dialysis while at sea.  It was just too expensive.  I invited her to come to NY with my mom and I the next time we go.  I'm hoping she'll take us up on the offer.  At least I know where everything is and what it will cost, for both of us.

[yliebert]

Why would you give up?  Princess approved us the cruise!  Yeah!

[Riki]

yeah, but neither me or my friend are on home hemo.. we need a service of some kind, and what we've found is too expensive

[yliebert]

Okay, I understand.  I also looked at Dialysis at Sea when hubbie was going to a center and it was ridiculously expensive.  That is one of the reasons we started home hemo.  It is so much easier and cheaper to travel.

[Riki]

that's where we went first, Dialysis at Sea.  Holy gouge-the-dialysis-patient, Batman!

[St.Lucia-Dialysis]

If you want to go on a regular cruise and transport to dialysis when in the harbour let me know and I can help you arrange dialysis at each port you want your treatments.  The savings in doing it this way will actually pay for your cruise.

[yliebert]

Thanks for the offer.  Princess approved us so we are traveling with the cycler.  The  NXstage affiliate in the UK, Kimal, is arranging to have our supplies delivered to the ship as well as to our hotels in the UK
Yoletta

[Stever]

Have you ever sailed with Princess Cruises?  It seems that they have a much stricter policy re: dialysis than other cruise lines.  What is your experience?

I haven't travelled with Princess, but last year we travelled with Costa in the Med and the haemodialysis service was excellent (cost €330 per session). Costa was not one of our preferred lines (much prefer RCI, Celebrity etc) but beggars cant be choosers; in the event, the cruise was also excellent, but not many Brits on board, mainly French and Italian. We did get a quote from dialysisatsea.com, but that was really expensive and was well above even brochure prices. Costa was actually below brochure price, but still more expensive than what non dialysers would pay. Have a look on Gerard Pons Voyages for more info, or email info@freedom-apartments.com for a quote (they are a specialist UK travel agent).