Cruising while on Hemo?

[Maker]

Has anyone who does in-center hemo went on a cruise?  Are there cruises that offer dialysis? 

I have this rewards credit card and for 4 years I have been charging every purchase I make on it (but paying it in full every month, no finance charges  ) and I have earned a 4 night cruise for 2, completely free!!  It's on Royal Caribbean.  But 2 problems...

What will I do about dialysis?

Who will go with me...well, I'm sure I can find SOMEONE 

Thanks for any info you guys have!

[peleroja]

I hae heard of dialysis cruises, and they can be found on the internet.  Is there any way you can trade in the Royal Caribbean cruise for money which can then be used on a real dialysis cruise?

[Maker]

I hae heard of dialysis cruises, and they can be found on the internet.  Is there any way you can trade in the Royal Caribbean cruise for money which can then be used on a real dialysis cruise?

No, it can only be used on Royal Caribbean    I had heard there was such a thing as dialysis cruises...but are those the only cruises that offer dialysis?  I'm hoping not, otherwise someone is going to be getting a great gift from me of a cruise voucher!!

[RichardMEL]

Maker, honey! I never thought you'd ask me!!!!! 

Yes, there are some dialysis cruises out there but they are rather specialised.

http://www.dialysiswhilecruising.com/ may help

I know our unit sometimes has info on cruises to Japan or the South Pacific and the nurses often suggest I should go on one (I think they want a break from me!!!) but I too don't have anyone to go with, have a cat at home to look after and well.. I'd hate to be in the middle of the pacific when a kidney became available.....

Congratulations on getting enough points for a cruise.. sounds very relaxing if you can make it work!!! 

[dwcrawford]

Maker, I have looked into cruises for hemo dialysis.  All I found were one and two weeks (but then again I wanted Christmas).  I'm sure you could exchange you Cruise for one of those but, in my case, it would cost a lot of money as my Medicare and insurance will not pay for dialysis on the cruise.  It ranged from 800 to 2500 per treatment  (3 per week, ouch).  Hopefully your insurance will take care of it. 

I got some information from the web but mostly from the  social worked at the center.  She/he should have all those options for you.  They said they need a little time (3 or 4 months)  to  get all your paper work ready though.  Seemed a little extreme and most possible you could get them to override that.

By the way, I'm still looking so if you find anything really interesting please le me know...  and good look and  Bon Voyage!

[Maker]

Thanks guys, I will definitely talk to my social worker about what might be available and let you know if I learn anything useful.  And I also appreciate the heads up about medicare not covering it!  My insurance is pretty good but I would definitely need to check it out. 

Praying to have a transplant before I have to redeem my vouchers so I can go cruising hemo-free 

[Trikkechickk]

Try DialysisatSeacom.  They have alot of trips on Royal Caribbean and also Holland America.  I took a trip last December to Mexico on Holland America via Dialysis at Sea.   Very relaxed Hemo (kind of like a Mash unit).  Great food.  I used to meet one of the nurses for drinks after doing "D"!

[RichardMEL]

*sniff* does this mean you don't want to go with me???