Dialysis At Sea Opens Travel Doors To Kidney Patients
People in kidney failure sometimes feel as if their lives are literally tethered to a kidney dialysis machine — because, they are. A typical dialysis treatment program requires that they have their blood laundered of impurities three times a week for about four hours each session.
While many have lived with this dialysis regimen for years — and have seemingly come to peace with their new normal — there is one area that has remained elusive: Travel. In order to travel, patients must arrange to get dialysis wherever in the world they are. It’s not a simple feat, and as a result, many with kidney failure who are receiving dialysis treatments just don’t travel.
“It’s a shame,” said Steve Debroux, owner of Dialysis At Sea, a company that arranges for cruise ship passengers to be able to get their dialysis while on board. It is the largest such company in the world Dialysis-Cruise, a German cruise company, has a smaller program that operates in Northern Europe.
Debroux’s business formed in 1977 and has since made it possible for thousands of dialysis patients and their families to scratch the travel itch. Count Wilson and Carol Lanclos of Illinois among them.
According to Carol, her now 69-year-old retired military-officer husband began renal dialysis in January of 2012. Until his need for dialysis, they had been world travelers. But the logistics of travel when he began getting dialysis three times a week felt mind-boggling, she said.
Cruising With Home Dialysistips From A Platinum Cruiser
So, we’ve just come back from our first cruise doing nocturnal HD. We cruised the Carnival Breeze out of Miami. We live in Indiana, and chose to drive to Miami. We cruised before while on PD, and below are some pointers and tips for cruising with a NxStage machine and a sample packing list for both PD and home HD.
Planning
When we booked our cruise, I called the Special Needs phone number at Carnival to verify that they didn’t need any paperwork from me. They arranged to have a sharps container in our cabin. They also let me know that if I told the porters, our medical stuff would be carried by someone from the luggage drop off to our cabin.
I’ve heard that some cruise lines allow only PD dialysis patients, not HD patients. I’ve not run into that, but on Carnival, they allow both, though I’m not sure I ever said hemodialysis.
Our center called in our vacation order with NxStage. To get into that a bit more deeply:
On Arrival to the Port
When we arrived at the site to drop off our luggage, I told the porter that we were carrying vital medical equipment, including a VERY expensive piece of machinery, and would need someone to hand deliver these things to our cabin.
The porter seemed slightly confused, but called a supervisor, who worked magic. They called for a basket and Vlad, bags of supplies, and 21 boxes of fluids and cartridges were whisked away.
On the Cruise
Leaving the Ship
So below, some more advice:
PD Travel Packing List
Cognitive Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities
Upon request, every effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations that will meet the needs of guests with cognitive, intellectual and development disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease. Some of these accommodations can include: early boarding, boarding & departure assistance, early disembarkation and special dietary needs. Please contact our Access Department.
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What Are The Types Of Dialysis Treatments Are Available On Cruise Ships
There are mainly two types of dialysis treatment available onboard cruise lines:
- Hemodialysis
- Peritoneal Dialysis
For dialysis patients on a cruise, there is usually one nurse per two patients. Each Dialysis treatment usually involves a visit from a Nephrologist.
If you do get sick on a cruise for any reason, there is a highly trained team ready to look after you. To learn more about what would happen, check out this post: What Happens if You Get Sick on a Cruise? Simple Step by Step Guide.
Having any type of medical treatment on a cruise can get expensive. Make sure that you have travel insurance in place before cruising. Here are my recommendations: USA. UK.
Will I Still Be Able To Take Part In On
One of the great benefits that large, modern cruise liners traversing the planet afford you is their huge range of activities that are available on board. The cruise holiday is specially designed to provide enjoyment and entertainment for all demographics, whether you like to take it easy or enjoy immersing yourself in new experiences. It is up to you and your medical staff to decide upon the activities that you can take part in.
These dedicated medical practitioners will also be able to guide you as to whether the on-shore excursions are safe for you to experience. Being on dialysis doesnt automatically preclude you from being able to get involved, Dialysis at Sea is all about making your holiday as enriching, enjoyable and comfortable as possible.
If the above cruise companies do not travel the route that you wish to take, its always worth contacting the companies that meet your travel requirements as to whether they can help provide the means for dialysis treatment at sea. Many of the respected cruise companies will try in earnest to accommodate your needs. Additionally, speak to your medical practitioner as they may have knowledge accrued from other patients who have previously travelled on cruises.
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Which Cruise Ships Provide Dialysis
Editors note: This blog post was last updated on 8 October 2019 by Cruise1st Team
Dialysis patients may feel that cruise holidays are not possible due to their medical condition and care needs. However, there are a vast number of ships and crews who go above and beyond to ensure dialysis patients get the medical attention they require and can have an enjoyable and relaxing holiday.
Here, well run through the cruise lines that provide dialysis for travellers on board their ships.
Dialysis At Sea Cruises
My wife, Susan, has end-stage renal disease and needs to have dialysis treatments at least three times a week. My question for ITN readers is, What are some travel packages on which this is possible?
To get the ball rolling, Ill tell you about a company we used for a cruise we took.
In conjunction with my travel agent, Susan made arrangements through Dialysis at Sea Cruises for a February 11 Caribbean cruise round trip out of Fort Lauderdale visiting Mexico, Panama, Colombia and the Caymans aboard the Celebrity Equinox. She contacted them about six to eight months in advance.
Susan was able to get dialysis on board ship. It was not inexpensive, but she got what she needed and we had a good time.
The cost of the dialysis only was $4,500, and none was paid for by Medicare or other insurance. The price sounds more reasonable when you consider that for a dozen or so passengers per cruise, Dialysis at Sea Cruises provides up to 11,000 pounds of equipment plus a nephrologist and several technicians.
I used a travel agent to book the cruise. We had a handicapped-accessible cabin that cost us about $8,000-$9,000. Round-trip airfare from Dallas/Ft. Worth to Ft. Lauderdale was more than $500 each in coach. Incidental expenses and the many items on board added another $2,500 to the cost.
The total cost of our 10-day trip, including air, cruise, dialysis, spas, booze, souvenirs, etc., was about $15,000.
JEFFREY ZARIT
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Dialysis On Itinerary Of Some Cruises
Travel of even the simplest sort can be off-limits to people who suffer from a chronic illness. Some afflictions incapacitate people so totally that the sufferers can’t travel. Other illnesses – such as kidney disease – allow mobility as long as highly specialized treatment is available.
Although most of the nation’s approximately 200,000 dialysis patients lead otherwise normal and relatively mobile lives as long as they have access to dialysis machines, which filters waste from blood and temporarily helps to regulate body chemistry.
Consequently, when it comes to travel, dialysis patients usually have to take trips of very short duration or make complicated arrangements to receive dialysis treatments on the road.
For almost two decades, however, a Florida group called Dialysis At Sea, has made cruising possible for those for whom dialysis is a lifeline.
The agency has removed the burden of travel by organizing cruises for groups of up to a dozen dialysis patients at a time, combining dialysis technology with the expertise of volunteer doctors and nurses.
A kidney specialist and nursing staff are aboard each cruise, and Dialysis At Sea’s technicians keep the company’s 28 dialysis machines in shipshape condition. The availability of a large number of machines enables the agency to schedule up to four sailings simultaneously. The group offers about 50 cruises a year.
Selecting a ship
Treatments cost extra
Can You Do Dialysis 3 Days In A Row
You can choose your treatment days as long as you dont go more than 2 days in a row without dialysis. You can also choose your treatment times. Some people also do longer treatments than they would in-center. You and a partner learn to do HD at home on the standard three days a week schedule used in clinics.
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Special Accessibility Coordinators Before And During Your Cruise
Norwegian Cruise Line has a dedicated team of experienced travel professionals specifically trained to assist guests with disabilities and special needs, before, during and even after your cruise.
The Access Desk
Within our Reservations Department, an exclusive team of experienced professionals operate to help facilitate your travel. After receiving your Guest Special Needs Request Form , these specially trained in Norwegian Cruise Line’s policies and procedures, will document your reservation with information concerning your service requests. These details will be communicated to our cruise staff who will take care of the accommodations and prepare for your vacation.
A member of the Access Desk will speak with you about each and every aspect of your cruise, from transportation to and from the vessel, your stateroom, shore excursions and any other expectation or need that you may have.
Onboard
Once you have boarded, you will be met by staff who will have all of the information that you conveyed to Norwegian Cruise Line either directly or through your travel professional. Staff will be available throughout your cruise to see to your needs. Norwegian Cruise Line has Access Officers who will be the primary point person working to make sure all your needs are met. Norwegian Cruise Line also has a centralized internal corporate resolution staff to assist the Access Officer, available by telephone 24 hours a day.
How Much Is Dialysis On A Cruise
11,000 pounds
Dialysis at Sea Cruises provides dialysis services onboard select Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise Lines cruises. The dialysis onboard the ship will parallel your land-based unit, as your dialysis orders will be adhered to. The dialysis takes place in the infirmary with two beds/chairs per room.
One may also ask, can you do dialysis on a Carnival Cruise? DIALYSIS. There are significant risks associated with undergoing dialysis during a cruise. Guests should be aware that our ships do not have kidney specialists or dialysis equipment and supplies available on board and our medical staff are not trained to perform dialysis.
People also ask, does insurance cover dialysis on a cruise?
Medicare and Medicaid do not cover dialysis on board a cruise ship, but there are supplemental insurance companies that will reimburse a percentage. The dialysis treatment cost is a flat rate determined by the length of the cruise, and is billed separately.
Does Symphony of the Seas have dialysis?
Your dialysis takes place onboard the ship and an experienced dialysis team and nephrologist are onboard throughout your cruise so you can be assured of the best attention at all times. 2020& 2021 Cruises from LONDON TILBURY Click here for itineraries and fares.
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About Dialysis At Sea Cruises
We are the worlds largest provider of dialysis services aboard cruise ships. Since the formation of our company in 1977, we have helped thousands of individuals on dialysis and their families experience the pleasures of cruising and the excitement of taking their dream vacation. Travel with us in confidence as all of your shipboard medical needs are handled by trained medical professionals.
How Do I Book The Dialysis Service On A Cruise Ship
If youve got a date and destination in mind, give Dialysis at Sea a call on 001-727-372-7490 or send over an email their trained sales representatives will be on hand to talk you through your cruise dialysis needs with ease. Since Dialysis at Sea will also be boarding your cruise, those travelling with yourself in the same cabin must book their cruise through Dialysis at Sea Cruises.
Book and travel with them in confidence in the hands of experienced, fully trained medical professionals, all your treatment is taken care of during your time sailing the seas. Whats more, you can utilise the shipboard dialysis staff, as well as the ships dedicated treatment room 24/7 your freedom is of the utmost importance to the Dialysis at Sea staff while you travel. And to ensure optimum comfort, the on-board dialysis treatment is designed to mirror your land-based unit. Your requirements are always taken into consideration and strictly adhered to.
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Does Norwegian Cruise Offer Dialysis
4.4/5dialysisNorwegian Cruisedoesdialysis
Dialysis at Sea Cruises provides dialysis services onboard select Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise Lines cruises. The dialysis onboard the ship will parallel your land-based unit, as your dialysis orders will be adhered to. The dialysis takes place in the infirmary with two beds/chairs per room.
Also, does Disney Cruise have dialysis? Thank you for visiting the Disney Parks Moms Panel with your question. At this time Disney Cruise Line does not have dialysis machines for Guests to use while onboard. My advice is to call Disney Cruise Line Special Services at 566-3602 about your situation.
Then, how much does it cost to have dialysis on a cruise ship?
The cost of the dialysis only was $4,500, and none was paid for by Medicare or other insurance. The price sounds more reasonable when you consider that for a dozen or so passengers per cruise, Dialysis at Sea Cruises provides up to 11,000 pounds of equipment plus a nephrologist and several technicians.
Does Carnival Cruise Line have dialysis?
DIALYSIS. There are significant risks associated with undergoing dialysis during a cruise. Guests should be aware that our ships do not have kidney specialists or dialysis equipment and supplies available on board and our medical staff are not trained to perform dialysis.
Taking A Cruise: Recommendations And Resources
Book a Cruise:Have a specific cruise you want to book or just need some help and inspiration? Get a cruise quote through us: Cruise Quote Form.Not Sure What to Book?Learn everything you need to know to find and book the perfect cruise in my How to Cruise For Less cruise course.Dont Forget Your Travel Insurance:You could be stranded abroad, lose your entire cruise fare, or be hit with MASSIVE medical bills if you dont have cruise travel insurance. I use comparison websites to compare quotes: Compare Quotes Here.Our full list of travel recommendations can be found here.
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Miles Of Open Seas Live Entertainment 24
Most cruise ships are currently equipped to handle medical emergencies and curative treatments. They also usually have a spa and wellness center with basic beauty treatments like Botox, therapeutic massage, acupuncture and dermatological procedures.â
But now, cruise lines are looking to increase medical treatments at sea, another way for cruise lines to set themselves apart from their competitors. Some experts say that incorporating more medical procedures into cruise lines wonât be that difficult because most ships already have an entire desk devoted to healthcare.
Adding some surgical rooms and equipment could be the next logical step, and they could follow the models set up by army ships that have full hospitals on board.â
âOur aim is to introduce preventive medicine packages and services, more dedicated beauty medicine and beauty dentistry, as well as other noninvasive to less invasive medical procedures that are not offered on todayâs cruise ships,â said Dr. Mohammed Saeme, an international expert on maritime health and wellness who represents Magic Discovery Group Ltd.â
Which Cruise Ships Accommodate Dialysis Patients
For individuals who require the aid of dialysis, there are a number of cruises and one independent service dedicated to ensuring that you can enjoy a relaxing cruise with your loved ones regardless of your medical condition.
This is a fantastic way for dialysis patients to visit some of the most beautiful and exotic destinations in the world and experience the luxurious splendour of some of the seas most celebrated cruise ships.
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Other Needs Andadditional Assistance
Norwegian Cruise Line welcomes guests with medical, emotional or any other challenge to Freestyle cruising. If you have a need that has not been discussed, we encourage you to contact us at the Access Desk regarding your special requirements or requests and our policies and procedures.
Children with Disabilities
Children with disabilities are welcome on all Norwegian Cruise Line vessels. Please contact the Access Desk to discuss Norwegian Cruise Line’s policies and procedures regarding children with disabilities and how we can assist you in making your child’s cruising experience safe, fun and comfortable.
Cognitive, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Guests with cognitive, intellectual and development disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease are encouraged to contact the Access Desk to discuss your cruise. Upon request, every effort will be made to meet your cruising special requirements, including:
- Boarding and disembarkation assistance