Bringing CPAP machine on board

[debpintrader]

Hi,
First Cruise for us coming up in November to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary so I have lots of questions!! Going on the Fantasy for 7 days to Western Caribbean.

An important question I have is about bringing my CPAP machine on the ship for my Sleep Apnea. I need to use Distilled water in the humidifier and guess I will need at least a gallon jug. May I bring the water on board myself, or is there a place that I can get it once on the ship?

Also, I've heard that there could be electrical outlet shortage. Can you tell me what length extension cord would be a good one to pack?

Thanks!!

 

[HsvTeacher]

Hi,
First Cruise for us coming up in November to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary so I have lots of questions!! Going on the Fantasy for 7 days to Western Caribbean.

An important question I have is about bringing my CPAP machine on the ship for my Sleep Apnea. I need to use Distilled water in the humidifier and guess I will need at least a gallon jug. May I bring the water on board myself, or is there a place that I can get it once on the ship?

Also, I've heard that there could be electrical outlet shortage. Can you tell me what length extension cord would be a good one to pack?

Thanks!!

My DH also uses a CPAP machine. He gets a gallon of distilled water from Guest Services. (You can also call ahead of time and let them know what you will need.) You can also bring one on board yourself, but we thought that was too much of a hassle to lug around.

As for extension cords, he didn't need one on the Fantasy, because there are electrical outlets next to the bed. (Not the case on the Magic and Wonder) We did bring a power strip to use at the desk, but we never had to use it.

 

[kcashner]

If you complete the special needs form in advance, the distilled water will be in your stateroom when you board. As to extension cords, they are needed on the Magic and Wonder; on the Fantasy and Dream there are outlets near the bed. DCL will loan you an extension cord with a $50 charge if it is not returned...or you are welcome to bring you own. But on the newer ships, you won't need it.

 

[valbob89]

I've brought mine along on several cruises. On Wonder and Magic, there's not a lot of space for setting up a CPAP on the nightstands; don't know about the other ships. I have a somewhat compact model that fits in the drawer during the day. I always bring a 15-foot extension cord, which is more than enough. Best to have a cord with multiple outlets and not a grounded plug -- allows room for other things to be plugged in (battery chargers, etc.).

If you are flying, you must have an empty tank if you carry the cpap with you -- and I advise against checking it with or as luggage. You can have a medical bag in addition to the airlines' carry-on limit by FAA regs. You will not be allowed to carry the jug of water, but the ship will provide one. Disney is very accomodating for everything. If, for example, you have any problem with the bed or bedding, extra pillows, or even getting the air conditioning tuned up, they are great.

Bon voyage! ---bob

 

[debpintrader]

Thanks everyone for your quick replies. I'm so glad to know that I don't have to lug the gallon jug of water along!
Debbie

 

[WDW Enabler]

You can go to guest services and request an extension cord. Be sure to let them know it is for your CPAP.

 

[canopynut66]

not sure if would work same way but I am on oxygen concentrator at night and when I go to WDW I just call my provider here and they make all arrangements in Orlando and deliver a machine to resort I am going to. at home I by state law need liquid oxygen in case of power failure but at WDW they on generator if power goes out or is what I was told . they bring the water and the machine and whole tubing kit.Now if they would deliver to a cruise ship have no idea but call your home provider and check it out.

 

[Donald_Quackers]

I just got diagnosed in June with very severe apnea, brought my machine with me to WDW. On my last cruise, one of our group had a similar situation and they had the water waiting in the room.

Disney is all over it. Even if you don't let them know in advance, they are good about requests of that nature.

 

[MTmomma]

It is very dangerous to use a power strip without a ground wire while using a CPAP or any other medical device.
As CPAP machines use both water and electricity together, if a fault happens in the machine, the ground will assist in safely cutting power to the machine and protect the user.
Obviously the cruise ship does not have a "true" ground, and any electrical discharge through the ground fault transfers through the hull (on a metal hulled ship) without harming anyone.
By using an ungrounded power strip or extension cord, you are putting your lives in danger as a Ground Fault Circuit Interuptor or a Residual Current Device will offer no protection to a user when there is no ground wire present.
My mom uses a CPAP, and uses an appliance grade extension cord (yes it it overkill, but its safer) when traveling with her machine.

 

[staxia]

Just off the Wonder last month, and called ahead and got a gallon of distilled. Just after we got in our room at 2 pm, and dropped our stuff, we were leaving and saw a stateroom host heading our way with a gallon of water... it was for me, had our room number written on it and everything.

I will admit, when calling at first, I had to convince the operator on the phone that I needed straight up distilled water because this was a medical device. She told me I could buy bottled water on the ship from the shop and use it... once I got her to understand that ANYTHING added to the water could be vaporized and harmful to me, she quickly put in the order for the distilled.

 

[Bonniec]

If you complete the special needs form in advance, the distilled water will be in your stateroom when you board

Where is the special needs form? I booked already through a TA so would it be too late to fill out the form? Or can I find it on the site?

 

[kristinfly2]

I just called DCL and told them about DHs cpap. The cm knew all about them and was very helpful! I also asked her questions about bringing our youngest DD nebulizer but she had no idea what I was talking about!

 

[Momma2Jax]

I just called DCL and told them about DHs cpap. The cm knew all about them and was very helpful! I also asked her questions about bringing our youngest DD nebulizer but she had no idea what I was talking about!

We just brought my ds's nebulizer, can I help answer something?

 

[kcashner]

Where is the special needs form? I booked already through a TA so would it be too late to fill out the form? Or can I find it on the site?

The form is on the DCL web site. Your TA can also call and have the notation added to the reservation. It works either way.

 

[Bonniec]

The form is on the DCL web site. Your TA can also call and have the notation added to the reservation. It works either way.

Where is it? I'm not seeing it. Thanks!

 

[MissMet]

You don't need to bother with the form.

Just head to guest services & like another poster said, if you're tight on luggage space, they'll also provide you an extension cord. Free of charge. WDW however, charges you for distilled water, a lot too since it's ordered thru the pharmacy.

 

[Kimosabe]

Best piece of advice we got before our first DCL trip was to pack a case of bottled water in a suitcase. Drink the water over the week (on ship, at CC beach, etc. -- free Diet Coke is great but eventually I just want some good water) and then you are not trying to figure out where to stuff the commemorative mouse ears, the three-gallon jug of H2O shampoo or whatever else floats your boat (get it? Boat? Cruise? Hee hee....). Anyhoo...same theory could apply to a gallon of distilled CPAP water (as it will now to me, as a new user myself). Always good to know you saved a few bucks when that post-cruise Visa bill arrives!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Best piece of advice we got before our first DCL trip was to pack a case of bottled water in a suitcase. Drink the water over the week (on ship, at CC beach, etc. -- free Diet Coke is great but eventually I just want some good water) and then you are not trying to figure out where to stuff the commemorative mouse ears, the three-gallon jug of H2O shampoo or whatever else floats your boat (get it? Boat? Cruise? Hee hee....). Anyhoo...same theory could apply to a gallon of distilled CPAP water (as it will now to me, as a new user myself). Always good to know you saved a few bucks when that post-cruise Visa bill arrives!

No need to bring on bottled water. The water onboard is just a good. It's processed the same way - reverse osmosis/filtered. You can get it at the drink stations, at meals, in your room.

 

[kristinfly2]

@momma2jax!!! Where did u plug it in?? Did your son have any attacks while you were on your cruise? My DD had severe asthma as a baby and up until 18 months then it started to get better. We have been lucky and not had to use the neb in 4 or 5 months but I know if I don't bring it the wheezing will start!

 

[deedisneydream97]

Was quite surprised when I went to plug in my c-pap on the Magic (farewell cruise NYC to Nova Scotia)....no outlets on the bed side of wall! Called guest services and they delivered an extension cord within 15 minutes. Plugged it in the outlet behind TV...kept the desk plugs free for wave phone and other stuff...could not find any plugs in bathroom either for curling irons and electric curlers!! I was not happy about an extension cord running across the floor...worried about someone tripping over it in the middle of the night!! Wonder why no built-in plug in the nightstand? I crawled around on all fours for about ten minutes before I gave up and called!!

Other than that....such a wonderful trip we had!!