Cruising with a T1D teen

[Miaka1]

My older daughter will be 16 at the time of our cruise. She has been a T1D (type 1 diabetic) for 10 years. She self tests and self medicates and HATES talking about her illness with anyone. If she is in Vibe, and needs to take her blood sugar or administer insulin (she does not have a pump), are the cast members going to question her? If she has an insulin reaction, will she be questioned as to why she has juice or candy?
I made the mistake of googling "Disney cruise with a type 1 diabetic" and found a not great story about a 12 year old. There is a huge difference between a 12 year old and 16 year old, and self medicating.
Does anyone have any first hand experience on a cruise with a teenager and type 1?

 

[PurplePencil]

My older daughter will be 16 at the time of our cruise. She has been a T1D (type 1 diabetic) for 10 years. She self tests and self medicates and HATES talking about her illness with anyone. If she is in Vibe, and needs to take her blood sugar or administer insulin (she does not have a pump), are the cast members going to question her? If she has an insulin reaction, will she be questioned as to why she has juice or candy?
I made the mistake of googling "Disney cruise with a type 1 diabetic" and found a not great story about a 12 year old. There is a huge difference between a 12 year old and 16 year old, and self medicating.
Does anyone have any first hand experience on a cruise with a teenager and type 1?

Vibe is far less strict than the Oceaneers Club/Lab. The teens are welcome to bring food in whenever they want (ice cream, burgers, fries, soda) so nobody will question her for having juice or candy.

 

[Quellman]

Vibe is far less strict than the Oceaneers Club/Lab. The teens are welcome to bring food in whenever they want (ice cream, burgers, fries, soda) so nobody will question her for having juice or candy.

And she'll be able to leave any time she wants, in case she would like some privacy. I believe I have seen sharps containers in the public bathrooms on board, but can't recall as I wasn't looking for them. They do have them in the staterooms.

 

[alexandmaddie]

We've been on multiple cruises with our T1D son (15). He doesn't ever go to the Vibe, but as others' have said, she'll be free to come and go as she pleases. We've had absolutely no issues whatsoever related to his T1D on any of our cruises. He does tend to run a bit higher than normal, just because we are horrible at swagging. He also has Celiac Disease, so we have that to deal with as well.

 

[quickcat]

No problems- our son is 17, has been cruising with Disney since he was 5 (diagnosed with type 1 at age one). Call and Ask for a sharps container for your room and it will be in there right away. We never had any issues with diabetes and cruising. We lost his lancet device one night in the theater and didn’t notice that it must’ve fallen out of his pocket until much later, The crew was so nice with helping us try to find it! We never did, thank goodness for back up supplies
That was our only issue we had. Have a great time!

 

[phinz]

And she'll be able to leave any time she wants, in case she would like some privacy. I believe I have seen sharps containers in the public bathrooms on board, but can't recall as I wasn't looking for them. They do have them in the staterooms.

I have seen sharps containers in many of the public bathrooms.

 

[Miaka1]

What about insulin pens when at Castway Cay? As I said, my daughter doesn't have pump, and we will be planning to spend the day on the island. Any tips on how to keep her insulin cool? I was thinking about taking my large Yeti tumbler and putting some ice in a ziplock in the bottom. Should keep it cool throughout the day. As long as no one walks off with it.

 

[dcassetta]

What about insulin pens when at Castway Cay? As I said, my daughter doesn't have pump, and we will be planning to spend the day on the island. Any tips on how to keep her insulin cool? I was thinking about taking my large Yeti tumbler and putting some ice in a ziplock in the bottom. Should keep it cool throughout the day. As long as no one walks off with it.

They might also be able to keep insulin cool at the first aid station.

 

[quickcat]

We have done frio bags before and they worked well for keeping the insulin cool.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

What about insulin pens when at Castway Cay? As I said, my daughter doesn't have pump, and we will be planning to spend the day on the island. Any tips on how to keep her insulin cool? I was thinking about taking my large Yeti tumbler and putting some ice in a ziplock in the bottom. Should keep it cool throughout the day. As long as no one walks off with it.

I've never seen one but would it fit inside a small thermos? Fill with ice first then insert pen. It would be very discreet.

 

[JBanesBunch]

What about insulin pens when at Castway Cay? As I said, my daughter doesn't have pump, and we will be planning to spend the day on the island. Any tips on how to keep her insulin cool? I was thinking about taking my large Yeti tumbler and putting some ice in a ziplock in the bottom. Should keep it cool throughout the day. As long as no one walks off with it.

You can get on and off the boat at Castaway Cay as much as you like - so you might think about that.

Do you get any of the gel cooling packs when her insulin is delivered? We have about a gazillion from my husband's deliveries and often defrost them to gel to pack and then put them in the fridges to cool/freeze them for use.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I've never seen one but would it fit inside a small thermos? Fill with ice first then insert pen. It would be very discreet.

Nevermind. I just thought of when it melts, her device would be swimming.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

You can get on and off the boat at Castaway Cay as much as you like - so you might think about that.

Do you get any of the gel cooling packs when her insulin is delivered? We have about a gazillion from my husband's deliveries and often defrost them to gel to pack and then put them in the fridges to cool/freeze them for use.

I get these when I order probiotics that ship cold. I never thought of asking a CM onboard to refreeze if needed. (Probably because I no longer need it once onboard.). I’m sure they wouldnt mind but it would be better to hear from someone with experience.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

What about insulin pens when at Castway Cay? As I said, my daughter doesn't have pump, and we will be planning to spend the day on the island. Any tips on how to keep her insulin cool? I was thinking about taking my large Yeti tumbler and putting some ice in a ziplock in the bottom. Should keep it cool throughout the day. As long as no one walks off with it.

I would recommend a FRIO pack or an insuluated lunch bag to keep the pen in while on Castaway Cay.

Our T1D DD(17) has been on 3 cruises since being diagnosed as diabetic. I will say that DCL has always been great with any of our needs.

 

[lanejudy]

Any tips on how to keep her insulin cool?

Another vote for the FRIO. You really don’t want to freeze it, some of the suggestions using ice/ice packs could actually damage or ruin the insulin if too cold. DH has used FRIO for several years with no problems.

I never thought of asking a CM onboard to refreeze if needed.

I don’t think they would do it. For food service regulations they can’t put anything from guests into the refrigerators or freezers. Possibly the Health Center, but you’d be limited to access it only when the Health Center is open/staffed.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[diznymom]

Be sure and request a sharps container for your room. I think you would need to contact DCL special services? Also, ask them about keeping the insulin cool. They may have some suggestions.

Your daughter can always go back to the room to administer her insulin. Also, on CC you can go back and forth to the room.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Be sure and request a sharps container for your room. I think you would need to contact DCL special services? Also, ask them about keeping the insulin cool. They may have some suggestions.

Your daughter can always go back to the room to administer her insulin. Also, on CC you can go back and forth to the room.

You just need to ask for a sharps container from your room steward when you get into your room. No problem.

The mini fridge in the room is quite adequate to keep any unopened insulin pens cool. The FRIO pack uses evaporative cooling to keep insulin at room temperature which is all you need once the insulin has been opened.

My DD uses a pump and we don't keep the insulin cool while shes wearing it outside. When she is not wearing it (i.e. at the beach or pool), we'll stick it in a cooler with a bag of ice or a FRIO pack (they make all sizes for vials, pens and pumps). The ship isn't that close to the beach to keep running back to the ship every time she eats something and needs to take a shot.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Another vote for the FRIO. You really don’t want to freeze it, some of the suggestions using ice/ice packs could actually damage or ruin the insulin if too cold. DH has used FRIO for several years with no problems.



I don’t think they would do it. For food service regulations they can’t put anything from guests into the refrigerators or freezers. Possibly the Health Center, but you’d be limited to access it only when the Health Center is open/staffed.

Enjoy your cruise!

They do store partly opened wine, whether supplied by guest or staff. They also bring it to your next rotational dining room without having to request it.
Not the same thing but it's not like they refuse ANY request.
I would look for those bags that you squeeze and they get cold fast. They usually last a few hours and don't get as cold as real ice. TBH I'm not very familiar with using insulin or knowing what is a good temp, just trying to offer ideas.)
I would also not want to have to keep going back and forth to the ship. That would be a real PITA. jmho