Cruising with Type 1 Diabetes

[calngavinsmom]

I'm also a type 1 and wear an insulin pump and I was diagnosed at around age 23 and they still don't know why as I've been on the smaller side my whole life

Heather

Just wanted to mention, for those who don't know, Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease and is caused by the bodys own immune system attacking the insulin producing cells in the pancreas, not caused by lifestyle (weight, alcohol, lack of exercise ect.). Type 2 Diabetes is the one that can be caused/affected by lifestyle.

As such, people with Type 1 and can and should eat the same (healthy) diet as a non-diabetic, as long as whatever is eaten is covered by insulin. My son is now 11 and was diagnosed with Type 1 just after he turned 7. We have cruised, gone to Disney, done all the rides, waterparks, enjoyed the ocean at Castaway Cay, eaten at the main dining rooms, buffets, and even the icecream station (all very successfully might I add)

It does take some learning, calculating and correcting, but it can be done!

One thing that we had to be careful of was to ask for a manual pat down when boarding/exiting the ships because our son is on a pump and we were warned against him going through metal detectors as they can interfere with the pump.

I know it is overwhelming now, but it does get easier

Take care!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

One thing that we had to be careful of was to ask for a manual pat down when boarding/exiting the ships because our son is on a pump and we were warned against him going through metal detectors as they can interfere with the pump.

I know it is overwhelming now, but it does get easier

Take care!

It is not so much the metal detector as the x-ray, at least with DDs pump (Animas). My DD wears her pump through the metal detector. We had absolutely no problem with the ships boarding/exiting. The airport is another matter. The detector has gone off only twice. The first time DD was 9 years old and the TSA agent made her cry and went through everything in her backpack and swabbed all of her electronics. We as parents were told not to touch the 'subject." Needless to say, DD is a little weary of airport security. One of the TSA agents actually told her to take off her medical alert bracelet before she goes through so as not to set off the alarm. Other than that, TSA never blinks an eye with all her supplies that go through. You can even go through the Family/Medical line which is sometimes faster than the regular TSA lines.

 

[calngavinsmom]

It is not so much the metal detector as the x-ray, at least with DDs pump (Animas). My DD wears her pump through the metal detector. We had absolutely no problem with the ships boarding/exiting. The airport is another matter. The detector has gone off only twice. The first time DD was 9 years old and the TSA agent made her cry and went through everything in her backpack and swabbed all of her electronics. We as parents were told not to touch the 'subject." Needless to say, DD is a little weary of airport security. One of the TSA agents actually told her to take off her medical alert bracelet before she goes through so as not to set off the alarm. Other than that, TSA never blinks an eye with all her supplies that go through. You can even go through the Family/Medical line which is sometimes faster than the regular TSA lines.

Animas warns against going through security scanners with the pump, not because it sets it off, but because it *may* interfere with the pump. Here is a link to their site: http://www.animaseurope.eu/faq/metal-detector

It's great you guys haven't had a problem, but when we got ours, our Animas (and Medtronic, as my son was on Medtronic before the Animas) Reps told us not to let him go through metal detectors or other scanners( his spare pump doesn't get put through the scanners either, we be sure it goes around for manual inspection). We also disconnect for roller coasters and other high g-force rides because the force of the ride may push insulin through the tubing.

We have never had an issue from security when asking for a pat down for our son. It might be a bit of overkill, but I'd rather not have something happen to mess up the pump on holiday.

Take care!

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Just wanted to mention, for those who don't know, Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease and is caused by the bodys own immune system attacking the insulin producing cells in the pancreas, not caused by lifestyle (weight, alcohol, lack of exercise ect.). Type 2 Diabetes is the one that can be caused/affected by lifestyle.

As such, people with Type 1 and can and should eat the same (healthy) diet as a non-diabetic, as long as whatever is eaten is covered by insulin. My son is now 11 and was diagnosed with Type 1 just after he turned 7. We have cruised, gone to Disney, done all the rides, waterparks, enjoyed the ocean at Castaway Cay, eaten at the main dining rooms, buffets, and even the icecream station (all very successfully might I add)

It does take some learning, calculating and correcting, but it can be done!

One thing that we had to be careful of was to ask for a manual pat down when boarding/exiting the ships because our son is on a pump and we were warned against him going through metal detectors as they can interfere with the pump.

I know it is overwhelming now, but it does get easier

Take care!

I see how my statement might have been misinterpreted and I didn't mean that, so apologies. It was odd (or least that's what I was told) to be 24ish, not overweight, healthy to be diagnosed type 1. I've had it 20 years now so I'm definitely very aware of the differences between type 1 and type 2 but that's another discussion.

So again, no matter what age and diagnosis ~ go and smell the roses

Heather

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Animas warns against going through security scanners with the pump, not because it sets it off, but because it *may* interfere with the pump. Here is a link to their site: http://www.animaseurope.eu/faq/metal-detector

It's great you guys haven't had a problem, but when we got ours, our Animas (and Medtronic, as my son was on Medtronic before the Animas) Reps told us not to let him go through metal detectors or other scanners( his spare pump doesn't get put through the scanners either, we be sure it goes around for manual inspection). We also disconnect for roller coasters and other high g-force rides because the force of the ride may push insulin through the tubing.

We have never had an issue from security when asking for a pat down for our son. It might be a bit of overkill, but I'd rather not have something happen to mess up the pump on holiday.

Take care!

Of course, you need to do what you feel comfortable with. But, our Owners Manual states that "Pumps will rarely set off airport metal detectors, so there is no need to remove your pump when passing through airport security." My DD would not be comfortable with a pat down. As airport security becomes more advanced, that may become an issue for us in the future. She has not been asked to do body scans.

Yes, when we remember, we also disconnect on roller coaster type rides.

 

[tiger_fan3]

First of all, I just want to send hugs. This must all be so overwhelming to you. My son was actually diagnosed with Type 1 5.5 years ago while at the Magic Kingdom. 2 days later we boarded the Wonder for our cruise. I look back and think I must have been crazy to go forward with it, but he still really wanted to go. The staff was AMAZING, they knew before we got on the ship about what had happened. We have been back on cruises a couple times since then, including one cruise with our Diabetic Alert Dog. You won't find carb counts anywhere at Disney, but as time goes on you will learn how to best estimate carbs.

I do want to say that don't think that he can't do something because he has type 1. Type 1's everywhere are proving that they can do anything they set their minds to. It takes a lot of planning sometimes, but it can be done.

 

[bkfejer]

My 13 year old son was diagnosed with T1D last week. One of the first things he asked while in the hospital is if he'd still be able to go on Disney cruises. Has anyone cruised with a child with T1D? I'm wondering if carbohydrate counts can be provided, etc...

Thanks~

I know this can be very overwhelming but it gets better and things do get easier as you go. Your son will become very capable of determining the carb count and what works best. while yes they can eat anything and take insulin some foods will affect them more than others. For my son pizza was rough. If he took enough insulin to cover what he ate he would usually go low because the carbs in the pizza took a while to increase his blood sugar. He learned that IF he ate pizza he would take a shot for a small amount then test again in an hour or so and take the rest. This helped prevent the highs and lows. My son was diagnosed at age 11. He is now 27 and married to a wonderful gal that is also a type 1 diabetic. They took their honeymoon on a Disney Cruise!

The BIGGEST piece of advise I would give you is to send your son to Diabetes camp. Not sure where you live. We are in Texas and Camp Sweeney is the place to go. That is where my son met his wife. He still goes back every summer as a member of the Camp Band the Sweeney Five. Camp is one of the best things we did for our son and the family. He learned to be self sufficient and met life long friends!

 

[alexandmaddie]

Thank you everyone for your support and sharing your experiences! It is getting easier day by day.

We took a short Magic cruise 3/17 and it was on the airplane going down to Florida that I really noticed his extreme thirst. I also noticed in Florida that he had a boil on his leg. When we got home, I took him in to see if he needed antibiotics for the boil. While at the doctor's office, I mentioned his extreme thirst and asked for further testing. On my way to pick up the antibiotics, I got a call from the clinic, instructing us to go to Children's Hospital. He was then admitted and given his T1D diagnosis.

Our next family cruise is scheduled for October, I think I'll be comfortable enough to travel at that point!

I'm hoping he'll be interested in a pump, they seem to make life easier. I also would like to look at the continuous blood glucose monitor. I am terrified of him having low blood sugar.

Thanks again!

 

[fairytalelover]

Our son has type 1 since he was two years old and it doesnt interfere with any activities including cruising with us. They deliver a sharps container to your stateroom which is awesome and when it gets full you just let them know and they give you a new one. Just let them know you want a sharps container. About the foods, type 1 doesnt have to eat any special kinds of food like type 2. You can be like everyone else and eat anything you want. You just give insulin for what you ate or rather the carbs you ate. The staff will not know the carb count of something. After a while you get used to it and you guesstimate abotu how much insulin you may need. It's always better to err on the side of caution and not give too much insulin to avoid getting lows. But if you just keep checking blood sugar as we do with our son, you will be fine. Get the carb counting book that was mentionned earlier in this post. That helps a lot! And we always have our son keep a small tube of glucose tabs in his pocket whereever he goes so if he feels a little low he will pop one. He is 10 now and can self-diagnose when he feels low so that's helpful. When we drop him off at the kids club, he has his glucose tabs so we are not worried and he can call you on the wave phone (or rather he tells the staff and they text you) when he doesnt feel good or when he wants to join you guys. So it's all good Also, it might help you to put a request to be put at the same table with somebody else with diabetes. We have never requested that but they can probably do it since they see the medical forms in our files.

 

[truck1]

Thank you everyone for your support and sharing your experiences! It is getting easier day by day.

We took a short Magic cruise 3/17 and it was on the airplane going down to Florida that I really noticed his extreme thirst. I also noticed in Florida that he had a boil on his leg. When we got home, I took him in to see if he needed antibiotics for the boil. While at the doctor's office, I mentioned his extreme thirst and asked for further testing. On my way to pick up the antibiotics, I got a call from the clinic, instructing us to go to Children's Hospital. He was then admitted and given his T1D diagnosis.

Our next family cruise is scheduled for October, I think I'll be comfortable enough to travel at that point!

I'm hoping he'll be interested in a pump, they seem to make life easier. I also would like to look at the continuous blood glucose monitor. I am terrified of him having low blood sugar.

Thanks again!

My wife has a cgm. She loves it. Makes life easier, since it has high and low alarms. One thing though is don't get too dependent on technology. My wifes cgm just failed and were waiting on a replacement. Also, youll see a slight difference between the cgm and a standard glucometer readings Youll learn behavior patterns also when he starts to run high or low. Some people become violent when they are low, some people become loopy. My wife will tell me that she feels odd or she feels sick or has a headache if she runs high. Those are tattle tales somethings not right.

 

[heywagners]

I realize I'm bumping a thread almost a year old, but wondering for those of you who have children with T1D, how did the Kids Clubs work? Did they have a problem with the child (he will be 11) checking his blood sugar? Do you know if any of the kids club cast members have any training for anything medical?

I assume a doctor is on board the ship at all times?

 

[bbel]

I realize I'm bumping a thread almost a year old, but wondering for those of you who have children with T1D, how did the Kids Clubs work? Did they have a problem with the child (he will be 11) checking his blood sugar? Do you know if any of the kids club cast members have any training for anything medical?

I assume a doctor is on board the ship at all times?

If a child can test themselves then they can keep their kit with them (the club will usually provide a drawstring bag), or at the front desk like an epi-pen, and they can test in the family bathroom (where there's a sharps kit if they need it), or if they're a self check then they can always check out and go back to their cabin if they prefer.
If a child cannot test themselves then parent must keep the kit but can come back as needed and test in the family bathroom with them.
Kids club CM have first aid training, but the only thing they're allowed to administer is epi-pens. (And ice packs and bad aids), but that's due to policies.
If a child needs snacks/apple juice, they cannot bring it in with them, but it can be kept in the office and provided when requested.
Depending on their age/sensitivity, there maybe a note in the system, just to let the Counselors know that they've checked in and that they have diabetes so be aware.

We would strongly urge you to keep a wave phone with you, because thats going to be the way they're gonna contact for any questions or issues.

When you register you'll be asked to give as much information as possible, which will be kept on the information on the child's profile, attached to their band.

At 11, if they go to edge, then they're free to come and go as much as they like, and food isn't an issue. As long as they keep their kits with them (more so it doesn't get lost or broken) then people don't even really need to know that they have it with them. So in edge they're pretty much fully responsible for it themselves.

And yes, there's a whole medical team on board made up of doctors and nurses.

Hope this helps....

 

[lanejudy]

While CMs may be familiar with diabetes, they aren't allowed to assist the child with it in any manner. I know the Club/Lab CMs will store his kit at the check-in desk for him, though, and he can request it when he needs it; I assume Edge would do the same. If he needs to test at regular intervals, does he have a watch with an alarm you can set? Alternatively, you will need to go check on him to assist. I actually would recommend that you plan to meet up with him periodically anyway, at least early in the cruise until you know how he's doing; he'd probably prefer lunch with you at Cabanas rather than the lunch served in the Club/Lab anyway (and Edge doesn't serve lunch).

Enjoy your cruise!