Diabetes on Board

[squirk]

Do you really think the person at port is going to care what some random CS phone rep said? Even if you can give the random CS phone rep a name. That has not been my experiences with other matters and I see nothing out of line with the OP asking what actually happens in practice.

Like I said, you can get documentation and e-mails confirming what you were told.

I think the CMs at the port would be far more inclined to work with you (to the extent they can, however they can) if you can document that you were steered wrong by DCL vs. saying “the DIS Boards told me so.”

There are really knowledgable and helpful people on this board. Nine times out of ten, they will get you the answer you need. For the one time out of ten that the board’s info is inaccurate, incomplete or outdated, I just hope it’s not regarding an issue that will compromise the OP’s ability to board the ship without compromising her health.

 

[lanejudy]

Insulin technically does not require a prescription. If one wants their medical insurance to cover the cost, an Rx is required, but as OP does - it can be purchased OTC. Same with the supplies -- lancets, needles, meters, test strips, etc. OP you should have no problem boarding a ship or flying with your insulin and supplies. If flying, put your kit in a bin for TSA and declare it as medical. Same at the port, though I've found security at the port to be "easier" than at the airport.

As to the fridge -- mini-fridges such as found in hotel rooms and cruise staterooms are notoriously unreliable. It could freeze your insulin. Just be super careful and check the temperature - or use another method for storage. Any vial/pen you have started does not need to be refrigerated and can be kept at room temperature. DH uses a FRIO when we travel.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[StorybookGirl]

I *think* it is not so much the doctor's prescription that is important here as it is the *original packaging* that clearly states the medication and its purpose. If you show up with a baggy full of mismatched unidentifiable pills (Rx, otc or vitamin), or unmarked vials, it might raise some eyebrows. I sort my pills in my pill box thingy, and also bring the bottles for added comfort/identification. God forbid we get stuck on the ship or delayed coming home, and run out of meds. We've done nine Disney cruises and I've never been questioned. I pack everything critical in my carry-on. I do take insulin and have always stored it in the stateroom fridge with no problem... but, I check it constantly to make sure it doesn't freeze. I would rather it stay on the less-cool side - the insulin I take is shelf-stable for a couple weeks as long as it doesn't get too warm, so I'm comfortable with the stateroom fridge, which tend to run a little warm. So, that is my personal experience - your mileage may vary! As others have said, please contact DCL - and TSA - to figure out what will work for you. And don't stress... most people on the ship probably have medication so you won't stand out. Enjoy your cruise!

 

[BartmanLA]

While you might not have a prescription, I'm assuming you're under a doctors care for your diabetes, if that is the case ask your doctor for a "scrip" for the insulin. Even if you buy it OTC, that way you are covered for flying etc. I would pack the majority of your syringes in your checked luggage and only take what is necessary for you to fly and until you are reunited with your bags on the other end. My hubby takes an injectable medication every 11 weeks and if we are cruising during that time I travel with the medication (along with the script label in a Chill Pack (a zippered case you can freeze before you travel to keep the medication cold) and it lasts until we get on board the ship usually, but we do carry the medication in our carry on bags so we don't risk losing it.

 

[cwis]

What’s the point of asking the question here when you know you’re going to have to call DCL for an authoritative answer anyway?

You do not have diabetes, have you? I have type 1 diabetes and if I need some authoritative answer to this kind of questions, no way I would trust ANYONE on these boards. Regardless I might still ask the question here, because sometimes knowing the rule PLUS knowing how it is applied in real life can reduce stress and anxiety. I had a situation at Castaway Cay in which the cast members were NOT able to help me because their documentation was inconsistent, had I thought to prepare my trip better, I might have found valuable information here.

I'm pretty confident I can go everywhere and still be able to keep insulin AND sugar with me at all times, but sometimes being able to anticipate the process is helpful and can save you time.

Why not keep it in the fridge?

The answer you'd be given earlier is correct, the fridges are not precise enough and your insulin might no longer be effective. (They stop working once freezed.) You can keep your insulin at room temperature for several weeks, this shouldn't be an issue.

 

[squirk]

I have type 1 diabetes and if I need some authoritative answer to this kind of questions, no way I would trust ANYONE on these boards.

Exactly my point.

If you want to ask around here about “the experience” in context, that’s obviously perfectly fine.

But as to whether or not you need an Rx to bring your sharps onto the ships? I agree with you 100% that there’s no way I’d rely on what anyone said around here.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

In 6 cruises since DD's diagnosis, we have never been asked or needed to provide a prescription for insulin. The RX label is on the box, but nobody looks at them that closely if at all.

I have a thermometer from MedAngel that we keep with the insulin. DD can check the temperature on her phone. We have not had any problems with the "refrigerator" in the room not keeping the insulin temperature in range. I know how many vials our DD needs in a month, and worse case scenario, her insulin will be safe at room temperature for 30 days. Coincidentally, she actually uses less insulin than normal while on a cruise.

PS. We don't tell DCL that DD has Type 1 diabetes. Most of the CM's, especially the MDR staff, who don't even know the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 and we don't require any special medical assistance.

 

[katmigordon]

Yeah, I had pretty much decided to go with a doctor's note - or hey if she can write me a scrip even though I won't use it - that would probably even be better. I didn't know that would work - figured the doc note was the closest I could get.

While you might not have a prescription, I'm assuming you're under a doctors care for your diabetes, if that is the case ask your doctor for a "scrip" for the insulin. Even if you buy it OTC, that way you are covered for flying etc. I would pack the majority of your syringes in your checked luggage and only take what is necessary for you to fly and until you are reunited with your bags on the other end. My hubby takes an injectable medication every 11 weeks and if we are cruising during that time I travel with the medication (along with the script label in a Chill Pack (a zippered case you can freeze before you travel to keep the medication cold) and it lasts until we get on board the ship usually, but we do carry the medication in our carry on bags so we don't risk losing it.

 

[cwis]

PS. We don't tell DCL that DD has Type 1 diabetes. Most of the CM's, especially the MDR staff, who don't even know the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 and we don't require any special medical assistance.

Same. I don't tell anyone and I make my injections when I need them, no matter where I am. On the interesting side, I do have lower needs for insulin when on board, I believe because I have a mostly sedentary life at work.

OP you'll enjoy a wonderful cruise!

 

[lanejudy]

I would pack the majority of your syringes in your checked luggage and only take what is necessary for you to fly and until you are reunited with your bags on the other end.

I disagree. Always keep vital medical items and medications in your carry-on. That checked bag could take a side trip across the country, or a swim in the ocean at the port. Unless you can survive the duration of your vacation without those items, do not pack in checked luggage. If you have a considerable amount of medical items, pack it all in a separate bag that will not count towards your carry-on allowance (flying); medical needs fly free.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[deliela999]

I disagree. Always keep vital medical items and medications in your carry-on. That checked bag could take a side trip across the country, or a swim in the ocean at the port. Unless you can survive the duration of your vacation without those items, do not pack in checked luggage. If you have a considerable amount of medical items, pack it all in a separate bag that will not count towards your carry-on allowance (flying); medical needs fly free.

Enjoy your vacation!

My rule is anything I can't run to Target and buy goes in carry-on. The syringes are iffy to me and I might make a decision based on space and schedule. If my travel schedule had room to go buy new syringes and I was pushing it on space I might gamble. We're fairly new to cruising and it adds the extra issue that once we're on the boat I can't just run to Target.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

My rule is anything I can't run to Target and buy goes in carry-on. The syringes are iffy to me and I might make a decision based on space and schedule. If my travel schedule had room to go buy new syringes and I was pushing it on space I might gamble. We're fairly new to cruising and it adds the extra issue that once we're on the boat I can't just run to Target.

True, there's not one on every corner like in the US.

 

[deliela999]

True, there's not one on every corner like in the US.

I was thinking about flights. If I flew and my bag didn't make it I would go to Target and buy what I needed before getting on the cruise. Have there been problems with luggage handed off to porters at the port not making it on the ship? That hadn't crossed my mind. For our first cruise (and will probably repeat with our second) we stayed in Florida for a few days before our cruise and rearranged our luggage before boarding so we had a rolling carry-on we took on board that was checked for the flight.

 

[StorybookGirl]

My rule is anything I can't run to Target and buy goes in carry-on. The syringes are iffy to me and I might make a decision based on space and schedule. If my travel schedule had room to go buy new syringes and I was pushing it on space I might gamble. We're fairly new to cruising and it adds the extra issue that once we're on the boat I can't just run to Target.

Speaking of... in addition to my Rx stuff, I err on the side of total panic, especially when cruising, and bring any OTC meds that might be needed unexpectedly: Tums, Pepto, Tylenol, cold meds, Neosporin, etc., just in case we need a little something and can't make it to a drugstore or in the middle of the night. Ship meds are pricey and the store isn't open late or in port, and I don't want to be caught empty-handed. It's worth the space it takes up in my bag and *something* always gets used!

 

[StorybookGirl]

I was thinking about flights. If I flew and my bag didn't make it I would go to Target and buy what I needed before getting on the cruise. Have there been problems with luggage handed off to porters at the port not making it on the ship? That hadn't crossed my mind. For our first cruise (and will probably repeat with our second) we stayed in Florida for a few days before our cruise and rearranged our luggage before boarding so we had a rolling carry-on we took on board that was checked for the flight.

Our luggage has never been lost on a ship, but it has been delayed getting to our room. So, always carry anything you can't afford to lose or be without for a period of time, especially meds and med supplies, just like when you fly.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

I use a Victoza Pen rather than Insulin. It still uses needles and lancets. I have not been asked once to present a doctors note, but I do know in theory they have the right to ask.

 

[Meriweather]

I carry all medications with me, on plane, and to port and with me until our room is ready.
I carry a first aid kit (actually a couple) and all my prescriptions in small bags for each time I take them.
Insulin and needles (I use a pen) are in a separate zippered bag.
25+ cruises 5 cruise lines , never been asked about any of it and I do not have the labels on them

 

[revdon64]

I just cruised in January and I'm diabetic. Carried on all my meds and insulin and infusion supplies (I'm on an insulin pump) without so much as a peep from security. Just put my bag up on the belt and walked through the metal detector. I always point out that I'm wearing the pump before I go through, but it has never set the detector off.

 

[Mom24Princesses]

Just booked a cruise and noted that SiL is a type 1 diabetic and had them note in on our dining plan.

DH and DD#4 have a bleeding condition and we have carried their medication and IV infusion supplies on every cruise we’ve taken without anyone asking us ANYTHING at boarding. I never pack ANY medication of ANY kind in checked luggage when I travel.

 

[StarSeven7]

I'm curious why some of you are mentioning that you make a note to DCL so the waitstaff knows someone in your group is diabetic? Do they actually do anything different for them? My dad is diabetic and we travel with my parents often and he has never ever mentioned to anyone in a restaurant that he is diabetic, he just orders his meals accordingly and he's very careful about keeping his blood sugar in check. Just wondering if letting the waitstaff know is helpful in some way?