Shipping Medical Supplies to The DCL Ship

[rillsung]

Has anyone shipped medical supplies to the port? Our daughter is tube-fed and we have to take about 48 cans of prescription formula that are about 3.5oz each for our 2 week cruise and are trying to figure out how to get it to the ship! From what I understand, if the medical supply company ships it to the ship, then it's ok, but since it's food I cannot ship it. Is there any way to verify that it gets there? Has anyone had trouble with this?

 

[Vijoge]

Has anyone shipped medical supplies to the port? Our daughter is tube-fed and we have to take about 48 cans of prescription formula that are about 3.5oz each for our 2 week cruise and are trying to figure out how to get it to the ship! From what I understand, if the medical supply company ships it to the ship, then it's ok, but since it's food I cannot ship it. Is there any way to verify that it gets there? Has anyone had trouble with this?

I'm not sure why there would be a problem with your taking it on board. People bring food on cruise ships all the time. You aren't allowed to take things like flowers, vegetables, maybe meats, stuff like that. But cans? Shouldn't be a problem. People bring water, beer, soda, pringles, etc. .

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

I don't know if this goes for every cruise line, but when I asked about shipping a box of supplies to my Royal Caribbean ship/dock, I was told there is nowhere to ship it to - nobody at the dock to receive a package in the mail.

If you want to ship it instead of take it on a plane, ship it to your pre-cruise hotel. (It is not a good idea to fly in on the same day as your cruise or you may miss the boat, literally, if you have any airport problems or flight delays.)

Who told you that you couldn't bring her formula on board? Disabled ppl bring edibles on board all the time. I brought all my Ensure bottles on board as well as all the cans of wet and Ziploc bags of dry dog food for my service dog. Non-disabled ppl bring food and drinks on board, too.

Perhaps you are thinking about chefs not being able to prepare food you bring on board yourself in their kitchens?

You also most likely won't have a problem bringing the formula ashore in foreign countries as long as it is factory-sealed when you leave the ship.

 

[Selket]

I think that shipping something to yourself for the cruise to be delivered to your stateroom is *different* than having the item in your bag or carry-on as you go to board the ship, which is why the OP is asking the questions.

That said I have no experience - I would ask on the DCL board here.

It sounds like one of those things that would be a disaster if it didn't show up - what would you do? You would be unable to cruise it seems. Perhaps it would be safer (but expensive???) to bring it with you to the port as part of your luggage.

 

[dclfun]

I had my medical vendor deliver my cases of tube feeding to the ship when we went on the Panama cruise the last time the Magic did that itinerary. They were in my stateroom when we got there. I think the OP is concerned about how difficult it would be to carry the heavy cans, not that the ship won't accept them. Call DCL and ask to speak with Special Services- the dept. that assists guests with disabilities. You should get an answer there as to where to ship the cans of tube feeding if that option is still available. I'm not sure that cases of canned formula for medical use are considered the same way as "food" but you'd definitely need to speak to that dept. vs. a res agent to get the right answer. If they still can accept the cases of formula beforehand then you'll be given an address for shipping to the West Coast- hopefully then your medical supplier will be able to ship them for you vs. shipping to your home as usual.----Kathy

 

[rillsung]

I'm more concerned about shipping the formula and having it not arrive so I was wondering if anyone had shipped medical supplies and had any problems. I know that we can take our own food or her formula on ourselves, but carrying 2 cases on the plane is a pain! Not to mention that it's probably less likely to make it if we check it in our luggage vs. having it delivered to the ship

I spoke with the Special Services agent yesterday. Right now, she and Apria are trying to figure things out. She said that Apria isn't on her list for delivering to the ship in LA though they use them all the time in Port Canaveral. Apria can ship it to another company (The same address that everyone uses to ship stuff to themselves).

 

[Camster0307]

If I'm understanding you correctly, you're asking about if you ship the formula down yourself, rather than Apria, is that correct?

If so, I can tell you that, while I've never done the cruise, I go to Disney every year and ship my own box of medical supplies for my daughter to the hotel. Included in that box is a week's worth of Ensure formula. I usually ship UPS and have never had a problem. So if you find a hotel you're staying at before your cruise leaves, you could pack and ship the box yourself to where you'll be staying. Just include your name and date of arrival and the front desk should hold on to it for you.

 

[dclfun]

I've not had a problem either. I let my vendor ship it as it's pricey to ship myself and it's part of what insurance pays for...shipping/delivery charges. I can understand the fear and worry though since without the supplies you'd not be able to feed your child. It's your choice and your comfort level/trust with Apria, another vendor, and the port agents that will determine how you handle the formula. If you do decide to have it shipped, I'm sure Special Services will advise you how to label it- I'm just glad to hear that tube feeding formula for medical reasons is still accepted via pre-arrival shipping. Did you ask if you can recieve notification by calling to be sure the formula has arrived and if so, how soon can it be delivered so you wont' be worrying?---Kathy

 

[Camster0307]

I've not had a problem either. I let my vendor ship it as it's pricey to ship myself and it's part of what insurance pays for...shipping/delivery charges.........

I know - my vendor, which is Apria also, has offered to ship for me. But I'm such a control freak - I just need to do it myself. I know I'm packing all the right equipment and they'll be no incorrect items shipped. I even insisted on packing and shipping the supplies for my daughter's MAW trip last year. My trip coordinator kept trying to convince me to let them take on the responsibility but I refused. I worry alot less if I do it myself. I know - I have issues!

 

[dclfun]

Well, one bad experience or hearing about one can cause any of us to have those same "issues", lol. When WL lost my ventilator battery charger last year and my A/C connector that had been transferred merely from Pop ( it was in their luggage room the whole time but I ended up with Reedy Creek in the lobby getting ready to haul me via ambulance on my son's birthday to the hospital... not pretty) that made me decide to never, EVER, let bell services touch my medical equipment including all the chargers. I've never had a problem though with DCL and I have way too much "stuff" for my family to deal with hauling on so I have to trust them....sigh. It's hard when your life depends on equipment and supplies!---Kathy