Dialysis patients may feel that cruise holidays are not possible due to their medical condition and care needs. However, there are a vast number of ships and crews who go above and beyond to ensure dialysis patients get the medical attention they require and can have an enjoyable and relaxing holiday.
Please note: The information provided in this post was last updated on 21 December 2017.
Here, we’ll run through the cruise lines that provide dialysis for travellers on board their ships.
Which Cruise Lines Do Haemodialysis onboard?
If you require haemodialysis, but still want to explore the world’s oceans – here the lines which offer the services you require.
Through Dialysis at Sea
The largest provider of dialysis services aboard cruise ships since 1977, Dialysis at Sea have helped thousands of dialysis patients to enjoy holidays they previously thought they may not be able to.
The company provides patients with a specialist care team including a nephrologist, dialysis nurses and certified technicians on specially selected cruises. The service also includes the most advanced and best maintained medical equipment and supplies, subjected to strict maintenance protocols to ensure they are always operating at optimum level.
The company provides patients with a specialist care team that includes a nephrologist, dialysis nurses and certified technicians on specially-selected cruises. You’ll be safe in the knowledge that the service also includes the most advanced and well-maintained medical equipment and supplies at sea, all subjected to the strictest maintenance protocols, ensuring that they’re always operating at optimum levels.
Booking through them is easy. Once you’ve got a date and destination in mind, call them on 001 727 372 7490 or send over an email, where their trained sales representatives will be on hand to talk you through your cruise dialysis needs with ease.
Once onboard, you can use your ship’s dedicated treatment room 24/7. Freedom is hugely important to the Dialysis at Sea staff while you travel. Please note, since the availability of their dialysis appointments and cabins on their respective ships are limited, Dialysis at Sea suggest booking as early as possible to ensure that a slot is available, in order to avoid disappointment.
The service takes up to 16 patients per cruise, with dialysis times operating on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Royal Caribbean International
Ships which accommodate patients: Adventure of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas.
Celebrity Cruises
Ships which accommodate patients: Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Reflection, Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Solstice.
Through Dialysis While Cruising
An alternative to Dialysis at Sea, providing cruising options for people reliant on dialysis.
MSC Cruises
Ships which accommodate patients: MSC Splendida, MSC Fantasia.
MSC Cruises use a different service, Dialysis While Cruising, to help their onboard patients. Since MSC Cruises’ ships don’t have a special dialysis centre on board, there are some constraints when it comes to space. The machinery is also installed intermittently for a period of 9 to 18 weeks.
However, you’ll be in the capable hands of a well-qualified team with the latest dialysis machinery at their disposal. Managed by an international medical staff, composed of a qualified doctor and specialised nurses, please be aware that some of your medical staff might not speak your language but they will endeavour to avoid this if possible.
The dialysis shifts are calculated in advance in order to cater to any shore excursions you’re booked on so you can enjoy your cruise experience to its fullest.
Peritoneal Dialysis
For patients who administer peritoneal dialysis at home, it’s possible to bring your equipment aboard most ships before departure and have supplies delivered directly to you. It’s always worth checking with the cruise company before the sailing date to determine whether you have to make any special arrangements prior to boarding, as some cruise lines don’t allow it.
Royal Caribbean offer peritoneal dialysis and will book guests that need peritoneal dialysis either directly or through a travel agent. If you have your own machine, the line says that those administering the treatment themselves can take the machine to their stateroom, but they must provide their own fluids. As per their website, your treatment should be delivered to the vessel on the day of sailing two hours prior to departure.
Likewise, Celebrity Cruises are able to support you if you need peritoneal dialysis. They only ask that you have all solutions and equipment delivered to the ship at least two hours before the ship sets sail.
Will I Still Be Able to Take Part in On-Board Activities?
Cruise holidays are specially designed to provide enjoyment and entertainment for all demographics, whether you like to take it easy or enjoy immersing yourself in new experiences. It’s completely up to you and your medical staff to decide upon the activities that you can take part in.
These dedicated medical practitioners will also be able to guide you as to whether the on-shore excursions are safe for you to experience. Being on dialysis doesn’t automatically preclude you from being able to get involved, the treatment means you can make your holiday as enriching, enjoyable and comfortable as possible.
If any of the above cruise companies don’t travel the route you wish to take, keep in mind that you can contact other lines to see if they can help provide the treatment you need. Many of the respected cruise companies will try in earnest to accommodate you. Additionally, it’s well worth speaking to your GP – they’ll have accrued knowledge and stories from other patients who have previously travelled on cruises.
For the full range of the cruise packages available from Cruise1st, simply visit our homepage or call our dedicated team on 1300 857 345.
