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How do I bring electrical medical equipment on board?

  • Whilst we are happy to welcome guests on board who require oxygen via concentrator, we're still unable to accept guests requiring oxygen via cylinder, bottle or tank onboard.
  • If a guest is going to be travelling with CPAP, BiPAP (or any other mechanical ventilatory support) Oxygen concentrator or Peritoneal dialysis, the guest should be advised to confirm fitness to travel on their chosen itinerary with their primary health care provider.
  • Guests must also have full travel insurance that covers them for all pre-existing health conditions. If they have any queries or require any additional support, they should contact our medical team via medical@carnivalukgroup.com
  • All equipment will need to be carried on board as hand luggage.
  • It's important guests contact the manufacturer/supplier to ensure that their equipment is safe to use at 60 Hz and to ensure that their 50 Hz machine will not be damaged or its performance affected.
  • All cabins are fitted with the British three pin sockets.
  • Personal Extension Leads are not permitted on board unless to be used with essential medical equipment (e.g. CPAP and nebuliser machines). Guests should ensure any extension lead for their medical device is long enough to reach the required areas. Surge protected extension leads are not accepted in any circumstances as they interfere with the ship's electrical distribution.
  • If a guest wishes to take electrical medical equipment on board, they must notify the Customer Contact Centre team, who will send a "Your on-board needs" questionnaire. Guests will need to detail the particulars on the questionnaire and return to Accessibility@carnivalukgroup.com

 

You may find the following question useful - "Can I fly if I have a pre-existing medical condition, reduced mobility or any disability that requires assistance?"

Please also see "What type of plug sockets / voltage are used on board and where are they located?" and contact the supplier of the electrical equipment if you have questions as to the compatibility.

Pacemakers / Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)

It's important to note that some medical devices can be affected by the security scanners at ports and airports. Therefore, it is advisable to travel with an official letter from your doctor (or your device card) which should be shown at security. This will mean you will not have to pass through the scanners, instead, a member of staff will escort you through the security process.

Electrical feeding pumps

Electrical feeding pumps can be taken on board however, please ensure you bring sufficient quantities of any required medication/liquid feeds for the duration of your cruise. If you anticipate needing additional refrigerator storage whilst on board please email: medical@carnivalukgroup.com detailing the number and sizes of boxes so alternative arrangements can be made.

Mechanical ventilators 

Please advise at time of booking that you will be bringing a CPAP/BiPAP/Nebuliser on board your cruise. Should you require the use of your CPAP/BiPAP/Nebuliser during your flight, please call our Flights Department on 0345 355 0300 (Travel Agents please call 0344 338 8656) no later than 14 days prior to departure. We recommend that CPAP/BiPAP/Nebulisers are carried in your hand luggage and not put in your holdall.

You should always travel with an extra battery and if you are dependent on your machine, you should travel with an additional or backup machine as we are not able to replace these units onboard. All guests taking electrical medical equipment on board will be required to take their own extension lead with them.  

Delivery of liquid feeds and dialysis fluid

Please arrange for the company supplying your feeds/fluids to email our Port Agency Southampton Southampton.Port.Agency@carnivalukgroup.com for assistance with delivery arrangements and to confirm the delivery address for all guests joining in Southampton.

If you are flying as part of your cruise, please call our Contact Centre. We will confirm our airline guidelines and restriction for carriage of liquid feeds and dialysis fluid.

For all other embarkation ports, please email medical@carnivalukgroup.com for Port Agent details. Failure to do so may result in your delivery being refused or delayed. Deliveries must be marked with your name, booking reference, cabin number, ship name, cruise number and date of travel.

Suprapubic catheters/ catheters 

A suprapubic catheter is a catheter that empties the bladder through an incision in the belly instead of a tube in the urethra.

A urinary catheter is a catheter that is inserted in the urethra to empty the bladder.

Both catheters usually include a flexible tube that drains the urine and a place for the urine to empty into, such as a bag.

The medical team onboard will be able to assist should the guest require their urinary catheter to be changed during their cruise. We recommend that they bring all their own medical supplies with them and to advise that they will be charged for the services provided.

The medical team onboard can certainly care for a suprapubic catheter but due to the specialist nature of their insertion, cannot guarantee that they would be able to be changed on board. If it was required and they were unable to assist, the team would arrange for this to be seen in a shoreside location. 

Distilled water for medical equipment

Please be advised that we are unable to provide distilled water onboard. We recommend bringing your own supplies, alternatively, you may wish to discuss a suitable alternative with your respiratory team or the manufacturer of your CPAP unit.

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