Print Logotype

How do I bring electrical medical equipment on board?

Whilst we are happy to welcome guests on board who require oxygen via concentrator, we are 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) and will be using this for a reason other than sleep apnoea, or planning to travel with peritoneal dialysis, they will require confirmation from our medical team (by emailing medical@carnivalukgroup.com) prior to embarkation.

You must notify our Customer Contact Centre team, please visit our website for contact details, who will send a "Your on-board needs" questionnaire to you. We will need you to detail the particulars on the questionnaire.

All equipment will need to be carried on board as hand luggage and upon embarkation will be required to contact the Pursers Desk, so that an Electrical Officer can check the equipment is compatible with the ships electrical supply prior to sailing.

Personal Extension Leads are not permitted on board unless to be used with essential medical equipment (e.g. CPAP and nebuliser machines). These will be checked for electrical safety along with your piece of medical equipment prior to sailing.

Surge protected extension leads are not accepted in any circumstances as they interfere with the ship's electrical distribution.

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

Pacemakers can be affected by the security scanners at ports and airports, but you would still be able to travel. You will not have to pass through the scanners but 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. Upon embarkation please notify reception so that an Electrical Officer can check your equipment is compatible with the ships electrical supply prior to sailing.

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.  

We will attempt to make distilled water available for medical equipment on request, however, we must have at least two weeks prior notice for this to be possible. We must also caution that this is not always available, even with prior request, and when it is available it is not medical grade. Please address all requests to medical@carnivalukgroup.com

Delivery of Liquid Feeds and Dialysis Fluid

Please arrange for the company supplying your feeds/fluids to email our Southampton Port Agency 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 as follows: for P&O Cruises 03453 555 111 and for Cunard 03453 550 300. 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/stateroom 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.

Unfortunately should the guest require a suprapubic catheter to be changed during their cruise this is not something that is routinely done onboard as this is a specialist treatment, however the medical team will be able to assist in an emergency situation.

Electrical Medical Equipment and Electrical Supply

The electrical supply on board our ships differs from standard UK electric supply - standard electric supply in UK 50 Hz / 240 V.

It is important you contact the manufacturer/supplier to ensure that your equipment is safe to use at 60 Hz and to ensure that your 50 Hz machine will not be damaged or its performance affected.

Was this helpful to you?

Please rate this answer by selecting one of the stars below (1 star low, 5 stars high).

Poor Excellent