Thread: C-pap machine

I have sleep apnea and use a c-pap machine at night (which I will carry on - can't risk it getting lost) It needs distilled water to operate.
Do I need to do anything special in advance- ie a doctor's note or such? Will the ship be able to provide distilled water?

Carolyn, my hubby has used a BiPap for years and cruised without any trouble at all. The water that comes out of the tap IS distilled water. The ship has it's own desalination plant.

The longest we have sailed using the ships tap water was for 24 days. There was no residue at all in the chamber at the end of the cruise.

We take an extension cord and power strip. If your humidifier and pap machine are 2 seperate pieces of equipment you will need the power strip since the cabin will probably only have one outlet. Even if there are 2 outlets it's not always possible to plug both in at the same time due to the shape of the plugs.

Bob always carries a copy of the prescription for the pap as well as a current doctors note. We have never had to show them to anyone, but will continue to keep them in the bag we use for the equipment.

Sometimes when flying my husband puts his in carry-on in case of damage and it has been swabbed a few times for drugs. In 2001 they looked at it and asked what it was. Then they called over all kinds of people and then they swabbed it. Now they know what it is and we just go on our way. Works fine with ships water but if you're going in a day early to port go to a store and pick up a gallon of it and carry it on.

The facilitator of the local sleep apnea support group is so adamant that patients use distilled water that I was scared not to, lest he yell at me! So, I figured out how much I use each night (it's almost always the same) and then I fill the appropriate number of one liter bottles. These are then wrapped in several dry-cleaner bags and squeezed (carefully!) into my checked luggage. For a 10-day cruise, 2 liters is perfect.

I've never had a problem with this. I must remind you, though, that I haven't flown to a cruise since I moved to Florida, which was before I had to use the CPAP device. Still, I follow this procedure when visiting a friend in Tennessee. The device is my carry-on (almost never swiped any more), and its bag has the original precription, the manuals as well as an extension cord.

Good sleeping!

SWR

Originally Posted by swrinfla

The facilitator of the local sleep apnea support group is so adamant that patients use distilled water that I was scared not to, lest he yell at me! So, I figured out how much I use each night (it's almost always the same) and then I fill the appropriate number of one liter bottles. These are then wrapped in several dry-cleaner bags and squeezed (carefully!) into my checked luggage. For a 10-day cruise, 2 liters is perfect.

I've never had a problem with this. I must remind you, though, that I haven't flown to a cruise since I moved to Florida, which was before I had to use the CPAP device. Still, I follow this procedure when visiting a friend in Tennessee. The device is my carry-on (almost never swiped any more), and its bag has the original precription, the manuals as well as an extension cord.

Good sleeping!

SWR

If you are flying, keep in mind that the packed water adds a lot of weight to the suitcase. You would probably be better off buying it at your destination.

Have you asked the facilitator about ships water? Just a casual inquiry, not that YOU would ever use it! Don't want him getting on your case if he has never looked into what cruise ships do with the water.

Actually, he has addressed the subject as many members of the group, including himself and his wife are cruisers of some frequency. He acknowledges that the ship's water is "distilled," but still does not quite trust it! He is, quite honestly, somewhat paranoid about how to use and take care of the CPAP device!

I understand your comment about the added weight. I'll bear that in mind when I travel to Nashville later. Since 99% of my cruising is done out of Florida, I don't need (in fact, mostly can't) to fly, just drive or use Cruise Connection.

I'm enjoying this site immensely!

SWR

Originally Posted by swrinfla

Actually, he has addressed the subject as many members of the group, including himself and his wife are cruisers of some frequency. He acknowledges that the ship's water is "distilled," but still does not quite trust it! He is, quite honestly, somewhat paranoid about how to use and take care of the CPAP device!

I understand your comment about the added weight. I'll bear that in mind when I travel to Nashville later. Since 99% of my cruising is done out of Florida, I don't need (in fact, mostly can't) to fly, just drive or use Cruise Connection.

I'm enjoying this site immensely!

SWR

I'm happy to hear that Cruiselinefans is giving you not only information but that you are enjoying the atmosphere that we strive to maintain. Friendly! And helpful!

Just be careful when packing water in your suitcase, especially since you are re-filling your 1 liter bottles, that th cruise line does not "assume" there is something else in the bottles and send you to the naughty room... We travel with styrile water for DD's trach humidifier and we buy several liters (that have the safety seal intact) to take with.
Safe Travels!

I don't use the humidifier when on a cruise and never have problems with dryness. I add my voice to the comments that an extension cord and octopus or power strip are essential.

If you fly, the US TSA usually wants you to remove the CPAP unit from your bag but I've been lectured by them both ways so you can never win. TSA is proud of the fact that they are inconsistent!

My CPAP came with a warning never to check the unit but always carry it on.

Originally Posted by mrsunclebill

I have sleep apnea and use a c-pap machine at night (which I will carry on - can't risk it getting lost) It needs distilled water to operate.
Do I need to do anything special in advance- ie a doctor's note or such? Will the ship be able to provide distilled water?

I have taken by Cpap on more than a dozen times on almost every cruise company sailing from Florida ports.. I take small bottles of distilled water, cords and plugs and NEVER have had a problem.. Inspectors just look at the bag and pass it through without opening it. Stop worrying.