Thread: A serious question-re: meds

This past weekend I was put on a new Diabetic med that has to be injected and like insulin has to be refrigerated. I already have an answer from Ally regarding my particular cruise coming up but for the benefit of anyone else who has the same problem---how do you keep your med refrigerated (or at least cool) when cruising?? Do you use a cooler, the ice bucket, an insulated bag? I have to inject myself within an hour of eating but I'm sure the kitchen crew doesn't want me in their refrigerator during the time they are getting ready to serve a meal. How do you handle the med during the long overseas flight?

Seeing as you are going aboard NCL Crown next month, Rick, once you are aboard and have sorted your cabin and so forth out, go down to deck 3 midships where the infirmary is situated and they will not only look after any meds that you have but also you will be able to use their facilities for either self administration or have them do it for you.

On all aircraft there are fridges, usually one of which is set aside for meds. Once aboard, just ask one of the cabin crew and they should be able to take care of it for you. Just remember to collect it again when disembarking from the plane.

Both aircraft and cruise ships are well equipped to cater for all types of self-administered medications and the cruise lines, inc NCL, do provide a sharps bin for the cabin if requested from the infirmary.

Hope that puts your mind at rest, Rick

Originally Posted by FlRic

This past weekend I was put on a new Diabetic med that has to be injected and like insulin has to be refrigerated. I already have an answer from Ally regarding my particular cruise coming up but for the benefit of anyone else who has the same problem---how do you keep your med refrigerated (or at least cool) when cruising?? Do you use a cooler, the ice bucket, an insulated bag? I have to inject myself within an hour of eating but I'm sure the kitchen crew doesn't want me in their refrigerator during the time they are getting ready to serve a meal. How do you handle the med during the long overseas flight?

The doctor on board will do that for you if you don't have a small fridge in the cabin, most ships do, I assume NCL does too!! They are cold enough to handle that, and as Ally said the steward(ess) can handle that for you as well, just don't forget it, it that isn't what you want to do, get a small cooler bag, some have shoulder straps, or will fit in a purse or carryone, add ice and keep it with you. You can get more ice on the plane as well to keep it fresh!!

I just found these that might interest you Eric!!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search.html...sulin%20cooler

http://www.lifesolutionsplus.com/ins...ing-p-172.html

Ally, thank you for reminding us that the ship's medical staff is there to help us! And Sue, thank you for the links to products that can help as well.

One more thing to keep in mind is that if you are bringing any syringes, oxygen tanks, anything medical that doesn't get sold over the counter or come in a pharmacy/chemist's bottle with a prescription, you need to let the cruise line know in advance. First, in the case of syringes, you don't want them to double check things for hours with law enforcement, etc., before they let you on the ship. Second, you may want assistance with storage in the case of tanks or any other large equipment.

If you need to travel with a sleep apnea machine, you should trravel with an extension cord, but also ask for a room with an outlet by the bed.

NCL Crown does not have fridges in the cabins, the others in the fleet do though. If you self administer your own meds, there is no charge for using the facilities aboard her, which is often a worry to some passengers, and they do give out sharps bins on all their ships upon request.

All airlines have meds fridges on their aircraft, or sometimes part of their beverage fridges are set up for the purpose on older aircraft. Should you require to administer med during the flight the crew will allow you to use one of the galley areas and the privacy curtains will obviously be drawn for your convenience. The aircraft also carry sharps bins too. Medical use hypodermic's are allowed in the handluggage if accompanied by a letter confirming their use from your doctor, this letter will also be necessary for the ship's medical staff for reference purposes only.

(Found this out by talking to a couple of friends of mine who are crew on BMI Airways)

I also have injectable medication that needs to be refrigerated. I have a soft sided cooler into which I put the meds and a freezer pack that came with the meds when they were shipped to me. The airlines are very used to people travelling with these typed of medications. People have said that no one has questioned them, but you may want to bring a doctor's note re. the prescription. My medication comes in a packaged unit, so they know it isn't anything illegal.

On our last cruise (RCI) there wasn't going to be a refrigerator in our cabin, so our TA called and had one ordered for me. (I ended up switching to a balcony and which had a refrigerator in it.)

Our room steward did get a sharps container for me to use while on the ship.

Glad to know about the fridges on airlines. Never thought of asking them to keep my meds cold!

WOW! Thank you all so much for your responses to this question. My med is in a pen-dispenser with 60 doses so my 22 day trip is covered. Sue, those wallets look like just the item. I never gave a it a thought carrying the pen-dispenser on the flight with me (and I will need it before dinner and breakfast on the long flight!) or the idea that a doctor's note might be a good idea.......Gotta get used to this thing.....THANX AGAIN-YOU GUYS ARE THE GREATEST!!!!!!

Happy to help Eric!!!

Eric, my husband just suggested you contact the airline, and cruiseline and ask them the procedure to follow, if you are carrying syringes!! Just in case. You will possibly need a doctors letter stating you are insulin dependent!! Best to be totally covered before you get to either air or ship boarding!!