Tips for Taking your Portable Concentrator on a Cruise

Helpful Tips For Taking A Portable Oxygen Concentrator on a Cruise Ship

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Supplemental oxygen improves the quality of your life; it doesn’t take away from it. Although many people with oxygen feel that their travel options are limited, it’s not the reality.

Thanks to wearable portable oxygen concentrators, it’s possible to cruise with supplemental oxygen. You just need to take a few extra steps to cruise with ease.

We’ve put together a checklist to help you prepare for your cruise. Here, you’ll learn how to prepare for your cruise and use your POC aboard the ship.

Preparing For Your Cruise

Some cruise lines provide cruises for people with supplemental oxygen. Sea Puffers offers up to five cruises annually, and cruisers travel with onboard respiratory therapists. These cruises are only an option. With the right preparation, you can choose virtually any cruise line.

Before booking your cruise, take these steps to ensure an easy time cruising.

Talk to Your Doctor

First, talk to your doctor. Before planning your trip, make sure your doctor says you’re healthy enough for travel. Understand your oxygen needs; if you have questions about your oxygen prescription, as your doctor now. You’ll need to know if you require continuous oxygen flow or can use pulse dose oxygen delivery.

Understanding your oxygen requirements are crucial for going on a cruise so you know which POC you’ll need. Many POCs only provide pulse dose oxygen delivery. However, some also offer continuous flow.

Here are factors to consider if purchasing a new POC:

  • Does it deliver enough oxygen to meet your needs?
  • How much does the unit weigh (with and without the battery)?
  • Does it include a carry bag, backpack, or rolling cart?
  • Make sure it arrives at least a few days before your trip so you can try it out.

Becoming familiar with your new POC beforehand ensures a smooth trip.

Review the Cruise Line’s Policy

Before booking your trip, check the cruise line’s policy regarding bringing oxygen aboard the ship. You can find the policy on the cruise line’s website under the “travelers with disabilities” or “special needs” page or ask your travel agent for details.

Although many cruise line policies are laid-back about onboard oxygen use, some require a written statement from your doctor stating your diagnosis and approving your ability to travel.

Research Your Shore Excursions

Using a POC means you can live an active life and enjoy shore excursions on your trip. You’ll just want to know the difficulty level of each activity. Call and speak directly to a cruise line representative on board the ship. Ask questions about the difficulty of each excursion that interests you.

Although you can find excursion information online, speaking to a representative provides more accurate details. For example, just because the website marks an activity as “easy,” it doesn’t mean it’s easy for a person wearing supplemental oxygen.

Also, pay attention to the length of the excursion and ensure you’ll have enough battery life to last the activity’s duration.

Tips for Traveling on a Cruise with an Oxygen Concentrator Video

If You’re Flying…

If flying to your cruise port, you’ll need to consider the airline’s oxygen policy. While all airlines ban liquid and compressed oxygen on flights, most allow many FAA-approved POCs. You need to check your airline’s policy to ensure your POC is approved for travel on that particular airline. Some airlines require a doctor’s letter or form for flying with a POC.

Also, make sure to bring extra fully-charged batteries. Many airlines require you to bring enough battery power to last the entire flight and more. Check the policy to see how much battery power your airline requires.

Cruising With Your POC

While cruising, you can plug your POC into an electrical outlet in your cabin. Keep your battery charged, so you can use it while walking around the ship, enjoying dinner, watching shows, or participating in on-shore excursions. During dinner, if needed, ask for a seat near an outlet so that you can charge your battery.

If traveling with an overseas cruise company, ensure you have an adapter to connect to a foreign electricity outlet.

Supplemental Oxygen Doesn’t “Ground” You

Wearing supplemental oxygen doesn’t mean you’re stuck on the ground. With some preparation, you’ll be cruising around and living your best life.

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Updated: March 10, 2023
Published: May 5, 2016

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Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more.

Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

About Scott Ridl:

Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more. Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

10 thoughts on “Helpful Tips For Taking A Portable Oxygen Concentrator on a Cruise Ship

  1. Thank you for your well explained information
    I have a Philips resperonic which does continuous and pulse
    I only have the one battery though how many would you recommend

    • Thank you for your comment, Charles. We find it’s always best to have at least 1 backup. Feel free to reach out to one of our Oxygen Specialists at 877-774-9271 to inquire what is available.

  2. Does anyone know if I can use my 240V Perfecto2 280W oxygen concentractor on an American Ship that has 110V of will I need a huge transformer to step up from 110-240V?

    • Please refer to your owner’s manual for your individual machine. The manual will indicate how much voltage is required to safely run your unit.

  3. Having cruised numerous times with both a Respironics Simplygo and an Inogen One G3, I recommend you contact the cruise line and find out if the ship you will be on has more than one plug in the stateroom. I have been on newer ships with multiple plugs allowing separate battery chargers and concentrator at once to a smaller vessel that only had one plug per stateroom making plug management between POC, POC battery charger, cell phone and computer a challenge. Many cruise lines do not allow you to bring power strips with you so that needs to be checked also. With proper planning ahead cruising can be a breeze.

  4. Can you send me an email about portable high flow oxygen ( 4 to sleep, 6-7 for activity) needs? I have an Eclipse 5 and 2 extra batteries. I could rent a stationary concentrator to be put in my cabin which will be necessary to charge the batteries. Suggestions?

  5. i have a concentrator .can bring it and put in my room.i only use it at night with my cpap machine.

    • While policies regarding the use of oxygen concentrators may vary among different cruise lines, many cruise ships do allow passengers to bring and use their own portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) in their staterooms. However, it is essential to contact the specific cruise line or your travel agent to inquire about their policy and any specific requirements or restrictions they may have.

      When contacting the cruise line, be sure to provide details about your oxygen concentrator, including its make and model, power requirements, and any other relevant information. They can provide you with accurate information regarding the usage, storage, and any necessary documentation or procedures you need to follow while onboard.

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