There are many conditions for which you might require medical oxygen, and some of these conditions are chronic, which means that they last for a very long time. It should come as no surprise that people with these conditions still want to live as full and happy a life as they can – and that includes traveling and exploring the world, even taking lengthy cruises or enjoying multi-country ‘Grand Tour’ style journeys.
However, managing oxygen supplies while traveling with oxygen on a cruise is vital: no one will enjoy anything if they are struggling to breathe or if they are worrying about whether their precious supply will run out before they have time to source a replacement or a refill. This is where cruises and multiple destination holidays can be a tiny bit of a problem: coping with the logistics of getting a good supply of oxygen when needed is made more difficult when you are dealing with variable levels of availability and even different regulations in each new place.
But do not despair : OxygenWorldwide is waiting to ensure smooth oxygen delivery to you at every stop along the way, from the moment you step onboard your cruise liner to your safe return home – and the same applies to land-based stays in various countries. OxygenWorldwide has the best oxygen solutions for cruise and multi-destination trips, from portable devices for day trips to large tanks for overnight high-flow use, as discussed next.
Understanding Oxygen Needs for Cruises and Multi-Destination Travel
Types of Oxygen Solutions Available:
Multi-country travel with oxygen can require the use of one of several different types of oxygen equipment:
- Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POCs) – these devices are suitable for use onboard your cruise liner and during the day when you are out and about on excursions.
- Oxygen Cylinders – Suitable for longer-term use, overnight or for short-term high-flow use for people whose oxygen needs are greater than can be satisfied by a Portable Oxygen Concentrator. They are also suitable for those who need occasional use of oxygen during the night, but not a constant flow. This middle-of-the-road solution is an ideal starting point if you aren’t sure how much oxygen you will need at first – if your needs are especially high, your medical professionals will almost certainly have already let you know.
- Liquid Oxygen – Also known as LOX, this is a highly compact form of oxygen. One litre of the cyan (light blue) liquid will expand out into 860 litres of gaseous oxygen – which makes the refusal of airlines to carry liquid oxygen much more understandable! For the reasons of how very expansive LOX is, quite often ordering it requires special arrangements to be made. But this compactness is also why long-term and heavy oxygen users prefer it – a little goes a very long way.
Doctor’s Recommendations: whenever you are about to travel (or even thinking about planning a trip), you should consult your medical team. Let them know where you will be going and when; ask about vaccinations you might need, especially those that might have an effect on your existing condition; and – having done your research yourself, it is not your doctor’s responsibility to know all the ins and outs of traveling to every country in the world – get any certificates of ability to travel and proofs of vaccination that you might need. Check what is needed regularly in the run-up to your trip, as regulations can sometimes change with little notice, and there is nothing worse than being turned away from immigration and customs because of a recent rule change of which you were unaware. Your physician can also let you know if you need to increase your flow rate and warn you about possible effects of traveling that you haven’t yet considered.
Planning for Oxygen Use on a Cruise
Always check your chosen cruise line’s policy regarding medical oxygen support for cruises and whether they allow passengers to supply their own oxygen. In some cases, you will simply need to let them know which oxygen products you are bringing on board so they can pre-approve them, while in others you will need to liaise with the line to source oxygen from a source they know and approve of.
Among other things, make sure that you have access to electrical outlets in your cabin – these are vital in ensuring that your portable oxygen concentrator remains charged and ready for action. Don’t forget to check what power system the outlets use, and buy a couple of adaptors to make sure that, no matter what, you can plug in your oxygen equipment
Make sure you let your cruise line know your oxygen needs and ensure you get confirmation that your needs can be met. There is often a strictly limited supply of oxygen on board the ship, so those who do not announce their needs are very likely to miss out on vital supplies.
Once again, OxygenWorldwide can help by coordinating oxygen supplies with the cruise line before your departure so you can enjoy a hassle-free cruising experience.
Managing Oxygen Needs for Multi-Country Tours
Crossing borders with oxygen can be a fraught business as the rules can change, sometimes very dramatically, from one country to the next. Find out about carrying oxygen cylinders, both full and empty, about refilling empty containers and generally ensure that you will be freely able to access the oxygen you need without needing a special dispensation. (And obviously, if you do need that dispensation, make sure you ask for and receive it in good time before you travel.)
If you are traveling by air at all along the way, be sure you understand the airport screening procedures for oxygen concentrators and cylinders, so you are prepared. Usually, you will have to check your empty cylinders, but will be able (with appropriate permissions) to go into the body of the plane with your POC.
When you are enjoying multi-country travel with oxygen, you should ensure that you have accounted for your oxygen refills and cylinder replacements by checking that products that suit your needs are available in each country, before you go. Often setting up a supply chain takes time so you must allow for it to be put into place before you need it.
With cruises and multi-destination travel, you have another factor to take into account, along with the oxygen that you need at our hotel room or in transport hubs – you must consider what oxygen you will need while actually in transit: on a train or coach, in an airplane – even on the road in a hired car. Whatever your mode of transportation, you must only use portable oxygen devices that are approved for each flight, rail or road travel.
OxygenWorldwide is practiced at supplying oxygen across multiple countries, with trading partners in almost every country in the world, to ensure a smooth handover at each stop along the way of your multi-country travel with oxygen. If you want the best oxygen solutions for cruise and multi-destination trips, you can do no better than getting in touch with OxygenWorldwide, no matter where in the world you are going.
Essential Travel Tips for Oxygen Users on Cruises and Multi-Destination Trips
The following tips can help to make your travels a little easier as you explore the world and make your own dreams come true.
- Book oxygen friendly accommodations – ensure your hotel or cabin has the right power supply and that you are free to use it. Ensure the power point is in a good position to accommodate your equipment
- Carry a back-up supply – always have extra batteries, a spare cylinder (if necessary) and an emergency supply of oxygen that will get you through in the case of unexpected delays
- Carry a pulse oximeter to keep an eye on your oxygen saturation, so you can tell when your levels are beginning to fall, without having to wait until they are so low that you feel the effects. This will give you a chance to sort the problem before it becomes one!
- Emergency contacts should be easily accessible on your person, so if you suffer a medical emergency, you can receive prompt attention from people who are aware of your condition. Also carry a list of emergency contacts and local medical professionals at each destination, who will be able to help you out if you need urgent treatment
Why OxygenWorldwide is the Best Travel Partner for Oxygen Users
No matter if you need medical oxygen support for cruises, information about multi-country travel with oxygen, or just some reassurance that you will be able to take care of your medical needs while traveling about, OxygenWorldwide is the answer, offering the best oxygen solutions for cruise and multi-destination trips to users with needs as diverse as the occasional puff of air to those who need a constant high-rate flow at all times. Trusted local partners ensure that your needs are met, seamlessly and effortlessly.
Even if you are traveling and will be out at sea or in the air, we can be there for you, coordinating oxygen delivery before embarkation, during the trip at every destination and even on your arrival home, giving you that last bit of puff to get you home.
This service is seamlessly offered at airports, transit stations, rail stations and ports, among many other points of travel. And OxygenWorldwide offers a 24/7 service, with an emergency line that is manned around the clock so you never feel that you are alone on your journey.
To conclude: you absolutely can enjoy cruises and multi-destination voyages even with quite a heavy reliance on medical oxygen. All you need to do is make your plans as early as possible – and get in touch with OxygenWorldwide to work out the logistics on your behalf.
