cruising from Southampton with Oxygen

sheilavw

Myself and my Sister would love to take my Brother who has Downs syndrome on another cruise. However, he now has an oxygen prescription. He uses a concentrator at home and bottles out and about. Looking for some advice from people who are in the same situation and have cruised from Southampton. We would be looking to catch the coach from the North west to Southampton (have done this on a previous cruise rather than me driving). Just looking at logistics, cost, personal experience, insurance costs etc. many thanks

teaselMay

If he's not already got one look at portable concentrators, real liberating game changers that would probably make it possible

sheilavw

thanks, he doesn't have one. he wears it overnight through his sleep apnea machine too. Can a portable one accomodate that? thanks

teaselMay

It varies, potentially. It's certainly worth looking at the options and speaking to some of the companies that sell them as well as his oxygen provider. It might be that you'd need to buy one or hire one but even the NHS provision is much more flexible than it used to be. 

sheilavw

Thankd you!

NoodleDoodleMan

Has his doctor given the OK for your brother to travel on a cruise - and what kind of oxygen is required to satisfy this permission ?

Also have the travel insurers given clearance ?

sheilavw

Thanks, just at the enquiry stage at the moment

Shimrod

sheilavw said:

Thanks, just at the enquiry stage at the moment

You should also check with the cruise line. P&O will allow oxygen concentrators but can't accept people who require oxygen cylinders. (https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-with-confidence/enhanced-health-measures)

If your brother has any mobility issues that might require assistance during an evacuation then make sure you get those declared as soon as possible when booking. I have read over on cruise critic of people having their cruises cancelled due to a change in rules at P&O and the cruise ship not having enough staff to provide the necessary assistance. The same may be true for other cruise lines.

sheilavw

thanks for the info