Travel With Purpose

I’m sure many travelers have often wondered the same thing. Tricia Debroux, Marketing Manager for Dialysis at Sea, states, “Few dialysis patients are aware they can receive dialysis onboard cruise ships. Independent companies have been providing dialysis on many major cruise lines with destinations across the world, ranging from the Caribbean Islands and Hawaii, to Alaska, China, Europe and Antarctica.” (2) Some specific companies that Dialysis at Sea partners with are Royal Caribbean, Holland America and Celebrity Cruise Lines. So, it goes without saying that you will not have to administer treatments to yourself, there should be a Dialysis at Sea renal care team (Nephrologist, dialysis nurses and certified technicians) onboard with you to help you with your treatments. There should also be proper medical staff provided by those independent companies. Rest assured that the quality of the dialysis treatments on the cruise ship are supposed to replicate the land-based dialysis unit. Visit their website for a list of cruises that offer these services onboard. Then book your chosen cruise through Rovia for great deals!

PLEASE NOTE:

Medicare will not pay for dialysis outside the United States and its territories. Some insurance companies [may] reimburse you for dialysis-related expenses not covered by Medicare, including dialysis outside the United States. The costs for dialysis [can] range from $280 – $1,000 per treatment. Please note: If you arrange dialysis through a service, they may add an additional service fee.

(1)It is also important to check and see prior to cruising, what the form of payment will be for the treatment. Credit cards? Cash? Payment up front? Local currency? As an added precaution, remember to contact the medical or special needs department of the specific cruise liner you wish to travel on to obtain the information you need. Hope this information has been helpful in planning your next vacation. Unfortunately, you can’t vacation from your dialysis, BUT you can find a simpler way to dialyze while vacationing!

Safe travels,

Amanda Terry, R.N.