WOW...this is a first for me...how RUDE can Holland be !

[FlaMariner]

1 hour ago, pmjnh said:

It is free on Princess.

 

Not enough of an incentive to get me to cruise on Princess again.  I'll pay the $2.95 any day rather than board Princess.....LOL.

[lissie]

7 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

I'm surprised to learn that HAL charges CPAP users for distilled water.  I know that when you request this from NCL by going through their Special Needs department, there is no charge for the water.

 

BTW, folks who travel frequently might want to look into a travel-size CPAP device that does not have an actual humidifier requiring water, but uses something called HME - Heat Moisture Exchange. 

 

Take a look at the Breas Z2 devices (most current is the Z2 auto).  It does not use a proprietary mask (unlike the ResMed AirMini) -- you can use the mask you use on your "home" CPAP.

 

https://breas.us/products/cpaps-for-travel/z2-auto/

 

 

I asked about travel cpaps - but apparently.they are not suitable for people with other conditions like cardiac.  At least airlines don't count the bag in the normal hand luggage allowance so we can still  travel carryon only 

 

[Gunther1]

I don't understand the logic of saying that it should be free.  I don't get my distilled water for free at home.  When I got my cpap, I was well aware that there would be the occasional charge of buying  distilled water. 

[PROCRUISE]

8 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

 

It's not just the issue of buildup in the CPAP device itself (which can ruin your device), it's also making sure you aren't using any water that might contain bacteria or other impurities. 

The water from the tap, on the ships, is probably the cleanest and most pure water you're going to find anywhere. 

[Cruisin Kay D]

The past 4-5 months, I have had great difficulty finding gallons of Distilled Water in grocery stores, CVS, Walgreens, etc.    I asked a pharmacist at a Walgreens if purified water or spring water or drinking water is same as distilled water, and the answer was NO.  I also asked him if we could use any of those other waters in our CPAP machines and the answer was NO!

[deliver42]

The Walgreens clerk was wrong. Purified water is the same as distilled water. My company labels theirs as purified and many people buy it for CPAC machines and have reported no problems.

[Eaglecw]

Here's a great article to read that will help you understand the differences between the two types of water. https://waterfilterguru.com/purified-vs-distilled-water/#:~:text=📌 Key Takeaways%3A 1 Distilled water is water,there are numerous ways to achieve purified water.

[Shippy]

49 minutes ago, Gunther1 said:

I don't understand the logic of saying that it should be free.  I don't get my distilled water for free at home.  When I got my cpap, I was well aware that there would be the occasional charge of buying  distilled water. 

I understand what you are saying. It is just that it was free before.

 

[RuthC]

4 minutes ago, Shippy said:

I understand what you are saying. It is just that it was free before.

 

When? I don't ever remember a time when I didn't pay for distilled water on HAL. 

[oakridger]

I think that since HAL must procure, store on board and deliver distilled water that the $2.95 cost is fair.  I don't use a CPAP, but since several people have reported using the tap water, that's what I would likely do since it's only for the time frame of your cruise.

 

~Nancy

[3Shelaghs]

11 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

 

BTW, folks who travel frequently might want to look into a travel-size CPAP device that does not have an actual humidifier requiring water, but uses something called HME - Heat Moisture Exchange.

Take a look at the Breas Z2 devices (most current is the Z2 auto).  It does not use a proprietary mask (unlike the ResMed AirMini) -- you can use the mask you use on your "home" CPAP.

 

https://breas.us/products/cpaps-for-travel/z2-auto/

 

 

Turtles is correct... bacteria and impurities are reason for use of distilled water.

DH has a Airmini for travel and it's great. About the size of the palm of your hand and uses a small moisturizer disc vs the water chamber. The disc is good for 30 days.

[RuthC]

1 hour ago, oakridger said:

I don't use a CPAP, but since several people have reported using the tap water, that's what I would likely do since it's only for the time frame of your cruise.

For some cruisers, that can be a long time. It's better to use distilled water, and only use the tap water in an emergency. 

For example, last summer I was on a cruise of 24 days. I ordered distilled water in advance (1 gal.), figuring I could just order another gallon after the second week. 
The ship onloaded the water on the day I boarded, but did not have time to get it logged in, sorted, and distributed to those who asked for it by late that evening. So, tap water it was, and I received it the next day. 
Two weeks later I called to request another gallon. They didn't have any on board! I don't know why, but it was back to tap water for the last 10 days of the cruise. I noticed so much more to clean out of the humidifier after the 10 days than the single night. The residue builds up quickly. 

Next cruise is longer, so 2 gallons were already ordered. 

[Turtles06]

If I might ask a related question -- will HAL provide a long extension cord if requested pre-cruise?   And to whom does one make that request?   

 

Thanks!

[RuthC]

2 minutes ago, Turtles06 said:

If I might ask a related question -- will HAL provide a long extension cord if requested pre-cruise?   And to whom does one make that request?   

 

Thanks!

You can have your TA put in the request in advance. You can also ask your steward to secure one for you after you board. 

I just bring my own. I have two extension cords (different lengths) that stay in my carry-on, along with a triple tap, and some adaptors for 220 outlets in other countries. 

[Turtles06]

1 minute ago, RuthC said:

You can have your TA put in the request in advance. You can also ask your steward to secure one for you after you board. 

I just bring my own. I have two extension cords (different lengths) that stay in my carry-on, along with a triple tap, and some adaptors for 220 outlets in other countries. 

Thanks Ruth. I don’t have a TA, which is why I asked who to call. This HAL site says to contact the Access and Compliance Dept, but I have no idea whether it’s current, nor does it  give a phone number. 

 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/accessibility/special-requirements.html

 

 

 

 

[Littlegov]

1 hour ago, RuthC said:

You can have your TA put in the request in advance. You can also ask your steward to secure one for you after you board. 

I just bring my own. I have two extension cords (different lengths) that stay in my carry-on, along with a triple tap, and some adaptors for 220 outlets in other countries. 

Thought cords are not allowed.

[TAW1963]

8 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

Thanks Ruth. I don’t have a TA, which is why I asked who to call. This HAL site says to contact the Access and Compliance Dept, but I have no idea whether it’s current, nor does it  give a phone number. 

 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/accessibility/special-requirements.html

 

 

 

 

If you ask your room steward, they will bring you an extension chord. 

[Turtles06]

52 minutes ago, TAW1963 said:

If you ask your room steward, they will bring you an extension chord. 

 

Thanks, and if I have to do that, of course I will.  My experience has been that stewards are incredibly busy on turnaround day; on some occasions, I haven't even seen the steward the first day (which is fine, they are working like crazy).

[Cruise Suzy]

8 hours ago, Littlegov said:

Thought cords are not allowed.

 

Non-surge protected cords are fine. It's surge protectors that aren't allowed.

[HELENPSL]

12 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

If I might ask a related question -- will HAL provide a long extension cord if requested pre-cruise?   And to whom does one make that request?   

 

Thanks!

I always call guest services.  Some of the ships have the outlets on the other side of the cabin across from the bed.  This requires the very long extension cord which they then tape to the floor.  
The number for guest services is located on the website under “contact us.”

Helen

PS:  just looked at your list of cruises and see you’re going on the Rotterdam in Oct. 2023 (me too).  If that’s the ship you’re referencing the outlets are right next to the bed so you don’t have to worry.

 

Edited March 16, 2023 by HELENPSL

[Turtles06]

5 minutes ago, HELENPSL said:

PS:  just looked at your list of cruises and see you’re going on the Rotterdam in Oct. 2023 (me too).  If that’s the ship you’re referencing the outlets are right next to the bed so you don’t have to worry.

Thanks Helen. We’re on the Rotterdam in July. Also, we’re in a Signature Suite. Any idea if the outlets are next to the bed there? 

[RuthC]

16 hours ago, Littlegov said:

Thought cords are not allowed.

Of course extension cords are allowed. It's surge protectors that aren't allowed. 
If the extension cord has a plug at one end, and an outlet (or three) on the other, with only a cord in between, there is never a question as to whether or not it has a surge protector---one glance and you know it doesn't. 

[lissie]

On 3/16/2023 at 11:24 AM, Cruisin Kay D said:

The past 4-5 months, I have had great difficulty finding gallons of Distilled Water in grocery stores, CVS, Walgreens, etc.    I asked a pharmacist at a Walgreens if purified water or spring water or drinking water is same as distilled water, and the answer was NO.  I also asked him if we could use any of those other waters in our CPAP machines and the answer was NO!

LOL - that will be because he sells them!  We have a machine provided by the our local specialist (technically its still their machine its just on long term loan) and at no point do they mention using anything but tap water (with the assumption that tap water is drinking standard). I checked the instruction book - and it says the same it. Its a Fisher and  Paykel Sleep Style. It's a NZ brand  -  maybe the US machines are more sensitive to water? 

[Turtles06]

25 minutes ago, lissie said:

It's a NZ brand  -  maybe the US machines are more sensitive to water? 

 

It's not about "sensitivity" to water, it's about preventing mineral buildup (scaling) in the device from minerals in the water, and also keeping bacteria out.  Perhaps there are no minerals in NZ water?  And too pure for bacteria? 

 

30 minutes ago, lissie said:

LOL - that will be because he sells them! 

 

This is not from people who sell distilled water:

 

"Distilled water is the best choice for CPAP humidifiers because it’s pure water that is free of minerals and bacteria. Hospitals, labs, and factories often use distilled water instead of tap water because it prevents limescale buildup on devices.

Using the wrong type of water in your CPAP humidifier can cause mineral buildup, scaling, or bacterial growth. It may also irritate your airways or cause your machine or its components to break down."

 

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/cpap/should-you-use-distilled-water-for-a-cpap-machine#:~:text=Purified or filtered water can,the purest possible water behind.

[SusieKIslandGirl]

We requested distilled water ahead of our last cruise on Princess. It was not distilled and I noticed considerable buildup in the water chamber when we arrived home 2 weeks later. The funny order was last month on a New Zealand cruise on HAL. I preordered 2 gallons and when we reached the cabin we had 2 liters. DH asked about the rest of the 2 gallons and was told they deal only in liters. They did finally give him 3 more 2 liter jugs to make the 2 gallons 🙂.