Question from new CPAP user

[JF - retired RRT]

16 hours ago, BDevilCruiser said:

Am on the Sapphire right now ( still at the dock in Vancouver dealing with propulsion issues.)

 

Here’s a picture of the bedside table in an ocean view cabin.  www I’ll be a tight fit for my CPAP, but the lamp has a USB port, which is an improvement.  Still need to plug in at the desk, though.

The shelf underneath is a good option.

[JF - retired RRT]

3 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Need to get out of the mind set of putting it on the night stand.  The CPAP is supposed to be below your sleeping level.  The drawer works perfectly.  The box needs to be slightly taller than the draw (6 - 8 inches).  

 

Either use it when packing or fold it flat and "expand" when you get to the ship.  A regular cardboard box is sturdy enough without adding tape or other adhesives.  

The reason it's supposed to be lower than you are is so that IF your using a humidifier and it doesn't have "active" humidification (i.e. the level changes with room temp), there will be moisture build-up in the hose and it could get blown into your nose. That would wake you up.

For those who don't uses a humidifier, it isn't an issue.

[memoak]

1 hour ago, JF - retired RRT said:

The reason it's supposed to be lower than you are is so that IF your using a humidifier and it doesn't have "active" humidification (i.e. the level changes with room temp), there will be moisture build-up in the hose and it could get blown into your nose. That would wake you up.

For those who don't uses a humidifier, it isn't an issue.

And I have never needed the humidifier portion. 

[BDevilCruiser]

Back from my cruise, and have recovered from the redeye across country (SEA to RDU) so catching up.

 

My machine is an AirCurve 10 (https://www.resmed.com/en-us/sleep-apnea/cpap-parts-support/sleep-apnea-full-products-list/cpap-machines/aircurve-10-bilevel/)

 

I placed the machine on the side of the lamp towards the bed (see copied picture in comment #51, without the BiPAP), and used an extension cord to connect to the power at the desk.  (While the extension cord was on the floor the entire time in my obstructed view OceanView, it wasn't in the way as I got in/out of the bed on the other side.)

 

I did find that the machine got pulled onto the mattress during the night. More of a "lean" than falling onto the mattress.  No harm to the machine.  I didn't need humidification (unlike home;  guess being surrounded by the Pacific Ocean helped there!), so there wasn't a water issue.

 

The new USB lamps were a help, I was able to plug in my phone to use as a clock/alarm.

 

[Rick&Jeannie]

For anybody who might be wondering about the best way to power your CPAP (my opinion...) here is what I do:

 

As has been stated previously...*most* ships that I've been on have a 220 volt "European style" 2 prong socket behind one of the beds. (The nightstand lamp is generally plugged into this socket.)

I use the adapter below (Amazon) to give me both a European style socket as well as a US style socket.  This way, you can keep the lamp plugged in while also giving you the US style socket needed for the CPAP.  Of course...you need to MAKE SURE that your CPAP power supply is a dual voltage unit!!!  (Most are...)

[JF - retired RRT]

11 hours ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

For anybody who might be wondering about the best way to power your CPAP (my opinion...) here is what I do:

 

As has been stated previously...*most* ships that I've been on have a 220 volt "European style" 2 prong socket behind one of the beds. (The nightstand lamp is generally plugged into this socket.)

I use the adapter below (Amazon) to give me both a European style socket as well as a US style socket.  This way, you can keep the lamp plugged in while also giving you the US style socket needed for the CPAP.  Of course...you need to MAKE SURE that your CPAP power supply is a dual voltage unit!!!  (Most are...)

 

Pretty sure that ALL CPAPs are dual voltage. The manufacturers send the machines all over the world. They got tired of making one machine for the US and a different one for just about everyone else. It's a money thing.

[Rick&Jeannie]

1 hour ago, JF - retired RRT said:

Pretty sure that ALL CPAPs are dual voltage. The manufacturers send the machines all over the world. They got tired of making one machine for the US and a different one for just about everyone else. It's a money thing.

I agree...but sure as a world, *someone* will come up with a 110 volt only power supply and give me grief! So...I just always toss in that warning. 

[cruisinsince75]

My CPAP is an Airsense11 and I love it.  Has a small carrying case and easy to transport.  My post #29 about the desk being on the opposite wall in our Mini Suite was incorrect.  I was looking at the standard Mini.  Saw a video of our accessible Mini and was happy to see the desk is by the bed. So we will be bringing a small cruise approved extension cord.  😀  

[Thunderbird19]

Don’t bother with buying a travel CPAP. Just bring your regular one. It will fit on  nightstand. Also travel with a few feet of duct tape wrapped around a bottle or pencil that you can peel off little bits of and use if needed to hold cord or tubing in place (never had it damage furniture or walls).  I travel with an AirSense 11.  It has a nice compact travel case that I also tuck other carryon/ must have items into.

Edited May 22 by Thunderbird19

[suzyed]

On 5/10/2024 at 12:13 AM, Teechur said:

Have you explored the electrical connection? You may need a (ship supplied) extension cord because there are no outlets by the bed(s) except on the new Sun. One 220 outlet under the bed for the lamp.

Many of the ships have an outlet under the head of the bed, but you need an European adapter.

 

[cruisnfool]

We have been cruising with 2 CPAPS for years. No biggie. I request distilled water from special needs and an extension cord. I never take mine because they say they will take it from you. I put the machine on the side table, if it doesn’t fit I put in drawer. You can carry it on a plane as a carryon that does not count but I just pack in my carry on with clothes around it.

[memoak]

8 minutes ago, cruisnfool said:

We have been cruising with 2 CPAPS for years. No biggie. I request distilled water from special needs and an extension cord. I never take mine because they say they will take it from you. I put the machine on the side table, if it doesn’t fit I put in drawer. You can carry it on a plane as a carryon that does not count but I just pack in my carry on with clothes around it.

As long as your extension cord does not have a surge protector you can bring it. I have been bringing one for years. The ones they provide are industrial size

[azbirdmom]

12 minutes ago, cruisnfool said:

I request distilled water from special needs and an extension cord.

 

Note that the distilled water ordering process on the website in the dietary section hasn't worked for our last two requests.  We get the usual message that we will hear back but don't.  Apparently they have moved the rest of the dietary requests to the Medallion app but this one was left out.  I've had luck emailing dietaryrequest@princesscruises.com .  They respond within a day or two and the notations about the distilled etc. appear on the Travel Summary.  You can still do this onboard but it's just so much easier to have it on the record than add one more item to the Steward's list for later.  

[paddingtonbear]

DH has an airsense11 for home but uses a travel CPAP when we aray because it is 1/10th of the size and much lighter. Also works on a battery if required. No water required for the humidifier as it is built in.  It’s a tiny bit noisier than the air sense so putting it on the nightstand shelf will be perfect.  Whatever works for you to get a safe good night sleep is the way to go. 
 

Thanks for the info about the under the bed power point and adapters. 

[JF - retired RRT]

I watched a video of the new Sun and the bedside tables don't have anything on them. The lights are mounted on the wall...at least in the cabin in the video. Also, an electrical plug-in and USB port are located there (convenient location for CPAP users). 

[Rick&Jeannie]

18 hours ago, paddingtonbear said:

DH has an airsense11 for home but uses a travel CPAP when we aray because it is 1/10th of the size and much lighter. Also works on a battery if required. No water required for the humidifier as it is built in.  It’s a tiny bit noisier than the air sense so putting it on the nightstand shelf will be perfect.  

Sounds very much like the Resmed Airmini... I just purchased one of these; can't use it because of the extreme difference in noise!  (Very light sleeper.) Looking to sell it or *somehow* get some of my $1100 back!

[paddingtonbear]

5 hours ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

Sounds very much like the Resmed Airmini... I just purchased one of these; can't use it because of the extreme difference in noise!  (Very light sleeper.) Looking to sell it or *somehow* get some of my $1100 back!

Yes an airmini. DH took out the dehumidifier disc and that reduced the noise. Also place the machine on the floor or in a draw on the bedside table below the level of the bed. I’m the light sleeper between us and admittedly I generally sleep with earplugs but I don’t hear a thing with either machine. I get disturbed by wind and rain and neighbours dogs before either of the machines! 
 

Or try a different mask with it? DH says the mini mask has the air coming out from the top of the tube - below your nose but right near your ear which he can hear but it doesn’t disturb his sleep. You can buy an adapter for the mini hose to use any Resmed mask.  The other Resmed masks release air from a few places so the noise is greatly reduced.  The other Resmed masks are also more comfortable for him and don’t dry him out so much. I hope this helps you. Good luck. 

Edited Sunday at 11:03 PM by paddingtonbear

[joeyjeremiah]

So both my husband and myself are CPAP/BIPAP users. We always travel with our normal machines. When flying we place them in their case and place in our roller carry-on bags. I know it is a free item for airlines but I already have a personal item at my feet and like having the extra protection of the roller bag so nobody can ram their suitcase into it trying to make impossible stuff fit into the overhead bin. So I prefer to give up some carry-on space for that piece of mind. And yes in Canada you have to take it out and send the actual machine through x-ray in its own bin which they don't require in the US.

 

On the ship I carry it on with me (still in my roller bag). I've always been able to find a way to make it fit on the nightstand even with the light there. We order distilled water from the medical service requests. I bring my own small extension cord and run it to the desk but may try one of the adapters for next cruise as I like having my lamp. I use magnetic hooks to run the cord across the sealing and not be a tripping hazard and then additional magnetic hooks to hang mask off of during the day. This keeps it neat and tidy, out of the way of the cabin steward, and easy to access.