Cruising with a pump????

[KritterMom]

Hi all! I'm leaving in a few days to take my pump Violet on her very first cruise. I feel like a newbie all over again when it comes to taking her out of her environment, lol. I'm going to take back up Humalog and Lantus and syringes and pen needles, just in case, but I hope to wear my pump the majority of the time. I'm going to be doing some shore excursions, so I know there will be times when I leave her locked up in the stateroom and do injections instead. My room doesn't have a fridge, but they have assured me that they will bring in a cooler for my insulin, and will refill it every day. I realize that the opened insulin does not have to be kept ice cold, but am concerned about the extra insulin that I will take with me that will no be opened.

Has anyone ever taken a cruise with a pump? Was it a good experience, or was it one that made you wish you had gone back to injections for awhile? Just being paranoid and uncertain, my usual way of life, LOL! Thanks for your advice in advance!
Kimmy/Krittermom

[Subby]

I haven't been on a cruise at all let alone with a pump. Have a great time. I would highly recommend buying a frio bag, these stay cool for 5 - 7 days after being dipped in water, then just repeat. Perfect for travel, and that way you are independent of the cruise staff.

I do know with travel, I have appreciated taking abundant backups, for me that includes a second kit of everything I need to get through, in another case. I would ask the staff if they could put a few vials away in a fridge somewhere else. Multiple separate stashes = good thing.

[jfay56]

Hi Kimmy, you lucky girl, going on a cruise! I have been on a cruise with my pump on, shore excursions and all, except when I got in the water. The only reason to disconnect was for swimming and I left it in my beach bag and kept an eye on it with no problems! If I was away from my pump for an hour, I would go hook back up and take my usual basal amount after checking my BG and correcting either way. Be sure to take a juice box or other sugar JIC all the activity causes low BG. But my cruise was so much fun and I'm sure yours will be too. As far as keeping everything cold, sounds like Subby has the best advice about the frio bag. I was blessed to have a mini fridge in my room.

[genie86333]

Enjoy your cruise! Sounds like a lot of fun.

I'd go with Subby's suggestion of the Frio packs too...I'd be concerned that the insulin would get TOO cold in a cooler with ice.

[rkicklighter]

I went on a cruise in September with my Ping, Gertrude. Only time I took her off was when showering or getting in the hot tub. Beach, pool, shore excursions, she never left my side and never let me down.

Actually ate anything I wanted (great food!) and did well on my carb counting which was sometimes a SWAG (Scientific Wild A$$ Guess) with the different foods. No lows and nothing over 140.

Enjoy!

[UpNorth]

Enjoy your cruise:D I too can recommend FRIO bag. It works great :)

[kgm0612]

Hey Kimmy........I'm jealous!

I've cruised many times with my pump and never encountered a problem. Food is in abundance, but there are plenty of low carb choices to pick from.

You may not have time to order a Frio bag, but an insulated lunch bag with a couple of ice packs would also work. I'm sure the Purser's Desk or your Room Steward would be able to keep one of the ice packs frozen for you if you asked.

Hope all is well with you! Have a fantastic time and PM me when you get back.

Karen

[bruce58730]

On my last cruise I requested a fridge in my room for medication. They furnished it.

[condensr]

Just got back from a cruise this Monday. No fridge, no frio, no worries. Novolog just doesn't go bad that quickly. The only time I took my pump off was for swimming in the salt water.

With all the food on the cruise, I wouldn't have wanted to be without my pump. Low carb? If I had to eat 'low carb,' I probably wouldn't bother cruising.. the food is a big part of the package.