Diabetics on cruises

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Hi all. I am a diabetic (type 1) of over forty years. Having just booked a cruise for next year are there any tips or advice anyone can give me. I will be travelling alone and generally get on fine but am looking forward to this holiday with slight trepidation with regard to meal times. Normally dining with friends and relatives it is no problem injecting at the table prior to eating but with strangers it might be a different scenario.Also any advice re shore excursions? Thanks.

 

[Madbazoo]

You should have no problems but i would make sure your cruise company knows in advance that you are diabetic. I am type 2 but Royal Caribbean were very good for me. On the first night at dinner I made sure my head waiter knew I was diabetic and was on a low carb diet. He made sure I had modified main courses without potatoes but double veg and they always had a sugar free dessert available.

You will almost certainly have a fridge in your cabin to store your insulin but the medical centre on board will be happy to store any bulk supplies.

You may be surprised that you have other diabetics sitting with you for dinner (we had 3 out of a table of 8) but if not you will find toilets on the same deck as the dining room and they all have gels available to sterilise your hands.

Hope you enjoy your cruise.


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

 

[hanadr]

My husband T1 and I T2 have just returned from a cruise. I'm pretty muchLL/C diet controlled and he , of course, uses insulin.
I found that the food offered on our PRincess Cruise this time and previously, mad making sensible choices very easy. Our cabin steward noticed insulin vials in the bin. [T1's needles and lancets were kept safe,]Steward offered without being asked and provideda sharps bin..
Of course, neither of us was alone, but we had no problems. Frequent testing, using the stairs and not the lift and sensible meal choices worked well. We didn't even gain weight. You'll find a lot of diabetics on board. I encountered loads. I'm one of those people who does ask a lot of questions and notices bracelets and necklaces.
Hana

 

[Daibell]

You won't find it a problem. Menus always include an-added sugar dessert and there is always a good choice. Dining staff will always add or subtract things if they know you have special needs. I'm now on insulin and on the last cruise I injected the Bolus just before making my way to the restaurant. Bread is always offered early and available in case the meal is delayed a bit but I've always found the meals arrive fast. I use Novopens and I try to time my new Penfilll cartridges to have the 4 week life covering the cruise so no fridge is needed. Cabins usually have chilled drinks fridges anyway in case you want to store spare cartridges. I never order diabetic meals as many organisations don't understand the diabetic diet and think it's just avoid sugar (or low-fat etc). The Buffet restaurants are always good so there you have a choice and can eat fast following an injection. If you want to inject at the table then the buffet places may be better as you can find a quiet table.

 

[Ambersilva]

I had the pleasure of enjoying a cruise with Cunard around the Caribbean. I wasn't diabetic at the time but we had two diabetic ladies on our table who just avoided the sweet deserts. There was a choice of formal dining times as well as a less informal buffet dining room. The remarkable thing was the 24 hour availabity of food. There was a Night Pantry too and a 24 hour self-service icecream dispenser. We had packed lunches during the excursions. I remember having cocktails on a beach.

I had to visit the doctor on board because I was bitten by sand flies on one of the beaches. I was given an injection and a check up. The cruise was a fabulous experience with entertainment and making new friends.

 

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Thanks for your help and advice people. Much appreciated.

 

[Ambersilva]

I've just remembered the multi choice breakfast buffet on board. The pool, the gym, the cinema, and if you get bored, the library! Happy memories.

I'm sure you will enjoy the voyage. Let us know how you got on.