Holiday

[Dudette1]

Hi guys, I’m just wondering if anyone has been on a cruise,
I’m going to the Caribbean for a 2 week cruise after I get married, I don’t want my lovely diabetes to stop me doing the things I want to do, so wondered if anyone has been on one, any hints and tips for me is appreciated.

 

[Pipp]

Hi guys, I’m just wondering if anyone has been on a cruise,
I’m going to the Caribbean for a 2 week cruise after I get married, I don’t want my lovely diabetes to stop me doing the things I want to do, so wondered if anyone has been on one, any hints and tips for me is appreciated.

Have never felt inclined to go on cruise. Also have different diabetes type.
Just offering my congratulations and best wishes. In the hope that by responding this will bump your post and get replies from some members with hints and tips for you.

 

[jaywak]

Type 1 and been on three cruises in the last five years and can't really say that diabetes had any affect on anything other than when reboarding the ship several times telling the security that I was wearing a cgm so didn't want to go through the scanner , but wasn't a problem .

 

[Nicola M]

I have never been on a cruise but have been abroad many times so I don't suppose the advice will differ that much since both are types of a holiday. My biggest piece of advice is don't stress too much about your diabetes, you're on holiday, having a good time, probably not eating what you usually do or when you usually do, and your routine will go astray which means your control may not be what you want it to be. As long as you're still giving insulin, checking your sugars and eating regularly I wouldn't worry about your blood sugar results too much.

- Take plenty of supplies, I always pick out the exact amount I know I will need and then add extra on top of that just incase (blood glucose meter, ketone supplies, insulin, pens, pump supplies if it applies)
- I assume you're flying there first, in which case, take all your diabetes supplies in your carry-on bag. Luggage can and does go missing.
- If you wear a pump/cgm you can't go through the full body x-ray machines but you can go through the metal detectors, if they want you to go through the full body x-ray request a pat down instead
- Keep your insulin out of direct sunlight, if your cabin has a fridge that's a bonus but insulin can be kept out of the fridge for up to 28 days
- Take a doctors note stating you have diabetes and what supplies you need with you just incase
- Make the crew aware you do have diabetes just incase something does go wrong, as far as I am aware cruises have onboard medical facilities
- Make sure you find where the medical facilities are as soon as you board in case you need them in an emergency you'll know where to go and check to see what times they're open and how to get help after-hours
- Get travel insurance - You may think you don't need it but do not chance it, you never do know
- Take plenty of snacks and hypo treatments
- Have fun!!!

 

[Tony337]

Hi
Congratulations.....

If you wear a sensor take a good supply of plasters to protect it.
Mine does not stay on if i spend any length of time in the pool and or the sea.

Have a fantastic time

Tony

 

[In Response]

Type 1 and been on three cruises in the last five years and can't really say that diabetes had any affect on anything other than when reboarding the ship several times telling the security that I was wearing a cgm so didn't want to go through the scanner , but wasn't a problem .

Why did you not want to go through a scanner with a CGM?
Mine have been through many scanners and completely unaffected.
I would not take my insulin pump through a full body scanner but the metal detectors are fine with pump and CGM.

 

[Dudette1]

Thank you everyone for the replies, really helpful info and yes I’m really excited, I’m more nervous about the time change, think they are 4 hours behind and I take tresiba every morning. Do I need to not take it the morning we fly and take it when I get there to stay in their time zone? I will ask the diabetic nurse just curious how anyone on tresiba does this as the Dafne course i did seems to be all about levimir

 

[In Response]

@Nicola M your advice is fantastic (the best so far ). I have a few additions based on my experience.

- Take plenty of supplies, I always pick out the exact amount I know I will need and then add extra on top of that just incase (blood glucose meter, ketone supplies, insulin, pens, pump supplies if it applies)

The advice I was given (and have always followed) is to take at least twice as much of everything than you think you need.
This includes spare insulin pens if you use reusable ones and batteries for the glucose meter (unless it is rechargeable) as well as needles, test strips, lancets, etc.

- Keep your insulin out of direct sunlight, if your cabin has a fridge that's a bonus but insulin can be kept out of the fridge for up to 28 days

Take care with using "holiday" fridges. I have read too many stories of fridges that are too cold and freeze insulin. I prefer to stick with Frio wallet when away for less than a month, As you say, insulin is fine out f the fridge provided it is not left in direct sunlight,

- I assume you're flying there first, in which case, take all your diabetes supplies in your carry-on bag. Luggage can and does go missing.

My additional advice (from personal experience) is to make sure you have hypo treatments with you in your seat not the overhead locker in case you experience a hypo when the seatbelt sign is on.

- Take a doctors note stating you have diabetes and what supplies you need with you just incase

It is best to request this from your diabetes clinic as GPs tend to charge for them.
In twenty years of travelling with Type 1 and hunrdeds of flights, I have only had to show my letter once (it is now looking very tatty) but I take it just in case.
Some people also take a copy of their prescription. However, mine it now electronic so I don't have anything to show ... and never needed to.

- Make the crew aware you do have diabetes just incase something does go wrong, as far as I am aware cruises have onboard medical facilities

Personally, I do not like to spread personal information about my medical conditions. I have never been on a cruise but have never told tour leaders on adventure holidays. As @Dudette1 is going with her husband, I am sure he will be able to explain to the crew if there is an issue.
This is down to your personal preference.

Nicola - apologies if it looks as if I have decimated your advice. This was not my intention. As I said at the start, your advice is great and I just wanted to expand upon it.

@Dudette1 congratulations on your upcoming nuptials. As others have said, diabetes should not affect your enjoyment although it may go a little awry due to the change of routine.

 

[EllieM]

Congrats on the wedding @Dudette1 .

The only (sort of) cruise I've been on was twelve years ago via a mail boat to St Helena, was pre airport so the only method of access at the time. Diabetes was like any normal holiday but the boat operators did require you to have medical insurance to board. (The boat also carried anyone in St Helena who needed specialised hospital treatment as facilities on the island were pretty limited).

But I'm going on a "proper" cruise later this year so will read the comments on this thread with interest.

I will ask the diabetic nurse just curious how anyone on tresiba does this as the Dafne course i did seems to be all about levimir

Tagging @Antje77 who I believe is on tresiba

 

[lovinglife]

At the risk of cross posting as my dad was T2 but was on insulin, well controlled, him & my mum did about 30 cruises during their retirement and he never had any problems at all, in fact he used to say that his BG were always a bit better - probably to do with the extra actives on board like swimming, deck games and the extra walking on shore days

Have an amazing time and congratulations on your wedding

 

[Antje77]

Thank you everyone for the replies, really helpful info and yes I’m really excited, I’m more nervous about the time change, think they are 4 hours behind and I take tresiba every morning. Do I need to not take it the morning we fly and take it when I get there to stay in their time zone? I will ask the diabetic nurse just curious how anyone on tresiba does this as the Dafne course i did seems to be all about levimir

Tresiba is the most forgiving of all insulins when it comes to timing, very different from Levemir!

What I would do is take it at your usual time at home, and then at the same time once there, much easier to keep following your routine.
It doesn't matter that you'll be taking it 4 hours earlier or later while you're away, you'll likely won't even notice the difference.

I take my Tresiba last thing before turning off the light, which can be 11 pm or 6 am, and it's still completely stable for me.

Enjoy!

 

[jaywak]

Why did you not want to go through a scanner with a CGM?
Mine have been through many scanners and completely unaffected.
I would not take my insulin pump through a full body scanner but the metal detectors are fine with pump and CGM.

I was actually told by my diabetic team not to go through scanners and when I have said to security at airports / sea ports they always just say of course and give me a quick once over with a hand held device so I just assumed that was the rule .

 

[In Response]

I was actually told by my diabetic team not to go through scanners and when I have said to security at airports / sea ports they always just say of course and give me a quick once over with a hand held device so I just assumed that was the rule .

There is often a confusion between body scanners (the things you stand akimbo in a scanner) and metal detectors (the usual arch way that you get at airports, venues and you see in American schools),
Metal detectors are fine for diabetes tech.

 

[Nicola M]

@Nicola M your advice is fantastic (the best so far ). I have a few additions based on my experience.

The advice I was given (and have always followed) is to take at least twice as much of everything than you think you need.
This includes spare insulin pens if you use reusable ones and batteries for the glucose meter (unless it is rechargeable) as well as needles, test strips, lancets, etc.


Take care with using "holiday" fridges. I have read too many stories of fridges that are too cold and freeze insulin. I prefer to stick with Frio wallet when away for less than a month, As you say, insulin is fine out f the fridge provided it is not left in direct sunlight,


My additional advice (from personal experience) is to make sure you have hypo treatments with you in your seat not the overhead locker in case you experience a hypo when the seatbelt sign is on.


It is best to request this from your diabetes clinic as GPs tend to charge for them.
In twenty years of travelling with Type 1 and hunrdeds of flights, I have only had to show my letter once (it is now looking very tatty) but I take it just in case.
Some people also take a copy of their prescription. However, mine it now electronic so I don't have anything to show ... and never needed to.

Personally, I do not like to spread personal information about my medical conditions. I have never been on a cruise but have never told tour leaders on adventure holidays. As @Dudette1 is going with her husband, I am sure he will be able to explain to the crew if there is an issue.
This is down to your personal preference.

Nicola - apologies if it looks as if I have decimated your advice. This was not my intention. As I said at the start, your advice is great and I just wanted to expand upon it.

@Dudette1 congratulations on your upcoming nuptials. As others have said, diabetes should not affect your enjoyment although it may go a little awry due to the change of routine.

Thank you, it’s always nice to see other people’s views/advice on the same things. I appreciate you coming in and expanding on some of my points to better help it’s been a long time since I’ve actually had to think about holiday rules!

 

[MrsA2]

Then of course there's the dangers to anyone, t1 t 2 or not even diabetic...that's the 24 hour access to way too much food and drink.
Take will power!!!
And a set of larger clothes if you know you might indulge

 

[Dudette1]

Then of course there's the dangers to anyone, t1 t 2 or not even diabetic...that's the 24 hour access to way too much food and drink.
Take will power!!!
And a set of larger clothes if you know you might indulge

Haha! Don’t think eating will be a problem for me, I’m a bit OCD, I love breakfast and would rather have a big one of those and can take or leave eating rest of day, doesn’t matter how tempting something is I can never be bothered to take insulin so would rather miss the good stuff just so I don’t have to inject. how sad am I

 

[In Response]

Haha! Don’t think eating will be a problem for me, I’m a bit OCD, I love breakfast and would rather have a big one of those and can take or leave eating rest of day, doesn’t matter how tempting something is I can never be bothered to take insulin so would rather miss the good stuff just so I don’t have to inject. how sad am I

Yes, that is sad.
I appreciate you are eating breakfast but please take care. Eating disorders are too common for people with Type 1.
If you are avoiding insulin, please talk to your DSN.

 

[Dudette1]

I don’t know if I have an eating disorder, I just can think of nothing worse than getting a meal and it be anymore than 5 units of insulin. if I go out for food I order things that will be 5 units and under, I’m on 1 unit nova rapid to 10g carbs. I would never not take my insulin, definitely not. I just don’t want to take loads for a meal so I’d rather miss out unfortunately.