June 24, 2022
If you are considering booking a cruise it’s important to discuss all your medical needs with the cruise lines ‘Guest Accessibility Team’ or ‘Special Needs at Sea Team’ prior to booking, to ensure that they can accommodate your medical needs and so that you can be effectively supported to have a safe and enjoyable holiday.
It is strongly recommended that you have full insurance cover and fitness to travel documentation in place too.
To help guide and navigate those who may be considering booking a cruise holiday, we have put together some information and links on cruise line companies and their current regulations in place.
Cunard Cruises:
Not accepting guests who use oxygen currently
They will consider requests for the use of a concentrator on a case-by-case basis.
For further information visit their website View our assurance to you - Cunard cruises
Holland America Cruises:
Accepting guests using oxygen concentrators onboard. Also now accepting guests using oxygen cylinders but only on voyages with 'standard protocols' and not on sailings with 'enhanced protocols' still at this time.
For security and safety reasons, guests must organise their own oxygen supplies and there are only two companies permitted to deliver oxygen supplies to their ships.
For further information visit their website: https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/accessibility.html
Norwegian Cruises:
Accepting guests who require oxygen. Guests must organise their own oxygen supplies and there is only one company permitted to deliver and supply oxygen to their ships.
For additional information visit their website: https://www.ncl.com/uk/en/cruise-faq/special-needs
P & O Cruises:
Not accepting guests who use oxygen currently.
The company advise they are following all the latest guidance to protect the health and well-being of guests, crew and the communities they visit.
For further information visit their website: https://www.pocruises.com/content/dam/po/pdfs/PO_Cruises_Health_Advisory_Letter_for_long_term_vax_policy_04.05.22.pdf
Princess Cruises:
Accepting guests on oxygen concentrators but unable to accept guests who require oxygen cylinders.
The company state that their medical experts have made this decision for the guests own safety and they remain optimistic that their approach on future sailings will become more flexible.
Additional information can be found on their website: https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/frequently-asked-questions/us-cruises/
Royal Caribbean Cruises:
Accepting guests who use oxygen. Guests must organise their own oxygen supplies and meet certain requirements prior to boarding the ship. You will need to notify the company regarding quantity, type and delivery schedule and each ship has a different equipment storage policy.
Further information can be found on their website:
https://www.royalcaribbean.com/gbr/en/experience/accessible-cruising
SAGA Cruises:
Accepting guests who require oxygen, with the exception of liquid oxygen.
Guests must organise their own oxygen supplies and be able to administer it independently. There are restrictions on number of cylinders allowed to be stored in the cabin but additional cylinders may be stored in the ships’ storage facility elsewhere.
Additional information can be found on their website: https://travel.saga.co.uk/accessibility-and-support/saga-cruises.aspx
If you receive any additional information or updates regarding cruise line regulations, please let us know on support@actionpf.org so that we can keep information updated for the benefit of others also.
If you require further advice/guidance on travel, please contact our support line on Tel No: 01223 785725.
Last updated on 29th September 2022.