I was getting ready to head off for my first ever cruise when Rebekah Svensson of Awkwardyethealthy.com agreed to share tips on cruising with type 1 diabetes!
I have Type 1 Diabetes (and I have for the past 18 years) and I have been on exactly ONE cruise. A Disney cruise to be exact. Therefore, I declare myself an expert! Well, not really, but I do have some useful tips for my fellow Type 1’s who are looking to go on a cruise!
Type 1 Diabetes is no joke, and as we all know, things can go from just fine to really bad in the blink of an eye. And being on a ship in the middle of nowhere is probably not the best place for that to happen. Whether it’s you, your spouse, your child, or another member of your traveling party Diabetes can be a huge storm cloud. So how do we keep that nasty rain away?
1. Pack double the supplies. And then pack some more.
This is one area I do not skimp on in any circumstances. Personally, I am a pump user, so I pack enough ‘hardware’ to get me through twice the length of my trip. And then I usually pack a few more just in case.
If you’re a pumper you know that sometimes infusion sites don’t work right, or reservoirs get all wonky. I choose not to stress about it by bringing plenty. This includes batteries too. Oddly, on our family cruise, I didn’t have an extra battery and Guest Service’s came to my rescues. I did NOT enjoy being in that situation. Also, it’s a good reminder that there are no REAL stores on board.
2. Bring extra insulin when cruising with type 1 diabetes
Bring an extra vial if you can. I broke a vial of Lantus once while overseas. Thankfully I had another even though I technically wouldn’t have needed it based on the length of the trip. It can be a huge hassle, but you’ll feel a million times better knowing it’s there if you need it. Because on a ship in the middle of the ocean it’s going to be hard to come by.
3. Carry Glucose Tablets
One thing everyone told me about before our cruise was there is SO. MUCH. FOOD. But the thing is, the food is not ALWAYS available. Or room service might not be quick enough. There’s also the issue of the dining schedule not necessarily being YOUR schedule, which can mean unpredictable sugars. My solution? Always, always, always, carry glucose tablets. Carrying a small purse or backpack is a small price to pay. Throw some glucagon in there too for good measure.
4. Ask to see the menu in advance
At least in my experience (I also have Celiac Disease), the waitstaff has access to the next day’s menu at dinner time. Ask to see it! Also, don’t hesitate to ask for substitutions! We all know how hard it can be when you don’t prepare the food yourself, it makes carb counting nearly impossible. The best way to combat that? Knowledge.
Ask for all the information you can possibly have. Tell your waitstaff you have dietary restrictions (Yes, you do. No disagreements here. You need to know what’s in your food. Don’t worry that you are bothering anyone!). You can also request that there be something brought to you immediately or waiting at your table, like a glass of juice, just in case. If highs are more your problem, ask them to skip the bread course or give you half portions of certain things. Whatever you do, don’t just eat blindly. I think we all know how bad that can turn out.
5. Plan your day
I know, I know, it’s VACATION! Why should you have to plan!? But hear me out. Think about your meals. If you know that night’s dinner is carb heavy PLAN FOR IT. If you know you want the sugary margarita or you Type 1 kiddo wants ice cream, build it into your day.
Some of us diabetics are a lot stricter than others, so for the stricter
If you know you have a physically demanding excursion plan your margarita that day. Lounging on the pool deck all day? Might not be the best time for that 100g carb dessert. It
This is true for ANY vacation, but even more important on a cruise. Simply because you will have access to ALL. THE. TREATS but you might not have a chance to get off the ship for
6. Take a note from your doctor
You will most likely be going in and out of different countries, on and off the ship through security, and traveling on a plane at some point. So have a note from a physician handy. Most security folks nowadays are familiar with Diabetes and the plethora of stuff that comes with it, but just in case it’s good to have a note explaining that you NEED it.
Traveling with needles, vials of
7. Medical Alert ID: WEAR IT!
I am so guilty of this. I never wear mine, I loathe the thing. But a cruise is a very important place for a Type 1 Diabetic to be properly identified. If anything happens to you and you are not with an adult member of you party this will be what is used to treat you. If you are incoherent this is what will tell the ship’s doctor that you are not just drunk but might be in DKA. Accept the hideous tan line and wear it. While there are doctors on board, this will not be a full-blown hospital. So, if the worst is to happen it’s better to have the information on you and ready to go.
8. Set timers for blood sugar checks
It may seem like overkill but set a timer for every 4ish hours during the day to check your sugar. I wear a Continuous Glucose Monitor, but I still checked more often while cruising because the swings could be so dramatic.
With today’s glucometers they are super-fast and super small, so throw it in with your glucose tablets and just take the time to check every so often. I found that we would be away from our room for very long spans of time, so it was easier to carry it with me in my ‘go bag’ rather than return to the room just for a BG check.
9. Talk about it
I know it annoys the crap out of my family and friends when I mention that I have Type 1 in conversations with strangers or servers. But guess what? The more people that know the more people that can help you. Unfortunately, this disease is not as rare as it should be and sometimes you run into a fellow Type 1 (or family member) and they have some good information for you. Or it’s a chance to educate someone. Or it helps remind YOU of what you need to be doing. If you talk about it, you can’t ignore it!
10. Loosen the reigns a bit and have fun!
If it’s you that it Type 1 diabetes, you are probably fine with this. If it is your spouse or your child, you are likely not ok with this. But, for the sake of your sanity, broaden your range of acceptable sugars a bit. Not to the point of getting sick but expect some lows and just know that there will be more highs than you’d like.
Even with planning your days a bit, taking all the precautions, and counting the carbs to the best of your ability there will still be unexplainable swings. If you are prepared, they will be nothing more than a minor speedbump. But if you are cruising with type 1 diabetes and expecting perfection, you will be miserable. Type 1 Diabetes is not a disease to be taken lightly, but it should also not rule your life. Make sure you have fun and ENJOY IT!
Those are some of my thoughts! Of course, there’s always the drink water, eat your fruits and veggies, and get plenty of exercise that all Diabetics are hammered with every day. It still applies on a cruise y’all. Just do it. I know life isn’t fair, but we can handle it, we’re tough.
My personal experience on a cruise with type 1 diabetes was that I had more frequent highs and occasional lows that weren’t very predictable. There was a ton to indulge in, and I did. Maybe too much. But the waitstaff was wonderful at being helpful and informative, the crew was very understanding and always willing to go above and beyond to help in any way, and while I did not have any experience with the medical staff on board, knowing they were there provided peace of mind. Cruising with Type 1 Diabetes is definitely worth it. With a little foresight and flexibility, it can be a truly great vacation!
If you’d like to learn more about me, Rebekah Svensson, feel free to visit my blog Awkwardyethealthy.com!
Happy Cruising!
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Have fun is the best tip of the group.