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Do cruise ships have dialysis?

For each cruise there is a dedicated dialysis unit onboard each ship where your dialysis treatments will take place. You will be cared for from the beginning to the end of your cruise by a qualified Nephrologist and nurses who will be on board for the duration of your cruise.



Standard cruise ships do not have dialysis machines in their general medical centers; however, you can receive treatment through specialized providers like Dialysis at Sea. This company partners with major lines such as Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises to bring portable hemodialysis equipment and specialized medical staff (nephrologists and nurses) on board specific itineraries. For patients on Peritoneal Dialysis, cruising is often easier as they can bring their own supplies and perform treatments in their cabin, provided they coordinate with the cruise line's accessibility department in advance. Because spots for onboard hemodialysis are extremely limited and require booking through a specific medical group rather than the cruise line directly, it is essential to plan these trips six to twelve months in advance to ensure a treatment slot is available during the voyage.

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