Cruise Dialysis

Ambassador Cruise Line

Dialysis Information

You may be entitled to full or part reimbursement of the cost of your dialysis sessions and you may also qualify for a grant from Kidney Care UK.  Please keep reading for more information.

The cost of your haemodialysis onboard and the service charge are shown below.  

Once you are ready to book please complete the booking form at the end of this page and we will contact you.
Cost of Haemodialysis

Your dialysis sessions will take place in the dedicated Dialysis Suite onboard the ship.  You will be looked after from the beginning to the end of your cruise by a qualified Nephrologist and nurses who will be onboard for the duration of your cruise.  Please note each cruise can only accommodate 8 patients therefore we would suggest a booking is secured as early as possible to avoid disappointment.  The TOTAL cost (not per session) of your dialysis treatments for the cruise is shown below and also includes the Service Charge.  You may be entitled to part or full reimbursement of the cost of your dialysis sessions.  Please see the information in the “Reimbursement for Dialysis Sessions” section below.  You may also be eligible to apply for a grant from Kidney Care UK, please see information below.

2024 Cost of Dialysis, total per cruise including Service Charge (see information below) 
  • 5 night German Christmas Markets cruise £917 total SPECIAL OFFER
  • 5 night Bank Holiday Escape cruise £1869 total
  • 7 night cruise £2754 total
  • 10 night cruise £3339 total
  • 11 night cruise £3924 total
  • 12 night cruise £3924 total
  • 17 night cruise £5679 total
  • 21 night cruise £6264 total
  • 23 night cruise, £6849 total
  • 25 night cruise, £7434 total
Service Charge

This is a one-off charge payable by the patient of £999 and is included in the costs shown above.  (The Service Charge on the German & Dutch Festive Sailing cruise departing 13 December 2024 is £99).

The provision of haemodialysis onboard cruise ships incurs various costs including the logistics involved in transporting the equipment and staff to the ship, setting up the dialysis unit onboard, the cost of providing the accommodation for the dialysis team and dialysis unit onboard the ship and the extensive medical liability insurance required.  Additional costs include collating and processing the patient’s medical documentation, liaison with the patient’s dialysis unit and the onboard dialysis team’s review of the medical records.  To contribute towards these costs there is a Service Charge charged to the patient.  This Service Charge is payable at the same time as your cruise deposit.  The Service Charge is non-refundable under any circumstance except if we were to cancel your cruise then the Service Charge will be carried forward to a future cruise.

Reimbursement for Dialysis Sessions

For UK Residents : If the majority of ports visited during your cruise are within the European Economic Area (EEA) then you will be reimbursed the amount of the National Tariff which we understand to be approximately £150 per dialysis session – your Holiday Dialysis Co-ordinator at your Dialysis Unit will advise you of the exact amount.

For Residents of Wales : If the majority of ports visited during your cruise are within the European Economic Area (EEA) then you will be reimbursed the amount of the National Tariff which we understand to be approximately £150 per dialysis session – your Holiday Dialysis Co-ordinator at your Dialysis Unit or the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee (WHSSC) will advise you of the exact amount.

For Residents of Scotland : Your dialysis unit may meet the cost of your dialysis sessions, please check with your Holiday Dialysis Co-ordinator.

For Residents of Ireland : Please check with your Holiday Dialysis Co-ordinator or your private medical insurance.

For Overseas Residents : Please check with your Dialysis Unit.

Kidney Care UK Grants

Patients on a low income may apply to Kidney Care UK for a grant of up to £750 towards the cost of a short cruise.  Grants are subject to an application criteria and cannot be guaranteed.  When completing the grant application form you will be asked to give details about your financial circumstances.  For more information visit the Kidney Care UK website (www.kidneycareuk.org) or contact a member of your kidney care team.  If the staff in your dialysis unit are unable to help, please contact Kidney Care UK on 01420 541424 or email info@kidneycareuk.org  Please note that if a grant is agreed Kidney Care UK will contribute towards the cost of your cruise, but not the cost of dialysis onboard.  Please ensure you apply for your grant before your final balance due date as grants can only be paid against an outstanding balance.

Insurance

It is a requirement that you hold full comprehensive travel insurance cover that is valid for the entire duration of your holiday and provides health cover for Covid-19, all pre-existing medical conditions, cancellation and the cost of medical repatriation.  Failure to hold an appropriate travel insurance policy may result in you being refused boarding.  Please ensure you take copies of your insurance with you in case you require medical assistance.

If you are a UK resident, to arrange travel insurance you may wish to contact one of the companies shown below.  If you are an overseas resident please contact a local insurance provider.  You are, of course, welcome to use a company of your own choice.

  • All Clear Insurance on 01708 339121, please quote reference CRD
  • Just Travel Cover on 0800 294 2972, please quote reference Cruise Dialysis or click here to visit the Just Travel Cover website
  • Good to Go Insurance on 0330 024 9906, please quote reference Cruise Dialysis or click here to visit the Good to Go Insurance website

READY TO BOOK?

To book your cruise please complete the Ambassador Cruise Line booking form below and we will contact you to confirm your booking and arrange payment of the deposit.

Ambassador Booking Form
Will a dialysis patient be occupying this cabin? If yes, please put the dialysis patient’s details in the boxes for PASSENGER 1 below *
Is Passenger 1 a dialysis patient? *
Is Passenger 2 a dialysis patient? *
Cruise *
Cabin upgrades are usually chargeable however on some occasions, the cruise line may upgrade you on a complimentary basis. Please note that whilst this will be to a cabin of a higher grade, it may be located on a lower deck. It is important to note that some cabins have a bath with shower over therefore if you cannot climb into a bath we would advise you decline the complimentary upgrade.
Once you have made your booking you can choose your evening dining time and table size. In the meantime please advise us if any of the guests have the following dietary requirements. *
Have all passengers been fully vaccinated for Covid19, including booster? *
Will either passenger be taking a wheelchair or mobility scooter onboard?
Please indicate the type of mobility device you are taking onboard? *
Does the passenger taking the wheelchair / mobility scooter need to use the wheelchair onboard, ashore or both?
Please be aware that the dialysis unit onboard Ambience is not wheelchair accessible. Therefore all patients will need to be able to walk 6 metres from the door of the unit to the bed.
Does the dialysis patient require assistance to get on and off the bed in the dialysis unit?
Does the patient currently test negative for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV and MRSA? *
Do any of the passengers have any sensory impairments? *
Do any of the passengers require supplementary oxygen? *
I am aware of the cost of the dialysis during my cruise *
I am aware of the cost of the service charge for my cruise *

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