
Holland America offers dialysis on board their ships, but with some limitations. They have a dedicated medical facility on each ship that can provide dialysis services for passengers in need.
The medical facility is staffed by a team of experienced medical professionals, including doctors and nurses, who are trained to provide dialysis and other medical services.
Dialysis Services on Holland America
Dialysis at Sea Cruises, the largest provider of dialysis services aboard cruise ships since 1977, offers a similar service on Holland America cruise ships.
Their specialist care team includes a nephrologist, dialysis nurses, and certified technicians who provide haemodialysis care to patients on board.
The service includes the most advanced and best maintained medical equipment and supplies, subjected to strict maintenance protocols to ensure they are always operating at optimum level.
Will NHS Cover On-Board Treatment?
If you're planning a Holland America cruise and you need dialysis treatment on board, you'll be pleased to know that NHS England has a reimbursement plan in place.
You'll need to get approval from your renal team before you go on your cruise, as they will help to reimburse you when you get back to the UK.
The NHS will reimburse the cost of dialysis treatment onboard cruise ships if the majority of the ports you visit are within the European Economic Area or have formal healthcare agreements with the NHS.
You'll need to get the exact amount reimbursed from your Holiday Dialysis Co-ordinator, who will be able to tell you the amount per the National Tariff.
Cruises that take place outside of these countries will not be exempt from the total cost of dialysis, and you'll need to pay for it yourself.
For more information, check out NHS England's frequently asked questions regarding dialysis away from base.
Dialysis at Sea
Dialysis at Sea is a specialized service that allows dialysis patients to enjoy cruises while receiving the care they need. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruise Lines, and Holland America Line are among the cruise lines that partner with Dialysis at Sea Cruises to accommodate dialysis patients.
Discover more: Holland America Cruises 2022

These cruise lines work with Dialysis at Sea to ensure a smooth process for dialysis patients. This includes thorough coordination between your regular nephrologist and the medical team onboard, as well as transferring your medical records and treatment plans.
A team of skilled nephrologists and nurses oversee your treatments, ensuring that you receive the same high level of care you're accustomed to at home. Dialysis sessions are scheduled around your preferred activities, allowing you to plan your day without feeling restricted by treatment times.
Here are some of the cruise lines that offer dialysis services at sea:
- Royal Caribbean
- Holland America Line
- Celebrity Cruises
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Ambassador Cruise Line
How It Works
Before you set sail, thorough coordination takes place between your regular nephrologist and the medical team onboard, including transferring your medical records and treatment plans to ensure continuity of care.
The ship is equipped with a dedicated dialysis unit, complete with the latest technology, designed to meet the highest standards of cleanliness and safety, mirroring those found in land-based clinics.
Dialysis sessions are scheduled around your preferred activities, allowing you to plan your day without feeling restricted by treatment times.
A team of skilled nephrologists and nurses oversee your treatments, ensuring that you receive the same high level of care you're accustomed to at home.
Here's a breakdown of what to expect during your pre-cruise arrangements:
- Pre-Cruise Arrangements: This includes transferring your medical records and treatment plans to ensure continuity of care.
- Onboard Dialysis Center: The ship's dialysis unit is equipped with the latest technology and meets the highest standards of cleanliness and safety.
- Treatment Scheduling: Dialysis sessions are scheduled around your preferred activities.
- Professional Care: A team of skilled nephrologists and nurses oversee your treatments.
Dialysis at Sea Expands Travel Options
Dialysis at Sea Cruises has been helping thousands of dialysis patients enjoy holidays they previously thought they may not be able to since 1977.
The largest provider of dialysis services aboard cruise ships, Dialysis at Sea Cruises works closely with several renowned cruise lines to offer a variety of itineraries and experiences to choose from.
Some of the popular cruise lines that offer dialysis at sea programs include Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Ambassador Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruises.
These cruise lines provide comprehensive dialysis care on numerous voyages, ensuring that patients receive the same high level of care they're accustomed to at home.
Take a look at this: Holland America Line inside
Dialysis at Sea Cruises also provides patients with a specialist care team including a nephrologist, dialysis nurses and certified technicians on specially selected cruises.
The service includes the most advanced and best maintained medical equipment and supplies, subjected to strict maintenance protocols to ensure that they are always operating at optimum level.
Here are some of the cruise lines that Dialysis at Sea Cruises works with:
- Royal Caribbean
- Holland America Line
- Celebrity Cruises
These cruise lines can accommodate dialysis patients on cruises to a wide range of different destinations throughout Europe, Asia, Australasia, and the Americas.
Onboard Facilities
Onboard Facilities are designed to provide a comfortable and convenient experience for dialysis patients.
Each ship has a dedicated dialysis unit onboard where treatments take place.
The staffing ratios exceed any land-based units with one Registered Nurse to two patients.
Personalised visits from the onboard Nephrologist are made during every dialysis session.
The on-board dialysis treatment is designed to mirror your land-based unit.

Your requirements are always taken into consideration and strictly adhered to.
Each ship takes between only 4 and 12 patients per cruise.
This ensures a high level of care and attention from the dedicated dialysis team.
The dedicated dialysis team will look after you during your cruise and can be contacted 24 hours per day.
Sources
- https://www.southamptoncruisecentre.com/latest-news/cruise-holidays-on-dialysis/
- https://blog.cruise1st.co.uk/cruise-dialysis-patients/
- https://www.magazine.medicaltourism.com/article/cruising-to-better-health-new-medical-treatments-at-sea
- https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dialysis-at-sea-reopens-travel-doors-to-kidney-patients_n_576c55a7e4b0f16832390309
- https://www.cruisedialysis.co.uk/onboard-dialysis/
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