Last October we booked a Mexican Riviera Cruise for spring 2007. Four weeks before we were to set sail the doctor prescribed oxygen 24/7 for my husband and recommended we not take the cruise. Even though we had travel insurance that covered trip cancellation, we were eager to leave the cold Colorado winter weather and travel to some warm cities we had not visited. If we were to take the cruise, it meant modifying our plans.

Our long-time travel agent, Heather at A Travel Advantage, suggested we investigate TravelO2-Global Travel Oxygen ( http://travelo2.com/). We quickly became acquainted via telephone and email with Thom, Managing Director for Travel O2 who discussed equipment and supply options, rental and purchase fees, and explained services they offer including arrangements with cruise ships for medical equipment use. Thom sent us information to research an oxygen concentrator Travel O2 recommends. The eclipse™ is lightweight, portable, convenient, and efficient and can be used on airplanes and ships, in airports, and for shore excursions. It supplies oxygen when attached to an AC power supply, when using the rechargeable battery that is included, or even using the cable in the cigarette lighter of our vehicle. It seemed to be the answer to our needs so we requested Travel O2 to make arrangements for us to use it.

Heather checked with the airlines with which we had reservations for our flights to and from Los Angeles and learned they did not supply oxygen for passengers leaving Colorado Springs nor approve the eclipse™ for use on their commuter-type planes. Fortunately, at least 12 airlines have approved the eclipse™ for in-flight use so she rescheduled us from Denver to LA with Frontier Airlines http://www.frontierairlines.com/frontier/home.do. We downloaded the necessary authorization form (30881) for oxygen use from their website for our doctor to sign. The completed form was presented to the flight attendant when we entered the aircraft.

Thom made arrangements with our cruise line, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines http://www.royalcaribbean.com/home.do for our use of the eclipse™ on board and had the concentrator and accessories delivered to our house in Colorado Springs several days before we were to leave so we could test it. Thom provided the documentation, tips for use, and support we needed for a successful trip. What could have been a disappointment became a blessing because of Thom, Heather, Travel O2, and eclipse™. My photos illustrate some of our cruise highlights and indicate how we met our health and travel challenge.