I posted this to cruise critic but also wanted to see if anyone here had any suggestions or information. 

My husband takes coumadin on a regular basis. He needs to have his blood INR levels checked at least once per week. We have our own personal machine and test strips but the hassle going through TSA security with ice packs around the test strips is going to be unpleasant. The same with international inspections at Heathrow on our way to Barcelona. Does anyone know if the ships physician or nurse can do these tests and an approximate cost for doing the test? If it’s reasonable, we would prefer to have the tests done on the ship by them rather than lug around our own equipment. I have to believe that many of the passengers are in the same boat (pardon the pun). We’ll be onboard for 36 days so he needs at least 6 tests.

Karen

Hi Karen,

Marcy can talk to special services for you…...

Shari

Shari - thank you for the response.  Your mom did send me a note via cruise critic.  Before I heard from her, I had contacted Oceania to find out if they needed a prescription to be able to do the blood draw.  Veronica was going to check with Special Services and get back with me today…....well, never did hear from her.  She did however scare the @#$ out of me when she said that Special Services may require a conversation with my husbands doctor to see if he’s fit for travel.  Holy Cow, at least 1/4 of the passengers must be on coumadin at any given time…...  I realize she is just a clerk but geez, a conversation with George’s doctor seems more than a little overboard…... He’s in better health than most of the passengers.    I suppose I should have kept my big mouth shut and waited to hear back from one of you.  Now we may be in jeopardy just because my husband takes blood thinning medicine.  I should know better than talking with them directly.

We’ll be gone tomorrow but I’ll keep you all posted on what hoops we now have to jump through to go on this cruise….

Karen

Hi Karen,

I have not heard of Oceania having to have a conversation with a Doctor.  They do however usually request a fit-to-travel letter from your Doctor if you require medical assistance on the ship.  I’m sure all will be fine…...

Shari