I’ve done some searching on line, and it seems to be possible to use a CPAP on an upper bunk.
So far I’e seen a recommendation to bring the following:
1 or 2 extension cords
Outlet strip (anyway needed, as there aren’t enough outlets for charging phones, etc.
Duct tape (to help keep the machine and cables in place)
Any experience, or tips?
I’m not the one traveling, nor do I use a CPAP myself, but I thought I’d try to help the person who is.
Thanks!
2 year CPAP user here. The wisdom is to place the CPAP lower than the bed (helps keep humidity from pooling and traveling down to the user’s face, among other reasons). Level with the bed is ok if lower isn’t feasible. Just not higher for several reasons. Mine is set up on a night stand shelf 8 or so inches lower than my head.
Here’s the user instruction manual for the machine I’m familiar with, set up starts on page 8.
There will also be guidance about extension cords and surge strips, etc. whether the ship outlets are standard US type matters. My understanding it that cruise ships will confiscate personal extension cords and surge strips and will only let you use theirs. Look into that with the friend’s specific cruise line and ship.
Only distilled water in the humidifier chamber. Bring that with you.
If he’s renting the CPAP from a medical supply co, they may be able to provide a longer hose from the machine to the mask. A few companies might to able to rent them a much smaller travel CPAP. I’d sure make sure that there is insurance on the CPAP in case it gets lost or damaged as baggage handlers store and bring it to your cabin.
Take a spare hose in case the one being used springs a leak. I’d bring a spare humidity chamber too, in case of cracks, leaks, etc.
When it comes to tape, don’t use duck/duct ape. It will leave sticky residue on the ship’s cabin surfaces which they might ding you for, as well as on the CPAP if it a rented or rented one. Get some wide, good quality painters tape from Amazon and use that, or gaffers tape (which is usually more expensive).
My respiratory tech has me cleaning my humidity chamber daily using a few drops of Dawn dish detergent and tap water. If so for your friend, bring a tiny bottle of dish soap and before they use the ships water on their chamber make sure it is considered potable water and safe for drinking, otherwise another jug of safe water will need to come along. I’d sure start out with a new hose and chamber so I wouldn’t need to disinfect with the vinegar solution after a week. Just do that as soon as they get home.
It might be helpful for your friend to buy a longer tubing for the trip, so that the CPAP can be securely placed further away, more options than the standard 6 or 8 foot they come with.
This is a company I have had very good experiences with over several years. They are responsive, quick and honest in their pricing, plus excellent customer services. There is 10 foot tubing for sale from them, less than $10. This tubing won’t have the heating feature of the fancy tubing some use. Heated tubing costs upwards of $50 and I’m not sure it can be found in 10 foot lengths. They would need to be sure that any tubing is compatible with their specific machine~Direct Home Medical’s helpful Customer Service folks will help them sort that out.
Is this referring to an Amtrak Superliner sleeper car or something else?
That would be my guess, but the OP may wish to clarify.
If it is an Amtrak Superliner, instead of a cruise ship, here’s some information about those sleeper cars.
I have traveled on a Superliner long distance, in coach rather than a sleeping compartment. I traveled with a CPAP and know most of the ins and outs of traveling with medical equipment on Amtrak.
Never have been on a cruise ship. The above advice was an amalgam of my train experience and listening to friends who do go on a lot of cruises.
Wow. At home, I clean my chamber maybe once a month. Whether at home or on the road, my nasal pillow gets cleaned daily, so no matter what, a travel bottle of dish soap is a must-have.
For travel, I have a ResMed Air Mini:
It doesn’t use a water chamber, it uses a “heat and moisture exchanger.” This is a disposable insert that clicks into the hose right where it connects to your headgear, and it’s coated with a material that absorbs humidity from your exhaled air, and gives that humidity to the incoming fresh air from the machine. The insert is supposed to last for something like four weeks after you open it. It works surprisingly well and results in a really compact travel package, due in part to the absence of a water chamber. The primary downside is that it’s a little noisy, but you can manage that by tucking it into a nightstand drawer, putting it farther from your head, or using a sleep noise machine to mask the irregular sounds from the AirMini’s blower.
Its tiny size means I can take it on motorcycle trips, and I can also bring it on long flights in my carry-on bag so that I can breathe nice humidified air while I get a bit of in-flight sleep. Quite happy with it, and would suggest the OP mention it to their acquaintance.
As far as powering a CPAP during travel, CPAP batteries are a thing. This means not having to worry about finding a convenient outlet near the bed, or bringing an extension cord; you just charge it near any outlet during the day, and put it near your bed at night. The downside is the bulk and weight it adds to your luggage, and of course the cost, $300-$400. But it’s one more option to consider.
Assuming the OP is talking about an Amtrak Superliner, then you will absolutely need a power strip - those things are 30-50 years old and predate modern portable electronics, so there’s only one outlet per sleeper.
I took one last year and found it thoroughly enjoyable, so I can answer general questions about the experience if OP has any, but I don’t use a CPAP so I can’t directly comment on that.
I prefer the train over air travel and book what Amtrak calls a “roomette” whenever a trip goes overnight (or several overnights). The roomettes will accomodate two passengers with an upper and lower berth but I’ve never attempted that - getting in and out at night with any amount of gear seems extremely difficult, and even sitting face-to-face with feet entangled during the day is a bit too cosy for me. When I have a traveling companion I try to book separate roomettes across the aisle. Sure, more expensive but WAY more comfortable, and comfort is what train travel is all about for me.
Single occupancy roomette with a CPAP is no problem at all (although I stopped using the water reservoir long ago - I found the maintenance far more trouble than it was worth). If you’re in an upper berth that means you’re sharing the space and if your companion also uses a CPAP you’ll need a power strip. Otherwise long air hoses should be all you need.
Oops, yes. Amtrak Superliner sleeper bedroom.
But then they will be on a cruise, so this information is also helpful. Thank you!
Does not use water. Never has. Probably odd, but he’s been using it for more than 10 years. It’s his own.
Now that’s a very interesting suggestion. Also the painter’s tape - I know he has a few rolls.
On the cruise ship I understand it’s possible to get distilled water, which he might want to use for cleaning.
I also read that on the train, there is a changeover in certain locations, which means there will be no power for about 20 minutes. So I can warn him about that.
Probably dragging a battery is more trouble than it’s worth, as extension cords are easier to deal with.
Thank you also for this tip.
I knew there would be Dopers with experience.
Thank you everybody for your insights and suggestions. 
We all get by with the help of our friends, including our magic, imaginary internetz friends. In my experience lately, especially those internetz friends.
The above link to ‘Amtrak guide’ isn’t the official Amtrak information site. I’ll send some helpful links to those to your PM. Long distance Superliner travel with a CPAP and other medical equipment I have done very recently, I’ve never been on a cruise. Encourage your friend to do a deep dive into any and all passenger info on their cruise line re: extension cords, surge strips, luggage limits, etc. Our mutual Mumper FairyChatMom has extensive cruise experience, she might even have had IRL experience with that particular cruise line.
bon voyage!
Not necessarily on every route, just those where two trains join together or split and they have to separate and rearrange the cars. For example, the Empire Builder starts from Chicago and goes west to Spokane, where it splits into a train going to Seattle and a train going to Portland. Those switchovers are scheduled to happen late at night when you’ll likely be asleep.
Which is the time that most CPAP users need power. Not ideal. But maybe the power outage isn’t really 20 minutes.
If you PM the two cities he’ll be traveling between, I’ll call Amtrak and find out if there are changeovers and if that means the passengers will be without power through the outlets at their seats/in their sleepers. Speaking to a real live human at Amtrak is often the best way to get accurate reliable information specifics and one of us stateside Dopers can do the 800 phone number calling much easier than you, both time zone wise and cost wise.
I was still awake for it when it happened on my Empire Builder trip last year. It wasn’t 20 minutes. It may have been 5.
Do you know what route they’re taking? As I said above, this may not even be an issue for them.
If there’s no power for an entire night, someone who is highly dependent on CPAP might want to bring a battery. If the power interruption is 20 minutes or less, the expense and hassle of a battery may not be worth the hassle and cost of a battery just to cover that gap.
Same route, so this is super helpful info. Going east.
Super agree. I just have no idea how uncomfortable it is to wear a CPAP and have the power go out while sleeping.
You’re a dear. 
As Smapti has experience with the exact route, and the information that’s been shared here, I can make sure that they inform the steward and get a heads up about the power outage.
A call to Amtrak is probably not needed. 
Knowledge is power, and Dopers are really powerful!
It’s happened to me (at home). I found you just wake up, because your brain senses air hunger. Then you take off the CPAP mask and breathe without it til the electricity comes back on. I wear a full mask covering both my nose and mouth, if you use a mask that is nose only you might not even notice it enough to wake up, you’d just switch to breathing through your mouth. So it might depend on what style CPAP mask they wear as to whether they even notice, plus whether their brand CPAP machine has a ‘lost power’ or other failure alarm which will yank them awake.