Planning a cruise can be an exciting adventure, but if you have a urostomy and use Bard night drainage bags, you might be wondering how to manage them while on a 4-night Royal Caribbean cruise. Here are some practical tips and insights to help you handle your drainage bags efficiently and enjoy your trip without unnecessary hassle.

- Vinegar Alternatives & Easy Sources
- Instead of carrying a full bottle of vinegar, consider picking up individual vinegar packets from fast-food outlets or the ship’s buffet.
- Some travelers use alternatives like a small travel bottle of liquid dish soap, hand sanitizer, lemon juice (which both sanitizes and deodorizes), or rubbing alcohol for rinsing.
- Many people find that simply emptying the bag, rinsing with hot water or a little liquid soap, keeps it odor-free without the need for vinegar.

- Pre-made "Night Bag Kits"
- Prepare 4-5 separate kits, each containing one Bard night bag (or a Coloplast Night Bag with a built-in hook), a J-Cloth, a clothespin, half a dozen paper towels, and a vinegar sachet or small squeeze bottle, all sealed in a large zip-lock bag.
- Pack these kits with your regular ostomy supplies in your carry-on luggage. Airlines and cruise lines treat them as medical supplies, so they should not be refused.
- At bedtime, attach a clean bag. In the morning, place the used bag back in the zip-lock and dispose of it in the stateroom wastebasket or a red bag if supplied. If rinsing isn’t practical, you have spares; if it is, you can reuse and bring extras home.

- Bring Extra Bags and Don’t Overthink Waste
- Many cruisers recommend packing a few extra Bard bags, using a fresh one each night, and discarding the used ones. The small added cost and trash volume are minor compared to the overall cruise expenses, so focus on enjoying your trip.

- Frequency of Cleaning
- One long-term user mentions using the same drainage bottle for almost a year, only rinsing with soap a few times a week and otherwise flushing with hot water. For a 4-day cruise, a quick daily rinse is more than adequate.

By following these tips, you can manage your urostomy supplies with ease and focus on having a wonderful cruise experience.