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DRS/NC

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    Princess

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  1. Does the indoor pool have steps into/out of the pool rather than just steep side ladders? I'm old, arthritic & can't manage the ladders, but LOVE some pool time. THANKS!
  2. I've rented scooters from both Special Needs at Sea (4-5x) & from Scootaround (1x). SNatS includes insurance w/the rental fee. Scootaround charges $10/day for insurance. If you're doing a Repositioning cruise (like a TA), ask if the company has a special deal; Scootaround only charged me $100 for an 18 day TransAtlantic in June 2022 since they needed to move equipment. I always get a quote from both companies before renting. Check the equipment at the website, then call. I usually cruise Princess. The scooter is in the cabin when I arrive. I have port wheelchair assistance from the curb to check-in and then PCL assistance from check-in to my cabin to get the scooter. Disembarkation is the reverse. Most ships have FEW handicapped accessible cabins, compared to the number of passengers needing them. You will need to reserve a HA cabin months in advance! If you don't need the HA bathroom part, you'll need a cabin that you can get the mobility device into. A scooter or chair in the hall is extremely dangerous -- think if there were a need to evacuate! If you're questioning whether or not you need a scooter or other mobility assistance, ask yourself if you can walk the distance of 3 football (US) fields? Most of the ships now are 900+ ft long (300 yds). A football field is 300 ft. (100 yds). Do that several times a day -- or once. Just be prepared to WAIT for an elevator!
  3. We love to rent a car & drive into the Yukon. Since you have 9 people, you might look into a "private" tour, doing the Yukon in a can. Google Skagway tours & you should find such companies. Some will be wheelchair accessible. I must travel w/a scooter (on ship; sometimes in port) or a rollator (walker), so I understand your concerns. ENJOY wonderful Alaska!
  4. From 1967 - 2023: NCL Sitmar* Royal Caribbean Commodore* Princess American CL* Premier* American West* Celebrity Holland America KD (river cruise)* *no longer exist
  5. I think it says that there is no charge for the breakfast if ordered from the door hang-tag (basically continental b'fast). Wonder if they'll charge me for the bacon that I always add?
  6. My adult kids & I just returned from a 7-day Caribbean cruise last week -- our first summer cruise in years. We booked rather late (March for July 1-8) because the kids had to wait for their tax return and a clear week in my SIL's work schedule. We had little or no concern about a hurricane that early in the season. We all 3 just needed to relax/rest. It was an itinerary we done 2-3 times so we didn't get off the ship all week. And we (DD & I) laughed that after years of going to the Caribbean to escape northern winters, now we were escaping a southern heat wave!
  7. Same here! I have a twin size egg crate pad that I bought in 2012 for a land trip (different hotel every day for 10 days); I knew that my arthritic joints (3 replacements at that point) & increasingly painful back would need all the help possible. (My back has gotten much worse & I've added a shoulder replacement.) The pad folds double length-wise & rolls like a jelly role. It goes into it's original barrel-shaped zippered plastic container;16" high & 11" across the top. I put 2 web luggage belts around it & slip it over the handle of my carry-on bag. It is deemed "medical equipment" & is a carry-on for the plane. I usually cruise w/Princess. They used to have the worst/hard beds, but now have lovely fluffy beds. I still need the cushioning of the foam crate. That egg crate has traveled the USA, many other countries & 15 cruises w/me -- so far. In the past, I've also taken a heating pad (auto-shut off) w/ no problem. I did tuck it into my clothes & esp. covered the bundled cord. Take w/you what you need for comfort; otherwise you may not be able to get it "along the way'!
  8. I know of a Newfoundland breeder in Oregon who has used Air Alaska to transport her Newfies to dog shows. Of course, the dogs must be crated, but she praised the way the airline handled the dogs. I think Air Alaska flies to Hawaii & several airports in the "Mainland". Good luck! I know this is difficult.
  9. I began using a walker several years ago; now I use a scooter. I still take my walker if there are 2 or more tender ports since scooters don't go on tenders (usually). Be sure that the walker folds so that it fits thru the cabin door. I also strongly suggest that it have a seat (some call that a rollator). Your friend needs to notify your cabin steward that she will need assistance in an emergency/getting to your Muster Station. Generally, the ships are mostly "handicapped" friendly (as others have posted above). However, she may have to be assertive in getting on/off the elevators. Our fellow passengers are often not very observant and/or thoughtful. Enjoy your cruise!
  10. Count me among those who prefer actually going to my Muster Station! Most of us learn better by doing. I'm "elderly" and have been cruising for 50 yrs. Now I have mobility issues; I know that actually getting to my Muster Station in a real emergency would take "Crew assistance." I also know that it would (most probably) involve great difficulty getting past panicked, unruly passengers. I usually cruise w/Princess & I know that all the Muster Stations are on deck 7; it's generally directly below my cabin (count the decks down). (PCL assigns stations vertically.) Therefore, I always try to get a cabin on deck 8 or slightly higher. It wouldn't be easy, but I'm fairly sure I could get DOWN the stairs to deck 7, if necessary. And yes, I now unpack while "watching" the emergency video, but I usually watch twice.
  11. OK, here goes! Heathrow is HUGE & BUSY! Handicapped assistance is a PROCESS. I've departed from there 3 or 4 times in the past 10 yrs. & it is NOT my favorite airport. You need time & patience! I always check my walker w/my luggage. I don't like doing it, but it's way too awkward it manage while being wheeled. Make sure you have ID tags on the walker. I also have velcro straps in 2 places to keep it closed. Tell/remind your airline that you need wheelchair assistance when you check your luggage. The airline rep will then tell you where to wait for a chair pusher. (Your wait may be a while.) The pusher will then take you to a "holding area" where you will then wait to be taken to your gate. They move you thru security based on your departure time & then to your gate. You wait in the holding area until it's your turn. Good luck!
  12. I just went to my documents file, Travel/Cruise To Do List and added Get Air Plugs. I've no idea why I haven't gotten them before! Thank you all!
  13. Sunset Catamaran Cruise St Thomas on "Castaway Girl" -- anyone know if this excursion (on Caribbean Princess) is appropriate for someone with mobility problems? I have trouble walking; I usually use a rollator/walker & a scooter on the ship. Is it possible to take a rollator on such a boat? I can sit on chair-level benches, but not able to get down to floor level. I would really love to sail on a catamaran one more time! What is your experience? I have posted this on the St.Thomas & on the Disabled Passengers pages. Thanks!
  14. Sunset Catamaran Cruise St Thomas on "Castaway Girl" -- anyone know if this excursion (on Caribbean Princess) is appropriate for someone with mobility problems? I have trouble walking; I usually use a rollator/walker & a scooter on the ship. Is it possible to take a rollator on such a boat? I can sit on chair-level benches, but not able to get down to floor level. I would really love to sail on a catamaran one more time! What is your experience? I have posted this on the St.Thomas & on the Disabled Passengers pages. Thanks!
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