WoodsDrive

On 6/7/2023 at 1:30 AM, little britain said:

I always thought “half and half” was half milk/half skimmed milk… until I tried it.🤢

Perhaps with more and more international guests they have found there is little requirement for this.  No other nation puts cream in coffee ...  Think of all those unnecessary additional calories. 🤷‍♀️

 

 

Two tablespoons of half & half in a cup of coffee is 35 calories. It is milk & cream. I drink two cups a day and eat 1200-1500 calories a day. Now, heavily processed flavored coffee creamers are a whole other story. They are not the same. 

On 2/15/2023 at 12:32 PM, sjb317 said:

When we first started cruising, I noticed my feet swelling within a day or two of boarding.  Cruising is the only place I’ve ever had a problem with this.  Once I switched to bottled water, the problem stopped.  While I believe those who say there is no excessive sodium in the ship’s water,I think  there must be either something in it or something lacking that causes this for me.

 

Sherri🙂

 

 

 

 

I have the same results when I drink bottled vs. ship water. I am not a water snob, and only occasionally drink bottled water at home, but fixes the water retention issues I have. 

This cancels our cruise. I was expecting cancellation to COVID, but not this. 

You might reach out to the US Access Board for referral on trainers. They can at least give you an idea where to start and may have info on international travel. 

I don’t recall seeing one last June, but there is a local place just a couple of blocks outside of the port, bordering the fountain area. We stopped on the Culinary Tour. 

We used VIP Express and highly recommend Emmanuel.

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Whelp, I've come on CruiseCritic for the first time in many many years for my first cruise in many years to, unfortunately, see this thread when looking into bringing my SO's service dog on our cruise! It seems it's a fairly big problem with both fake service dogs (ESAs) and individuals who are angry about dogs being there at all!

 

I'm going to say this from my side, hopefully so that individuals understand it from a service dog handler/owner's side. Service dogs aren't regulated in any way, and most of us wish they were! There are some that are home trained due to how costly it can be for training ($10k - $25k if you cannot wait in line for a free dog through certain programs), but in order to effectively do their job, a dog needs to have the right temperament and physical and mental ability to do the job they are required to do. That INCLUDES public access, a reason many dogs fail out of training as a puppy and an ability that is 100% required of all service dogs, which is hundreds if not thousands of hours of training from as early as 8 weeks, to be in public areas. Generally, you can spot a dog that has this training on something like a cruise because the dog will stay close to the owners side and not be distracted by anything else going on around them. They won't be distracted by food if it's on the ground or next to them, and trust me, that takes a lot of training to learn for some dogs!

 

All of that being said, a service dog is still a dog. A few of our concerns, and why we were looking, is that they still need down time; that usually means me, being more able-bodied to do so, will have times when the vest is off (this signifies to the dog work is over) and we can get his energy out through some running and playing. It seems that the cruise line offers some on-deck time very early in the morning to allow the dog some off leash time if they are given notice, though we're still trying to work that part out. I can understand if someone is afraid of dogs how this can be an issue, and I'm hoping they can create a better way to facilitate this but I know it's hard given how many people are on the ship and how little space there is. Outside of that, new experiences can be scary, which is why training on a plane and train are important before we ever go on big trips. A ship is of course a new beast if it were very rocky, but our thoughts are that everything else would follow all other training to a T.

 

Being a dog, accidents also can happen. The post about a dog pooping on the carpet and him just walking away is appalling, and a service owner would absolutely be paying attention to this (service dogs usually are trained to go to the bathroom on command and we're diligent about it). That being said, we've had times that it has happened because the dog was usually sick and we didn't have advance warning. It's incredibly embarrassing for the owner, but we do our best to find a staff member to assist and clean what we can. Walking away is one thing, but I'd hate to feel more ashamed because someone thinks the dog isn't truly providing a service for someone with a disability because of an accident. For those individuals reading that DO have service dogs, we were assured that a potty area would be set up for our dog in a common area, or even on our balcony.

 

Lastly, fake service animals are a huge hindrance to service dog handlers too! While service dogs are specially trained for public access and to act on their best manners, a fake service dog not being handled properly and being allowed to bark or even run up to a service animal can be incredibly dangerous and always troublesome. When a dog and even humans (trying to pet a dog that works or trying to get their attention) distract a dog, it can be dangerous for the owner who (in our case) may be using the dog for mobility issues or (in possibly even more dangerous ways) for medical alert.

 

All in all, it's frustrating for us and scary going on a cruise for the first time with our service dog, but I'm hoping our experience sets a standard for how dogs should behave when working on a trip like this.

There is a great post on the disabled cruising board you might find useful. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=585728

Thanks. Didn't think it was that long. Will talk with our Humira nurse about it.

 

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Good luck and enjoy your trip. I don’t know if you know this, but Humira now has a citric acid free version available in the US. No more burning!

My DD started Humira (injector pen) a few months ago, and will need a dose on our Jan 2019 cruise (if she's still on it). I'm debating if we need to ask for a medical refrigerator -- it will only be the 1 dose, but it won't be given until 5 days in, and I'm not sure if the room fridge will be cold enough. Some people say they're only cooling, but on Adventure in May, any food/drinks we kept in there seemed cold enough.

My daughter takes Humira. It can be stored at room temperature (77 degrees) for up to 14 days, with protection from lifht. You cannot refrigerate it after its warmed. If you contact Humira, they can send a travel pouch.

A couple of years ago, we did a tour thru Jamaica Culinary Tours. It is a walking tour around Falmouth, lasting about 3 1/2 hours long, and sampling food from about 6 different vendors. It was a great tour, but very hot, at least the day we did it. And we were very full by the time we finished at the owners home with some desserts. Got to see a lot around the area, and with the group, felt very safe walking around there. Highly recommend!

We did the culinary tour last month. It was our favorite port and excursion on our cruise.

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Boarding for Bell is around $20 a day, but we have neighbors that watch her for free.

 

Truth be told, I wouldn't want the responsibility and work to bring her along. So I really can't believe it's to save boarding fees.

 

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My understanding is countries have various requirements of veterinarian certificates, vaccinations, etc. It is a lot of extra work to take a dog to ports. Only if I had a necessary service dog would I want to mess with that. My friend often boards her guide dog with the training organization rather than subject her to the stresses of travel as long as she’s traveling with family.

Then laws need to be changed. That is ridiculous. It's as ridiculous as the "large" people that get a handicap sticker so they can park in front of Walmart then ride around in their "large" cart to buy more food with their EBT cards.

Wow. It’s also as ridiculous as ignorance and prejudice.

Signed someone with RA since childhood, who doesn’t rely on assistance, and has a handicapped parking permit. People with these attitudes are the reason I put off getting a permit for so long, even though going to the grocery store can be the cause of great pain some days.

It’s a sad that people take things for granted. Those people should be grateful that they can walk and not abuse the resources.

 

My former boss’ brother was disable. It took the entire family to care for him for many years. I remember he often said to us “it’s a wonderful thing to be normal.”

 

Only those who have disabled loved ones understand. Simple thing such as ability to walk, to speak or to take care for self seems like a normal thing for many, but for some, it’s impossible.

 

Life is too short. Be thankful of what we have.

Getting to a gate on time is difficult for some folks with health issues that impede their mobility. Once at destination, they won’t be rushed on their way out of the airport. I don’t use wheelchair assistance but sometimes use early boarding. I have Juvenile RA and while walking is best to keep me from getting too stiff in my joints, I don’t like to slow others down during their boarding process. And being bumped by fellow passengers is painful when travel days are already difficult on me. On some trips I can charge through O’Hare with the best of them, while on others, I flag down an electric cart that gives rides people with disabilities. My feet will feel like 100 legos are in each shoe and the shoe is made of concrete. I will gladly trade my condition with anyone who passes judgment.

I hope people are patient and stop judging if someone’s disability is not easily seen. After all, disability is the one discriminated class anyone can join at any time. Appreciate your health, but if others’ health concerns you so much, find empathy instead of judgment.

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Nice, was it your first cruise with NCL? This was our first NCL cruise.

 

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Yes. We also had some kind of treat in our room daily as a gift from the hotel director. I attributed that to attending the CC meet and mingle.

We were on NCL Breakaway just after our anniversary last year. I had flowers and chocolate covered strawberries in the room waiting for us when we entered but I paid for that, nothing free. It was a really nice way to start the cruise though. Gonna do the same thing this September on Anthem. Gonna order in September. Cruise is September 28.

 

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NCL gave us a small cake for our anniversary.

I do not understand paying for wifi. What ways will you use it? first time cruiser.

My husband is enrolled in a post graduate online program and his assignments don't stop on vacation. We wouldn't get wifi otherwise, but he needs it on our upcoming cruise.

You can put down cash. Details are here: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/details.do?pagename=frequently_asked_questions&faqId=265&faqSubjectId=337

I would contact the Special Needs department. You may be able to request a deep cleaning of the cabin between passengers as an accommodation. I think a small HEPA filter is a good suggestion, too.

Many beaches have beach wheelchairs that can be pushed in sand (unlike a regular chair) available, so when choosing destinations, that's something to consider. The Getaway is a very accessible ship, save the narrow corridors by the rooms. It even has automatic doors on accessible cabins. I agree to contact NCL and see if you can be moved to an accessible cabin. It will make cruising better as the bathroom will be accessible for her.

I once came across a great website by google search for cruising for wheelchair users. It had recommendations for excursion vendors that had WC vans, reviews of specific ports for accessibility, and other great suggestions. Good luck and I think a trip would be good for you both after her rehabiliation. It's a tough transition.

I saw this post below, it might also be helpful http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2274019

Farts, thank you for correcting me. I did intend to state controlled substances, not Schedule 1.

Anyway, I suppose the answer to this is to check with your pharmacist and physician.

When staying state-side, you can travel with most medications in a pill organizer. Narcotics and Schedule 1 drugs need to be in prescription bottles. My pharmacist prints me a list of my medications when I travel and I carry them in a pill organizer.

I have heard this several times and I must admit I find it almost impossible to believe.

 

Aren't most, if not all, true service animals trained and provided by organizations and normally at no cost to the individual? I know that was true of the 5 people I have known over the course of my life that had service animals. When the animal is trained, it would cost maybe a couple of dollars to print a certification page and have it signed by both the trainer and someone from the organization. Then that document is handed to the recipient when they receive the animal.

 

What am I missing? Not trying to be a smarta##...it's an honest question.

Here is a link from the government that is an FAQ on Service Animals and the ADA. It answers most of the questions in this thread. I recommend people to go to the source when in doubt. https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html

The statement that I have highlighted in red of yours, I would need more proof from agencies that do the training as to whether it is accurate. To me, a true service dog who can aide their master with a health issue, is NEVER not performing their job of vigilance -- or the life of their master would be at risk at that time. They are always a dog, and they are always "at work" they are never 'off the clock' so to speak.

My work speciality area is disability focused. I have worked with people who have service animals. The difference between a dog on duty and that same dog who has been "released" can be incredible. I know one guide dog that as soon as her harness was removed turned into the world's most playful puppy, but with the harness she was intently focused on her master and her job.

As for proof from agencies, that is against the ADA. Some people train their own service dogs or pay a private trainer to train. This way they are covered by the law.

People traveling to other countries with service dogs still have to meet the requirements of each country. They have to get USDA forms completed. It's not an easy process and many will choose not to travel with their service dogs. Heat is a difficult on the dogs, as is hot pavement. If you are curious, there is a great thread on the Disabilities Board titled something to the effect of Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Cruising With a Service Dog.

Yes, they have a water package. You can get a case of Evian in your stateroom. Most of the drink packagess also include bottled water. We've also been able to bring a case of water on board. We put a luggage tag on it and it was brought to our room with our luggage.

 

I've read posts that certain ports have enforced it more than others.

Thank you.

Is it okay if I piggy back a question?

Can anyone tell me if RCI sells a bottled water package. I swelled up badly on our last cruise, despite eating low sodium foods and drinking lots of water. I think it's from the desalinated water retaining more salt than I can handle. Since I consumed a lot of water on the ship, I may have caused the extra swelling myself. I'd rather bring or pay for bottled water over a prescription for water pills.