WoodsDrive

My mom and I sailed the Ncl Getaway. She was I'm balcony accessible cabin 12886. It's huge..over 400 sq feet. There is a roll in shower. You can request a raised toilet seat. The access coordinator on board is excellent. Please complete the access form prior to your trip to let Ncl aware of your needs. They also have a dedicated department you can call prior to your trip.

 

The lowest cabin deck has extra wide hallways.

 

Stay calm and have a great time.

I agree. Here is NCL's info for their access office. http://www.ncl.com/about/accessible-cruising

I am very appreciative of your review and keep checking each day for more. It's been very helpful for this first time cruiser and it's making me more excited for our Getaway cruise in May.

We are going on NCL Breakaway at the end of March. Do they have a formal dinner? If so, can we opt out? Is room service free?

 

. :)

I'm a first time cruiser going in May, but on NCL's Getaway. Room Service is included in your fare, but you should tip a few dollars. Pizza via room service is a $5 charge.

Hello WoodsDrive,

 

If you are going from Miami Airport to Hampton Inn at Brickell (there may be other Hampton Inns), then you are in luck, because it couldn't be easier and I have just tested that it works fine.

 

At Miami Airport itself you look for the MIA Mover, which is basically a free shuttle tram that runs back and forth to Central Station, where the Car Rental Centre is also located. At Central Station look for the Metrorail line and buy a $2.25 ticket from the machine. Staff are on hand to help.

 

Board the train in the rearmost coach and alight after seven stops at Brickell Station. As you exit the train the elevator is right there and takes you to street level. On exit make an about turn and head back up that road for about a hundred yards. Watch for the hotel accross the street.

 

Regards,

megacruiser

 

That's perfect information. We are staying at the Hampton Inn. Thank you for your help.

OP, read this thread and book the accessible cabin since you do have a need for some of the accommodations. Otherwise, someone without a need might.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2171714

I state it is a tough call. My comments are based on the very limited number of accessible cabins.

It would be great if all lines offered cabins with modifications for those who do not need the wheelchair accommodations.

it's a tough call. These cabins are extremely limited, and frankly maybe a priority should be given to wheelchair dependent non ambulatory passengers. These passenger really need an accessible cabin, with the alternative being they may not be able to go.

 

The regular cabins I have been in this past year, many did have grab bars, which is a plus.

Except that the accommodations made in accessible cabins are not only for those who need a wheelchair. The cabins also accommodate vision and hearing disabilities, those who cannot open doors easily, those who cannot lift legs over tubs/shower lips, etc. Disabilities come in many forms and many are not obvious. I cannot turn traditional door knobs many sink faucets are difficult to operate. I don't look like I have disability, yet my health condition is very disabling at times.

What's wrong with using the term 'handicap'? We use it interchangeably with 'disabled', 'differently-abled'. The tag on our van is a handicapped parking tag.

There are varying stories of the origins of the word handicap. Most disability advocates strongly discourage using handicap because they believe the word is rooted in "hand in cap" as in begging. Advocates work hard for persons with disabilities to be seen as equal and not less than those without disabilities. I have worked in disability advocacy and use the phrase "person with a disability" because it puts the person first and disability second.

I hope that helps explain.

I do not use a walker or scooter. However, I do have handicaps that are not as obvious. For example, I have a very hard time with steps and long walks are hard for me. I generally use the handicapped facilities if available. I do not want to take a handicapped cabin from someone who needs one much more than me but the bathroom alone would be a great help to me. Am I being selfish if I request a handicapped cabin?

I am in the same boat. I have RA and have days where I can walk for miles and other days were I can't step over a tub. I just never know what kind of day today will be and tomorrow can be totally opposite. I requested an accessible cabin because I do much better using an ADA height toilet and shower with seat and grab bars. When I made my reservation, I explained my needs to the PCC and he got the accessible cabin approved while on the phone.

Well, our cruise is next month, so I can't help you with the current state of their coffee, but I will say that if we weren't in a suite, I'd probably be bringing my own French press and our favorite coffee. There was a recent post about the downgrade in their teabags, so I wonder if the coffee quality will follow?

 

I have a small, personal size French press that I sometimes travel with. I bought it from Starbucks, and it's about 16 ounces and is all metal, quite durable, and doubles as a travel mug. I love it, works great. I'm sure you can find them online, and they aren't bulky and are easy to clean.

 

Just my two cents, from a fellow coffee lover.

Great idea. My hubby must have his coffee each morning. I bought him one of those Starbucks presses a couple of years ago when he complained about the coffee at work. I will make sure he packs it with some coffee for our cruise.

 

 

Before buying a ticket I had to check first that I would not have to carry my luggage down stairs when I got there; but was assured by the helpful and very-visible staff that all stations had elevator access.

 

The cost of the Metrorail train is $2.25. It felt very safe and was fairly busy but not crowded.

 

 

Brickell is seven stops and just over 15 minutes away from the airport.

 

 

 

 

We are considering taking the Metrorail to Hampton from the airport. Is there an easy walking route from the main airport to the station or buses that run between the airport and train station? If not, I wonder if it would be possible to take a car rental shuttle?

NCL has an accessibility office. I recommend contacting it and asking your questions. They have some requirements for oxygen. You may also be able to get an accessible cabin which would have enough room for your scooter.

Thank you, I was even considering changing the passenger and bringing my son, same name ironically, but not sure if that would incur fees...I can travel alone, but it would be more fun with a buddy!

Call and ask the cruise line. You may be able to transfer the fare.

Because you are traveling with injectables, you might want to bring a letter stating that carrying these supplies with you is a medical necessity, on your physician's letterhead, with his/her signature.

 

Make sure you have the "original containers" with the Rx labels.

 

If you need to take a smaller quantity than might have arrived in some jumbo 3-month supply container, ask the pharmacy for smaller bottles, with the SAME "original" labels, using the smallest bottle that would fit the quantity needed for the length of your cruise.

 

And always take a few days' worth extra, in case of delays.

 

GeezerCouple

I plan to include the RX label off the box for my injectible and keep it in the cold bag provided by the manufacturer of the drug for travel. It has my physician information on it. It's a prefilled injector pen prelabeled with the brand name, dosage, etc.--much like an epi-pen. I spoke with my pharmacist who recommended keeping my meds in their bottles for travel. I'm going to keep older bottles and only take what I need plus a few days, just in case we get delayed.

3 Months and 3 days!

Congratulations on the cruise!

 

I also have RA, and am sailing on the Getaway next month, though in a different cabin style.

 

I don't ever bring ice packs, just a bunch of Ziploc bags that I double bag and put ice in and wrap with a towel.

 

I also travel with a heating pad. Make sure you.bring an extension cord, so you.are not.stuck sitting at desk.

 

I haven't had any luck getting a medical refrigerator for room, I was told I would need to.store meds in Medical Center.

 

I do not use a wheelchair, but do travel with a folding cane, ace bandages and braces.

 

I haven't ever had an issue with meds and TSA, but if you travel with narcotics, bring a med list signed by your doc just in case you got.stuck in a foreign country.

 

I travel a fair amount and these are the things I could think of tonight

Your tips are very helpful, so that you so much. I will be traveling with an injectable (Enbrel) that should be refrigerated. I did see on the NCL accommodations forms that they ask if you are traveling with shots and/or need refrigeration. I don't know how I feel about my very expensive drug being kept in the medical clinic away from where I can check that it's there. I will be sure to bring an extension cord with my heating pad and bags to make ice packs. I'll also pack my splits, just in case.

Thanks again. It's nice to get feedback from someone who deals with the same unpredictable disease. I've been improving a lot since I started Enbrel last month, so here's to continued improvement and a great summer.

WoodsDrive, not sure if you ever got any answers to your questions. I found that putting NCL accessible cabins into a Google search yielded several photos. One of them was an ocean view. If your wheelchair is small/lightweight such as a collapsible travel or transfer chair you would be better off to have it with you. A flare is no fun, and if the chair would make a difference in being able to enjoy the trip if you do have a flare then why not take it? We have two daughters with mitochondrial disease and we have learned to make plans that include contingencies for the disease effects.

 

We have not been on a cruise with our travel chair which weighs only 19 pounds. However, we have flown from Kansas City to Boston on Southwest. They will stow the folded up travel chair at the back of the cabin. So we never had to worry about it being tossed around in the cargo hold. Only had to wait until other passengers got off first then cabin attendants would bring the chair to us. Another plus flying on SWA was being able to board first because we were traveling with a wheelchair. (Legitimately of course.)

 

Sorry to blather on so! Hope you have a wonderful anniversary trip!

Thanks for your response. I am still undecided on the chair, but will pack a folding cane just in case. I did find some pictures via Google and saw the forward cabin on the level below had a window seat.

Thanks for the wishes. We are very excited.

OP I have always found more robust policies from third party insurers and use http://www.insuremytrip.com to find our policy. Our last policy cost $33 a person (purchased 15 months before the cruise). I normally buy travel insurance for two things 1) medical coverage and 2) medevac coverage. While my medical plan does provide coverage overseas it only provides coverage for participating providers and the last thing I want to do is to have to find someone that accepts my plan. Medevac's are expensive, $25k or more. I don't have that kind of cash hanging around. Since a comprehensive policy is not much more than one that covers medical/medevac I just buy one of those. It is nice knowing that if we miss the cruise for some reason we will get most of our money back which would enable us to book another cruise sooner.

I found a policy on insuremytrip.com. I have autoimmune arthritis and didn't want to risk having to be evacuated or out the money if we cancel our trip if I flared too badly.

I take immune suppressant drugs and I am not overly concerned about norovirus. I wash my hands often, don't eat at buffets, and try not to worry. I plan to do same on my cruise in May. May is low risk for Noro, there's another thing in my favor.

Sailing with hubby for our anniversary. We chose the UDP since neither of us has more than 2 drinks in a week.

Working in the health field, I've learned to always ask for a straw with my drinks, load up on Airborne or Emergen & put a little Neosporene in each nostril while flying. Being in an airplane for a few hours & having your immune system weakened from the stress of traveling are perfect conditions for a cold (or worse). And you KNOW someone on your flight probably has a fever! 'Keep it to yourself', is what I say. Safe travels 🐳

Thank you. Your tips are what I need as I take immune suppressant drugs for RA. I can't take any immune boosters, but am preparing myself for efforts that will best protect me from getting sick.

Was on Getaway with DW in September. Here's a few things I learned/experienced:

 

- When you first get on the ship, don't run to the buffet with the hordes. It is going to be very crowded for the first couple hours. Head over to O'Sheehans, it was almost empty for us around 12 - 12:30 the first day.

 

- If you do the Illusionarium, pay for the premium seating. I didn't, and even though I enjoyed the show, I wish I would've.

 

- THE GRILLED PINEAPPLE AT MODERNO. SWEET BABY JESUS IS IT GOOD

 

- Crepes in the Garden Cafe. I believe they are available during any dinner serving (6-9 or thereabouts). Go there. Get them. In case you can't tell we ate a lot :)

 

- Go to Howl at the Moon. The most fun onboard.

 

 

She is a beautiful ship with so much to offer. Enjoy!!

Great suggestions. Thank you. DH plays piano, so Howl at the Moon is a must for us.

As for lunch the first day, I thought I read somewhere on CC that Cagney's serves lunch that day. Is that correct?

We are planning on the Illusionarium the first night since it's included with UDP that night.

I get to do all of the research and then sit down with DH to figure out what we will do each day. I'm the planner, he just wants me to tell him what do to. It's the perfect marriage. :D

Does your Husband drink? The Dining package is worth about $15 dollars a day per person ($30 total a day). Drinks range from about 6-10 dollars with the gratuity each. if you husband like to have even 5 beers a day while on vacation (More like 4 if he drinks mixed drinks or wine) then the UBP is still the better deal. You can get the UBP for free ($62 per person a day after gratuity) and simply add the UDP if you want. That would be my suggestion if your Husband likes to have a few drinks a day. It will also let you get Virgin drinks and smoothies. Either way you will have a great time!! Enjoy!!

 

6&8

If he drank it would be a good deal. If he has more than one glass of wine in a week, it's a lot. He likes to say that he got all of his drinking done between 18 & 19.

Thank you both. I appreciate your help.

My hubby and I are booked on the Getaway May 23, 2015 sailing for our first cruise to St. Thomas, St. Maartin, and Nassau. We opted for the UDP since I can't drink. To say I am excited is an understatement. This will be our first big trip without kids. Due to my health issues, we were booked into an accessible cabin (13700).

I can't say how much I appreciate reading the tips and advice here on CC. I have started a notebook to keep track of everything. I'd appreciate any and all ideas of things we must do.

Thank you.