Leelou270

On 3/14/2024 at 7:24 PM, bwgreen said:

On my next trip (beginning of May) I plan to take my rollator that converts to a transfer chair and use a "pusher" from the airport.  I should be able to take it right to the door of the plane, have them stow it, and have it at the door at the other end - if they don't break it!

Hi, I used to do this with the Rollz I had for my late husband. There’s less chance of them damaging what is an expensive piece of equipment. The can use the transfer chair to access airplane seat. Ensure you book assistance at the airport via your airline! They can use their wheelchair and you could walk with the Rollz type convertible folded. I had a bag for it and wheeled alongside. Anything to avoid it been damaged by putting in the hold. Hope this helps 

1 hour ago, lopow said:

I asked a in the Roll Call and this was the only answer:  There is a board for disabled cruisers. Ask there 

 

So, here is a copy of my original post:  Greetings! Since we have never been to England, we are completely lost RE: the best - and economical - way to get from the cruise port to Gatwick Airport. We are staying overnight in Gatwick to catch a direct flight to Boston the following day. Both my husband and I are classified disabled (primarily mobility problems with a couple of other health issues) so we aren't able to walk distances (especially with luggage!) Any recommendations? Thank you in advance.

From my experience of caring for my disabled husband if you book a train ticket you can then quote your booking reference to get assistance all parts of your journey. The service is excellent and free. Just have change ready to tip if you wish. The App is Passenger Assist.   Hope this helps and you travel safely. 

2 minutes ago, Leelou270 said:

Book scenic coach tour to benefit the beauty of the area. 

On 2/7/2024 at 6:59 PM, dianelevene said:

We were on a Caribbean cruise last month and took a good opportunity to book a nice cruise to the Mediterranean on the Holland America Oosterdam. The ports include Athens, Korcula Croatia, Zadar Croatia, Trieste Italy, Hvar Croatia,  Dubrovnik Croatia, Corfu Greece, Sarande Albania, Argostoli Greece, Olympia Greece, and ending back in Athens.  I can walk but not for very long. I plan to rent a scooter to use on the ship in order to reserve my strength for touring.  My question is will I be able to see and do anything that doesn't involve a great deal of walking?  My legs are weak and my overall stamina is fairly low.  I can adjust to seeing a lot less than I used to but I want to know if I will be able to see/do anything much at all?  

Book scenic coach tour to benefit the beauty of the area. 

Brilliant tip. We always hired from Mobility at Sea who need to be made aware of this. 

On 2/27/2024 at 5:35 PM, garnet115 said:

My father is disabled and requires full time help of an aide.  He has always been an avid cruiser and would like to take a trip, bringing his aide with him.  Does anyone know of cruise lines that have adjoining rooms with accessible cabins?  They do not want to share a room, but his aide needs to be in close proximity in case he needs help during the night.  Anyone have experience with this or suggestions?

Very sensible suggestion. Hope the cruise lines take note of this. I travelled with my disabled husband and my brother accompanied to help me care. We shared the large accessible mini suite on Princess and opted for Princess plus benefits. In all the accessible suites we booked when caring for my late husband I never remember any with adjoining door indicating your request. The design of ships is improving for accessibility but it needs to be designed at planning stage by a person in such situation

15 hours ago, kodidog said:

I will be using a walker on the ship and need to know (have searched many online photos and not found the answer yet) where the area is specifically that I will be able to walk to, using the Rollator and get a seat (guessing it would need to be an aisle or side wall in the room.)

As I remember accessible seating as you enter on the top deck of the theatre. 

On 1/29/2024 at 12:03 PM, fluffyclouds said:

For those of you who travel with a rollator, when traveling on a plane have you been able to store the rollator in the cabin of the plane or do you have to gate check it and have it stored in the cargo area during the flight? We are flying on an Embraer 175 which is not a huge plane, but not tiny either. I called the airline, but they are not able to tell me where the rollator will be stored. They just tell me that it is ok to travel with the device.

 

 If you have had to store (gate check) the rollator in the cargo area, do you first cover it with a travel bag or just fold it and store as is?

 

Thank you for any insight or advice you can provide.

For safety I had a bespoke bag made. As boarding the plane they will take it off you. Insist on protecting it and that it will be available immediately you leave the plane. 

You will enjoy Arvia. The pre booking for restaurant can do on the ship I’m sure as we did on Iona. Disembarkation was fine. They didn’t issue coloured tags but just found cases per decks. I found the first week taken up with getting used to the new systems and layout but by the 2nd week I loved it. Loads of deck space and I really liked the deck 8 promenade balcony. Even had a jacuzzi outside my room. Was able to socialise like over the garden gate. 
how fortunate we are to experience different styles of cruise lines and ships. Keep cruising ….  (We did find the lack of choice of drinks and different stock per bar frustrating though)

11 hours ago, Megabear2 said:

Never mind, maybe next time.  I did break cover at breakfast one morning to help three solo travelling ladies who were having insurance problems from a previous P&O cruise when one became very unwell.  Apart from that I stayed pretty much incognito although a lady I'd dined with on my WC in 2019 came rushing up to me at the Coronation Fayre as she recognised the bear, not me mind you! We had a good laugh about that and enjoyed a nice chat. The bear is famous not, it seems, his esteemed travelling companion.

 

I'm glad you enjoyed my all time favourite ship.

It was good to meet you Friday lunch in Britannia and your insurance advice. The disembarkation system of staying in the cabin was seamless, but no doubt a problem for the Housekeeping changeover. (I am from the Hospitality industry aware of the military operation required). Enjoy Aviva. Louise

17 hours ago, CruisingFox27 said:

No facilities onboard for you to iron clothes yourself. You can send items for pressing via the laundry service. This isn't part of the laundry package, you can just send individual items. 

 

I've found wrinkle release spray is excellent or hanging items in the bathroom whilst showering. Everyone is in the same boat, no pun intended and no-one notices a few wrinkles. 

Many thanks for your information. 
Louise 

Leelou270

On 11/6/2022 at 2:55 PM, SirWolf said:

All laundry packages are “Back Home Clean” and can be used throughout the cruise.

MSC has scaled down the services included in laundry packages.

No pressing !

No dry cleaning !

No hangers !

No neatly fold in plastic (shirts) !

We have been made aware of these changes after receiving our clothes back from the ship laundry in a brown paper bag. (Med cruise October 2022 on MSC Grandiosa).

Our Yacht Club butler told us about the changes when he delivered the bag to our cabin and that we have to read the fine print in the description of the package.

All laundry packages are now “Wash, Dry & Fold” only, they used to include dry cleaning, pressing, hangers or fold in plastic.

I marked 2 pairs of pants for dry cleaning on the order sheet and all shirts on hangers. Laundry staff ignored the order sheet and threw everything into the washer. Needless to say that both pairs of pants are ruined. When I pointed out that the clothes look worse after being laundered than before the YC butler gave me the speech to read the fine print and offered that pressing of 2 pieces are included in YC perks.

 

We learned the lesson.. laundry packages are only good for underwear, swim shorts, pajamas and socks.

Dry cleaning, pressing and shirts on hangers are services which can be ordered for a fee.

 

To be fair.. I didn’t read the fine print when I ordered the laundry package and didn’t read the description in the booking confirmation.

I assumed that I will get the same laundry service as on all cruises with MSC in the past.

Unfortunately that was not the case.

 

 

Very useful guidance. Many thanks. Not like Princess Elite perk. But no problem. 
Louise 

Thanks for a very interesting overview of Virtuosa. We are a group of 6 sailing on Sat 12th Nov for 1 week Northern Pearls. Are there facilities to iron/Press clothes? I see you can book a going home laundry package but rather I need items ironing so I don't look like a rag bag!

Thanks for your help in anticipation. There no roll call for our cruise unfortunately.

Louise [Leelou270]

5 hours ago, AgenderArin said:

Hello,

 

I was hoping to get some clarity for the process on getting an accessible cabin on Royal. I currently use a cane, walker, or wheelchair for mobility depending on how I'm doing. Whether I bring all three or leave one behind will depend on what my mobility is closer to the cruise (ex. I currently have a should injury and can't use the chair). When we first booked the cruise, my mobility limitations weren't as severe as they are now and we did not think to try for an accessible room. 

 

I would now like to change to an accessible room to have the option of bringing the chair, but not sure how. I completed the online accessibility form a couple of weeks ago and haven't received any follow-up. Is there anything else I need to do?

 

Thanks for your help,

Arin

Hi, from my experience do organise an accessible stateroom with your travel agent explaining your situation and take all pieces of equipment with you and consider hiring from a specialist agent. Mobility at Sea are specialists serving Southampton and UK departure ports. Be prepared is the moto. 

On 7/7/2022 at 12:04 PM, BJCurwood said:

Hi, I have not been able to find any information about accessibility in the Baltic ports.  Copenhagen, Oslo, Helsinki, Talinn, Visby and Skagen.  I will be using a scooter for the first time so would like to find out if I can use it for independant disembarkation, HOHO buses etc.  Would I need a folding type or would a normal scooter be OK?  

Also I have contacted my travel agent and MSC directly and noone is able to confirm that a scooter can be used in any cabin (not specifically an accessible cabin).  It does state on the MSC website that it is OK if it will fit through the door but just wondering if anyone has direct experience.

Thanks in advance

In answer to your queries from my experience of caring for my disabled husband I found Baltic ports fairly accessible. It needs to be a folding scooter to go into luggage compartment of coach. From cruising different cruise lines they always stipulate require to book accessible stateroom to accommodate the equipment  as not allowed to leave on corridor. Their doorways are 33” as opposed to standard 22’.

enjoy the cruise. 

19 hours ago, Ramblin and Gamblin said:

My mobility limited wife and I just took our first cruise (Alaska) and loved it.  But we also realized we got a bit lucky with a destination that was scooter friendly.  There were no tender ports, towns were easy to navigate, and there were plenty of excursions that could accommodate someone with mobility limitations.  After we booked the cruise, I started reading more and realized that some destinations would have been much more challenging.

 

So, I am looking for recommendations for our next cruise.  What are other destinations that are scooter friendly?  And yes, I know with some work that any destination is possible. But I don't want to work; I am on vacation!  And pushing a wheelchair around, constantly lifting scooters off curbs, etc., is not how I want to spend it.  Plus, my wife likes the independence her scooter provides and doesn't want to rely on me all day.

 

Conversely, are there any places/ports to avoid?

 

Thanks in advance.

We found Norway amazing and stress free as small ports and mobility equipment friendly. 

Read the comments and I am a full time care giver for my disabled husband so fully appreciate the issues. we enjoyed the last cruise Sky Princess in Oct 21 and took my brother as an extra carer to share a club class mini suite to help my husband and give me some respite. We are doing same in July all been well and booked same type of suite which is reasonably suitable. Architects though should step into disability shoes for a day. I have read the suggestion of a portable bed bar and will investigate. The biggest issue for me is the escapades {and laughs!] we had in the disabled toilets as I must attend him. at least they are separate on Princess from the public toilets [ on Celebrity NOT! therein lies other problems] but mainly the doors are too heavy to handle. There was only one on a higher public deck which had sensibly a sliding door- great idea!

On 3/23/2022 at 5:37 PM, lenquixote66 said:

I have Parkinson’s and Spinal Stenosis.Lately I have been feeling very unsteady using my Walker with 2 wheels.My Neurologist suggested a Walker with no wheels and my Physical Therapist suggested a U- Step Neuro Walker which has 5 wheels.

Comments will be greatly appreciated.

Hi, my husband has severe mobility issues and finds zimmers very difficult. He has a Rollz rollator cum wheelchair and see they have specifically designed and advanced model for Parkinsons. Has infra red beam. Look up Rollz mobility. Excellent. 

On 3/23/2022 at 5:37 PM, lenquixote66 said:

I have Parkinson’s and Spinal Stenosis.Lately I have been feeling very unsteady using my Walker with 2 wheels.My Neurologist suggested a Walker with no wheels and my Physical Therapist suggested a U- Step Neuro Walker which has 5 wheels.

Comments will be greatly appreciated.

You will see I have posted details of advising having 2modes. My husband has a Rollz bought specifically for cruise travel as converts from a wheelchair to a rollator and they now have a version designed specifically for Parkinsons 

expendive but a brilliant solid piece of equipment and when split easy to transport. Frame weighs approx 13kg and the seat “bag” about 7 kg. Rollzmobility.co.uk

hope this helps. 

It is always best to have 2 options at least to allow for different circumstances. Mobility at Sea www.mobility at sea.co.uk do a very good hire service for cruises from Southampton. 
we own a Rollz  (Rollz Mobility UK)  which coverts from a wheelchair to a rollator depending on the needs at the time. Ideal for cruising mobility equipment.  

Here is a video of how close they got to shore. Note that the person who posted it mentions that the ship was drug across the bay about 1km.

We were on deck 16 in gym when alarms sounded and when we looked over the ship we were much closer than the video shows!! I had taken photos before 6am with ship anchored in the middle of the bay. Water was lapping on the shoreline and the people on the shore must have been as horrified as us! This video link above shows when the side thrusters were operating to move away from the shallows. An absolute miracle no water ingress! We attended the Captain’s interview in the theatre on 05-05-18. He would make a good politician evading the questions and the truth. Princess cover up. Some serious mistakes were made risking passenger safety. It was not exciting as he described some passengers had described it. It was terrifying. Question whether the Crown Princess should have been in Kotor when a 1.5 hr wait for tugs as he explained?

There is a disabled cruise section on Cruise Critic where I would post this:

 

European:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=-1&f=1025

 

And a general one:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=-1&f=190

 

Keith

Many thanks for the direction to all this useful information.

Leelou279

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You can also try:

 

http://www.specialneedsatsea.com/

 

 

 

Did you book your cabin before you knew that your husband would need a scooter? That presents a problem. 10% of the problem is getting the scooter through the door. 90% of the problem is where you will park it once inside. Many "regular" cabins have no space for this. It cannot be left in the hall or out near stairwells or elevators.

 

 

 

Some posters here continue to give very outdated information regarding scooters. No mass market cruise line will store or charge a scooter for you. Scooters must be stored and charged in your cabin.

Thanks for the information. Yes we booked before his cardiac arrest. Have looked at the measurements and considering buying one within the size criteria. The worst problem as you say will be storing it. Will have to take less shoes!!

Leelou270.

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We are booked on a fly cruise. Assistance has been organised for the flights and transfers. Since booking my husband has been very ill but we are planning on still taking the cruise providing we find means of hiring a mobility scooter and on my husband's health improvement. Princess are unable to advise. http://www.mobility-at-sea.co.uk only provide for Southampton departure cruises. We fly to Rome and return form Barcelona. Can anyone advise on mobility companies that could provide a mobility scooter or give information on how we can solve the problem? Appreciate any help.

Richard & Louise West Yorkshire

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Going on Regal (first Princess cruise!) March 12 on a B2B cruise and have a few questions:

 

 

 

Staying on Emerald deck - what time will I be able to board? (Not an elite member)

 

 

 

Is the crowne grill restaurant as good as it sounds or will steak in the MDR suffice? How much $$ does this restaurant cost?

 

 

 

Any other specialty restaurants worth the extra fees? Which ones and how much is the cost?

 

 

 

Any other tips or advice for this first time Princess cruiser?

 

 

 

Thanks!

Do the Crown Grill. Amazing experience for a special night!