Solosailing

Think we were really affected by severity of the minority but serious issues of some passengers. Also agree there were several people who were shocked how cold it was in Norway in December! Hearing comments like ‘ gosh it’s icy and snowing here ‘ like it should have been 24 degrees! Even when clear safety advice was given not to go outside on deck people ignored it then complained it was slippery when they didn’t read or listen to anything they were told!  There were some lovely people but it had its moments which were unpleasant and unfortunately due to inconsiderate people who obviously wouldn’t have a clue how serious it could have been if their relatives needs hadn’t been met somehow by the staff who had to do far more than they should have done to ensure these people were safe and secure in the ship especially on port days plus obtaining food etc as they didn’t have a clue what to do or where to go ! As I said even on the last morning we were showing people where to go for breakfast and they were so thankful as they said they had no clue about where to obtain any food. We had seethem every day so they weren’t just from their cabin all week as some were ! There was a lady whose family member needed high level care who wanted to be ‘first ‘ to receive any services available to them - she needed respite not a holiday without any assistance whatsoever. She looked miserable and stressed but if you spoke with her she just shrugged and went away. There was a very lovely couple who had cruised for most their lives and the husband broke down in tears one day saying he couldn’t cope with his wife’s needs anymore and this would be their last holiday. If I was working I would have been extremely concerned about them being there as she could not stand safely and there was some problems with safety issues at sea on occasions slightly stormy etc even staff were struggling with their mobility too ! I will be so happy not to have half the issues next time and will do everything to avoid this level of concern about everything we witnessed [ & saga staff stated was not uncommon for them to be faced with actually!!] next time. Age is irrelevant. Age isn’t linked to all disabilities and I have 15 conditions myself and mobility impairment too ! I will remember that your experience seems to be more of the normal SAGA experience and hopefully yes this will all be ok next time. Thanks for possibly reassurance that you all think its never an issue. We definitely had one and I will repeat SAGA stated it’s not uncommon to experience such issues on their holidays nowadays sadly. 

It’s extremely sad, relations are obviously uneducated about risks sending someone so vulnerable on a ship [ or anywhere else where they are unfamiliar with their surroundings for that matter!] its a difficult situation but SAGA will take anything that is a genuine concern for welfare of a passenger seriously. We just went to reception and requested calmly to speak with someone asap. The reception staff were extremely helpful and already aware of some parts of the situation with one of the ladies. I don’t think they will be cruising again. The numbers of people who struggled with mobility were high but I am one too. Age isn’t anything about disabilities but its how capable you are safely moving and coping with everything a cruise liner will bring to you next! 

I sincerely hope next time is a better mixture and less stressful for parts of the weeks anyway! 

I don’t understand why people would assume their relations would be safe at sea when they are so confused and clearly need constant care and support. One lunch time we had a lady trying to get me to go ‘over there’ to the shops and she was clearly very unwell. We encouraged her to sit down and eat something and eventually she forgot about shopping for a while. She had no idea we were on holiday and was quite distressed when we had finished lunch because we were all going off to do other things and she had no clue what she should do or where she should/could go. I went and got help for her but the staff Sid it wasn’t their job to do so. Extremely sad and made me feel horrible leaving her . I avoided this happening by changing seats and looking the other way if she was heading towards me again- i was there for myself and desperately needed a total rest. I didn’t need to be responsible for strangers whose needs were extremely high and unresolved all week. 

Hopefully SAGA listen to feedback and we did a good enough job in providing plenty of that ! 

Thanks 

1 hour ago, lincslady said:

I do think Solosailing's story is untypical, certainly of any of the 6 or so Saga cruises I have been on.  There have been a few on board with some physical difficulties, and one or two - always with a companion looking after them - who were beginning to have memory loss, but nothing like this.

 

Please do not be put off,  I would be surprised if the atmosphere on the Spirits is anything like this.

The staff told us it’s getting harder each year as relatives think they can book and send Mummy off to sea and they get a break from whatever is happening usually at home. There were some lovely friendly people but sadly these few who were extremely incapacitated and unable to understand very much at all as indicated already [ and 100% the truth too thanks very much for *possibly doubting that ]  indicated. 

We were advised to almost ignore these people and the staff did their best to deal with the ongoing regular issues caused throughout each day and night. Wandering is quite common in people with dementia and how any relation could possibly have thought a sea holiday alone would be safe or suitable goodness alone knows. 

I will look forward to my next holiday with Saga but we all know age related incapacity is not going away and there will be a % who will struggle more on the larger ships. Some people on the holiday I was on in December do back to back cruising and never ever leave the ship ! Some evidently never leave their cabins and cope with cabin service and just sit in their chairs and sail wherever we are going but they never ever really know- those facts came from other passengers who know them plus staff confirmed this does always happen each cruise too ! 

Thanks and enjoy your holidays ! 

19 minutes ago, cinnamon said:

Gosh I certainly hope it’s not like an expensive Care Home!  😮

Our first Saga cruise is in a month. At 67 and 74 we decided we were ready to try Saga and the beautiful new ship. If it feels like a Care Home it would be the last!

Unfortunately yes elements of situation definitely are ‘care home’ related ! Maybe bad experience but definitely I’m in younger end of Saga age range and some people were ‘sent’ on holiday by relatives and couldn’t manage or even understand where they were never mind cope with doing anything. That saddened myself and many others, did have impact on various things and staff did their best but it is not a care setting and nobody should be allowed to be there unless capable of sorting themselves out. Even on the final morning we were showing people where to go for their breakfast as they cannot remember or anything else. We had one lady as we were waiting to get off the ship asking people when her holiday would start as she hadn’t been anywhere yet. Extremely difficult, concerning and could have been disastrous if any of them had got off the ship with no coat or shoes [ as one lady tried to do !] in Oslo in December! She would not have survived. Enjoy your holiday! 

Whilst mostly people were very elderly and infirm there were people who would be able and look forward to ice skating too. Why would people assume it’s always an expensive care home setting? People are on holiday and if they enjoy ice skating then what a great experience! Hopefully they’ll have a great time too ! 

This maybe helpful? https://travel.saga.co.uk/cruises/ocean/the-saga-experience/what-to-wear.aspx

5 hours ago, readingfast said:

Some advice please, about formal evenings.

Our first Saga cruise and after 50 years of wearing suits, my husband refuses to wear a suit, or jacket. 

Will he have to wear a sports jacket for a formal evening?

Also, will I be able to wear white trousers & a top or does it have to be a dress?

Many thanks

Something smart. Think if go in less formal dining areas will do fine sports jacket and definitely smart trousers are 100% acceptable for ladies. Personally lots people preferred being very well dressed but smart enough and who will actually remember what you wore when ?  You dont have go in Captains cocktail party or have official pictures taken. You paid - you choose about that stuff!  Enjoy your holiday and also remember over 7 nights there are 2 of these formal evening events!  Where /when is your holiday? 

Hope you have good time. Definitely SAGA worked extremely hard to make birthdays special when we were away before Christmas. They sang some songs and gave the person a cake after their evening meal. Enjoy and happy birthday too ! 

Do whatever you like! Make sure you know what time the muster drill will be and remember this is compulsory for everyone! Enjoy everything about your holiday!