DisabledSeawoman

Hi All, This is my first time cruising and I’m hoping for some help before I know I’m doing the right thing. Virgin have sent out an email with an offer to trade 80,000 frequent for the cruise Melbourne to Hobart Jan 27, 2024 - 1 Feb, 2024. A$3824 I think this is US $ so it will be more expensive for again for us. I need to confirm that the cabin is fully accessible for an electric wheelchair as I’m taking my mother and she can’t push my usual wheelchair. I’ll have time to train my Service Dog to toilet in the box so that should be ok… Is it a good idea to use my points? I only just found out that bloody Qantas stopped rolling over our points and I lost over 50K so I don’t want that to happen again. is there anything ive missed please?

Hi All, This is my first time cruising and I’m hoping for some help before I know I’m doing the right thing. Virgin have sent out an email with an offer to trade 80,000 frequent for the cruise Jan 27, 2024 - 1 Feb, 2024. A$3824 I think this is US $ so it will be more expensive for again for us. I need to confirm that the cabin is fully accessible for an electric wheelchair as I’m taking my mother and she can’t push my usual wheelchair. I’ll have time to train my Service Dog to toilet in the box so that should be ok… Is it a good idea to use my points? I only just found out that bloody Qantas stopped rolling over our points and I lost over 50K so I don’t want that to happen again. is there anything ive missed please?

Yep totally get it. It’s tough., especially when the weather makes your condition worse. How can you explain THAT to people in a queue?! That’s why I avoid the entire indignity of it and make arrangements before hand, or get a friend/ support worker to go to the front of the queue and advocate with my medical evidence. It’s not worth being sick for 2 days of your cruise.

Orthostatic Intolerance? POTS? If you are seeing a cardiologist or neurologist for care and have a diagnosis, then you are well within your rights to request special accommodations. I would be providing a letter from your doctor to the cruise liner prior to departure so that you discuss any appropriate accommodations. I have POTS, and personally, I don’t feel the need to “push in”, but if a chair could be placed in the shade, at check in, I would happily wait until it would have been my turn should I have been able to stand in the queue. I do this whenever I have to queue. People are understanding once the realise that you don’t want jump the queue, your body’s thermostat just doesn’t work properly!

That’s brilliant thanks! The accessible cabin sounds better as I can’t use steps at all. Will look out for your video 👍

Thanks for the accessibility info. Although I’m not “wheelchair bound” I’ve just been assessed for my first electric wheelchair. I will definitely need it getting around the ship, but will only use in-cabin if really struggling. My elderly mother is my carer and will be sharing the cabin. We both have spinal damage and I’m wondering if bending over in the bathroom will be too much. Maybe we should go for semi accessible in an extra large cabin instead of the fully accessible cabin even though I’ll have a wheelchair/scooter. Any advice? I’ve never been on a cruise!