TirNaNog

I never used to have any problems with motion sickness, but as a result of taking oral chemo, I seem to have developed a sensitivity. The last couple of ocean cruises resulted in my having a limited appetite and incurring as much as a ten pound weight loss. I always have had an interest in river cruising and wonder if that provides a smoother ride that lessens the chance of motion sickness..

I am a cruiser with cancer and would like to respond from that perspective. I was diagnosed with Stage IV Kidney Cancer at the beginning of 2009 and given a 6-18 month prognosis. In that time, after surgery to remove the primary tumor and other cancerous tissue (I still have mets to the Liver and Lungs)' I have been treated at Dana Farber in Boston. I am not in remission, but the Cancer is held in check with treatments, most of them new in the last 5-8 years.

I have taken a number of cruises and have enjoyed them even when dealing with the side effects of treatment and the effects of the cancer itself. One of my more challenging issues on cruises is nausea and appetite loss. On my last cruise, a partial transit of the Panama Canal ending December 12, I was particularly bothered by these factors and lost ten pounds. I had never been bothered by sea sickness before cancer but the boat's motion apparently increases the nausea etc. I generally experience on land. So, you will want to consider what symptoms or medication side effects your father experiences that could be harder to deal with on a ship, either because the ship's motion aggravates them or they are just harder to deal with in the confines of a ship.

As far as destinations go, Bermuda is great, especially if it brings back fond memories for your Dad. However, unless yor Dad is intent on a cruise, you may want to consider flying into Bermuda and staying in one of the great seaside hotels/resorts. I particularly like the Pompano Beach Club, but check through Trip Advisor to find the right spot for your family. It is a short hop from Boston and then you spend all your time at the spot you pick where your father can relax watching the family play on the beach or at the pool. The rooms on land are most likely to provide you more space than on a cruise ship. That may be helpful particularly if you father ends up having to spend more time in the room.

I strongly recommend trip insurance. Check around with various insurers, some of which will provide a certain level of coverage for pre-existing illnesses, with certain conditions such as the illness did not prevent travel at the time the trip was planned and insurance purchased, but the coverage has to be purchase within a short time of when the reservations are made. Some insurers will require an added payment for pre existing coverage. I have used Travel Guard, but shop around.

I also strongly recommend a letter from your Dad's doctor. I take a letter every trip, land or sea. The letter states that the doctor is treating me for Stage IV Kidney Cancer, states the side effects etc. that most impact me and identifies my medications Rx and over the counter. Because of the amount of medicatios, the doctor refers to an attached list. The letter also states that there is nothing in my condition that prevents me from traveling. In addition, the letter states that should any emergency arise I should be stabilized and transported to Dana Farber/Brigham and Women's as soon as possible. You can check with your doctor to see if that is required or preferred for your Dad. This possibility is one of the reasons why trip insurance that covers his pre existing conditions is so important to ensure the costly transport back to the States is covered.

Whether you cruise or fly, going to Bermuda provides an opportunity for your family to create and share a great memory. Even with the challenges of traveling with cancer you will have a great time knowing you are fulfilling one of your father's wishes. I have had the opportunity to complete a number of trips since being diagnosed. I always remember how great the trips have been and rarely remember any of the challenges. Enjoy this time with your family and your Dad.

Thank you. I did not see anything mentioned about a truckers' protest when I looked at the link.

I just tried to reserve a Jeep through More4Less for December 4, 2014. They were out of inventory for that day and referred me to Richie Car Rental, who waits by the pier. Anyone have any experience of information about Richie Car Rental? Any other suggestions for a jeep for the day?

I read a review on the Princes forum of one of the October partial transit cruises. It was mentioned that in Limon there was some sort of dispute/slow down by truckers that caused traffic delays. Does anyone know if this still is going on? I am trying to decide between taking a Princess vs. independent excursion and am a bit leery of the independent tour if there could be traffic delays.

Often, I experience severe night sweats, perspiring enough sometimes that I dampen the sheets. Would the steward leave us an extra set of sheets in case I needed to lay them over dampened sheets?

I will be on the Coral in December and included in the VS price is the first night in a specialty restaurant. I like the idea of the steak house styled dining, but was unsure about whether all of the Bayou dishes are spicy/hot. Because of a Rx I take, I have become very sensitive to spices with any heat, a mild salsa tastes like a three alarm chili to me. I always loved spicy hot food, but can no longer eat even mildly hot spices. Will I be able to find something good or better yet wonderful to eat in Bayou without encountering any hot spices?

Thanks again for the additional comments.

I have another question about the Crown, but could not post a new thread because the Forum Tools are not working right now with IPads. With a suite, you get dinner in one of the specialty restaurants on the first night. Any suggestions as to whether Bayou or Sabatini's on Coral is better? Because of the chemo I am on, I am sensitive to hot spicy foods. Are there mild selections in the Bayou? Thanks in advance for any help.

Thanks for the information. Although I was focused on the ship and cabin when I first posted, any info on the ports would be appreciated. I already have booked the ferry trip through the rest of the canal for the day we are in Gatum Lake.

We are booked in a Vista Suite, D704 on the Coral Panama Canal Partial Transit. Any comments, experiences or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Just off the Century and had booked a Sky Suite. The Suite was very nice with an extra large balcony (an S1 category). However, as to the perks, I was advised by the Butler, who was very good, and Guest Services when I took it up with them that on the Century the Sky Suite was not entitled to dinner in the specialty restaurant without an additional charge. I had been told otherwise by the Celebrity rep when I booked the cruise. After some back and forth with Guest Relations the issue was resolved, but it is something to keep in mind.

I have the original IPad and just got a Kindle Paperwhite. I had refused to get a Kindle for years because you could not read in the dark, and I like to read when I go to bed without disturbing DW. I always loaded a bunch of books on the IPad for vacations. However, the IPad was always a problem in the sun. Once I saw the ads for the Kindle Paperwhite, I had to have one. You can read in daylight and at night without any other light. The screen is lit by LEDs around the edge and it looks the same in the dark as it does in sunlight, without disturbing those around you. If all you are looking for is an e reader go for it.

What really grinds my gears are these silly scheduled departure times from ports... This is MY vacation, I should be allowed however much time on an island or port to enjoy MY cruise...without having to worry about the cruiseship departing if I don't get back on time!! I mean really, don't they know who is paying the big bucks to be on their cruiseline??!!

Why not, if we can have Select Dining and eat anytime, how hard can it be to have Select Embarkation at every port? No one should have any need to be faster than the slowest cruiser.