Mindy97

Don't know if it makes a difference now or not, but it isn't "all lumped as one credit on your account" nowadays. If you use the Princess Messeenger App on board to check your stateroom balance, there is a pulldown menu you can use now to see where each chunk of money comes from. It now shows what is refundable and what is not. It was helpful for me, because I found that the credit my TA gives is considered "a gift credit" and therefore refundable. I never knew that.

M.

Yes. I got OBC from a promo for booking (like the twice as nice promo) and I had shareholder OBC and future cruise OBC. It's all lumped as one credit amount on your account, so I don't think they know what you're using for what. Turned out I didn't spend anything other than the OBC on my account and did get back some in cash from the casino (which was more than the total for the shareholder and FCC).

 

Hope this helps.

The Star did fly out of SF last summer, I was on it. Personally I'm glad that if they had to swap it out they choose Grand Princess.

Why? Grand has two things I really like. First, they have Window Suites, including the wondrous handicap accessible F-315. The other thing is that Grand has Alfredos, the sit down, made for you, thin crust pizza restaurant. Would it be better with Caesar Salad? You betcha, but you can get a salad at the International Cafe and bring it over. In any event, it beats having to eat at either the International Cafe or the buffet whenever we are in port.

Color me happy.

M.

The Tea Infusions are all one punch on a coffee card. Or once in a while, not. Anyway, my sister loves the Minty Apple, and I like the Citrus Fruit Spiced Tea, which also has peach in it. Both are really tasty.

Its not all that new, though, we've had these for at least a year, maybe more.

M.

With Southwest the "last on, first off" definitely isn't the rule. I don't see when it goes on, but I know it isn't the first thing off.

M.

I always gate check my scooter. I have never had a problem. The walker was checked to the final destination where it was no longer in my view or control, I won't do that again. I think they take greater care with gate checked items since it's last loaded and first off while you wait for it.

If you are able to exit the ship unassisted by Princess personnel, AND you or someone who accompanies you are able to carry your luggage off, then you are able to sign up for self debarkation. If both of those facts are NOT true, you may not.

If you need Princess assistance on the gangway, even if you provide your own mobility device, you must wait until all the self disembarkation is finished. There is an advantage to this, however, as many of the Princess "pushers" push you parallel to the line, but off to the side, so that you join the line near the front, passing many people along the way.

M.

I'm assuming wheel chairs are able to get off at same time as self debarkation or earlier?

I don't see the "choose four" menu as working to ease crowding, because I think many/most will choose laundry, internet, and either mini bar or coffee cards as three of their four.

M.

I've never been on Emerald, but I think it might be like Crown, which I love. Crown has twp different types of handicap accessible restrooms.

The first is a wide-door stall within a regular restroom. The stall is large enough for a wheelchair to turn, and also has a low sink within it.

The second type is a totally separate, unisex, single stall room. Open the outside door and you are in the restroom. There is a sink in here, too, of course, and it is much bigger than the above type restroom. It is generally near one of the other restrooms. Unfortunately, often it is occupied by people who just want the privacy, as is often the case elsewhere, too (I hate it when I am somewhere and an employee comes out of the HC stall!).

Then there are other restrooms which have no handicap facilities at all. But it seems to me that there is at least one or two HC restrooms on each public floor, and generally one on every or every other level of the atrium.

M.

That sounds great, but they are on the right coast and I'm on the left. And I don't fly that far any more.

But it is good to hear that Princess is moving in the right direction. Mostly.

M.

If you liked the accessibility of the Crown then you should try the Royal or Regal. We don't have issues but we have traveled with DBIL and remember being in the back of the Princess Theater with him. Some of the best seats in the Princess Theater are reserved for wheelchairs with great access in the two new ships. I think every door has an automatic operator and there is access to the Sanctuary without using that lift on the Crown

I've always considered Princess Cruises to be very accessible. Now I'm hearing that the Salty Dog may not be so.

I am physically unable to get onto a high stool to eat. Just not going to happen, for several reasons. I'm sure I'm not the only one. We're going on Crown in December, and I hope they rethink this by then, because I/we were planning to eat there.

i've been on Crown several times, happily, because it it much more accessible than the other (earlier) Princess ships I've been on. I know this doesn't matter to most of you, but how would you like to compete for only six accessible seats, all in the back of the theater, to go see a show? That was my choice before Crown Princess.

I hope Princess is not taking a step backwards. But if I find that they are unable to accommodate me (and I'm really not asking for much, only a "normal" height table to eat from),I'll definitely file a complaint. Hopefully if enough of us do, they will change things.

I'd hate to have to miss Salty Dog. I hope they fix things before we get there.

M.

You don't need to take the TravelScoot apart to get it into a regular cabin, you can just tip it on one wheel and push/pull it through. If that seems difficult, remove the seat and then do it.

M

I'm not sure why you would need a "heavy duty" scooter. I would recommend that you meet with a physical therapist or seating specialist to assess your needs and they can help point you in the direction to meet your needs. I did a significant amount of research and determined that the scooter that best meets my needs is the Travelscoot. It is extremely light weight but will carry someone weighing 300lbs. There are many people in the 400-500 lb. Range that have found this scooter works well for them. I tried out the gogo and it was really neat but was still heavier even when broken down than the travelscoot. The heavest component of the gogo weighs 50 lbs. The heaviest component of the travel scoot is 24 lbs. It also folds down in a way similar to a baby stroller if desired. I love to cruise and I wanted a scooter that I could take with me down the gangplank to the tender in those ports where the port is accessed by tender and many scooters are not allowed in some of the tender situations. I am fortunate that I can walk down the gangway and carry the travelscoot if necessary. Even fully assembled it only weighs 35 lbs. I have been very pleased with my Travelscoot. I also don't have to worry about the doorwidth to a cabin because I can very quickly and easily take it apart. If I prefer not to take it apart I need a clearance width of 24". Again however I can walk just not long distances and I have enough upperbody strength and mobility to pick it up for a short distance.

Another thought on disposing a single needle...

When I go out to eat, or even when I give myself a shot at dinner onboard (I do it under the table), I keep a small tylenol bottle (the kind with the flip top which holds 12 pills) with my syringe. I then remove cap my needle, unscrew it and place it in the small bottle until I can get to a sharps container. You could always do this and take the needle home with you in this fashion, too.

M/

Just wanted to remind you...you play pennies, you win pennies, says the lady from Las Vegas.:)

If you decide to clip needles and dispose of the syringe in the trash, let your room steward know that there will be no needle on it, so he won't be afraid of it. At least I would.

M.

Our trash/recycling company is Republic Services. Putting your sharps in a laundry detergent bottle, then sealing with duct tape when full and putting it in the trash is exactly what they suggest. I looked it up on their website. If it doesn't say on your company's website, then call the trash company. They are much more likely to know than the guy who drives the truck.

M.

I use a insulin pen- so my needles are pretty small and have a plastic

cap over it when I am done. the diabetic educator said to just use a heavy

plastic container like a laundry soap container to put the needles in. when

it is filled they suggest taping it shut and putting it in the trash. I will not

do that. when the time comes I will call the trash dude and ask them what

they want me to do with the container.

I'd ask the room steward for a small sharps box. It is very small in size and the one I saw was not as referenced above.

What do you do with your sharps at home? You might want to get a needle clipper, which costs about $5.-ish at Walgreens and other drug stores, It is about the size of four or five sticks of gum stacked up. You insert the needle in the side, press, and the needle goes into a closed storage area. You can then safely throw the syringe away. You could also carry this easily on trips and vacations. It holds about 500 needles, so it would be a lifetime usage for you.

M.

I always ask at the gangway where the wheelchairs disembark, for it is generally on the lower deck if there are two decks disembarking. If you are at the correct place they will have "helpers" to assist you. On Princess they wear blue vests with the universal handicap symbol on them. If you need to stay on your chair they will help by pushing you off, and put someone in front of you as well if it is a steep downgrade so you won't fall or take off on the pusher. They are very kind and do a good job. It isn't necessary to tip them. In fact, I doubt anybody (but me) does. I do because I've been blessed to be able to afford it and I know what it means to them. Plus I know what it means to me to get the help. But as I say, it isn't necessary, and I'm sure most people don't tip.

But don't worry, as long as it isn't a tender, you'll have plenty of help.

M

I misspoke. If your hearing aids have RF connectivity, they must be placed in "flight mode" or disabled. To place them in flight mode, you must open and close the battery compartment of each aid three times in quick succession (open/close, open/close, open/close), within ten seconds. You must do this to each aid. To return to regular RF mode, you must again open/close once for each aid, but at least a minute after the first setting.

M.

Personal electronic devices such as hearing aids and pacemakers (good thing) are not required to be turn off during the flight. It goes unsaid as to the risk that's the individual is exposed to should a pacemaker be turned off. Specific to hearing aids by being turned off during the flight it poses a safety risk to that individual as they would not be able to hear the announcements should an emergency arise. Many people choose to turn the off as they find the other noises in the cabin disturbing.

 

To the best of my knowledge there are currently no restrictions which will not allow you to wear your hearing aids or cochlear implants on a plane, even with wireless technology. However, if you also use an additional FM assistive listening device, that should be turned off during the flight

As far as I know. they only need to be turned off if they have Bluetooth capabilities, which is not that uncommon these days (Costco ones do, for example).

M.

Never heard (sic) that aids need to be turned off when flying?

 

Anyway, we always carry on the replacement batteries.

:::sigh::: I've never known a person with diabetes who has given their dinner mates advance notice, as you are suggesting. Perhaps someone does, but I've never heard of it. I do, however, have a friend who excuses herself and goes to the restroom shortly after ordering her food, and THAT disgusts me. Besides, how does she estimate how long it will take to get her food? I took a shot after ordering once, and it took an hour to get my food. I ate some bread, not much, cause I don't eat much and wanted my main dish. I finally got the head waiter's assistance so I could get my food.

Say WHAT??? You've got to be kidding me! I don't discuss my medical issues with other people, and even if I did, I certainly wouldn't do so at the dinner table.

I've heard of people who are afraid of needles, but only if they are aimed at themselves, not others. Sounds like your relative has what we call "a personal problem." You can't expect people to live their lives around her problem.

I certainly sympathize with your problem, but I'm still not comfortable with the idea of injections at the table. I imagine you will discuss this with your table mates ahead of time so there will be no surprises. I have a relative who is needle-phobic in the extreme. She would likely take one look and then vomit at the table before passing out. She has a terrible time with doctors, and forget the dentist. Obviously, it's a matter of balancing needs, yours and the other diners. I hope you find a solution that works for everyone.

Mommy,

You have a medical problem, and if other people can't deal with it, well that's their problem. You should never, ever be made to feel that you should use a public restroom to take a shot. I don't care how often they clean them. Aren't there notices all over the place to wash due to anti-Noro protection? And don't you still see people who skip out without doing so?

If you are wearing clothing which is thinner than jeans, it is fine to shoot right through the material if that works for you. Sometimes I have done that. If you are wearing a blouse outside a skirt or pants you can get to your tummy below the table that way, too. Or hit your thigh if you have on a dress. If you are reasonably discreet, no big deal. If the other people at the table question you, just say that you have a medical problem, and leave it at that. Or tell them you have diabetes. If they are uncomfortable, then THEY can ask to move.

Unless you have a good portion of food (app and bread or more) do not shoot. I made that mistake once and the main dish didn't arrive for close to an hour after that. Wasn't the waiter's fault, and he finally had the Maitre 'd get results for him.

Added info: If you use a syringe, you can purchase a needle clipper at Walgreens or some other places or online. You can easily clip the needle (goes into a storage area which holds 500 needles). The clipper is about the size of a bandaid and maybe a quarter inch thick. It is a very safe way to immediately get rid of the needles. If you use a pen, I bring a very small medicine bottle, and dispose of the needle, capped, there until I get back to my cabin.

In either event, bring the capped needle or the syringe back to your cabin, and dispose of it in the SHARPS Container you asked your room steward to provide (ask for a large one if you have to dispose syringes). If it fills up, ask for a second one.

So, that's the truth from someone who has been doing this for years. Believe me, rather than some of the people who have thoughts on the matter but not experiences.

I have type 2 Diabetes and have just made the "jump" to meal time insulin. Since I am very sensitive to drops in blood sugar, I need to take my shot very close to when I start eating, otherwise I become what hubs calls "hangry". It generally hits about 5 minutes after the shot. The last thing I want to eat, well the first thing I WANT to eat but the last thing I SHOULD eat is stuff in the bread basket. So I need to wait until the food comes. Do you think anyone would notice or care if I just gave myself a shot in the leg under the table, or do I need to do the trek out to the ladies room every night? Most restrooms don't have a place to put the paraphenalia (purse, needle nipper, insulin pen) where I can just have it on my lap or rest the purse on the table. And I don't really want to put my medicine on the sink where people have been washing up after going poo.

 

Another option would be to make arrangements to have a small piece of whole grain bread and a shrimp cocktail at my table as soon as I sit down. Then I could probably do my shot in the stateroom and and go to dinner, at least on the Pacific Princess where its only a short distance to go anywhere. Not sure about the Grand and Star we are on for our next cruises in Alaska.

 

Maybe I am overly sensitive to the whole thing because it is so new and annoying, although the numbers look better. Is is a big deal or should I just do what make me feel comfortable.

 

thanks

I am a regular with Princess (Elite). I use a POC and a scooter. I book an HC Cabin. I used to fill out the form and have my doctor sign it every cruise. Then I got tired of it, since I cruise at least two or three times a year. None of the information changed from time to time. After awhile I realized that they weren't asking for it, so I just stopped all together. My last cruise I stopped by Passenger Service to make sure I was on the assist list in an emergency, and they assured me that I was.

As long as nothing has changed, I think I'm good to go as is.

Fern

Ever have a bad day, and wonder, What???

Well, I just ran across this, it is a series of eight really bad wheelchair ramps. Look at these, and you'll know things could always be worse!:)

Other things they should look at:

Some of us in wheelchairs/scooters would rather transfer to regular seats for meals and shows. The dining room generally has chairs without arms available on request, so that is not a problem. Most ships I have been on do not have such chairs available at the buffet or poolside eateries.

The main show lounge in most ships has theater seating, impossible for transferring unless there is a removable arm on an aisle. Crown Princess has six or eight of these seats, all near the front. Other than that, most older Princess ships have HA seating at the very top of the theater. There are three parking holes for scooter/wheelchairs on each side, each with a theater seat next to it. Beside the fact that it forces you to remain in your scooter or wheelchair, people who come in late stand behind you, and some stand right on top of you, and even hold onto or lean on your seatback to balance! Don't they realize I am using my seatback?

End of rant.

M/

I am pleased about the improvements to be made for hearing impaired assistance and also for the fact that there should be people on every ship who can address accessibility issues. Passenger Services/Pursers should be better informed, too, since they are usually the first point of contact.

M.