DRS/NC

I'll be making my upteenth port call in St. Thomas in July, but this time I'll be using a scooter. I'm thinking of taking the sky ride to Paradise Point. Are scooters permitted on the sky ride? What is the surface (grass, paved) at the top? Any additional info appreciated! Yes, I posted this on the Disabled forum too.

I'll be making my upteenth port call in St. Thomas in July, but this time I'll be using a scooter. I'm thinking of taking the sky ride to Paradise Point. Are scooters permitted on the sky ride? What is the surface (grass, paved) at the top? Any additional info appreciated!

Definitely the rollator -- the seat + more stability + a smoother movement! When I choose to use my old walker, the vibration (on less than smooth surfaces) goes up my arms & it VERY uncomfortable (painful later).

For several years now I've rented a scooter for cruise use. 3-4 times, I have not been able to get an Accessible cabin -- too few HA cabins & didn't book far enough in advance (not always possible). DD, SIL & I just booked a Princess cruise for this summer; no HA cabins available. So, I'll rent the smaller 19" wide scooter. It will be a tight squeeze thru the 21" cabin door, but I've done it before.

5 Alaska cruises (May, June, 2x August, Sept); into Glacier Bay w/no problems each time.

Count me as another vote for hip replacement. I've had 4 joint replacements since 2003: both knees, R. shoulder & L. hip. The hip surgery/recovery was a breeze! It's been 11 yrs. and doing great. Rehab was simply normal walking. I'm now almost 78 & have very bad lower back issues (no replacement available). So when I cruise (often solo), I use wheelchair access at the airports & at the port (thanks, Princess!). On board & on excursions, I use a scooter and/or rollator/walker. I've done the British Isles cruise (years ago; one of my favorites) & there is a lot of walking. I'd strongly suggest renting a rollator/walker w/a seat so that you can rest as needed(even if you have the surgery). The electric scooter makes the ship easier -- its 900 ft long (that's 3 football fields!). Good luck with whatever decision you make!

Many, many thanks for your responses & esp. the pictures! The pools look inviting & useful for me! I may come back to X!

I'm considering booking a fall cruise on Celebrity. I've only cruised on X once & that was 20+ yrs. ago. Now I have somewhat limited mobility & certainly can't climb in/out of pools that have only ladders. I need steps! Are Celebrity pools Handicapped Accessible? What's your experience? Thanks!

I'm considering booking a fall cruise on Celebrity. I've only cruised on X once & that was 20+ yrs. ago. Now I have somewhat limited mobility & certainly can't climb in/out of pools that have only ladders. I need steps! Are Celebrity pools Handicapped Accessible? What's your experience? Yes, I'm also posting this on the Disabled forum. Thanks!

I use an electric scooter (rented; placed in cabin) on the ship & have taken it ashore in Alaska & St. Thomas. If there are tender ports on the itinerery, I take my rollator/walker with me. It folds & can be taken on tenders (I use Princess mostly). I have also taken it on excursion buses. I can walk short distances w/it. The crew loads me, then the folded walker. I'm eager to try a new folding scooter that is now available.

I'm in NC. I'd like a LA to LA 11-day coastal! It would be a relax-not-get-off-the-ship for me.

If you have a balcony cabin, spend most of the day there -- just relax, order from Room Service (depending how RS works on your ship). You don't have to "Do" something all the time, esp. the first day. RELAX! ENJOY!

The ships are BIG! (Not news). 900 ft long. That's 300 yards. An American football field is 100 yards long, so we're talking 3 football fields long! Yes, you can walk, stop, walk, stop, etc. And be very tired by the time you get from your cabin to where ever, even w/taking the elevators. [Yes, I've been "there". Agony!] Rent a scooter & try it! Be sure to get one that is only 19-20 inches wide if you don't have a Handicapped cabin; the standard cabin door ways are only 22" wide. Lots more info about this on the Disabled forum. The hardest part of using a scooter onboard, besides the cabin doorways, is getting into/out of the elevators. Other passengers generally aren't very thoughtful. Be prepared to wait. I've been renting a scooter for several years now. Yes, I can walk, but not for very long or very far. I certainly can't navigate a cruise ship w/o a scooter! I've taken the scooter ashore in a few ports. Good luck & enjoy!

Go to Maui/whale watching website. You'll find listing for excursions. Pacific Whale Adventures' office is usually right at the pier & easy to book on-line. (There could be a change due to the recent construction at that area.) Enjoy! Whale watching in Maui is fantastic!

Or you can rent a walker/rollator that folds. You can use it on the ship, on excursions & on the tenders (if you have any tender ports). SpecialNeedsatSea.com or ScootAround.com The walker will be in your cabin when you arrive; you leave it in the cabin at the end of the cruise. Easy.

Thanks! I did not know this. I always assumed my steward knew I'd need help since I was in a HA cabin, but I always tell him anyway (that I'd need help).

My own health has dictated some preparations/changes when I cruise: I cannot walk well or for long. I need to use a scooter on the ship & a rollator/walker on land. Neither of these can be used in an emergency. Therefore I always try to book a HA cabin one or two decks above the Promenade deck, where the muster stations usually are (at least on Princess). In an emergency, w/crew help, I could walk down the stairs. Walking up stairs certainly wouldn't work. I always take a set of sweats, even for a Caribbean cruise, "just in case." I also keep my documents & meds in a zip lock bag in the safe so that I can grab them, if needed. And, YES, I watch the Muster info very carefully and read the guides on the airplane. I'm an old Girl Scout leader w/first aid certification (now expired) & I know how to listen & follow directions.

I got a shower stool on Princess ships several times. Just a word of caution: Make sure that the stool is level; the legs on my first one were not adjusted properly. Fortunately it was an easy fix.

I was on the Island in May/June 2022, FLL to Southampton, 18 days TransAtlantic, via Iceland & northern Scotland. I was in PR703, a Handicapped Accessible cabin w/adequate room for my scooter. It was the biggest cabin I've ever had & the balcony was very large & completely enclosed -- very cozy on damp, often dreary sea days. It was great for coffee & a book; the chairs were up-right, not loungers (probably a concession to HA). The HA bathroom was large & well-fitted w/several grab-bars. The cabin walls were metal; I use magnets on them. I was in the cabin more than usual that cruise & found it to be a very quiet area, except for the usual noise of morning cleaning carts & Room Service. It was a very convenient area too -- close to all the Deck 7 restaurants, lounges, etc. I'd read all the complaints about the Island Princess. Except for not having an IC, it "worked" for me just as all the other Princess ships have.

Princess tends to be a quieter line (many of us pax are older). They have a few shorter cruises along the Calif. coast. Their "accessible cabins" have large bathroom w/very accessible showers -- lots of grab bars. I have appreciated these facilities several times. Good Luck! You are kind and brave!

Please listen to Kokopelli! That's some great advice. I'm 77 & have used a scooter on board for several years now; I often cruise Solo. Cruising is the only way that I can travel, esp. solo. A scooter (rented) is the only way I can consider cruising on those HUGE ship (3500 pax is my limit). I can only do some excursions w/my rollator; I can also take it on tenders (scooter can't go there). So, yes, I usually cruise w/my rollator & the rented scooter (in the cabin when I arrive). It's all a bit awkward when I board, but the ships offer lots of help (I sail w/Princess). YOU CAN DO THIS!

I've cruised w/Princess for years; they offer wheelchair escort from the curb (car drop-off) thru embarkation. I've rented a scooter for my last 5-6 cruises; the scooter is delivered to my cabin. I often travel solo, so I'm dealing w/my carry-on, a medical device & (often) my rollator (for use w/tenders). My best tip: don't be afraid to ask for HELP. I usually end up w/2 ship's stewards helping me to my cabin -- one pushing the wheelchair & one pushing my rollator w/my carry-ons on it. Don't hesitate to ask. They'd much rather help than pick you up when you fall trying to DIY. ENJOY!

I was not aware of any vibrations in my cabin area. I was in the front of the aft area (if that makes sense). I was in an aft suite on the Emerald in 2016; lots of vibration there! However, the vibrations & motion of the sea lulls me to sleep, so.....

I was on the May 26 - June 13 TA this year, in cabin PR703. That is a handicapped accessible cabin on Promenade, aft of the piazza, shops, etc on Deck 7 (quite convenient). Except for the aft suite I accidentally got on the Emerald in 2016, it's the best cabin I've ever had: large, w/a balcony to match & an excellent HA bathroom. The balcony was the width of the old PR deck, including the wood flooring. The length was half again that of any balcony I've had ('cept the suite). Fewer eating venues? Well, there was no Alfedo's or IC (I did miss both) but there was a Sabatini's, Bayou Steakhouse (I had a bigger, high quality filet like Crown Grill), 2 MDRs (both very good) & the buffet (fair to good; good desserts). Yes, the wifi was lousy -- as it tends to be in the far northern areas on the globe -- but as long as I could get a message out to my DD each day, I didn't care. [DD worries about her Solo elderly mom.] Everyone got a full refund of our wifi purchase. The Island was my 10th (of 15 current) Princess ships. I've also been on 3 or 4 PCL ships no longer w/us. [35+ PCL cruises.] Except for the constant threat/discussion of Covid (I tested positive 3 days after getting home), it was a very pleasant cruise. I spent most of the 18 days on my large, covered balcony w/ my Kindle & coffee cup. I had delightful socialization at dinner w/all the Solo/Singles I met. If the itinerary is something you really want, don't avoid the slightly older Island Princess.

Do you want to visit (cruise in) Glacier Bay? Most Princess 7-day cruises go to GB. HAL has the 2nd most GB permits. If the kids are expecting RCL water slides, etc., they'll probably disappointed -- too cool in Alaska. Which ships have Kids' Clubs w/evening hours? Hopefully, the kids & adults will be busy seeing the beauty of outdoor Alaska in the daytime. Please don't expect/plan to do all activities TOGETHER every time, every day! 15-20 people trying to move as one won't fit many places! There is a PAGE on Cruise Critic devoted to Family Cruises. The first of my 5 cruises to Alaska was 40 years ago with my small family. ENJOY!