Breakaway with 97 year old

[Sparkygirl]

My grandmother just told us that she would like to take a cruise. We have booked the Breakaway as a last minute booking, we sail in 40 days. This is our first time on a mega ship what should we pre-book or what limited pass type things should we consider? Any recommendations for ways to make this trip extra special for her. We have booked two connecting balcony staterooms for my grandmother, my mom and dad, my husband and I as well as our 3 year old daughter.

Edited February 5, 2014 by Sparkygirl

[cruisecrazy82]

I haven't sailed the Breakaway but I just wanted to say HOW AWESOME!!!!!! I certainly hope when I am 97 I am still able to cruise!! :D Have a fabulous cruise!!!!

[JuneauWhatIMean]

Has your grandmother ever cruised before? I took my mom on POA in 2009. She was 83 and had mid/advanced Alzheimer's disease but was fairly mobile. We only took one ship's excursion and that was a small boat off Kona. The rest of the time I rented a car and we went sightseeing, shopping, and eating all over all the islands. We drove to the end of the road in Volcanoes Nat'l Park, we saw the Luau in Maui and we took a small plane over Kauai. (She feel asleep :rolleyes:). We had a blast and my mom's favorite part was just spending time with ME. Life is short....enjoy your grandmother and give her happy times while you can.

 

(Sorry I made it so much about me.) Rest in peace, beloved Mumsie.

[Sparkygirl]

Has your grandmother ever cruised before? I took my mom on POA in 2009. She was 83 and had mid/advanced Alzheimer's disease but was fairly mobile. We only took one ship's excursion and that was a small boat off Kona. The rest of the time I rented a car and we went sightseeing, shopping, and eating all over all the islands. We drove to the end of the road in Volcanoes Nat'l Park, we saw the Luau in Maui and we took a small plane over Kauai. (She feel asleep :rolleyes:). We had a blast and my mom's favorite part was just spending time with ME. Life is short....enjoy your grandmother and give her happy times while you can.

 

(Sorry I made it so much about me.) Rest in peace, beloved Mumsie.

 

Please don't worry about your experiences. I loved reading your memories it cements exactly what why our 4 generation family is taking this vacation to spend time with her and enjoy life. She has cruised once before on Disney over 15 years ago. This is going to be a unique experience as she was born and raised in NY and our balcony for sail away will go past the areas where she grew up as we go out to sea.

[bob brown]

I just took my 93 year old mom on a twelve day Breakaway cruise. She had a great time, as did I!

She did say however, that she was a bit overwhelmed by its size and crowds, and in the future she would feel more comfortable on the Gem or similar class ship.......

[cruiselovwe]

Just returned from 12 day cruise on The Breakaway. She is a beautiful ship but big. Since I have mobility problems we rented a wheelchair on the ship from Special Needs at Sea. Best money every spent. Something to consider.

[bryanjaync]

I took my parents (83/86) on one of on the large RCL ships. Just too much walking for them, and too many people. This year I am taking them on the NCL Sun ! Much smaller, easier for them to handle.

[A1SusieQ]

How great for you and you family. About 5 years ago our entire family including Grandma and Grandpa (both in their 90s) took a cruise out of New York on the Dawn. My favorite memories were in the Casino when Grandma won $5.00 and screamed with joy and cashed out! Even if Grandma can get around, I recommend renting a fold-up wheel chair, as getting to dinner or any activity will be a huge chore. Both Grandparents have since passed, but the memories will last forever. Have a great trip!!!

 

 

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[rinakop]

We are taking my MIL, 84, with severe dementia, with us and this will be the 3rd cruise she won't remember! LOL! We have so many good memories with her onboard. She was a social butterfly and onboard she loves all the activity and energy. She was the woman taking the bus to Atlantic City once a week for a decade before dementia got its grips on her. We will only get off on GSC, and they'll have a beach wheelchair ride when she gets there. We are bringing her travel wheelchair to transport her everywhere. Also, I requested a hearing kit, toilet riser, shower chair and bed rail for our stateroom to accommodate her needs.

[Sparkygirl]

We are taking my MIL, 84, with severe dementia, with us and this will be the 3rd cruise she won't remember! LOL! We have so many good memories with her onboard. She was a social butterfly and onboard she loves all the activity and energy. She was the woman taking the bus to Atlantic City once a week for a decade before dementia got its grips on her. We will only get off on GSC, and they'll have a beach wheelchair ride when she gets there. We are bringing her travel wheelchair to transport her everywhere. Also, I requested a hearing kit, toilet riser, shower chair and bed rail for our stateroom to accommodate her needs.

 

Did you request the beach wheel chair through the access desk? We are going to call Special Needs at Sea for manual wheelchair and will bring her rolling walker with us. She has mild to moderate dementia that just really set in within the past year. It is wonderful to read so many positive stories. The price was right for the mega ship and it is driving distance which were our two key needs. Multiple modes of travel such as car to plane to car are too much for her.

[mpk218]

We are taking my MIL, 84, with severe dementia, with us and this will be the 3rd cruise she won't remember! LOL! We have so many good memories with her onboard. She was a social butterfly and onboard she loves all the activity and energy. She was the woman taking the bus to Atlantic City once a week for a decade before dementia got its grips on her. We will only get off on GSC, and they'll have a beach wheelchair ride when she gets there. We are bringing her travel wheelchair to transport her everywhere. Also, I requested a hearing kit, toilet riser, shower chair and bed rail for our stateroom to accommodate her needs.

 

St. Peter has a fast pass waiting for you when your day comes. ;)

 

I tried to get my folks on a cruise for years , lost that race..

 

Have a great cruise..

[rinakop]

LOL! You would think, however I bargained with my DH, "If we bring Mom, we are staying in the Haven." So….:rolleyes:

[jdvmd]

Sounds like a wonderful cruise! Hope you all enjoy

[rinakop]

I did ask for some kind of assistance when we arrived and the beach wheelchair was waiting for her and the gentleman treated her like a queen and she just LOVED it! So, obviously, I will be requesting it this time! What I like about cruising is the ease of getting around, provided you are prepared (hence, the travel wheelchair), the different choices of, well, everything, from modes of travel, to food, to entertainment, and the fact this is the 3rd time we cruised this itinerary our kids can explore while we just kick back and enjoy what the ship has to offer (um, this girl is taking advantage of port specials in the spa ;)). I am so excited and cruise critic makes it that much better, it really does. And, yes, leaving from NYC port is a breeze with my MIL. We are lucky enough to travel without her as well through out the year so these cruises are always special!

[sebas030]

On my November cruise on the BA, it was a much older crowd then my previous cruises...she will fit right in ;)

 

On a more serious note, Ncl is great, on my Caribbean cruise while sitting at a bar on the dock in St-Maarten ( at least I think it was that port ) anyways....we were enjoying a few beers before we boarded the ship and we saw 1 Ncl staff and 1 officer ( had the white suit with stripes and all ) with a wheelchair come up to the bar and ask an elderly woman who was sitting right besides me " are you Miss Helen ? " she said yes and they told her they were there for her. They helped her on the wheelchair and wheeled her on the ship.

 

About 10 minutes later we saw the same thing for an other elderly woman.... I don't know if it is common, but it did leave us with the impression that Ncl went over and beyond for their customer.

 

It's one of those things that makes me a loyal customer :)

 

 

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[agargoyle]

Hi, my only recommendation is to check where the rooms are --- if they are forward it will be a very long walk to the elevators. We like mid ship rooms or aft. The aft elevators on the Breakaway drop you right at the dining locations.

 

You may want to book a cabana if you are going to the private island..it will have chairs, tables, and shade along with a fan to keep everyone cool. I believe the tram will take you to the cabana.

 

 

Have Fun!