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Anthem of the Seas Advice - Dad with Disability


Danijela
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Hi all

 

*Re-posting this from the Royal Caribbean forum*

 

I was hoping to get some feedback on RC Anthem of the Seas. My family just booked a cruise on this ship for Nov 23rd - Dec 1st (Thanksgiving Week) leaving Bayonne NJ to Port Canaveral, FL and the Bahamas. It is my and my siblings' first time cruising; my parents' second. Last cruise they went on was in the Mediterranean on Celebrity. 

Since then my dad unfortunately suffered a stroke and now has severe mobility issues on his left side. He can walk a little bit with a cane but relies heavily on a wheelchair. 

I was wondering if anyone that has been on this ship, or any RC cruise, can advise on activities, either onboard or shore excursions, that might be suitable for him. We have 3 staterooms booked on Deck 3 (one is accessible) and I saw that this deck has the main dining room,  Chic, the casino, and music hall, so he should have no problem accessing those. 

 

I did receive lots of great advice/input in the RC forum, but just noticed this forum and was hoping to get some more feedback - for this ship, as well as tips in general on cruising with a disability. Main concerns are what to expect during embarkment/disembarkment, usage of the pools and jacuzzis (will he be able to get in and out of them without too much issue), making sure he's comfortable if he were to attend any show, getting around on the ship, comfort of stateroom, etc.

 

For the ports, we were thinking of checking out the Kennedy Space Center at Port Canaveral if that might not be too strenuous.. Someone in the other board mentioned Disney (and probably the other parks in Orlando) are too far and not worth doing at this port. I'm not sure about excursions in Nassau/CocoCay.

 

I just want to make sure he enjoys himself - it's the first vacation he will be taking since he had the stroke, and our first family vacation in years.

 

Thanks everyone for reading and any advice you can provide.  

 

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We are on the Allure of the Seas right now.   My husband has a rented scooter (plus his wheelchair we brought with us).     There is not one place on this ship that we've been that he can't go on his scooter.    This has been our experience on all the Royal Caribbean ships we've been on.     There are lifts at some of the pools / hot tubs that can lift people in and out.  

The staff are more than helpful in assisting getting him off the ship at port stops and back on.  There are also people to push wheelchairs at embarkation and disembarkation.   

Does your dad have someone to push him?   The ships are huge and many of the docks at port stops are very long.   Have you considered renting a scooter for him?  (It is in your room when you embark and it is left in the room on your last day.)

 

Contact Royal's Access Dept for information on accessible tours. (Search for Royal Caribbean and wheelchair.)   If your dad's wheelchair folds up he will have more options.   They can also answer specifics about the Anthem. 

 

Someone on this board might be able to respond specifically about the Anthem and also the Space Center tour.

 

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I cruised on Anthem this past summer and I use a mobility scooter.  The port is easy to navigate. I suggest dropping your father off at the place where they take luggage from your car. Have him get into the wheelchair there and proceed with a companion directly into the terminal.  Then go park your car in the garage and join the rest of your party.  There will be a place for those in chairs and scooters to check-in.  Those in the cabin with him will be escorted with him to an elevator and then through the gangway to board the ship. It is quick and very easy to navigate.  If he requires assistance to leave the ship, schedule that at the guest services area.  But, if he is already in a chair you may not need additional assistance. 

 

As others have said, you may want to consider renting a scooter for the trip.  It will be in your cabin by the time the ship departs and it can be left there once the cruise has finished.  

 

I was able to get everywhere I wanted to go onboard Anthem.  The crew was very helpful to me when I wanted to transfer from the scooter to a chair in the dining room.  They parked the scooter for me, then returned it to me after the meal was completed.  Of course, they will be happy to move a chair so your father can stay in the wheelchair at meals, if he prefers.

 

There is usually designated seating for those in scooters and wheelchairs in the theaters for the shows.  I parked my scooter at the back of the theater, and was able to see and hear everything quite well.  I always waited for others to leave before attempting to do so myself--it was way too crowded and too rushed to attempt navigating through the crowd after a show concluded.  

 

I cannot offer advice about the ports or the Jacuzzi, except to say that the shore excursion desk might be helpful in finding accessible tours.  

 

I hope you all have a wonderful time.

 

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