Stairs vs Elevators

[sweetp12]

Hubby uses a scooter so it is the elevator for him.  I like to join him but if the lift is crowded then I will take up to 2 flights of stairs.  I agree that not all disabilities are seen - sometimes (on good days) hubby will walk - there is a significant level of "judgement" / treatment from other elevator passengers when he is going unaided to when he has his stick / scooter.  People have made comments about if we are only going one or two floors we should use the stairs.  Others have called us lazy...

 

For us there is never enough elevators - you always wait for ages so we get that if you can use the stairs this is a courtesy to those who cant...but everyone has equal access to them so we shouldn't judge those who do.   

[KevintheIrishDJ]

I use the stairs whenever I can.  Helps to keep the weight off.

[voljeep]

we'll take a few stairs both up and down ... balance issues , so have to use the handrails ... can't do escalators because of the movement getting on and off  ... will take a hand getting on tenders , again for balance ... NEVER do the atrium stairs ... we usually stay aft, so sometimes those elevators are not as crowded it seems ...

[halliecat]

I'm a WW member and lost 100+ pounds while cruising frequently. You bet stairs are part of my cruise. We also book aft or forward so more walking. My "rules' are always down, usually up unless over 7 decks, then I'll take the lifts. I get more exercise in cruise ships (walking) than on land. 

Edited November 12, 2019 by halliecat
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[disneyochem]

Stairs as much as possible.  To break the trek up (from 5 to 14, say), we will climb three flights, walk the to the next bank of stairs to catch our breath, go up more flights, walk, go up.  By the end of a cruise, we can climb more flights before having to walk.  Live in a two story house and my office is on the third floor so I am use to stairs.

 

Cruised once with a broken leg (used walking cast).  I ended up using the stairs a lot during that cruise as well.  I was amazed how inconsiderate some people were about my mobility issues using the elevator—not moving out of the way, bumping into me, etc.  Gave me a much better appreciation for people with mobility challenges which is one reason I take the elevator.

 

I do take the elevator down to the IC early in the morning to get my latte sometimes—like the quietness and the view in the glass elevator going down.

[Nebr.cruiser]

I'm 74 and take the stairs most of the time; exceptions being what kind of heels I am wearing and/or sometimes if going from a very low floor to the highest.  My husband often takes the stairs down, but not up.

 

I usually beat him when he is taking the elevator.  A little worried about the stairs on our upcoming cruise due to a foot injury, which has led to less aerobic exercise and pain but I am still going to try.

 

This in spite of multiple problems with ankles, (always spraining them, and one minor break), a recent broken big toe and now the darn foot!

Edited November 12, 2019 by Nebr.cruiser

[Potstech]

12 hours ago, donaldsc said:

 

Everything in the world is covered with germs.  The only way to stop contact w germs is to wear surgical gloves at all times.

 

DON

Unfortunately you would actually need a full body suit complete with head gear to stop contact. But most won't do that.

[USCcruisecrazy]

We prefer to use the stairs...helps burn those extra calories so we can continue to over-indulge...LOL!!!  Actually just depends on how I am feeling at that moment in time.  If it's a flight or two either way, it's always stairs...if it's a number of flights (like form deck 6 to deck 15) I prefer the elevator.  No need to over do it...this is vacation.  LOL!

[Ombud]

I used to use the stairs only but had an injury right before my March 2019 cruise and now use the elevator alot 😔. My ankle will take a year to heal. So if you see a 60+ woman going up or down stairs with hands up for balance, please refrain from laughing at me. I know I look silly and I'm taking too much time but it's the only way (and only up to 5 flights) 

Edited November 12, 2019 by Ombud
Sp

[Grego]

16 hours ago, getting older slowly said:

Hi All,

 

Just wonder how many of us use Stairs or the Elevators ??

 

Myself whom lives in a single level home,  does not do a lot of stairs..... where as on the ship it is stairs to everywhere.

 

I have found up stairs is a killer on the knees.... where as down is ok....

 

So tend to use Elevator to a trip to Skywalkers   7 decks

 

Breakfast / MDR 3 decks will use the stairs.....

 

Cheers Don 

Like a lot of folks we use both but prefer to use the stairs as much as possible.  Since we usually book cabins aft between decks 8 and 12, we like to take the elevators to go up and take the stairs going down. After muster drill the stairs are used because you can't get into an elevator. Formal nights we use the elevator.

[seacruise9]

Hi, 

 

I always try to take the stairs. However, I will admit that this has become more challenging as the new ships have grown in size. On Princess ships, I prefer a stateroom on one of the middle decks (such as Baja or Aloha) so that it is only a few flights above the public rooms on Deck 7 and a few flights below the Lido Deck.

 

In September, I did a very port intensive 12-day British Isles cruise on the Crown Princess. My stateroom was on Riviera Deck. I frequently climbed a lot of stairs to reach my stateroom after embarking the ship on a lower deck following a port call. 

 

Chuck

[1964pilot]

We are both in our 70's and faithfully use the stairs.  Hope we are keep it up for a long, long time.

[gotta cruise again]

My motto:

     All the stairs, all the time, no matter how high the heels!!!

 

But for our upcoming cruise, this might be modified a bit due to foot surgery a few months ago; can still wear heels but stair climbing is a bit slower.

 

DH can go down with no problems but due to heart, has to take going up slowly (we too swap from one bank of stairs over to the others in order to get a little rest!) and if lots of flights, he probably takes an elevator.

[BarbinMich]

On the older ships we liked to book a cabin on Plaza deck (5) because it was handy to a lot like the atrium for activities/music, only one deck up to the casino and two to the theater, Club Fusion.  Also at he price point we liked.  Only used the elevator to get to the buffet.  Did a lot of horizontal walking from stem to stern to get between those places.  Had to change our routine when we sailed on the Royal since they did away with cabins on Plaza deck.  For our 2015 TA we booked a supposedly obstructed balcony cabin fwd on Emerald (it was only obstructed by the tender boat below, view was fine looking straight out).  The second time (2016) on the Royal we booked an inside aft on Caribe.  It was a shorter cruise (10 vs 14 day) and more expensive per night than the TA.

Edited November 12, 2019 by BarbinMich

[Mom33]

I would give anything to be able to use the stairs on our upcoming Sky cruise, but a recent medical problem  makes it necessary for me to walk with a cane or a walker.  The stairs are not an option anymore.

We have been on many cruises where we have watched the struggle that  wheel chair, scooter and walker users have waiting to board an elevator. They need more room and often are left out of the elevator by the crush of passengers that aren't thinking about anything but getting where they want to be. We have even assisted in grabbing an elevator to help out. Here is where all passengers could pitch in and lessen the crush.

If you are waiting in a crowd for an elevator and see those in a wheel chair , scooter or walker, help them get on an elevator first and catch another one. It only takes a few minutes of your time.  I am now among those cruisers that we have helped on past cruises. Thanks and enjoy your cruises.😋

[KevintheIrishDJ]

The only time I don't use stairs is when I am bringing a full glass of wine to the MDR!!!   😂

[Cruiser_1977]

With the majority of folks on this thread saying stairs, it's amazing the elevators are ever full. Must be all of the non-CC Princess members 🙂

[lax19]

It all depends on the bosses shoes.

[Tatka]

We use stairs if it is up to 4-5 flights.

I don't want to waste time going up from floor #2 to 18th.

It also depends on my current shoes. If it is high heels I might take an elevator all together.

 

I do elliptical in gym almost daily at 6 am, so I do have appropriate amount of exercise.

[Tatka]

7 hours ago, halliecat said:

I'm a WW member and lost 100+ pounds while cruising frequently. You bet stairs are part of my cruise. We also book aft or forward so more walking. My "rules' are always down, usually up unless over 7 decks, then I'll take the lifts. I get more exercise in cruise ships (walking) than on land. 

 

   I am genuinely jealous. Was never able to lose weight on cruises as no matter how much I exercise food and alcohol intake is very different from my usual routine at home. 🙂  Walking stairs is definitely not enough, even 60-90 minutes on high inclined elliptical daily does not help. I gain on average 5-7 lbs, part of which is a water, but several pounds are clear gain. Usually takes a couple of weeks to get rid off.

[greenie082756]

Like most, we try to take the stairs as much as possible. We are in our mid early 60's.

I walk daily and do 3 -4 miles a day walking. I love walking..stairs..not as much 🙄

The first 24 hours of taking stairs hurt the next few days. This is a reminder that if you don't use it

you are gonna loose it. After a few days it gets easier.

 

I also have broken an ankle and a wrist so I do the stairs but slower than most. I can go up faster than I can go down.

[voljeep]

14 minutes ago, greenie082756 said:

Like most, we try to take the stairs as much as possible. We are in our mid early 60's.

I walk daily and do 3 -4 miles a day walking. I love walking..stairs..not as much 🙄

The first 24 hours of taking stairs hurt the next few days. This is a reminder that if you don't use it

you are gonna loose it. After a few days it gets easier.

 

I also have broken an ankle and a wrist so I do the stairs but slower than most. I can go up faster than I can go down.

agreed - if you fall going up.. it's maybe a step or so ... if you fall going down ... well ...

[halliecat]

38 minutes ago, Tatka said:

 

   I am genuinely jealous. Was never able to lose weight on cruises as no matter how much I exercise food and alcohol intake is very different from my usual routine at home. 🙂  Walking stairs is definitely not enough, even 60-90 minutes on high inclined elliptical daily does not help. I gain on average 5-7 lbs, part of which is a water, but several pounds are clear gain. Usually takes a couple of weeks to get rid off.

I guess for me, I do so little moving at home, that all those stairs and extra steps I take, intentionally while onboard is enough to help me lose. I also loosely follow WW, but do enjoy adult beverages, wine, desserts and all the delicious food, just in moderation. I even went on a WW cruise on MSC which was a fun experience. We even had a special section of the buffet and dining room with our own WW friendly food, prepared and pointed out for us. 

[I Love Cruising 3]

2 hours ago, Mom33 said:

If you are waiting in a crowd for an elevator and see those in a wheel chair , scooter or walker, help them get on an elevator first and catch another one. It only takes a few minutes of your time

That might work early in the morning but there are busy times on a sea day you'll never catch one yourself. 

[Tatka]

6 minutes ago, halliecat said:

I guess for me, I do so little moving at home, that all those stairs and extra steps I take, intentionally while onboard is enough to help me lose. I also loosely follow WW, but do enjoy adult beverages, wine, desserts and all the delicious food, just in moderation. I even went on a WW cruise on MSC which was a fun experience. We even had a special section of the buffet and dining room with our own WW friendly food, prepared and pointed out for us. 

 

I guess this is a difference... I have elliptical at home and exercise 6 time a week.  (when I am on a good lifestyle phase 🙂  ) 

But in terms of diet I could never follow my usual 1200 KCal a day.

And last 5 years of 5 (this year 6!) cruises a year create a huge challenge.

 

I am already worrying about 8 day Thanksgiving cruise followed with a combination of 5 day Christmas + 10 day New Year cruises. Only 3 weeks after Thanksgiving cruise ))))

Edited November 12, 2019 by Tatka