A little review: Ecstasy May 29th

[TinAngel]

A little review: Ecstasy May 29th

 

The boarding was fast due to both a VIP status and being in a wheelchair. I was the first on board but my wife had to push me up that long, long series of ramps. Several had humps that I doubt few could wheel over. Suspect they would have had someone assist if we asked. She is very fit and it was difficult for her.

 

Disembarkation was easy. All handicapped gather on one deck and go after those with “carry on” luggage. They provided a crewmember to assist. No issues here as I took a cab to the hotel that had my car in Galveston. I like the Holiday Inn Sea Spree on the water.

 

Progreso is a issue in a wheelchair, one has to be able to transfer to a cab or get up the

bus steps if in a manual and can ambulate. The city has many, many curb cuts and the locals and police were just great! It is hot, dangerous hot; I carried a spray water bottle to help cool myself down. Still my wife wheeled me say for 1½ hours way into the city where tourists do not go: fantastic. She also speaks Spanish, an asset.

 

Then:

 

Carnival: show a little class

 

In Progreso and Cozumel the re-boarding line was long and very slow.

I noticed many toddlers in strollers, infants, and a few elderly and folks

disabled sweltering in the heat.

 

I have no idea as to solutions but I recall on other cruise lines stops

that rides were available but forget which ports. This includes bicycle

and golf carts.

 

I “enjoyed” the lifeboat muster, which was a joke for me in my wheelchair:

got to muster station and watched the others go to the lifeboats and was told in

“a real emergency” two crew from the dining service would locate me. It was

25 minutes waiting for an elevator. Got the classic stares when the first elevator door close as we wheeled up; it was crew and they saw us. Nice door slam.

Princess, RCI and Norwegian all do better and will hold an elevator. Carnival did have another and me on the list for two crewmembers to assist. Just never met them.

 

Cozumel we just met friends ate at Mezacalito’s on the north side of the island: down the only road that crosses the island. It is on the water as you reach the beach. Accessible to a good degree. Owner and staff the best. Great food, killer Margaritas.

 

We had a balcony cabin on a ship that has few and the door was not wide enough but I do ambulate if not slowly. The stateroom is huge.

 

I saw two other passengers use wheelchairs exclusively and they managed “OK” one has to check out the dining but you may just require a different pathway. For an older ship Ecstasy is nice. I still recommend that any person in a wheelchair get an accessible balcony cabin that also has an accessible balcony, ours was but as I said the door to the room was not. We enjoyed many breakfast or coffees, and I could watch the ocean without the hassle of going on deck. Worth the saving of a few hundred bucks to me

to have this freedom, on such as this ship, only a few have a balcony.

 

The crew is still not trained in all as to manual wheelchair assisting. My Milli is a physical therapist and she took the time to demonstrate how to approach curbs, etc.

 

The Pool deck seems not a great wheelchair place; saw no lifts but also no requests.

The dance floor is elevated, but hey when it gets going one can bogey in the wheelchair,

Milli and I were the first to “dance” to the Caribbean band that afternoon, well she danced and I made moves.

 

The casino uses all electronic games except for the slots, hard for me to see the “fine print” lost $200 but still got $200. Be careful, it was also my fault and even though a casino person tried to help I hit a wrong button.

 

As this is not a most popular ship for wheelers, guess this is enough for now.

Do try the spray bottle of water mist for the oppressive heat; do as when you get off at a port as to getting back without waiting in line. This is an older but still a huge 2,600-passenger liner. My Milli is fit and that saved much hassle, next time I will pay for say a teenage son of a friend and an Army buddy to come along and assist. This bothers me as I can afford the cost and I know most are not retired like me with a great retirement (Go Army).

 

Want to go into the water?

 

If any person who feels or knows they are disabled or handicapped, please post here but also in the SCUBA & Snorkeling board for advise and suggestions. I will do all to assist on this. Milli and I are (well I was) SCUBA and snorkeling folks who grew up on the Gulf and in the Caribbean. If you are an “at risk” swimmer please post a message! Age is also an issue.

 

Joe & Milli

Colorado

 

PS

 

Every cruise has been my “last cruise” the last three times; next one will have me in something with a good electric motor. How she pushed me across Progreso in that heat makes me know why we have been married what 27 years!