help! hope someone can make suggestions

[c_dog]

Early in the 1070s i was an independent traveler blessed to be able to travel much of the world. now i find myself-or not adviseable, to travel independently. last month i booked a btb cruise on the crown princess out of san juan with one of my dtrs in november. now my dtr tells me she will be unable to go with me. will i have to cancel or does anyone know of a service that provides medical assistance to go with me. mostly i am independent and bring my own oxygen concentrator. sometimes i need wheelchair assistance when going off the ship---but still pretty independentl. mostly i would need assistance with luggage, embarking (sp?) and debarking and in ports of call. any suggestions---or do i need to cancel?

[Queenie2]

You are the best judge of if you need assistance or if you can travel alone. I can say that if you need help dressing or eating or bathing you will have to someone travel with you. AS for getting on and off the ship, the crew will offer assistance. But on the ship is another story and it's sometimes a pretty long ways just from you cabin to the dining room. You might look into getting a scooter so you can be more independent.

 

There are services that provide travel companions but they are very expensive, and to be honest I wouldn't recommend any of them. You not only have to pay their fare, but also a salary and agency fee. You might want to look around locally if there is a nursing school to see if a student would be avaialble to go with you. Or perhaps another family member or friend?

 

Candy

[c_dog]

thank you for your suggestions. i will keep looking. good to know about the travel "escort" services. maybe some one around here would enjoy a free cruise---really don't need any medical help or assistance with activities of daily living---just an extra hand now and then....especially at the luggage carosel(sp?) at the airport. thanks again.

[Reggae Mon]

I'm a power wheelchair user with many of the same issues that you have. I crzd solo on Radiance OTS in 2005 for 7 days & am crzng again on the same ship this Nov. for 14. Have your travel agent contact the line you are crzng with & tell them you need wheelchair assistance & don't forget the airline. The line will have someone to help you with your bags at the airport, on & off the transfer vehicle(if you bought transfers) & on/of the ship for embarkation, shore excursions & debarkation. You can also check the line's web site & see if they have a "Special Needs" section online or an agent you can call. I had no trouble what so ever. I did tip the people who helped me. I traveled with my own manual chair & rented a power chair for the trip. I hope this helps to put you at ease about crzng solo.

 

Reggae Mon

[c_dog]

ragge man, thank you for your reply. i too, plan a 14 day caribbean in nov.--on another ship. hope you have a fabulous time. glad to hear about assist at the luggage carrousel...that was probably my main concern because it is an absolute "deal breaker" so to speak.

i appologize for being so slow with my thanks. clare

[CaptData]

Hi. I am disabled and travel by myself all the time. I use a scooter and wheelchair.

 

As for O2 ensure airlines know ahead of time and the the cruise lines knoew too.

 

This is how I handle things. When you get to airport get a porter and have them help with your stuff until you get to the place where the cases are taken before boarding. Keep you chair and put your carry-on on back. They will push you through the security area. Make sure you tip the porter and whoever pushes you. (I tip $1.00 per bag for the porter and $2-$5 for the pusher).

 

When I land the first thing I do is I find a porter then go get the luggage. Bring it to the cab. I use hotels that have people who will get the bags for me ( min 3 star hotel). They take it to the room.

 

The morning of the cruise I have arranged with the Front Desk for someone to come and get my bags and have cab waiting. I arrive at the port and the porters there take the bags from the cab guy.

 

I always ensure I have a H/C room so my scooter and wheelchair fit in the room with me.

[StormGoddess]

Just a thought, but have you considered posting your situation at say a local senior center? Many of the attendees are completely able bodied and would be able to assist in some of the things you need. You could post it at a discounted rate, they get a good deal, you get some of your expense back. While on ship, you each are free to do your own thing, but would possibly have a companion for meals and such. And who knows, a new friendship may bloom from the whole thing. And then you can plan future cruises together :)