eighty year woman on a cruise

[Laurab23]

I'm trying to talk my mother into going with us on the Legend in May. She has never cruised before and has a hard time walking. She does have a small wheelchair that she uses somtimes. For all you elderly cruisers out there-please reassure me that she will have a great time. I would hate to talk her into something that she won't like. I keep talling her how great it is.

Laura

[Beffy1167]

My mother-in-law went on a cruise (to Alaska) to celebrate her 80th birthday four years ago and loved it so much that she's booked another one (Hawaii this time) for her 85th next year! For her first time, she went with my sister-in-law and her dh--who were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary.

 

Next year, there are a dozen of us going--DH and I will celebrate our 5th anniversary, DH's sister and her hubby 30th anniversary, DH's brother and his wife 10th anniversary.......others just along for the ride!

 

I'm not sure WHERE my mother-in-law is planning on going for her 90th but she's already talking about celebrating with another cruise! She LOVES 'em!

 

But I have to say that, although her age is advanced, her physical condition is better than most 20-somethings! She rides a stationary bike 6 miles a day and walks 4 miles a day on her treadmill (at a good pace, I might add)! And she does all that without even getting winded!

 

But her travel partner--a friend who is equal in age but NOT in health and mobility is also signed up for the next cruise, though--and loves them just as much!

[Cotton]

Last year, a 79-yr. old friend decided she wanted to go on the cruise I was going on, so I helped her book the cabin across the hall from mine. She had had hip replacment and walked a little crooked, but that didn't stop her from doing everything I did! She LOVED the cruise; hadn't been on a cruise since the QE from London many years ago.

 

Granted, I had to slow down my pace on the islands so she could keep up, but that dear lady enjoyed every minute. She particularly enjoyed the production shows, being pampered in the dining room, and going to "tea time" in the afternoons. I'm SO glad she went and had such a good time - Unfortunately, she fell and broke her other hip four months later and died of complications from surgery.

 

What great memories I have of that cruise, remembering the way she lit up with all the excitement! :) Her "last hurrah", so to speak.

[freddiebud]

My 70 yr old aunt takes about 6 cruises a year. She can hardly walk and uses one of those cart thingies. Because she cruises so much, she hardly gets off the ship anymore, just to do some shopping. She goes to the casino, plays bingo, goes to the shows, sits in the sun. So obviously she likes it.

 

It all comes done to attitude and expectations. By the way, let her know that she will meet lots of folks. That's the best part.

[doone]

Twelve years ago I took my grandmother on a cruise for her 80th birthday. She had a blast, she just thought the whole thing was spectacular. She still talks about that cruise to this day, and she'll be 92 on Halloween. Take your mother, she'll love you for it and love the cruise.

[Laurab23]

Thanks everyone. I'm booking her an inside cabin across from mine and right next to the elevators. I just talked to her and she is very excited about the whole thing.

Laura

[GoinCruisin]

Your mother will have a great time! There really is alot to do, just keep in mind the ship is large, so bring along the wheelchair... I think it is great! Life is too short NOT to cruise!!!!! She will probably become an addict like all of us!!! Have a great time!

[paws10]

My mother is going to be 90 on 10/10. We just went to Alaska from 8/22-9/3. She uses two canes to walk and we brought a small wheelchair to take her around the towns. The only shore excursion we took was the train in Skagway. She was quite happy to stay on the ship. I took her to see movies, we went to see the shows, sat in the hot tub and spent lots of time in the casino. My mother hasn't stopped talking about the cruise and is pushing me to find another one ASAP! She got a massage and her hair done and laid out by the pool. When she saw others using walkers and in wheelchairs, she didn't feel uncomfortable, but realized what she's been missing! I missed doing some of the excursions, but I'll just go back another time. I took my two kids (21 and 24) and we all had a fabulous time. They will have lifelong memories of this trip with their grandmother. Age is just a number. A cruise will help with depression and give a boost to the spirit. I think it shows that life isn't over, but reminds them of what can still be done. Hope you convince her. She'll never regret it!

[Stircrzy]

She will have a wonderful time.

 

I've just come from the funeral of a dear friend, 83 yrs. young. He and his bride of 60 yrs. took their first cruise in August with 22 of their family members. They loved the Elation and the time spent at sea with their extended family.

 

We're planning a cruise with those who were "left behind" for summer 2006. We'll be sailing the Liberty and Grandma will be 83. We'll be sorely missing Grampa.

 

Take her....the memories of her first cruise will be worth it!

[hstrybuf]

My 85 year old MIL and her friend cruise together. Those women have the time of their lives and are more giddy than a couple of schoolgirls! :)

[rba4575489]

We took my mother on a cruise in September 2002 on the Grand Princess --- she was 96. We took a small wheelchair with us so that she wouldn't have to do a lot of walking. She had a wonderful time!! The crew - especially the dining room staff was so nice to her -- and she loved sitting on our balcony.

Our son-in-law carried her down to the edge of the water when we went to the beach and sat her in a chair so she could put her feet in the Caribbean.

She never stopped talking about it until she passed away this March - just 1 month shy of her 98th birthday. I will always be grateful that we took her.

[wwakla]

There was an elderly couple on my cruise that had his and hers motor scooters. They appeared to have the time of their life. Have you ever been in the casino's and seen how close the slots were together? There scooted in and out of them while playing.

 

Tell your Mom to go have the time of her life.

 

Kris

[sashapoo]

My husbands grandmother cruises all the time, she is 84. She is going with us on our next one in Jan 05 and is totally excited. She has not been anywhere on vacation since Granddaddy dies in 01. Loving cruising can get you at any age!

[makeda]

mom is 79 and we will go on her fifth cruise in december...she looks forward to it and we plan to do alaska next year in celebration of her 80th!!!