Help - advice for elderly m.i.l

[Lushpuppy]

Please can u help? We have booked my husbands mom treating her 2 12 night explorer cruise. She is now getting cold feet and has lot of concerns. She is 79 widowed. We are also planning a few days in new york for her. Can u advise what kind of quieter activities she is likely to be able to participate in on board? She struggles with her balance at times but is also life and soul when well. Is she likely to meet folks her age group in feb on explorer out of new york? Any help much appreciated!

[honeywell]

Is she going by herself?

[Lushpuppy]

no we are a group of eight but she thinks she will be a burden on us! We want good reasons to make her see sense! She is a joy!

[songster2]

Tell her to take her Grandma's Brag Book. There have been Brag parties on some of my cruises. As I'm not a G'ma yet, I haven't paid attention lately to see if it's listed, and haven't been on the Explorer, but if someone has a Compass from the Explorer, they may be able to tell you if it's listed. Or maybe someone can email or fax copies to you so you can plan ahead and she can see what is available on board. RCI also has an accomodations department if assistance is needed for planning shore excursions if she needs accommodations. There is so much to do on the big ships, and all ages are included in activities. I hope her feet warm up and she sails with you. My friend and her brother took their 83yr old father (one leg amputated) on a cruise on the Voyager, and 4 years later his face still lights up when he talks about how he enjoyed the "big boat" when I tell him I've booked another cruise.

[cb at sea]

Just keep telling her how much you'll value her company on this trip! If she needs a wheelchair or scooter, the ship can do it--you just have to notify them. A walker or cane may be a good idea, especially if the waters get a bit rough.

But, there are plenty of things to do, from reading a book in a quiet corner, to bingo, the casino, movies, etc..

Just insist that the trip won't be the same without her! You're a good in-law!

[cusyl]

If she has problems with balance definitely get her a rollator with a seat. I tried it with a cane one time and it just wasn't enough help.

[Lushpuppy]

Thank you! She is very proud and i am scared 2 suggest a cane. She cruises in the uk with other family and is fine with that think this just all feels a bit daunting for her. She cruised with us before years ago but this time she seems more fragile. We have never cruised rci so dont know how it is on board for her age group. Was thinking of suggesting walkie talkies but dont know if they work on ship. I love her and absolutely want her to come!

[Lushpuppy]

If she has problems with balance definitely get her a rollator with a seat. I tried it with a cane one time and it just wasn't enough help.

 

That sounds great and if she was my mom not in law i would dare suggest it! What exactly is it? Will have to google it. Thanks!

[bubbadog]

let her do a canada/new england cruise in oct, for the fall colors,there will be plenty of people her age,we just did this cruise in august late,and the average age was 40-80:D ;)

[songster2]

Thank you! She is very proud and i am scared 2 suggest a cane. She cruises in the uk with other family and is fine with that think this just all feels a bit daunting for her. She cruised with us before years ago but this time she seems more fragile. We have never cruised rci so dont know how it is on board for her age group. Was thinking of suggesting walkie talkies but dont know if they work on ship. I love her and absolutely want her to come!

 

We carry walkie talkies on most of our cruise because we do separate activities, and yes, they work. You will see several pax with assistive devices. If the rollator which cusyl was mentioning is what I think it is, it's a walker with a seat, so there is steadying support and a ready resting place wherever you are. I saw them at Costco yesterday for about $95-$100. They are collapsable and fold up to be stored out of the way. They are really quite handy for those needing a little ballancing assistance. A little pouch is often attached to the front for hands free carrying of smaller items.

[grammax3]

I have a balance problem, and I find on the Explorer there are always rails to hold onto, or if need be, the arm of a friend/family. There are plenty of things that she will enjoy on the Explorer. Just sitting at the Promenade Coffee Shop, she can enjoy the coffee/tea, snacks, and meet a lot of people there. She will also enjoy the ice show, tickets will be available for the shows, then of course there are the shops, the casino, bingo, the ice carving, the cooking demo, etc. The average age on the Explorer seems to be 50 on up. On our last Explorer cruise there was a woman that was 103, and she was really enjoying herself.

 

Let your mother-in-law know that you really want her to go on this cruise and it just wouldn't be the same without her. that you would be very disappointed if she didn't go. Tell her ENJOY, ENJOY, ENJOY while she is able.

[Boo Boo]

My husband's 85 year old Grandma came on a cruise with us (only 4 day Navigator, but she had been in Barcelona for a week before that) this past June and had a fantastic time. She shared a cabin with husband's uncle and there were another 6 of us around (her children and grandchildren): she loved having family around and she was into EVERYTHING. She did ALL of the shows, she went to the late night parades, she did shore excursions, she enjoyed all of the meals, she enjoyed spending time in her suite and on her balcony. Half the time we were crashing out asleep and she was still going :) She found the occassional mid-afternoon nap helpful, but she really got the most out of her cruise.

 

She too is getting a bit more fragile. She broke her hip a week before going on an Alaskan cruise 14 months ago, but insisted on going anyway! (after they operated to insert a plate and screw her leg back together). I respect her so much: she is determined not to miss a moment and enjoy things to the full.

 

They do tend to have things like quizes, demonstrations, card games etc on board.

 

I hope that you can convince her - am sure that you will all have a fantastic time together :)

 

Boo

[Lushpuppy]

This is fabulous thank you! Now i have ammunition to fire! I didnt no about the rails and good walkie talkies would be invaluable! The rollator would really be good if i can present it to her that its more of a handy seat then her pride wont be dented. And the activities thank you this is great info! We feel so sad she is even contemplating oot coming but we get a feeling this time we need 2 do battle. I will let you know the outcome!

[138east]

She will be fine.

 

I went on the Explorer last year with my mom, who will be 90. We are also booked on Feb. 1 next year.

 

She had a fabulous time! We took her rollator, which was just perfect. She didn't use it all the time, but it gave her the ability to get around by herself without having to worry about "inattentive" people. It also has a seat, so she was able to sit in line to get into the ice show.

 

Where are you coming from? Where is your cabin located?

 

The ship is big. If your mom has problems walking a distance, then you might want to consider renting a scooter.

[Boo Boo]

We feel so sad she is even contemplating oot coming but we get a feeling this time we need 2 do battle. I will let you know the outcome!

 

Go for it! I bet that she really wants to go, but just doesn't want to be a bother and is maybe looking for a bit of reassurance.

 

We took my husband's Grandad on a cruise (only a short 4 day on the Monarch out of LA - they live in LA, so it was easy to do) for his 90th birthday. He was a bit frail, not too steady on his feet and his mind was 100% (I don't think that he really realised that he was on a cruise ship 100% of the time), but he was surrounded by his closest family and he had a great time (especially with us all around a big table in the main dining room). The family is spread across the globe and they hadn't taken a vacation together for about 15 years...

 

Sadly, my husband's Grandad died a little over 6 months later, but everyone agrees that it was lovely to have that special family vacation with him: lots of special memories.

 

Good luck :)

Boo

[Lushpuppy]

So happy! Thank you all! She is def coming! She was with us all weekend and oh boy i dont no why she is so worried she still dancing and still looking as amazing as ever! Promised we will do nyc by organised tour will look into that. 138east - see you on board! Thanks everyone!

[Lushpuppy]

mama she said yes!

So happy! Thank you all! She is def coming! She was with us all weekend and oh boy i dont no why she is so worried she still dancing and still looking as amazing as ever! Promised we will do nyc by organised tour will look into that. 138east - see you on board! :D Thanks everyone!