First time cruiser at the age of 90!

[Madkitty]

We're looking at booking for the whole family to go next year for my Aunts 65th and my Gramps's 90th and wondered if anyone could see any potential problems. We're looking at a 5 night cruise from Barcelona with Adventure (night easy cheap flight from the UK) to Sicily, Sardinia and Villefranche. One of the ports will be tender - do they allow elderly people to board first avoiding the crowds? He's pretty fit in general but cant walk for long lengths of time without sitting down and having a guiness :D

[AlanAllyn]

I don't see why he can't go. I was on a cruise with a man celebrating his 100th birthday.

 

I have not seen priority given because of age but usually the boarding process is quite smooth (if you don't get there before they are ready to start boarding). They do provide wheelchairs for boarding; perhaps you can convince him to use that.

 

Have a good cruise.

 

Alan

[cb at sea]

If he's able to "get around" on his own, and doesn't have any pressing medical problems, why not?

However, if he does have medical issues, he does NOT want to be on a ship should an emergency occur...the medical facility is not set up for more than bumps, bruises, and upset tummies!

[mation101]

Ill go with you and keep Gramps company when he needs to sit and have a Guinness. Ill even buy!!

 

If he feel up to it definately do it!! It will be wonderful memories for the whole family forever.

 

My Grandparents celebrated their 50th anniversary on a ship with their two boys and their families. It was all of our first cruise and now even 30 years later we still talk about how much fun we had.

[The Viking]

The worst part of the trip is to Barcelona assuming he lives in GB. From there on it will be smooth sailing. You may want to get him a stateroom fairly close to the center elevator.

 

Have a great cruise.

[lostdart58]

Have them line up early for the waverunner and rock climbing wall tickets!!

 

:p

[Sue L]

Just had clients all celebrating grandpa's 80th birthday and he even climbed the rock wall

[Rala]

If he's able to "get around" on his own, and doesn't have any pressing medical problems, why not?

However, if he does have medical issues, he does NOT want to be on a ship should an emergency occur...the medical facility is not set up for more than bumps, bruises, and upset tummies!

 

Why do you always say this about the medical facilities. I have had blood work done and been prescribed antibiotics onboard. I had chronic diverticulitis several years ago (since have had surgery and no more problems) and I knew I was having a flare-up and without telling the doctor, he correctly diagnosed my problem and prescribed the appropriate medication. This happened twice on two different ships. Have you actually ever been to the medical center on a ship ?

[joeyancho]

God Bless that Geezer. That is the way I want to go out................

[pcur]

We are taking my 86 year old mother-in-law this December with us on a family cruise. We have a transport chair that my husband used after foot surgery, and we'll take it as checked luggage. Then, she will have a place to sit no matter where we are.

 

DH and I were on the Vision about a month after his foot surgery, and he was still using the transport chair. If you go to leave the ship, they will escort you to either the front of the line or to a special disembarkation place for handicap. Then, they put the chair on the tender with you.

 

If you have him in a transport or wheelchair you are guaranteed to get him on first. It's good to have it with you, too, because if he gets tired he always has a place to sit down. Also, he can push it himself for support on uneven pavement.

[patseacruiser]

A friend of my father-in-law booked his first cruise with me at 87. I've booked him 2 times since.

[138east]

I travel with my 90 year old mother who also cannot walk distances. Here are my recommendations as to what you should consider.

 

1) Take advantage of wheelchair assistance at every opportunity at the airport and for boarding the ship. Just because your grandfather is "pretty fit" doesn't mean he should have to endure the stress of walking through airports or standing in lines. It's everyone's vacation - he should not stress you out if there is a glitch in your travel plans.

 

2) If he is an unwilling wheelchair rider, have a straight talk with him about the safety issues. You are organizing this trip and you are in charge. You cannot afford to have him clipped by an inattentive person with a rolling suitcase. This will not happen if he is in a wheelchair in the airport or boarding the ship.

 

3) I have sailed the Adventure and she is a large ship. I would recommend a cabin by the aft elevators - easy access to the dining room, the Windjammer, the pool deck, the promenade, and the ice show. However, the walk to the front of the ship for the theater, the spa/fitness center, and the solarium can be quite a hike. No easy place to sit down and have a guiness except on deck 5. See if you can buy, borrow, or rent a light weight walker with a seat or a transport chair (not a wheelchair per se - more like an adult stroller). This will come in handy on your shore excursions plus the longer walks on the ship.

 

4) Pose your question on the Disabled Cruise forum.

[MrPete]

We took wife's 84 year old grandmother from Scotland on a 2 day cruise to nowhere to treat her to something we fell in love with.

 

We were just nervous, so we booked a short one. How we regretted not booking a longer one, as it was just too short.

 

She came back proclaiming it was the BEST experience of her life, and we have fond memories of it, as she climbed the Stairway to Heaven the following year.

[sailawayjack]

We're looking at booking for the whole family to go next year for my Aunts 65th and my Gramps's 90th and wondered if anyone could see any potential problems. We're looking at a 5 night cruise from Barcelona with Adventure (night easy cheap flight from the UK) to Sicily, Sardinia and Villefranche. One of the ports will be tender - do they allow elderly people to board first avoiding the crowds? He's pretty fit in general but cant walk for long lengths of time without sitting down and having a guiness :D

:cool:make sure gramps visits Quest. Just tell him to keep his drawers on:cool:Good luck to him:cool:

[goinmobile68]

I agree w/138east-my father has some mobility issues, so last time he wanted to travel coast-to-coast solo I offered to pay his way-as long as he took advantage of the assistance that is easily available if you ask. Some airports use wheelchairs, when I dropped him off in Newark, they had golf carts to transport those needing assistance & he was fine with that! I watched him glide away with his cane between hs knees, looking like king of the world in his chariot! Give Gramps credit-he'll probably want to have the experience more than he'll feel singled out. Go for it!