cruising with crutches

We are going on our first ever cruise next week :D

Unfortunately for me, I am currently being treated for a partially torn Achilles tendon. I spent a month on crutches and now am in a walking boot (that can be removed). I have noticed that if I walk alot on a given day, I end up in quite a bit of pain. My plan is to bring the crutches just in case I need them. Has anyone used crutches onboard? Will it be doable or is it crazy to think I can get around with them?

If you can get around at home, than you can get around on the ship. If you don't need them all the time, then chose them when you absolutely need them and know you won't be sitting.

I sprained my ankle on a cruise a few years ago and was on crutches for a few days. It is absolutely doable. Just keep in mind you're on a moving ship and be a little more cautious (for example, I went more slowly than I probably needed to make sure I was steady; if I'd been on land I would have been moving faster). :) If you'll be wearing the boot while using the crutches, I'd say you have little to worry about. Just use common sense. :D

Have a great cruise!

OP,

Contact the special needs department. They may be able to get you aboard via an elevator. Much easier! And you may want to consider requesting a shower bench. Better to be safe than sorry.

When you are ready to board, go to the handicapped line and they will let you and one other passenger board without standing in line. It will help not to have to stand in the line. A friend had to do this on the last cruise. Good luck and take it easy.

We are going on our first ever cruise next week :D

Unfortunately for me, I am currently being treated for a partially torn Achilles tendon. I spent a month on crutches and now am in a walking boot (that can be removed). I have noticed that if I walk alot on a given day, I end up in quite a bit of pain. My plan is to bring the crutches just in case I need them. Has anyone used crutches onboard? Will it be doable or is it crazy to think I can get around with them?

Only real issue that I can see is getting to the muster drill. Grab your lifejacket and get to the muster station about 15 minutes early so you can ride the elevator.

The other concern would be using steps, but since elevators go to all decks that should not be a problem, you may just have to wait a few minutes for an elevator.

One last thing be careful around decks that might be wet. They can be slippery with shoes alone much less crutches.

Only real issue that I can see is getting to the muster drill. Grab your lifejacket and get to the muster station about 15 minutes early so you can ride the elevator.

 

The other concern would be using steps, but since elevators go to all decks that should not be a problem, you may just have to wait a few minutes for an elevator.

 

One last thing be careful around decks that might be wet. They can be slippery with shoes alone much less crutches.

You don't need a lifejacket anymore for Muster drill so you should be fine for that.

Good luck and have a fun cruise!!!!

You will be just fine.

In all likelihood you'll board early with other folks who have mobility problems and that's a good thing for a few reasons... One, you get to be one of the first on board (YEAH!!!) and second the gangway gets so crowded that simply using crutches becomes a problem... tripping hazard, etc.

:)

My husband had an injured knee and required crutches on our first cruise. He was able to get around just fine. People were very accomodating and moved out of his way.

Thanks everyone for all of the responses. I feel better now!

For muster drill, just tell the staff at the stairs you can't do them. They'll direct you to which elevator to use.

And if you have a day or a port where you really hurt, contact the Purser's Desk (I refuse to call it by the other name) and if they are available they might have a wheelchair you can use (usually a $50.00 deposit on your S&S card which gets reversed when you return it) and it might be possible to get one to use for boarding and debarkation just to make it easier for you ....... the port facilities usually have some and someone to push it for you too.

Great! Thanks so much. I go back to the doctor Thursday, but I don't think he is going to clear me of the boot yet. Took the kids to the bookstore tonight to get reading material for our drive down from NY. Was in the store only about 45 minutes and was hurting by the time we got to the cashier :(

i cruised with my foot in a boot and using a cane(Fractured ankle). i had to cancel out on a few excursions such as 4 wheeling and a catamaran. Carnival reimbursed me as I did it after I had booked the excursions. I did ok and I actually won $2100 in the casino!! I did have to yell at a couple of rude children when we were in a crowd. I refused to let it ruin our New Years cruise.

This last December I was on crutches when we took an 8 day out of Ft Lauderdale. Everyone with Carnival was so nice and accomodating. They had a seperate entrance for anyone needing assistance. You sign in then they take you thru the entire process. My family was able to have VIP access and early boarding with me also.

On the ship the staff was very very sweet! Our Steward used to hear the tink tink from the crutches and yell from around the corner good morning/evening and have my door held open by the time I go there!

During meals if my family was doing something I was not around lunchtime they staff always walked thru the buffet line with me and carried my tray. I made sure to let everyone know how grateful I was for their help. I almost second guessed my decision to still cruise... bot am I glad I did!

If you have your booking available to you online through "My Cruise Manager" go to it and modify your personal info to add wheelchair for embarkation/debarkation. Otherwise call a PVP, give them your booking number, and request the wheelchair. Sometimes the wait, gangway, other people that are more interested in getting a photo than knocking a crutch out from under you, etc, isn't worth trying to fight the crowd on or off. Carnival will provide a chair to make it easier and more important - SAFER. Once onboard, you can take the elevator up to the Lido and the crew will help you with your tray. They have been wonderful that way! For the Emergency Muster, they have had my mother-in-law sit comfortably in the nearest lounge, and they also take information from you so in the event of an emergency they can help you to the lifeboats without causing further injury. They deal with situations like that all the time, they can help you enjoy your vacation.

A friend went on a cruise with us and had to use crutches due to a broken foot. When we arrived at the terminal they were already boarding the shp. Everyone was most accomodating except that he PVP had requested a wheelchair for embarkation and he even though we notified the staff upon arrival, they did not allow him to proceed through the handicaped line. He had to wait over an hour for the staff to bring him a wheelchair. At first he was just going to use his crutches on the ship, but because of the amount of walking, he ended up using a wheelchair provided by the ship, however, they did tell him they could not guarantee him the use of the wheelchair for the length of the cruise if it was needed more by someone else.

When we took my mother to Disney World, I did a web search and rented a scooter for the week. The company delivered it and picked it up at the the hotel. I cann't remember how much it was, but I remember thinking it was very reasonable and it was very convenient. I know companies will rent scooters and wheelchairs and deliver and pick them up from the ship. You would then have it available if you wanted to use it even on a shore excursion or shopping. The scooter would be very nice, but you might need a handicap accessable cabin so you can have room to park it and plug it in to rehcarge the battery. If you do not have a handicaped cabin and one is not available, then you might want to consider a wheelchair rental.

My friend did not have any problems using the crutches on the ship, same technique as on land, just had increased pain due to walking distances.

Thanks everyone! I got good news at the doctor's today. He said I can ditch the boot and wear sneakers with heel lifts. I think I'm still going to bring my crutches just in case I end up in a lot of pain, particularly after port days.

I am cruising next week, and will be using an iwalk 2.0 in place of Crutches. Still sort of worried about getting around, and not being able to participate in activities due to broken heel bone.

Are people and staff usually accomdating and nice about it? How difficult is it to get off and on for port days?

And do the dining rooms need to be alerted for any special seating?

Wow, this is a five year old thread

But still relevant.

Might have issues with the 'idjits' at the elevators.

If you need help in the buffet, ask but many times it is offered before help is even thought of.

At embark go to the MDR and see where your assigned table is. Some ships have a step in the MDR. If you have ATD you'll be fine.

Can you take any steps? Sometimes you have to step into the tenders.

Might have problems on some ports.

I am cruising next week, and will be using an iwalk 2.0 in place of Crutches. Still sort of worried about getting around, and not being able to participate in activities due to broken heel bone.

 

Are people and staff usually accomdating and nice about it? How difficult is it to get off and on for port days?

 

And do the dining rooms need to be alerted for any special seating?

I think this poster used the search function and came up with this old thread. Way to go! That's better than "I tried search but it didn't work", eh?

I've seen crutches, canes, wheel chairs, scooters, and walkers used on board. Might be difficult in rough seas or when tendering.

I've used a cane myself after a hip replacement, I got around fine, even challenged the MDR picture Pirate to a duel against his sword.

Wow, this is a five year old thread

Realized it when I saw one of the posts was from Mach. dont see his name too often.

Realized it when I saw one of the posts was from Mach. dont see his name too often.

That's for sure, Stu.