Book accessible cabin when mobility disability is only sometimes?

My husband and I are booked on a cruise for next March. Trying to project his health status a year out was tough, and we had to book immediately (the booking is for a convention I'm attending). I had no time to do research beyond "Does this cruise suck?"

We booked an accessible balcony cabin through the convention -- we couldn't book through the cruise line, due to how the convention organizers had organized their block of rooms. Originally the convention organizers had a limited number of accessible cabins in their block, and the accessible balcony room was taken, but they arranged to swap out another accessible room so we could get this one.

But then, I found Cruise Critic and became more aware of just how really rare those accessible staterooms are. So here's my problem:

My husband's mobility disability is a "sometimes" thing. He can walk, but the more he walks, the worse he gets, and "worse" can last for days or even weeks. At his worst, he has to take heavy-duty painkillers in order to get out of bed and can't stand for more than a few minutes. At his best, though, he seems fine.

However, I suspect there's a lot of walking on cruise ships, even if all you want to do is get out of the stateroom to get food. So while he might be fine on day 1, he's probably going to be in bad shape by day 2 and a wreck by day 3.

I've talked to him about renting a wheelchair or scooter. That's a possibility in the future, especially because they just found an irregularity in his spinal MRI that may require surgery. For now, though, he said, "If it's that bad, I'll stay in bed and order room service."

Stubbornness aside, he will likely need and use the bench in the shower, because again, he can't always stand for long periods -- even more than a few minutes. (Basically, he'll use an aid that's already present. If the ship had wheelchairs or scooters already available, this would be a whole different story.)

So what I'm wondering is, did I do the wrong thing by booking an accessible cabin?

Everyone's needs are different and since your cruise is a year away I would keep the HC, simply because you never know what can happen in a year. There are other things offered in a HC that you might not realize he needs. There's no threshold in the shower, there's a bench in the shower, no steps getting into the bathroom, no steps for the balcony.

The ships are big and there's lots of walking involved. Just going from one end of the ship to the other could cause problems for someone with mobility issues.

Cruise ships don't offer wheelchairs or scooters. You either bring your own or rent one. They only offer wheelchair assistance at embarkment and disembarkment. Just think about this situation. You are in a regular cabin but turns out he needs a scooter. All of the HC cabins are taken. A scooter won't fit in a regular cabin.

Enjoy your trip.

Everyone's needs are different and since your cruise is a year away I would keep the HC, simply because you never know what can happen in a year. There are other things offered in a HC that you might not realize he needs. There's no threshold in the shower, there's a bench in the shower, no steps getting into the bathroom, no steps for the balcony.

 

The ships are big and there's lots of walking involved. Just going from one end of the ship to the other could cause problems for someone with mobility issues.

 

Cruise ships don't offer wheelchairs or scooters. You either bring your own or rent one. They only offer wheelchair assistance at embarkment and disembarkment. Just think about this situation. You are in a regular cabin but turns out he needs a scooter. All of the HC cabins are taken. A scooter won't fit in a regular cabin.

 

Enjoy your trip.

Thank you! I didn't know about the embarkment/disembarkment assistance availability. That will definitely help. Since this is our first cruise, we're not in any sort of frequent-cruiser club, so we'll be in the long line with the rest of the newbies. Much appreciated!

Hi,

I was stubborn, I now use a scooter. I used to think I was giving in to my disability by using a scooter, I though that I was the one in charge.

Realising that I couldn't keep up with my wife which impacted on her enjoyment was the start of my change in attitude, I now see it as a "little victory" by using a scooter, I can get to where I need or want to be without exhausting myself. When I'm tired I know I can get a bit ratty and get snappy with my wife, I don't need this when I'm on my holidays nor does my wife, so increase in exhaustion = increase in pain, it became a simple solution for me to start using a scooter.

As your other half has mobility problems, bathing can be a problem in non-accessible staterooms so booking one for him is the correct thing to do especially if he decides to use a scooter.

Pete

Hi,

 

I was stubborn, I now use a scooter. I used to think I was giving in to my disability by using a scooter, I though that I was the one in charge.

 

Realising that I couldn't keep up with my wife which impacted on her enjoyment was the start of my change in attitude, I now see it as a "little victory" by using a scooter, I can get to where I need or want to be without exhausting myself. When I'm tired I know I can get a bit ratty and get snappy with my wife, I don't need this when I'm on my holidays nor does my wife, so increase in exhaustion = increase in pain, it became a simple solution for me to start using a scooter.

 

As your other half has mobility problems, bathing can be a problem in non-accessible staterooms so booking one for him is the correct thing to do especially if he decides to use a scooter.

 

Pete

Thank you. :D

He's only been out of the Air Force for a couple of years now, so adjusting to civilian life has been difficult on its own, without having to concede that he's on the other side of forty and maybe needs some help. I was so proud of him for just getting his parking tag!

Maybe it helped that I realized my own disability and enrolled in service dog training. He's seen how having a service dog has changed my whole world these past five months. Who knows? This cruise could be the tipping point for him to thin maybe a scooter would be okay to use, at least on his bad days.

Thank you. :D

 

He's only been out of the Air Force for a couple of years now, so adjusting to civilian life has been difficult on its own, without having to concede that he's on the other side of forty and maybe needs some help. I was so proud of him for just getting his parking tag!

 

Maybe it helped that I realized my own disability and enrolled in service dog training. He's seen how having a service dog has changed my whole world these past five months. Who knows? This cruise could be the tipping point for him to thin maybe a scooter would be okay to use, at least on his bad days.

Little victories!!!

I am from a similar position to him, his head is the hardest thing to change!

Pete

...Maybe it helped that I realized my own disability and enrolled in service dog training. He's seen how having a service dog has changed my whole world these past five months. Who knows? This cruise could be the tipping point for him to thin maybe a scooter would be okay to use, at least on his bad days.

You may want to check this thread. I think you'll find it very interesting and useful:

Cruising With A Service Dog....everything You Ever Wanted To Know!

You may want to check this thread. I think you'll find it very interesting and useful:

 

Cruising With A Service Dog....everything You Ever Wanted To Know!

That's the first thread I ever posted on after joining. So very helpful! I've added "get a doggie lifejacket" and "get USDA form 7001 filled out 30 days before the cruise" to my to-do list, thanks to them.

Thank you! I didn't know about the embarkment/disembarkment assistance availability. That will definitely help. Since this is our first cruise, we're not in any sort of frequent-cruiser club, so we'll be in the long line with the rest of the newbies. Much appreciated!

Actually you probably won't be. If you are in a scooter or wheelchair, or require some assistance, there is usually a separate line. I travel with my sister, who is disabled - she uses a cane full time and uses a scooter when she travels or walk any distance. This past summer was our first NCL cruise so no special frequent cruiser club stuff and we were escorted through security and the designated line for check in. They even had a separate seating area for anyone needing assistance getting on the ship.

It's the little victories!

Here's how I finally convinced DH to go with a scooter. He had used the ones at the stores (Sam's, WM, Kroger, etc), but I wanted to go to the zoo (we have a fabulous one in Columbus). Because he knew he couldn't do that much walking, I was finally able to convince him to rent one for the day so that we could go. It is was incredibly freeing for him to be able to go, keep up, and stay out of pain.

We purchased a good used scooter for him after that and he uses it for those local trips (zoo, museums, amusement parks) and he took it on our last cruise. It made life easier for BOTH of us.

My husband and I are booked on a cruise for next March. Trying to project his health status a year out was tough, and we had to book immediately (the booking is for a convention I'm attending). I had no time to do research beyond "Does this cruise suck?"

 

We booked an accessible balcony cabin through the convention -- we couldn't book through the cruise line, due to how the convention organizers had organized their block of rooms. Originally the convention organizers had a limited number of accessible cabins in their block, and the accessible balcony room was taken, but they arranged to swap out another accessible room so we could get this one.

 

But then, I found Cruise Critic and became more aware of just how really rare those accessible staterooms are. So here's my problem:

 

My husband's mobility disability is a "sometimes" thing. He can walk, but the more he walks, the worse he gets, and "worse" can last for days or even weeks. At his worst, he has to take heavy-duty painkillers in order to get out of bed and can't stand for more than a few minutes. At his best, though, he seems fine.

 

However, I suspect there's a lot of walking on cruise ships, even if all you want to do is get out of the stateroom to get food. So while he might be fine on day 1, he's probably going to be in bad shape by day 2 and a wreck by day 3.

 

I've talked to him about renting a wheelchair or scooter. That's a possibility in the future, especially because they just found an irregularity in his spinal MRI that may require surgery. For now, though, he said, "If it's that bad, I'll stay in bed and order room service."

 

Stubbornness aside, he will likely need and use the bench in the shower, because again, he can't always stand for long periods -- even more than a few minutes. (Basically, he'll use an aid that's already present. If the ship had wheelchairs or scooters already available, this would be a whole different story.)

 

So what I'm wondering is, did I do the wrong thing by booking an accessible cabin?

We're leaving for a cruise this weekend, and I will be bringing my scooter, as well as a walker. I bring the walker because I like to try and walk to close venues on the ship, or at least get exercise with a little walk down the hall and back if I can. We book a standard balcony cabin, and this will be our fourth cruise in that particular cabin. My scooter fits through the cabin door, and I park it in such a way that it isn't in our way. I don't need an accessible cabin yet, but I did need to notify Carnival that I was bringing a scooter. They in turn, send a form that I needed to complete, as to how mobile I am, etc. I didn't complete the form, but I gave them all of the info they needed (scooter dimensions, my mobility limitations, etc.).

I think the way it works on Carnival at least is that if you book an accessible cabin and you don't need it, the cruise line will move you to another cabin if a passenger needs an accessible cabin. I'm guessing your cruise line will send you a similar form to complete. I don't think you did the wrong thing by booking the accessible cabin.

I was dead set against the scooter before we purchased it too, but I tried one at a scooter store, and I kind of liked it. But...I still wasn't convinced. My problem is MS, and some days my foot/leg doesn't cooperate at all, and other days it may work a little better. Bottom line, DH talked me into purchasing the scooter, we took it to a casino to try it out and 10 minutes later I was hooked. I love it. My problem was my pride. I quickly got over it though.

Anyway, eventually maybe your husband would try a rollator. That helps if you can't walk long distances, and allows you to sit down if you get tired. I would also strongly suggest that he practice with a scooter beforehand if he decides to ever purchase or rent one.

In the meantime have a fun cruise.

My husband and I are booked on a cruise for next March. Trying to project his health status a year out was tough, and we had to book immediately (the booking is for a convention I'm attending). I had no time to do research beyond "Does this cruise suck?"

 

We booked an accessible balcony cabin through the convention -- we couldn't book through the cruise line, due to how the convention organizers had organized their block of rooms. Originally the convention organizers had a limited number of accessible cabins in their block, and the accessible balcony room was taken, but they arranged to swap out another accessible room so we could get this one.

 

But then, I found Cruise Critic and became more aware of just how really rare those accessible staterooms are. So here's my problem:

 

My husband's mobility disability is a "sometimes" thing. He can walk, but the more he walks, the worse he gets, and "worse" can last for days or even weeks. At his worst, he has to take heavy-duty painkillers in order to get out of bed and can't stand for more than a few minutes. At his best, though, he seems fine.

 

However, I suspect there's a lot of walking on cruise ships, even if all you want to do is get out of the stateroom to get food. So while he might be fine on day 1, he's probably going to be in bad shape by day 2 and a wreck by day 3.

 

I've talked to him about renting a wheelchair or scooter. That's a possibility in the future, especially because they just found an irregularity in his spinal MRI that may require surgery. For now, though, he said, "If it's that bad, I'll stay in bed and order room service."

 

Stubbornness aside, he will likely need and use the bench in the shower, because again, he can't always stand for long periods -- even more than a few minutes. (Basically, he'll use an aid that's already present. If the ship had wheelchairs or scooters already available, this would be a whole different story.)

 

So what I'm wondering is, did I do the wrong thing by booking an accessible cabin?

If a scooter is in your future you should look at the Shoprider Hero. They are carried free on airlines! Including shipping they are $571 at Vitality Medical (special price) Amazon charges $699.

Best of luck!!!

No-one can tell you right or wrong about booking an accessible cabin. All I would say is that if you need the space for a scooter or a wheelchair or if you are going to need a wheel in or sit down shower then go for it. If the extent of the disability is going to be a need to retire and the space and facilities isn't really needed, then personally I'd go for a normal cabin.

Accepting the need for a mobility aid is a big psychological step, often resisted for too long for a variety of reasons. Only you know your husband, whether he's likely to have a deteriorating problem and whether he'll go for the wheels.

.

If a scooter is in your future you should look at the Shoprider Hero. They are carried free on airlines!

All scooters are considered medical equipment and they all fly free on airlines.

I would consider renting a WC or scooter for the cruise itself, in case you do end up needing it. At least get the info about cost and deadline to order. You just never know, and being confined to the room gets old.

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Your husband is Disabled, Chronic Pain is a disability under ADA. I also suffer and I use a cane, walker or whatever I need that day. Remind him to PACE himself, for 15 min of walk, sit/rest for min of 5 min. Just a suggestion - take a hot water bottle with you. You have a ready heat available, it is portable and can be used at shore, plane or on cruise. Bully for going.

My husband and I are booked on a cruise for next March. Trying to project his health status a year out was tough, and we had to book immediately (the booking is for a convention I'm attending). I had no time to do research beyond "Does this cruise suck?"

 

We booked an accessible balcony cabin through the convention -- we couldn't book through the cruise line, due to how the convention organizers had organized their block of rooms. Originally the convention organizers had a limited number of accessible cabins in their block, and the accessible balcony room was taken, but they arranged to swap out another accessible room so we could get this one.

 

But then, I found Cruise Critic and became more aware of just how really rare those accessible staterooms are. So here's my problem:

 

My husband's mobility disability is a "sometimes" thing. He can walk, but the more he walks, the worse he gets, and "worse" can last for days or even weeks. At his worst, he has to take heavy-duty painkillers in order to get out of bed and can't stand for more than a few minutes. At his best, though, he seems fine.

 

However, I suspect there's a lot of walking on cruise ships, even if all you want to do is get out of the stateroom to get food. So while he might be fine on day 1, he's probably going to be in bad shape by day 2 and a wreck by day 3.

 

I've talked to him about renting a wheelchair or scooter. That's a possibility in the future, especially because they just found an irregularity in his spinal MRI that may require surgery. For now, though, he said, "If it's that bad, I'll stay in bed and order room service."

 

Stubbornness aside, he will likely need and use the bench in the shower, because again, he can't always stand for long periods -- even more than a few minutes. (Basically, he'll use an aid that's already present. If the ship had wheelchairs or scooters already available, this would be a whole different story.)

 

So what I'm wondering is, did I do the wrong thing by booking an accessible cabin?

You absolutely did the right thing by booking an accessible cabin.

You do not know how your husband will be the week of the cruise. If, for some reason, over the next year his issues resolve 95% and the accessible cabin is not needed (and wouldn't that be wonderful), you call the cruise line and offer to swap out for another cabin.

As far as having a wheelchair or scooter ready for him if he might need it, only you know how he will respond to that. I am a firm believer in having something but not needing it is better than the needing something and not having it. However, as I approach being disabled by lung disease, I also know how hard it is to accept and how ticked off I am by the process, so further reminder of my limitations doesn't always sit well.

My husband and I are booked on a cruise for next March. Trying to project his health status a year out was tough, and we had to book immediately (the booking is for a convention I'm attending). I had no time to do research beyond "Does this cruise suck?"

 

We booked an accessible balcony cabin through the convention -- we couldn't book through the cruise line, due to how the convention organizers had organized their block of rooms. Originally the convention organizers had a limited number of accessible cabins in their block, and the accessible balcony room was taken, but they arranged to swap out another accessible room so we could get this one.

 

But then, I found Cruise Critic and became more aware of just how really rare those accessible staterooms are. So here's my problem:

 

My husband's mobility disability is a "sometimes" thing. He can walk, but the more he walks, the worse he gets, and "worse" can last for days or even weeks. At his worst, he has to take heavy-duty painkillers in order to get out of bed and can't stand for more than a few minutes. At his best, though, he seems fine.

 

However, I suspect there's a lot of walking on cruise ships, even if all you want to do is get out of the stateroom to get food. So while he might be fine on day 1, he's probably going to be in bad shape by day 2 and a wreck by day 3.

 

I've talked to him about renting a wheelchair or scooter. That's a possibility in the future, especially because they just found an irregularity in his spinal MRI that may require surgery. For now, though, he said, "If it's that bad, I'll stay in bed and order room service."

 

Stubbornness aside, he will likely need and use the bench in the shower, because again, he can't always stand for long periods -- even more than a few minutes. (Basically, he'll use an aid that's already present. If the ship had wheelchairs or scooters already available, this would be a whole different story.)

 

So what I'm wondering is, did I do the wrong thing by booking an accessible cabin?

Last cruise (with P and O in the uk) I went on holiday with a slight nagging pain in my knee. By day 2 I was barely walking around the ship.

We are still waiting to see what the problem is (nhs) but probs a torn cartlidge.

There is a lot of walking around a cruise ship. Just getting to the MDR could involve a long walk to the lifts, then from the lifts to the table.

You are right to book that cabin. Your OH needs it.

You are lucky, in the UK if you take a scooter on board you can only book suites or accessable cabins.

I am hoping something will be sorted with my knee by the next cruise, or I may be looking at hiring a scooter (we are very lucky and in a mini suite, so a scooter will be no problem)

My husband and I are booked on a cruise for next March. Trying to project his health status a year out was tough, and we had to book immediately (the booking is for a convention I'm attending). I had no time to do research beyond "Does this cruise suck?"

 

We booked an accessible balcony cabin through the convention -- we couldn't book through the cruise line, due to how the convention organizers had organized their block of rooms. Originally the convention organizers had a limited number of accessible cabins in their block, and the accessible balcony room was taken, but they arranged to swap out another accessible room so we could get this one.

 

But then, I found Cruise Critic and became more aware of just how really rare those accessible staterooms are. So here's my problem:

 

My husband's mobility disability is a "sometimes" thing. He can walk, but the more he walks, the worse he gets, and "worse" can last for days or even weeks. At his worst, he has to take heavy-duty painkillers in order to get out of bed and can't stand for more than a few minutes. At his best, though, he seems fine.

 

However, I suspect there's a lot of walking on cruise ships, even if all you want to do is get out of the stateroom to get food. So while he might be fine on day 1, he's probably going to be in bad shape by day 2 and a wreck by day 3.

 

I've talked to him about renting a wheelchair or scooter. That's a possibility in the future, especially because they just found an irregularity in his spinal MRI that may require surgery. For now, though, he said, "If it's that bad, I'll stay in bed and order room service."

 

Stubbornness aside, he will likely need and use the bench in the shower, because again, he can't always stand for long periods -- even more than a few minutes. (Basically, he'll use an aid that's already present. If the ship had wheelchairs or scooters already available, this would be a whole different story.)

 

So what I'm wondering is, did I do the wrong thing by booking an accessible cabin?

If he needs a shower chair then you need the HC room. Last week I needed one and it would NOT fit in a regular tub let alone the tiny shower stall in a regular cabin. We had a suite so the room had plenty room to store my scooter. Definitely look into the scooter. An average ship is almost 1000 feet long and the HC cabins are usually not in a convenient area making for even more walking. Just rent the scooter and definitely take the HC room. You/he will not regret it. My scooter gave me so much freedom last week on the ship. It was truly a blessing to have it.

About walking....Last cruise we had a mid ship, mid deck cabin.

From our cabin to the MDR was 500 steps.

Much of the entertainment was either in the back lounge or the forward theater. Some up on the pool deck. By the end of the day I walked a minimum of 7,000 steps without thinking about it.

Of course some ships are smaller, some larger but hopefully it gives you an idea.

It's not easy. I've been in and out of a wheelchair for about 7 years.

If he MIGHT Need it feel free to book it.

My husband has only one lung (surgery for lung cancer) and problems with his joints after chemotherapy so cannot stand for long periods or walk very far without resting but does not need a disabled cabin as he can shower in a normal shower or use a bath with shower over. He uses a Travelscoot (which we first saw on a CC forum and then imported from the U.S.) to get around on land but does not use it on board as he uses a shooting stick which has a seat on it. We wanted to go on a P&O cruise from the U.K. but were told we had to book a disabled cabin or a suite if he wished to take the scooter with him. We cannot afford a suite and he does not want to take the use of a disabled cabin away from someone who needs it - therefore no cruise with P&O. We have sailed with Celebrity where there was no problem but they have limited cruises commencing in the U.K. So this year no cruise.

I think you did the right thing.

I booked a HC cabin for 2017 for the first time. Hadn't until then because I wondered if I was "disabled enough" for one with not having a wheelchair. Well, last cruise I took my walker and came home with bruises all over my arms and legs trying to get in and out of my cabin. There just wasn't a big enough pathway or room to even fold it up when getting in the cabin at the door.

Next cruise I went ahead and booked one. I'll have my service dog on that one so getting in and out of the cabin without hurting me or my dog is imperative. (I'm on the Cruising With a Service Dog thread, so darned helpful!)

Physical changes can happen, so being prepared ahead of time is good. I agree, the shower chair/ledge will be a huge thing. You did the right thing.

I use a cane on "flare" days and steps can be difficult then. On our last cruise, we had very rough waters and I almost fell getting into the bathroom, going up that step. So, we did book a handicapped cabin for this next cruise. I too felt bad about taking it from someone in a wheelchair, but I have to worry about my own safety as well.

I use a cane on "flare" days and steps can be difficult then. On our last cruise, we had very rough waters and I almost fell getting into the bathroom, going up that step. So, we did book a handicapped cabin for this next cruise. I too felt bad about taking it from someone in a wheelchair, but I have to worry about my own safety as well.

I doubt that you took it from someone in a wheelchair. They would have argued that they need it too. You probably took it from someone who just wanted a larger room. Don't worry about it.