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armywifefisher

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Posts posted by armywifefisher

    Teen Wheelchair user and best cruise line & ports

    in Disabled Cruise Travel

    Posted

    Hi my name is Patty, Unfortunately my daughter who is 12 had a spinal stroke on June 2, that has left her a paraplegic. We have a cruise that was booked before all this happened for NCL getaway western, but not sure if this is our best choice. By the time the cruise comes around, next August, she should be profeciant in transfers and self care. I am just afraid there will be either not the best ship or cruise line to pick or best ports to pick. Any info will be helpful.[/quote

    Being that this is a newexperience , perhaps you might consider booking the cruise through a travelagent that specializes in Disability Travel especially cruise. Though there are many 2 that seem to do itwell are:

    • AccessibleCaribbean Vacations http://www.accessiblecaribbeanvacations.com/contact-us/ John Sage who owns this agency is also aparaplegic. This good site to use to determineport accessibility (click on “Port Accessibility Reviews) when selecting anitinerary.
    • Easy AccessTravel http://easyaccesstravel.com/ Believe they plan group cruises for peoplewith Spinal Cord Injuries .
    • Disclaimer : Have not used nor am affiliated with either of thesecompanies.

    The following websitesoffers a lot of good information regarding living and traveling with a SpinalCord Injury.

    http://www.unitedspinal.org/pdf/NM_Jun_16.pdf If nothing else you might want to register to receiveits magazine as it provides a wealth of information.

     

     

    This websiteprovides a lot of links to resources in general that you may find helpful overtime: https://www.medstargoodsam.org/our-services/rehabilitation/treatments/spinal-cord-rehabilitation/resources-for-spinal-cord-injury-patients/#q={}

     

    For consideration when booking :

    • IMHO cruising isa very good option for anyone living with a disability. Yes there will be timesobstacles may have to be worked out as with any travel but for the most partit’s very doable. Overall I think itwill be a very enjoyable time. My 13year old nephew who has been disabled from birth went on his first cruise this past February and he didn’t wantit to end.
    • In theory thenewer the build of the ship the more accessible it will be.
    • With theexception of NCL’s Pride of America which is registered to the USA, sails underthe USA Flag and is permanently based in the USA (Hawaii) all cruise ships areforeign flagged ships in which ADA applies only on limited basis in referenceto ships embarking from a USA. With thatstates ADA only applies to the public areas of the ship. However to the extent that ADA applies to thepublic areas of the ship for new builds has yet to be determine by USACongress.
    • A “FullyAccessible Cabin is a must but there is more to take into consideration whenbooking an accessible cabin.
      • Carnival hasmulti classifications of Accessible Cabins and Holland American has FullyAccessible as well a Modified Accessible cabin. All other cruise lines haveonly “Fully Accessible Cabins.
      • Automatic cabindoor openers are far and few between. Therefore if that’s needed you will haveto check directly with the cruise line. For example RCCL has automatic cabin door openers only on its Radiance Class Shipsand Vision Class Ships.
      • Whether thetoilet grab bar are on the right or left side of the toilet when seated isimportant to know as your daughter my favor a specific side from which totransfer. RCCL posts this information on link when viewing the deck. For all other cruise lines you’ll need tocontact their Special Needs Department.
      • You might want toconsider bringing or renting a shower wheelchair. Reason being the fold downshower seats are not always the best tosafely transfer to.
      • Very fewaccessible cabins will accommodate more than 2 passengers. Rollaway beds are generally not allowed inAccessible Cabins as the floor space is required for the wheelchair.

      [*]If your daughterlikes to be in the water than makecertain the ship selected at least one poolwith a chair lift. For example:

      • Disney’s poolshave lifts.
      • RCCL ships haveone pool and one hot tub with a chair lift fleet wide.

      [*]Try to select anyitinerary that has no tender ports. Wheelchairs and scooters are no allowed on tenders if there is no roll-oncapability. Even if the tender does haveroll-on capabilities it’s at the Captain discretion if passengers with any typeof mobility equipment are allowed to board

      [*]It was suggestedby another poster to check into the possibility of your daughter using amobility scooter. Scooters are generallynotrecommended nor a safe option for paraplegics. Therefore you shouldonly listen to her doctor, OccupationalTherapist and Physical Therapist to determine what is the best and safest mobility devicefor your daughter. On the unlikely chance that a mobility scooter would beapproved it’s not the most convenient option to use table side.. A manual chair or power chair will allowbetter flexibility to pull right up the table to dine or do any other activity.

    P.S a big thank you goes out to your husband for his service !!!

     

     

     

     

     

    Thank so much you gave me a lot of great info.

    Teen Wheelchair user and best cruise line & ports

    in Disabled Cruise Travel

    Posted

    Wow I have not seen you on CC in ages. I am so terribly sorry about your daughter. I have her in my prayers and hope her path in life is a safe one.

    Yes it has been awhile to many thing has happened from husbands twin brother passing away to both mine and his dad having stage 4 cancer and now this. This cruise was suppose to happen this year but didn't due to my dad just getting dignosised so rebooked it for next yr.

    Teen Wheelchair user and best cruise line & ports

    in Disabled Cruise Travel

    Posted

    Hi my name is Patty, Unfortunately my daughter who is 12 had a spinal stroke on June 2, that has left her a paraplegic. We have a cruise that was booked before all this happened for NCL getaway western, but not sure if this is our best choice. By the time the cruise comes around, next August, she should be profeciant in transfers and self care. I am just afraid there will be either not the best ship or cruise line to pick or best ports to pick. Any info will be helpful.

    Help on itinerary!!!

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    Trying to make my mind up. I really want to go on the Breeze but can't decided which one itinerary. We are thrill seekers but do love beaches too, so we want a mix. I am having a hard time due to previous recommendation of A,B,C island but having trouble with excursions, as a lot have bad reviews. So here is my choices.

     

    Grand Turk , La Romana ( not sure what to do here), Curaçao (again having hard time), Aruba (jeep natural pool excursion)

     

    Or

     

    St. Maarten ,St. Thomas, Antigua, Amber Cove.

     

    I have found more to do and better reviews on second choice but the sail date on 1st one works better. What did you do and which one is best. Help please need to book soon.

     

     

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    Discission

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    First off, not trying to be mean, but your grammar is not good. Now, onto the question. I'd choose the second one.

     

     

    Yes at 40 yrs old I am well aware my grammar sucks, especially when I am in a hurry. However I am awesome in Math, science, and helping ppl , that is why i become an ICU nurse and not a English teacher. Knowing your down falls is over half of the battle.

     

    Thanks all for the response I almost crossed off the cruise with the ABC island in it. That's why I love this site, I always get great advice.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    Discission

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    Tying to make up our mind is not easy. I am trying to plan a cruise in Feb. for my family and friends. My friends has never been on a cruise before. Which one would you say is best. I am the only one that has been to Belize and Roatan. Me and hubby has been to Cozumel (several times) Cayman, Maarten, HMC, and Puerto Rica. I like all the ones I have been to before so none of them is a never want to vist again port. help me chose please and why?

     

    Glory- 7 day Cayman, Roatan , Belize, Cozumel. Or 7 day HMC, Thomas, Puerto Rica, Grand Turk.

     

    Breeze- 8 day Maarten, Antigua, Thomas, Amber Cove or 8 day Turk, La Ramona, Curaçao, Aruba

     

    Sunshine 8 day Maarten, Kitty, San Juan, Grand Turk.

     

     

    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

    I thought I heard everything

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    We should start a sweepstake as to who will start a comparison thread about cruise lines' carpet thickness. I can just see the cheerleaders on their hands and knees checking out the thread count and thickness of the carpets on their favoured lines.

     

    What next - the patterns on the carpet caused a migraine? The carpet colour clashed with my clothes?

     

     

    I could be the ambassador of carpet inspector as I use to work for Shaw Industries. Yes I actually ran the machine that made the carpet and inspected it, along with fixing any issues for 8 years. Can I get a job going on free cruises to assess the issue with the carpet.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    Fascination express aft balcony question

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    After you hit your 15 drink limit you'll probably be passed out and won't hear any noises at all. ;)

     

     

     

    I know I would be!!

     

     

    Lol [emoji322][emoji323] you might be right especially if I save most of them for the club., but it's not the nights I am worried about. I am more worried about 5 -6 am in the morning. Then again might not get in until 3 so might be still passed out.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    Cheers 15 drink a day limit? Can I buy more?

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    Actually weight has nothing to do with how much you drink, it all is how your liver process it and yes I am a nurse. I am about 140 lbs and I can drink a lot of ppl under the table doing patron tequila shots and I only drink 1 mix drinks when at a restaurant, nothing when I am at home (I am a social drinker) and only go out with friend about once ever 3 months and I will surprise most ppl how much I can drink. I do not plan on hitting my limit but maybe one night or two as this is a girls trip, no kids, no husbands. So i guess if I get close I will have to buy a bottle, that was an awesome idea.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    Thread to keep track of upsells

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    1- Fascination 2/28/15 5day Bahama

     

    2- 46 days before sailing

     

    3- 2 ppl

     

    4 - guaranteed ocean view.

     

    5 - balcony on deck main mid or aft, upper aft, or express aft for $90 . Took upper deck aft

     

    So I paid $264 pp for balcony, do not think I could have beat that.

     

     

    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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