Smart 4-2

Thank you Floridiana. Now we won't need to be as serious about finding a used book store in Ft Lauderdale.

I will load a bunch on my iPad, too.

Yes, we are on the first segment of the World Cruise.Lots of reading time, if we can spare time from all the shipboard activities,

Thank you for your review.

We are boarding the Amsterdam Jan.22.and welcome the great review.

What is the state of the Library? It is a feature we both enjoy and we will be disappointed if it 

has gone the way of the Koningsdam.

Anybody know anything about Skype and Facetime access in any package?

I need Skype to call my mom's phone regularly. (she is 92)

Last Spring it worked from my cabin all over the South Pacific ! (not all the time, and not fast, but hey, better than a cell phone)

We just did a 21 day Caribbean cruise last November with my TravelScoot.

I just barely fit through the door of a regular room, and we took my scooter apart and stored it in a closet below clothes.It would fit on the far side of the cabin but would make the cabin very cozy for three. The only tender port we had was Half Moon Cay, and it had large easy to board tenders.HAL staff are very helpful on gangways. Elevators can be crowded but other folks are usually.considerate. Hallway laundry carts can be obstacles Insulin can be stored in the bar fridge if you have one in the room, or you can rent a small fridge (or "cooler") and stick it in the knee space of the desk. There are always sugar free options on the menue in DR.( watch out for those fruit soups) Sharps containers will be provided if requested. We had a great time.

Your neighbour would love the trip, and has very considerate friends.

I have used my handicap placard from Alberta Canada in Arizona, Florida, Australia and New Zealand.

No problems so far.

Thank you Crew News for sharing your voyage.

sorry you missed Half Moon Cay.

-Smart 4-2

As reported by Crew News, the Oosterdam had to skip Half Moon Cay today because of poor tender conditions. (wind and higher seas.)

Do they dock a bit earlier at Port Everglades or just go slow?

 

Smart 4-2

Have a great cruise!

i won't be along this time

Donna

Be aware that a cabin with a connecting door to the next one looses one of the three closets. ( on HAL, at least)

This makes it harder to store folding mobility devices, canes, etc.

I have had mine for about a year. They are great for shore excursions, long "walks" and shopping.

I have used mine in Australia, New Zealand and France.

It sometimes does not handle gravel well.

I suggest a spare battery. I can fold it up and carry it in the back of my smart car!

Best Wishes

We chose balcony cabins in 2012 when we cruised to Alaska with elderly mothers. At 94 and 86 they were not as mobile and less likely to spend much time on deck. We booked 3 cabins in a row and had ship staff remove

the barriers so we had one long balcony. Our moms loved to get bundled up and sit out to watch the glaciers, and other scenery. At glacier view points, the captain rotated the ship 360 degrees so everyone got to see.

-Smart 4-2

In an ocean view or inside cabin, you can rent a bar fridge and stuff it under the desk. we did that to store insulin.

They need lots of notice, as there are a limited number available.

..this experience was a few years ago, on different HAL ships.

DK Eyewitness was our favorite, but we used Fodor, too.

We wrote to the various Australian State tourist offices and requested travel literature (in most cased applied online). Local tourist info sites were also very helpful.

We cruised to Antarctica on the Prinsendam last year and loved the experience. No landings, but lots of scenic cruising past research stations, icebergs and penguin colonies. For a closer view of penguins, land excursions in the Falklands and other areas were great. Seas were relatively calm that voyage with no seasickness - for us.

My sister-in-law went on an expedition type ship a few years ago - with Antarctic shore stops. It would have been beyond my walking abilities.

On HAL we had great guest lecturers from the research stations.

Either way - wonderful trip

Thank you, Bill & Mary Ann

We are looking forward to our cruise in Feb. on the Statendam - the same route. your comments make the trip seem real and we can hardly wait.

-Smart 4-2

lhanson 38 posted:
"I can tell your not from the south..Bless your heart is not a nice thing..Really"

Sorry, I did not mean to offend anyone. Thanks for letting me know.
Yes, I am not from the South, and do not grasp the nuances convayed by that phrase. I did think it was less positive than "have a nice day".
I will ask some friendly fellow cruisers to translate the phrase on a relaxing sea day - no need to elaborate here.

to lovebunnyok:
What a terrible experience!
I'm glad you and your husband are recovered and looking forward to cruising.

Fireunner.
I am glad you are finding this thread informative.
The responses you are objecting to were, I felt, quite restrained responses to an insensitive cruel poster who verbally attacked people of size.
The moderators were right in removing them. I was glad to see the thread back to its original focus. Sorry if you were upset by some of our posts.
This thread has been a friendly place, a safe haven where we may discuss challenges with others who understand. I don't find your post objectionable, and many of us sympathize and share the struggle of dealing with permanent disabilities.
Best wishes, and enjoy cruising.

Thank you to the moderators for their edits.
Some of the previous posts replied to an inappropriate poster
who was "dissing" fluffy folks.
Those offensive posts have vanished.
Now we may return to our usual polite, friendly cruise conversations.

Being overweight can be partly metabolic / reaction to meds and partly learned behavior. Eating styles, reaction to stress, physical problems that hinder getting enough exercise...
I am more worried about learned behavior that makes one intolerant and very uncompassionate towards fellow human beings.
This thread is supposed to be about sharing cruise tips for dealing with disabilities - in a positive way, if possible.
Please "play nice", and to quote a phrase I learned from CC
"Well, bless your heart"

I sailed in this cabin last April. Eurodam H4113

It is a fully obstructed OV cabin.

However, the window looked out on a lifeboat, which had windows - and I could see some of the view through those windows. Not all lifeboats were the same style.