DRS/NC

Princess Cruise Lines use both Special Needs at Sea & ScootAround. I've rented scooters from both, tho I mostly use SNatS. They include the insurance in their price which makes them a bit cheaper than SA (who add the insurance). SNatS also has a smaller scooter (19" base) that barely fits thru the door of non-HA cabins (if you can't get an HA cabin).

I had a real "treat" in a HA cabin on the Island Princess. The HA cabins/balconies on Promenade Deck 7 aft are huge! PCL remodeled the Island several years ago & used part of the wrap-around Promenade for new cabin space. I haven't seen any of the regular cabins but the HA cabins (PR702 - PR709) are BIG & that includes the covered (enclosed) balconies. I was on an 18-day Repositioning cruise from FLL to S'hampton w/lots of sea days. Many days were rainy/windy but the balcony was so deep, w/only the 'front' open, I was able to sit & read & be dry even in the rain. LOVED it!

I did an 18-day TA on the Island Princess in June 2022, FFL to S'hampton via Nova Scotia, Iceland & the UK. We had very well attended solo gatherings every evening about 5:30; we made our own smaller dinner groups. I don't know what the daytime activities were on sea days as I don't participate. I have my balcony, my coffee pot & my Kindle. My DD, her DH & I went to Alaska on the Majestic Princess in Sept 2021. We LOVED that ship! Built for the Asian market, Majestic has some venues not found on other PCL ships. The Hollywood Conservatory at the front of Deck 17 is perfect for "iffy" weather -- and it's free -- and there's an Adults Only covered (not too big but great) pool! I'd really love to do a TA on the Majestic. I might even fore go a balcony!

I've been cruising for 50 yrs; the past 10 yrs w/serious mobility issues, using either a rollator or scooter. NEVER have I been told HOW I would be assisted/helped in an emergency. I have spoken against the video muster drills ever since they started. I doubt that 10% of passengers actually watch them & pay attention. Heaven help us all if we ever have to use that information!

I'd like to add a question (my 1st Crossing w/Cunard is next year): while waiting to board, is there wheelchair assistance? I am "older" w/serious mobility issues. I'll be renting an electric scooter for the crossings, but I don't yet know if I'll get it at the pier or in my cabin. I mostly cruise w/Princess & always have WC assistance as soon as I arrive. I don't mind waiting, but I can't stand for but a few minutes. THANKS!

Thank you! yes, as I searched more carefully, I found the "Accessibility" tab for many of the hotels. Now, I just have to decide on a hotel. At least I have 14 months until the trip.

I was on the Island (first time) in May/June 2022, repositioning from Ft. Lauderdale to S'hampton. I'm a solo & handicapped cruiser. I prefer Princess's 'older' ships. After 40 yrs. w/PCL, (& 10 w/other lines), the newest ship I've cruised is the Regal. When PCL remodeled the Island, they converted part of the aft Promenade deck to cabins, including several HA cabins. I was in PR703 -- the biggest cabin I've ever had except for a suite once. The balcony was huge! It was the full width of the cabin & half the depth (the old Promenade deck). On misty/windy/rainy sea days (we had several), I could sit at the back of the balcony, just outside the cabin door, bundled in my sweatshirt & a pool blanket w/a pot of coffee & my Kindle. And I did NOT get wet! My idea of a cruise! Since we were barely "post-Covid" the ship was only half booked. Every evening the pre-dinner solo meet-up was in a large lounge. 50+ of us gathered for drinks before presenting ourselves (in smaller groups) at a MDR where we were seated quickly & could continue our lively conversations. It was a great "solo" cruise. The food was very good too. It was an easy Accessible cruise for me & my electric scooter. I was on Deck 7 w/all the important venues. I missed the International Cafe, but everything else was delightful. Depending on the itinerary, I'd book the Island again.

I'm booked on the QM2 in Sept. 2025 w/my DD & her DH. We wanted to stay in Southampton for 2-3 days before the westbound crossing. I use an electric scooter which I'll rent in S'hampton. Any suggestions for a hotel in S'hampton? Of course I'll need an elevator. Some of the older hotels look so charming & inviting, but are they suitable for me? Any ideas/help greatly appreciated! Yes, I also posted this question on the "Disabled" forum 2 mos. ago & have 0 responses.

I was asking about step-entry pools (not ladders) on the new Princess ships (Sky, Enchanted & 2 more) a few months ago. I was told that they have "sling" lifts in/out of the pools (not for me!). I don't know about the "older" ships since most of them have smaller pools that have steps. That doesn't help you. I'd cross-post your question on the Princess page too.

No definite plans yet, but hoping for 2026.

There is so much good advice on this thread!, Elsabe! As I read, I was waiting to see someone say what my NC neighbor said: a "come to Jesus" meeting with me pointing out that I was not paying attention to how my trouble affected him. We w/mobility issues often don't want to address the issue, esp. w/a mobility device. I've been cruising for 50+ years. Since 2012, I've mostly been solo. When I realized (c. 2017) that I couldn't cruise w/o "help" I looked at my options. First I took my rollator but quickly moved on to a rented scooter. FREEDOM (mostly; my daughter sets the speedometer at TURTLE on the scooter). Please consider asking your husband's doctor or a physical therapist to discuss w/him how dangerous his denial of the issues is to BOTH of you. If you have adult children, they might work w/you & the professionals on this, You may have to get tough (hard to do) & refuse to travel until he faces the obvious & agrees to mobility tools! Good Luck!

I was there in June 2019, traveling solo. At that time, I used a scooter on the ship & my walker/rollator in the 3 Greenland ports. I could walk but only for short distances & time. Only Nuuk, the capitol, was truly a port at which we could dock (Caribbean Princess). I did a ship's tour there on a bus. The other 2 stops were at very small villages that required tendering. The scooter couldn't go on the tenders, but the rollator folds & could go on the tender. It's difficult getting on the bus, but I did have a front row seat. I did not get off at any stops (there were few). However, I did have a good view & could hear the driver/guide quite well. In the 2 villages (Qaqortoq & Nanotalik), each had a wooden fishing pier. Only 1 tender could off-load/on-load at a time. Going ashore took 2 hrs or more; returning to the ship took longer. There was very little paved road, but my rollator worked well (a bit bumpy) for me to explore some of the area. And I could always sit & rest on the rollator. Although I probably wouldn't do the Greenland cruise again (I'm now less mobile), I very glad that I was able to do it. It was a very interesting -- all of the white/gray rock out-crops & beautiful coast lines as well as the friendly people. I've read that the villages are getting "improvements" to better handle the increased in cruises. Of course, check w/your cruise line about the HA aspects of your particular ship. If you use a wheelchair full time, this might not be the cruise you want as tenders & gravel roads aren't WC friendly. Good luck!

5 Alaska cruises (including 2 land tours) here. It almost always rains when I'm in Ketchikan. I always spray my sneakers/trainers 2-3x w/waterproofing before I cruise. It works! And it doesn't mar the shoes. Enjoy Alaska!

Yes, I know that predicting the weather, esp in the north Atlantic, is "iffy" at best, but I need guidelines. It's my first Cunard crossing. I like to spend a good bit of time on deck, just reading & watching the sea. As a guideline: will I need my fleece jacket or my Irish wool sweater? Yes, I live in NC now, but I lived in Ohio & Wisconsin for 30+ years so i do know cool/cold. THANKS

That was my experience too -- when I ordered bacon on the Room Service door tag menu! I've learned to write "1/2 portion of bacon" but it's still my favorite RS meal!

WARNING: you may think that a cruise/trip to Alaska is a "once in a life time" event, but it may very well be addictive! I've been 5 times in 40 years -- and plan to go again in 2026! You'll LOVE it!

I will join the QM2 in autumn 2025. We plan to stay in Southampton for 2-3 nights prior the crossing. I haven't booked a hotel yet (too early?). Is the hotel apt to have universal outlets? Will we need electrical converters for recharging our phones, kindles, etc? Thank you!

I will join the QM2 in autumn 2025. We plan to stay in Southampton for 2-3 nights prior the crossing. I haven't booked a hotel yet (too early?). Is the hotel apt to have universal outlets? Will we need electrical converters for recharging our phones, kindles, etc? Thank you!

RE Huichol Indians' beaded work -- I got an intricately beaded egg about 20 years ago (can't recall which Mexican port). It's a Christmas tree ornament that I've used every year -- along w/ all my other "cruise port" ornaments. Some ornaments are "art" some are not but all are good memories.

1.3k April 3, 2013 #1 Posted just now I'm booked on the QM2 in Sept. 2025 w/my DD & her DH. We wanted to stay in Southampton for 2-3 days before the westbound crossing. I use an electric scooter which I'll rent in S'hampton. Any suggestions for a hotel in S'hampton? Of course I'll need an elevator. Some of the older hotels look so charming & inviting, but are they suitable for me? Any ideas/help greatly appreciated! [Yes, I've also posted this on the Disabled Cruisers page.]

I'm booked on the QM2 in Sept. 2025 w/my DD & her DH. We wanted to stay in Southampton for 2-3 days before the westbound crossing. I use an electric scooter which I'll rent in S'hampton. Any suggestions for a hotel in S'hampton? Of course I'll need an elevator. Some of the older hotels look so charming & inviting, but are they suitable for me? Any ideas/help greatly appreciated!

OP -- thanks for your questions -- and Everyone for your responses! A Cunard cruise (actually a QM2 crossing) has been on my Bucket List for years! W/my DD & SIL, I'm booked for Sept 2025 -- My 80th b'day present to myself. Despite 50 years of cruises, I was a bit worried about the dress code for myself & SIL. (DD will dress to the 9s whenever possible.) We may get SIL a sport coat to augment his basic black suit. I'll have my black pants & fancy (or not) tops. We're really looking forward to this fabulous experience!

Is it appropriate to ask here: what brand of soft drinks dos QM2 serve/ (I'm a Diet Coke person: my DD is a gingerale person). And what is the cost of the This is our first Cunard cruise (westbound TA), so everything is new. We usually cruise Princess & never get either drinks pkg. since I don't drink alcohol at all & DD/SIL only have wine w/dinner -- the occasional "floofy" drink or cocoa. I usually have free soda w/my elite mini-bar exchange. The cost of a beverage pkg just never is cost effective for any of us. The prices listed in Post # 7 are per day -- right? It looks like a pkg will not be cost effective for us. I'm 'solo' in a cabin; my "kids" would both have to buy a pkg -- right? THANKS for any advice/info!

Thanks, Everyone, for your responses. I see that I must adjust my "dream cruise". It won't be next summer (2025) on QM2. I've never had any problem getting a cabin on Princess & getting a scooter into it, even when it wasn't HA. I had no idea that Cunard had such a strict policy. That's why CC is so helpful. Maybe I'll have better luck w/a fall date. More work for my travel agent.

I've my heart set on a TA trip on QM2 for my 80th birthday in 2025. However, my travel agent has not been able to locate/book a handicapped cabin (I use a scooter for mobility). Therefore, I'm considering a regular balcony cabin -- if I can get a scooter in it! I've rented a 19" wide scooter in the past; it fit thru the cabin door on a Princess ship w/a 21" door. Does anyone know the width of a QM2 door? Thanks!