Miami terminal for Escape - recommendations for geriatric traveler

Hi all, taking my 87 y/o mom on a cruise in a couple of weeks. I already called the NCL access desk to arrange a shower chair for her. I just realized that our check-in time (10-10:30) is not the same as boarding time so we may have a wait of upwards of one hour. Don't mind waiting but can someone advise if there are chairs in the waiting area? She can walk but standing for that timeframe may get a bit much for her. The alternative would be just to arrive a bit later.

Any other tips? We've already done the TSA traveler pre-check so airport won't be an issue and have arranged private transportation once we get there. My goal is to maximize the experience for her. She has sailed before but it has been over a decade since she did it.

There are seats but you don’t have to go by that port arrival time on your e docs. You can get there whenever you want so if you don’t want her hanging around waiting for a couple of hours, just get there after say 1 so you can just go through the process and get right on.

most of all cruise ship terminals have seating

I agree with purpletequila...arriving a little later will also mean less crowds and less stress. And if she has difficulty walking at all, don't hesitate to ask for a porter and wheelchair. There is a special area for wheelchairs that really helps with the check in and boarding process. Enjoy this special time with your mom.

You can also call NCL and have wheelchair assist added to her e-docs. I did that for my mother who is traveling with us this weekend. My mother does not need a wheelchair all the time but she is 95 and it helps with getting her through the airport and cruise crowds.

We also have an issue with the check-in, out of our party of 11 she is in term C and the rest of us are in term B. NCL will not change that but did tell us to inform the agents at the terminal and she would be allowed in with us in term B.

I would strongly suggest that you rent wheelchair from Care Vacations . They are around 125 for a week. It will be delivered to your stateroom. These ships are long. NCL has them for embarkation, but not for daily use.

I would strongly suggest that you rent wheelchair from Care Vacations . They are around 125 for a week. It will be delivered to your stateroom. These ships are long. NCL has them for embarkation, but not for daily use.

Another option is Amazon. I bought a lightweight wheelchair for my mother and it is shipping to our hotel in Miami this Friday, $97, I have Amazon Prime. If we feel like dragging it home we will, otherwise we will just leave it behind at the airport. I have done this many times with strollers for my son, I just hate having to check a cheap stroller when flying.

Kathleen, Tami and I check in at that time too. you know we will help in any way possible with you, Dan, and your mom. Let us know how we can help.

My mom is almost 89 and just started to use a rollator (the walker with a seat). Walmart had one for $79. She fought me over it and now won't go to Atlantic City (casino) or on the cruise without it. We were on the Escape when she was younger, 87, and didn't use a cane or anything but now recalling the distance from the cabin to the casino -- she wants her rollator ;)

I really recommend wheelchair assist for boarding - it's a long, twisting and hilly ramp and if your mom has an early boarding number, the Vibe stampede is dangerous to someone moving slowly. They almost knocked my mom down - so now both out of necessity and safety, we are using wheelchair assist

Enjoy your cruise! The Escape is a wonderful ship!

Angela

Kathleen, Tami and I check in at that time too. you know we will help in any way possible with you, Dan, and your mom. Let us know how we can help.

Thanks Mike - cruise friends are the BEST:*

My mom is almost 89 and just started to use a rollator (the walker with a seat). Walmart had one for $79. She fought me over it and now won't go to Atlantic City (casino) or on the cruise without it. We were on the Escape when she was younger, 87, and didn't use a cane or anything but now recalling the distance from the cabin to the casino -- she wants her rollator ;)

 

I really recommend wheelchair assist for boarding - it's a long, twisting and hilly ramp and if your mom has an early boarding number, the Vibe stampede is dangerous to someone moving slowly. They almost knocked my mom down - so now both out of necessity and safety, we are using wheelchair assist

 

Enjoy your cruise! The Escape is a wonderful ship!

Angela

Thanks for the recommendation! I sure hope anyone who knocks into my mom can swim... Just sayin':evilsmile:

I have Cruised with my elderly mom 3 times. I would defiantly suggest a scooter rental. They have it waiting in your cabin when you get there and pick it up when the cruise is over. It gave her independence and allowed me to enjoy my vacation a little more. Also remember if you bring your own wheelchair you will (possibly) need to push it up the gangway if there are no porters available. That was a nightmare for me. Enjoy your cruise

My mom is 92 and I arranged for wheel chair assist on the ship on our upcoming Sun cruise. She does walk with a rolling walker, but lately she tires more since she was just diagnosed with breast cancer. I just ordered a combo rolling walker/wheel chair from Amazon that arrives tomorrow. I am so excited because now she can walk when she is up to it and I can push her when she is not.

Oh, the combo walker/wheel chair is only $105!

Another option is Amazon. I bought a lightweight wheelchair for my mother and it is shipping to our hotel in Miami this Friday, $97, I have Amazon Prime. If we feel like dragging it home we will, otherwise we will just leave it behind at the airport. I have done this many times with strollers for my son, I just hate having to check a cheap stroller when flying.

Did having the wheelchair delivered to the hotel work out? Hoping to hear about your experience,

Also a Prime member and considering doing the same with a rollator since the airline (even gate check) can be hard on the lightweight version. We're at the Hampton Inn Brickell so I'm assuming mom can handle the walk from baggage claim to car service and then to hotel lobby without the rollator.

Hope you had a great cruise

My wife uses a rollator, but she is disabled and not a senior yet. We have twice taken her rollator on the ship, but we just tag it and check it in with our luggage and have them take her aboard in a wheelchair. We will likely rent a scooter for her this time as she is coming back from a heart attack and does not yet have the stamina for walking all over the Epic.