Travel with a Walker

My mother will be traveing with us on the Carnival Legend over Christmas.

She has just had surgery 4 weeks ago and requires a walker to get around.

Has anyone out there traveled with a walker and is it very difficult to get around in the casino, dining room, etc.? Also, are there grab bars in the shower for stability?

Thanks for your help.

2 Scots

I travel with a rollerator ( walker with wheels and a seat ) I had no problem at all. THere is plenty of room to manuver in the casino. I had a HC accessible room so the shower did have a grab bar. I am not sure if the non-accesible rooms have the bars, but it would make sense to have them because a ship moves and it would be the smar thing to have in all rooms. As far as air travel, you can gate check the walker and it should be waiting for you at the destination gates ( stopovers also ).

As far as pathway access, I don't think she will find many obstacles, but then there is the fatigue factor. Have you considered renting a manual wheelchair for use on the ship? You can order one and have it delivered directly to her cabin. That way, she can still get around the large ship even if she's not up to using the walker.

Also, be aware that if you are in a standard (non-accessible) cabin, there is a step up to the bathroom.

Candy

I agree about needing some other type of mobility other than just the walker. If the seas are rough her balance may be a problem. There are long distances on the ship, nearly all on carpet (difficult in a walker or manual wheelchair). Ports would be prohibitive in some cases with only a walker unless you plan entirely on ship's tours (and then she needs to be able to climb the stairs of a bus). A scooter can be a problem ashore, depending on your ports, when a manual wheelchair would work better (with a pusher). A scooter, while more expensive, would give her freedom to come and go as she pleases around the ship, otherwise she would undoubtably need to be pushed everywhere by someone else. The problem is getting a narrow enough one to fit inside a regular cabin, as I assume you do not have an accessible cabin.

I have not seen grab-bars in the non-accessible rooms, except. occasionally one small one at the entrance to the shower. You can use a plastic deck chair in the shower so she does not need to worry about standing to shower in a sometimes rocking ship.

I use a rolling walker with seat. I have not (yet) rented a scooter or wheelchair and have done OK. The two problems I have had are fatigue due to long distances walked (resolved since I got the walker with seat since I can sit when I need to) and using the shower. The problem with the shower was resolved when our room steward offered me a shower seat. Since that cruise I have requested the seat and this has worked well and I don't fall since I am sitting. I can manage the step into the bathroom and have used a standard cabin without problem. I hope you enjoy your cruise as much as I have enjoyed mine.