first cruise on celebrity

[munch122]

Hi,

I need your help My 87 year old mother wants to go on her first cruise!! My husband and myself will be taking her and we have never cruised either. I choose celebrity for nonsmoking and the ability for a drink package. My dilema is which cruise for 3 people sharing one room. 5 night constellation sky suite #6146 with extra large balcony dec 15 ft lauderdale to jamacia and caymens, or for about the same money 7 night southern carribean on the Summit dec 8 from san juan tons of stops in a concierge cabin 6144 with large balcony. Mom can walk but not to far so I do not know if all the stops would be good. I do not think she could do the portage stops and it is my understanding that casinos close in port. She loves her slot machines. She does not swim but likes shows and casinos. Which cruise would be best for our first time!!! Thank you in advance!!!

munch122

[jkspringtexas]

We are bringing my mom (87 years young) with us for her first cruise. Wish you could join us - I bet they would have a lot of fun together. We will be on the Century RT from San Diego to Hawaii on October 5. Any way way you could book that one for the 3 of you?

 

One suggestion I have is to take or rent a scooter. Mom is very mobile and agile, however for stability when the ship is moving she will be driving a scooter when she is out and about. We don't want to take a chance of her falling if the ship is rocking and rolling. We were able to book adjoining balcony rooms and know that will work out well for all of us.

 

Have a wonderful cruise - Jan

[kitty9]

The sofa bed in those cabins are terribly uncomfortable, especially for someone 87. I know my mom would not have been able to sleep on those pull out beds.

 

As for the cabin, it's 6146 all the way. Just the huge bathroom makes it the better choice. I've been in that cabin a few times and it's wonderful.

[tigger1968]

My grandmother was about 80 when she did her first (and only) cruise. Due to age she does not wish to travel anymore but absolutely loved her cruise experience.

 

If you are looking at sharing a room for the 3 of you the 3rd person is normally much less expensive as the rooms are priced for 2 and the extra person only pays a supplement to cover food and activities. That being said, if the total cost is being split evenly 3 ways then go for the sky suite. 3 adults in a balcony stateroom in crowded. The extra 100+ square feet will be very welcome in the suite. Also make sure to get a room with a sofa bed as not all rooms have them. Some are pullouts from under the main bed, some are pull down beds off the wall above the main bed. I know a few people who have shared a room with young kids and said it was a problem as they could not get out of bed without either stepping on their kids on the floor, or the kids would have to wake the parents up if they needed to get up and crawl down. Sofa beds are indicated on the deck plans of the ship by either an little black square or triangle (check the legend on the deck pans)

 

Also make sure to get a room as close to the elevators near mid ship as it is a long walk for an 87 year old to get to the far back of the ship. While a larger balcony, or aft facing view is better, if your mother cannot get to the room, what is the point?

 

While in shore, there are still activities on board like live music, bingo, pool side games to watch and sometimes even guest lecturers/professors are part of an enrichment program to keep her active and entertained while in port. I would encourage you to consider an eastern caribbean itinerary as most of those ports are very large and ships rarely have to tender. Might help if she wants to get off and explore a bit.

 

Have a great cruise no matter what you decide to do!!!!!

[Char]

While the Sky suite is larger in size and has the nice big bathroom, be aware that there is a tub with shower, so if your mom can't step over and into/out of the tub the Sky suite would not work for you.

[Kryssa]

We are sailing on the Celebrity Summit this year with my 80 year old grandmother.

 

We booked us in a sweet 16 balcony for $849 per person and she is in an ocean view room down the hall for $1100 for a single. Not too bad and plenty of room for everyone, plus we all get beds.

 

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[Char]

While the Sky suite is larger in size and has the nice big bathroom, be aware that there is a tub with shower, so if your mom can't step over and into/out of the tub the Sky suite would not work for you.

 

CORRECTION!

 

Sky suites 6145 and 6146 DO have a separate shower and tub. The other Sky suites do not, but these 2 connect with the Penthouse suite and have this nice addition. We had only been in the regular Sky suites and not in either one of the suites that connect to the Penthouse. I saw a picture of 6146 on the Summit, sister ship to the Constellation, this morning on another thread. Here is the link --> Sky Suite 6146

 

Sorry for any confusion this may have caused. :(

[kitty9]

While the Sky suite is larger in size and has the nice big bathroom, be aware that there is a tub with shower, so if your mom can't step over and into/out of the tub the Sky suite would not work for you.

 

Totally not true. While it might be true for other Sky Suites, the particular one the OP is asking about, 6146, had a huge jacuzzi tub and a separate shower. Like I said, I've been in that cabin many times on the M Class ships, and 6145 and 6146, those next to the PH, have separate tubs and showers. The showers in both those SS can even accommodate a shower chair, because I used one.

[Char]

Totally not true. While it might be true for other Sky Suites, the particular one the OP is asking about, 6146, had a huge jacuzzi tub and a separate shower. Like I said, I've been in that cabin many times on the M Class ships, and 6145 and 6146, those next to the PH, have separate tubs and showers. The showers in both those SS can even accommodate a shower chair, because I used one.

Did you not see my post made 3 hours before you posted this one correcting my assumption that all Sky suites had the same bathrooms??

I even included a link to pictures. You should read all the posts before making one of your own. :)

[lindaship]

I would recommend Celebrity Summit for you, there will be lots of slots and shows for her to enjoy! Nice idea taking your mother with you.

[2flacruisers]

We took my husband's 94 year old mother with us last year on her first cruise. She is mobile, but cannot walk long distances, so we took a wheelchair, which worked out perfect. The suite should work out great for you, as the cabin is more spacious.

[dkjretired]

Its important that you know you do not have to go to the ports, there is plenty to do on the ship, lots of cruisers prefer to stay on board.

 

Also, two points on the casino on the ships, they are generally a lot tighter than land based casinos. I regularly go to casinos but when on a ship, I don't even play. Black hole comes to mind. Also, drinks are not free in the casino.

[phoenix_dream]

We have traveled with elderly relatives (80+) a number of times and they love cruising. Keep in mind that in Grand Cayman the ship does not dock, it is tendered. Tendering can be very difficult for the elderly, particularly if the seas are a bit rough that day. Whether your mother can get off the ship that day will depend on her walking stability.

 

I agree wholeheartedly that the sofa beds are awful to sleep on - although our relatives traveled together and one of them always had to sleep on the sofa bed. It is NOT comfortable, and can be a bit difficult to get into and out of if there are any mobility problems at all. You may find yourself giving up one side of your bed:).

 

Cabin location - if she has never cruised, you may not know her susceptability to seasickness. For that reason I would recommend a cabin close to the center of the ship, on the lower floors. Those have the least motion. Have her check with her doctor beforehand - seniors taking seasickness meds may have different dosing requirements, etc.. One of the favorite seasickness remedies is ginger, but it can have blood thinning properties which could interfere with any medication she may be taking, for example. Also, and this is true for everyone but particularly the very elderly, make sure to bring a list of all her medications as well as a medical history summary just in case something happens.

 

It is a wise choice to pick one of the M class ships over the S class as they are smaller (but definitely not small). It is still a long walk from the main dining room at the far back of the ship to the show theater, which is at the very front of the ship. If she has any mobility issues at all, I would suggest erring on the side of assistance - whether it be a cane, walker, wheelchair, etc., only you and she can guage that need. Keep in mind that if the ship is rocking, stability matters. The room hallways have rails, but when walking around the ship there is not always something close by to hang onto. I am not trying to scare you - it is just important to be prepared just in case. If she is anything like my relatives, she will have a wonderful time.

[Mr. Gumphere]

My opinion only, we were healthy and well in our 60s when we did a 10 day port intensive cruise (southern carribbean) and were totally exhausted at the end. Of course we had to see and go everywhere....my advice if I were taking my elder parent I would pick a 7 day with 2 - 3 ports.

[Cruise a holic]

Hi,

I need your help My 87 year old mother wants to go on her first cruise!! My husband and myself will be taking her and we have never cruised either. I choose celebrity for nonsmoking and the ability for a drink package. My dilema is which cruise for 3 people sharing one room. 5 night constellation sky suite #6146 with extra large balcony dec 15 ft lauderdale to jamacia and caymens, or for about the same money 7 night southern carribean on the Sum,mit dec 8 from san juan tons of stops in a concierge cabin 6144 with large balcony. Mom can walk but not to far so I do not know if all the stops would be good. I do not think she could do the portage stops and it is my understanding that casinos close in port. She loves her slot machines. She does not swim but likes shows and casinos. Which cruise would be best for our first time!!! Thank you in advance!!!

munch122

 

Just a suggestion: if you get a hanicapped sky suite it is bigger and the bathroom will work well for your mom. Sometimes you can also get a great rate for two connecting oceanview or balcony cabins for about the same price You get two bathrooms and real beds for all and a little privacy

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

You are going to like it ...

[munch122]

I would like to thank all of you for your insightfull advice. This is a great forum!!! We have decided on the Sky suite. The priority seating, tendering, embark and debark, extra room service and the 32 tv are all to important to give up. My mom will be spending alot of time in the room resting so we want the nicest we can afford. We will have to deal with the sofa bed. We were wondering if you can seperate the main bed into two and is there enough room to do this. Again Thank you all!!! :D

[Queen2000]

whatever cruiseyou decide will be great. I am a big Celebrity fan. What you might want to consider is renting your mom a scooter - save her energy and on ports that do not require tendering she can "paint the town red" from her scooter! I am doing Alaska next week - rented a scooter as I don't walk too far either. Have fun

[mandream]

Yes, the main bed can be separated into two.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

Mike