Freedom class, Balcony, Limited Mobility Friendly?

[bryanjaync]

I booked my parents (83 and 86 years old) in an E1 balcony on the Liberty. (My sister will be sleeping on their sofa). My partner and I wil be down the hall. Just learned this weekend that my Dad is having difficulty walking, and has started using a cane. My Mom is worried that the cabin (especially the shower) will not be good for my Dad (like it the step the shower over a couple of inches, are there grab bars in the shower, just navigating around the cabin, etc).

 

With less than 60 days until sailing, all the handicap accessible are showing as booked.

 

So, is an E1 balcony, user-friendly to someone who needs a cane to get around ?

 

(He was absolutely fine prior to this, cutting grass and going to the gym, so even with their ages, I did not think to book a handicap room initially. And yes, I am now concerned about booking them on such a large ship, but first I need to get a gauge on the cabin thing.) thanks.

[reallyitsmema]

I booked my parents (83 and 86 years old) in an E1 balcony on the Liberty. (My sister will be sleeping on their sofa). My partner and I wil be down the hall. Just learned this weekend that my Dad is having difficulty walking, and has started using a cane. My Mom is worried that the cabin (especially the shower) will not be good for my Dad (like it the step the shower over a couple of inches, are there grab bars in the shower, just navigating around the cabin, etc).

 

With less than 60 days until sailing, all the handicap accessible are showing as booked.

 

So, is an E1 balcony, user-friendly to someone who needs a cane to get around ?

 

(He was absolutely fine prior to this, cutting grass and going to the gym, so even with their ages, I did not think to book a handicap room initially. And yes, I am now concerned about booking them on such a large ship, but first I need to get a gauge on the cabin thing.) thanks.

You moved them out of the D1 you had them in from this thread?

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1909772

 

You said in the other thread you have spoken to special needs. They should have been able to order you a shower chair if you wanted one. There aren't grab bars since this is not an accessible cabin. This close to sailing, you really aren't going to find an accessible cabin. You really should have grabbed one when you initially were looking at it back in May.

[bryanjaync]

OP: Back in May I did consider a handicap cabin, but after visiting my parents and speaking with my sister, I figure that they would be fine in a regular cabin. And I did not want to take an accessible cabin from someone who needed it .

 

Of course, since that time, things changed with the cane/ walking things.

 

And yes, I think I did upgrade them fromt he D1 to E1 , once my sister decide to go, because they needed a cabin with a sofa bed. (Actually i get really confused on D1/E1 about which is higher on scale ! I know we have one type and the parents/sister have the other.)

[nonnie&dgd]

I don't think Freedom has any accessible balconies that sleep 3.

[reallyitsmema]

OP: Back in May I did consider a handicap cabin, but after visiting my parents and speaking with my sister, I figure that they would be fine in a regular cabin. And I did not want to take an accessible cabin from someone who needed it .

 

Of course, since that time, things changed with the cane/ walking things.

 

And yes, I think I did upgrade them fromt he D1 to E1 , once my sister decide to go, because they needed a cabin with a sofa bed. (Actually i get really confused on D1/E1 about which is higher on scale ! I know we have one type and the parents/sister have the other.)

The D1 cabin is larger than an E1 so hopefully, the 3 people are in the D1. It isn't a huge size difference but it will help with 3 in the cabin.

 

There is a step up into the bathroom and a lip to step over to get in the shower stall (it is the channel that holds the shower door). If you didn't order a shower chair when you called special needs, you should so that he can sit and take a shower. The showers have a handheld shower head that can also be left attached but lowered so it would make it safer for him, especially if that is what he is using at home.

 

You might want to consider renting a wheelchair before you leave home too so you will have it for the airport and also the ship. It won't fit through the doorway of the cabin, but he could stand and walk into the cabin. You can also have one ordered to be on the ship and just use wheelchair assistance at the airport and at the port to board. If you do order one for just the cruise, it will be waiting in your cabin when you board.

 

Just make sure you order what you think you need ahead of time since it will be difficult to get on the ship if everything has already been reserved by someone else.

[reallyitsmema]

I don't think Freedom has any accessible balconies that sleep 3.

Looks like it has insides and a couple of JS that sleep more than 2.

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/allaboutcruising/accessibleseas/accessibleStaterooms.do

[PattyG12]

OP there will be a small "lip" for him to get into the shower but I think it's do-able for someone with a cane. It sounds like the balcony room should suit them fine. It's not like he's in a wheelchair. Please have fun!!

[bryanjaync]

OP: I would be fine upgrading for $ them to a Junior Suite handicap accessbile that sleeps three ! Heck, even a Grand Suite, if that is what it takes. Assuming that a poster is correct and balcony accessible dont do three (And no....my sister in not bunking in our cabin!)

[ryano]

OP: I would be fine upgrading for $ them to a Junior Suite handicap accessbile that sleeps three ! Heck, even a Grand Suite, if that is what it takes. Assuming that a poster is correct and balcony accessible dont do three (And no....my sister in not bunking in our cabin!)

 

Just an FYI, there are no accessible GS :)

 

At this point and time, you arent gonna find any accessible cabins period though I wouldnt think.

[teajak]

OP: Back in May I did consider a handicap cabin, but after visiting my parents and speaking with my sister, I figure that they would be fine in a regular cabin. And I did not want to take an accessible cabin from someone who needed it .

 

Of course, since that time, things changed with the cane/ walking things.

 

And yes, I think I did upgrade them fromt he D1 to E1 , once my sister decide to go, because they needed a cabin with a sofa bed. (Actually i get really confused on D1/E1 about which is higher on scale ! I know we have one type and the parents/sister have the other.)

First, thank you for your consideration from one that needs a HA cabin. I find the showers in a regular cabin are fine as you have walls close around you, I feel safer in a regular cabin shower for this reason. In a regular non HA cabin you can usually find something to steady yourself, like a wall or furniture. Have you considered a walker for getting around the ship for more stability? Any other questions fell free to ask. I wear a leg brace and use a walker. We cruise a lot. Good luck:)

[gerif]

I think he will be fine in the shower and on the balcony, but I'd consider getting him a folding rollator (like a walker but with a seat). It is steadier than a cane and he can sit if he gets tired. You can either buy one or rent just for the trip. The airport will provide wheelchair assistance to and from the plane and the cruiseline will provide wheelchair assistance to embark and disembark.

[nonnie&dgd]

I pretty sure you can call special needs and get on a waiting list in case someone cancels at the last minute. It's a long shot, but I would do it.

[Jenjer]

I broke my foot and was non weigthbearing for 16 weeks. At week 8 we went on a cruise booked long before my fall. I rented a wheel chair from special needs at sea and it was waiting in my stateroom when I arrived.

 

I had a Knee scooter to around and used that mostly. I hated being in the chair.

 

I had great difficulty getting on and off ship because of the grade on the ramps. Around ship was better but lots of surface changes and bumps did make it very painful. I got angry with people getting on the elevator for 1 floor or 2 when I would give anything to be able to go up some stairs. Many times my husband and kids would take stairs after they got me on the elevator to save space.

 

 

We had a D1 with 4 people. When the sofa bed was pulled out for the kids I could not get around it so I rolled over the bed.

 

I think your dad would be fine on a cane without the bed pulled out but when the bed is pulled out there is only a very narrow way around the bed. Unless he can walk sideways with his cane he will have some difficulty.

 

 

The bathroom was fine lots of places for me to hold on to and move around. I did not use the show chair/stool because it was easier to play flamingo and stand on one foot.

 

Could you sister stay in your cabin?

[Jenjer]

One other thing I asked for was a table near the front of the dinning room. They accommodated us and we were sat right inside.

 

There is no way I would have been able to weave thru all the people, trays, chairs ect with out crashing into someone or something every night.

 

I found the staff to be very helpful most of the time. People are people no matter what. Some are polite, some are helpful, some are not. Sometimes you have to stand up for yourself. I would have to ask people not to touch my foot. One time waiting for a show some lady behind me started pushing on the bottom of my boot.