my mom

[funnyfarm9988]

We are all first time cruisers and trying to figure out things before we get there and it gets too late. My mom will be traveling with us and she is elderly and in okay shape. I am seeing the the lines to embarkment are long and wait time can exceed over an hour. She has some health issues and I am worried with her having to stand that long. She does have epilepsy and some other health issues and if she get took over heated she gets sick. Is there a way to get her boarded without waiting in the long lines or would it be best to buy the FTTF.

[Cruise, J.D.]

We are all first time cruisers and trying to figure out things before we get there and it gets too late. My mom will be traveling with us and she is elderly and in okay shape. I am seeing the the lines to embarkment are long and wait time can exceed over an hour. She has some health issues and I am worried with her having to stand that long. She does have epilepsy and some other health issues and if she get took over heated she gets sick. Is there a way to get her boarded without waiting in the long lines or would it be best to buy the FTTF.

 

You can contact the Special Needs department at Carnival. I've seen several elderly persons (and others) being pushed in wheelchairs past the lines during embarkation, so it is possible.

[lazydayz]

You could also plan to arrive about 2 hours before the ship departs. When we check in at that time, there is usually no line, no waiting.

[loxley]

Or when you get to the door, Ask for a wheelchair.

 

 

 

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[Lil2Angelic]

We are all first time cruisers and trying to figure out things before we get there and it gets too late. My mom will be traveling with us and she is elderly and in okay shape. I am seeing the the lines to embarkment are long and wait time can exceed over an hour. She has some health issues and I am worried with her having to stand that long. She does have epilepsy and some other health issues and if she get took over heated she gets sick. Is there a way to get her boarded without waiting in the long lines or would it be best to buy the FTTF.

 

I would arrange for a wheelchair or request one upon arrival. I would also try to get FTTF so her cabin will be ready when she boards and she can rest. Also, if you have any tender ports she won't have to wait in line to get off the ship.

[summersigh]

my dh has mobility issues that make embarkation and disembarkation hard. we get to the terminal and ask for wheelchair assistance and make arrangement for help to disembark at guest services. he's ok once aboard where he can rest as needed. this only includes getting on and off at the home port but that's all my dh needs = for us it's the difference between cruising and not :)

[cmecruise1962]

On my Ecstasy cruise with my mom (about 2 months after she had open heart surgery), I got both the wheelchair assist and FTTF. In the port of Miami, it was extremely helpful! They took us to a special line to check in and then to a waiting room until we could get escorted on Board. Having the room ready was great, as even just that limited excitement, required a rest! We sat on the balcony and had a drink...it was very relaxing. And then we got off with a wheelchair escort, as well. We were taken early, got a porter and were through immigration with our bag within 30 minutes.

 

So, I recommend calling Special Needs and taking the assistance your mom needs!

Edited March 15, 2016 by cmecruise1962

[Tapi]

In addition to any special assistance, may I suggest planning things to avoid some of the worst lines. For example, I know that the anticipation to get onboard the ship on day 1 is great for many, but by arriving at the port towards the end of embarkation will greatly increase your chances of breezing through the check in process without having to stand in line. Arriving late also mean being able to go straight to your stateroom which will be ready and waiting for you without the need for FTTF. Same thing for ports. Wait a bit until the crowds thin out to get off the ship and plan on returning to the ship early. Also, plan your meal times, wether at the MDR or buffet, to avoid some of the peak times.

 

I know that these measures cut down on the time available for enjoyment, but under the circumstances it may be a well worth sacrifice. Enjoy your cruise!

Edited March 15, 2016 by Tapi

[dacsmom]

We are all first time cruisers and trying to figure out things before we get there and it gets too late. My mom will be traveling with us and she is elderly and in okay shape. I am seeing the the lines to embarkment are long and wait time can exceed over an hour. She has some health issues and I am worried with her having to stand that long. She does have epilepsy and some other health issues and if she get took over heated she gets sick. Is there a way to get her boarded without waiting in the long lines or would it be best to buy the FTTF.

 

What port?

[SadieN]

What port?

 

 

Wherever the Victory sails from.

 

 

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[momonthego17]

My mom cruises with my family also and she gets tired with long walks or standing too long. I suggested this Folding Lightweight Cane Seat. My DH can attach a bungee cord to it and carry it over one shoulder (it weighs less than 2 lbs) and when she needs to sit anywhere, there it is.

 

http://www.walmart.com/ip/17284679?wmlspartner=wmtlabs&adid=22222222222000993297&veh=sem

 

We are planning to walk around San Juan, PR and I'm hoping this will be helpful for my mom.

 

Have a great cruise!

[GranysT]

I have one of these folding cane seats. Mine, when it is folded, can be used as a cane, which helps with the walking.

[RuthlessBoss]

Wherever the Victory sails from.

 

 

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Canaveral.

[Schoifmom]

I would echo getting wheelchair service at the port. It will make things much easier for your mom and for you. If you are flying, you can get wheelchair assistance at the airports as well.

 

I highly recommend FTTF for anyone who has these types of challenges. Getting into the room right away can be a lifesaver :)

[Delta Dear]

One caution about arriving at the latter part of the boarding process; the crew who assist with wheelchairs are not as readily available toward the end of the boarding process. We arrived around 2:30 to board the Breeze in Miami several years ago, but by that time, there were no crew members free to assist. They had all reported back to their duties on the ship. After a long wait, and several phone calls from port employees, finally a port employee was given permission to push my husband aboard. My husband had been seated in a wheelchair for the duration of the wait, so at least he wasn't standing but it was a long wait. We were disappointed that by then, the photographers who take the embarkation photos and their backdrops had also been removed.

 

If you arrive too early, there may be a wait for a wheelchair because they are in use for the passengers who are debarking. There will be an area where your mom can be seated while waiting for wheelchair assist.

 

As suggested, contact Special Needs. There is a place on the form asking if you need assistance with embarkation and debarkation. You will not have a problem.

 

Special needs will also provide wheelchair assist to be used for debarkation in the ports. Just call the Guest Services desk when you are ready to leave the ship at a port. The do not have wheelchairs for reboarding at the ports The key there is to go back to the ship early enough to avoid standing in line.

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

I totally agree with those who say to "check in later". The buffet serves until 3 or later and getting there later eliminates all the "mess" of people with all there carry-on clogging the area and posing hazards for people who have mobility issues. Sure if you get FTTF you can go to your room when you board but "checking in early" means that you may have a "wait" in the pre-boarding area that is often clogged with priority passengers and all their stuff, meaning sit down areas are often hard to find.

 

I travel with folks who have mobility issues and we always, now, get to the port at about 1:00. We always request wheelchair assistance to help them with the boarding ramp and more are available when the crowds have thinned. We have never had to "wait" in the pre-boarding area, elevator wait time is less, our rooms are always ready so we can drop off our luggage, and when we get to the buffet it is relatively empty...easy to walk around and really easy to find a convenient table out of the flow of traffic. We don't miss out on anything and our experience starts out without a lot of stress.