shipgeeks

Anyone else besides Mr. Shipgeeks watching the recovery process for hours at a time?

And I notice that at home, I spend a lot of time sitting (aka slouching) and reading CC, or doing awkward stuff like vacuuming, neither of which is great for my back. On cruises, I do none of that.

I, too, think there could be multiple factors involved. We have always had our best sleep on a ship, even though our mattress at home is quite good. I believe one reason is the constant hum and vibration of the ship, even while docked. Building on this idea, we recently started using Green Noise each night at home, and it has helped considerably. There is a post in the Disabled Cruise Travel section of CC, titled Unexpected Benefit of Cruising. It's worth a read, even though it's not specifically about back pain.

Yes, we always do. We ask our cabin steward the first day. If all else fails, there are some at Guest Services.

No sailings between now and May 25, due to her scheduled drydock. That is why no cruises are showing during that period. From May 25, all cruises should be showing (unless sold out). But whether the earliest ones are from Norfolk or Baltimore remains to be seen.

Now you're talking my dream cruise! A week across, a couple of weeks around the Med, then a week sailing back to the US, with no flights required.

I have to say, if the new slide-button dryers were chosen because people complained about holding the button down, I'm a bit disappointed that there is now an additional, though minor, fire hazard on the ships. Perhaps you all know that dryers should only be plugged in at the desk outlet, not the bathroom outlet, which is for shavers only, and that Dyson Air Wrap dryers are notorious for destroying themselves on ships.

Small and plain, such as RC Vision Class. Outer promenade deck, but no inside "promenade". Preferably no "thrill rides" cluttering up the upper decks. I guess, in a nutshell, that means old and classic, with views of the sea and sky from many vantage points. And as long a cruise as possible, with as few ports as possible.

Some further thoughts about balance training. One of my prescribed PT exercises is using a wobble board. Standing on it, I rock side to side, and forward and back, then stop and hold the balance. During this still period, my feet and ankles, and actually all my muscles, produce tiny movements to keep my balance. I do think it helps. I wonder if being on a ship, with its constant vibration, and sometimes larger movement, provides a similar challenge, which, if we can cope with it, leads to greater control in the long run.

On Vision this year I had a new one. No need to hold the button, and very powerful. I imagine they are replacing them only as needed, though.

Oh no! Yet another thing for pre-cruisers to worry about! From a popular cruise forum: "Which ships or cabins have toilet seats? I have never had one. It's disgusting having to sit on the rim."

I remember needing a franc or euro, years ago on Guadeloupe, to be able to use the restroom kiosk (similar to the little "one-person buildings" in Paris).

I would suggest looking at Royal Caribbean departures out of Baltimore, which should be resuming within a very few months. The ship will be Vision of the Seas, which might be a good choice for your mom, as it's not so large as to be overwhelming. Cruises are generally 5, 9, or 12 nights, and if you avoid the coming summer cruises, which have more kids aboard, it can be very comfortable. I'm confident you could get an affordable interior or oceanview cabin.

Tapi, I do agree that it's now much easier for us cruising veterans, because we know what's out there and we know what we want and how to get it, and we know we can survive missed ports and other blips. And we know that we can go on a cruise without taking and hiding 100 ducks, and without packing a full 70s outfit, and still have a wonderful cruise.

We find the regular coffee quite acceptable, with the best brew in the dining room at breakfast, (comparable to Tim's, or better), and least appealing in dining room after a late dinner. Coffee in WJ varies, due, I believe, to some passengers drawing theirs off before the urn has completed the process. Pop can be purchased by the can if you don't have a package, and certainly okay to get two glasses for one can.