VirginiaIsForCruisers

I was at Merritt Square Mall last month. It was sad. Lots of empty storefronts. I only stopped there to pick up something I needed from Bath and Bodyworks. The employees in that store were great. I walked through the rest of the mall to see if anything else caught my eye. I think I spent 10 minutes total because there wasn't much to see.

Open booking just started for the 2025 cruise! It will be leaving from Miami and going to the Western Caribbean. We got back from the 2024 cruise on February 29th. It was a blast!

They have two on Deck Five midship and two in Windjammer, one on each side, so sometimes one is blocked off.

Biggest tip about the elevators is to always take the first elevator that arrives, even if it's not going the "right" way. It will eventually go where you're going and you'll already be on. On disembarkation day, always take the elevator going up, pressing the top deck button, you'll get on and be in the elevator before the crowds trying to get on from each cabin deck with tons of luggage. Also, pack your patience, people can be rude or at least oblivious, cutting in front of you to get on an elevator first. After shows or anything that would stress the elevators, I just sit in the theater for 10-15 minutes to let the crowd disperse.

The last cruise I rented a scooter (I now own a powerchair), the scooter was like a Cadillac. It was beautiful and brand new, with turn signals, a headlight, and a rear view mirror. . It was a bariatric (extra large) scooter and could go super fast. Well, I would go up to the buffet after the late show to grab a quick bite. There was an employee who bussed tables who kept looking longingly at the scooter, which I'd park and transfer to a regular chair to eat. I told him to go ahead and he said he shouldn't. I told him, "oh, just go ahead". He got on it and jacked up the speed, flying out of the buffet and all the way down the pool deck. I could hear him laughing the whole way. He brought it back a few minutes later and thanked me. Every night, we had a repeat. I figured I could let him have a little fun.

I always gate check. United has decided to start requiring removal of the batteries. I've fought with them to no avail. I just carry a small bag with me to put them in the overhead compartment. Always take the joystick with you in the cabin to avoid damage. One suggestion, make it very clear when the gate employees put the tags on the chair that you want the chair delivered to the gate, not the baggage claim. They will mark it as such. I ended up with $600 in travel credits when airline employees threw my chair on the truck that went to baggage claim instead of bringing it up the steps to the gate. If, for some reason, the chair isn't brought to the gate, don't allow airline employees to leave the gate until the issue is resolved and make sure to speak with a supervisor. I also have an AirTag in the storage pouch under the chair to help me track it.

I also have a fold and go and am happy with it. I usually travel by myself, so I am able to get around without assistance.

Here's a list of tender ports. Even a non-tender port can end up requiring tendering in certain conditions.

I've not used a manual chair, I use an electric chair, but I'll share my thoughts. I've only sailed on the NCL Jade and three Royal Caribbean Voyager class ships (Explorer, Mariner, and Navigator). NCL Jade: I was in cabin 9148 on one cruise and 9648 on another. I posted pictures of 9148 a few years ago. Stay away from 9150 and 9650. They have a large pole (looks like a stripper pole) right in the middle of the cabin. That forces the furniture to be laid out differently and cuts space, which can be rough with three people. On my first cruise, a family of three adults was in 9150 and they struggled -- the father was in an electric chair and needed full-time care, so they had to navigate the space. The cabins I stayed in were spacious and the bathroom was very easy to manage. There was a flip down bunk for a third passenger. Pros: I loved the layout and shape of the cabin. It was pretty square. I had a desk by the bed instead of a nightstand, so I could easily plug in my phone, which I use as an alarm. I liked the finishes (I believe the Jade has been updated since I sailed on her in 2018 and 2019). Not related to cabins, but the only real part of the ship that is cut off is the forward main dining room -- it's only accessible by a single elevator. To me, that's not a big deal, because the midship main dining room is accessible via multiple elevator banks and serves the same menu. Cons: The hallways in the cabin areas are ridiculously narrow. I struggled whenever a cleaning cart was in the hall. Heck, it was hard to get by when people would leave dirty dishes in the hall. There was only a small lounge chair, so the places to sit were limited. Royal Voyager Class: On all three ships, I've stayed in cabin 7300 (I like to know what to expect). There didn't seem to be a pull down berth, but there was a full couch.The bathroom was similar to the Jade. Pros: There is a full sized couch and lounge chair, so seating is easy. The hallways are much wider. I could even get past housekeeping carts without issue. This also makes it easier to make the turn from the hall into the cabin. Cons: The cabin is longer and narrower than the NCL cabins. It was hard to turn my chair around easily, but I got better with practice. I hate that the only outlets are on the desk, which is across the cabin from the bed. Not related to the cabins, but I hate that the handicapped area of the main theater on deck three is only accessible from the forward elevators. Also, the ice rink theater is only accessible from the aft elevators. That makes for a painful time getting there and getting out to both venues.

I understand wanting to be on the familiar ship, but I'd vote Mariner. She's a nice ship that is easy to get around. I'd also rather do Bermuda than a repeat itinerary. Really, the only thing I don't like is that the location of the library on Mariner is down on deck five. I normally stay on deck seven and have enjoyed spending time in the library when it is close to my cabin. However, I think I'm one of the few who feel that way.

I print out my SetSail pass too. Okay, you have me beat! I print, save it to my Apple Wallet and the cloud, and have the app, but don't carry a backup phone!

In St. Thomas, I have used It Could Be Worse transportation. They have a wheelchair accessible van. Larry and Atanya are terrific and will take you wherever you want to go on the island.

Usually I just give cash, but on my first cruise following the restart, I was talking with my cabin steward. I knocked over my cup with root beer in it. She mentioned that she missed having root beer because it was her favorite, but it's not served in the crew mess and she couldn't exit the ship. When we docked in St. Thomas, I stopped at a gas station market and bought a six pack. She was in the hallway when I got back on board and I asked her to come in my cabin to help me with something, then I handed her the bag. When she opened it, she was puzzled until I told her I bought it for her. She started to cry and said she just couldn't believe it. She wanted to pay me and I told her no, it was just a small gift. I told her that I didn't want her to get in trouble with her boss, so she could leave them in the cooler in my cabin if she wanted, but she said she had a place to hide them until she got back to her cabin. On the last day, she gave me the biggest hug and said how much she appreciated the soda. It was nice to give her something she wanted. And, yes, I gave her cash too. I don't know that I'd bring something if I didn't know it was a specific want or need.

What about an agency like this? I know it would also involve paying for plane tickets, but might be worth it.

I disembarked at around 8:20 and barely had to slow down for the scan. It was great.