born2cruize

Average attendance last year was less than 22,000 and it's running at about the same rate this year.

 

Safeco Fields seats over 47,000. You will be able to get a ticket on game day. Safeco

 

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Looking at the Seattle Mariners website, May 31 happens to be Robinson Cano Booblehead Night. While I doubt they will sell the stadium out that may attract a crowd of 35,000 or more.

Has anyone taken a Princess Cruise/tour with a scooter. Can the bus and train store the scooter. My DH can walk and climb a few steps but only a few. Thanks for any info you can give us.

While I didn't have a scooter in 2012, I did have a rollator and had no problem with it. Even on the Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali. The train has a platform at the back of the train car for things like scooters, wheelchairs, even large suitcases. They even have a lift to the upper level (But be careful sometimes the lift breaks down). For the buses, the scooter either has to collapse or somehow you have to reduce its height and you will have to be able to lift it into the cargo hole. Last year we did the Greek Isles and the standard buses had no problem with my Travelscoot, all I had to do was lower the handle bar as far as it would go.

I booked a 2 Day Comfort Tour with Alla and advised them I was going to take a wheelchair. There was no problem and Alla gave me lots of information about what the 2 days would involve.

 

We had a new, modern mini bus and a folding scooter would easily have fitted in the underneath luggage compartment.

 

I managed to do all the tour, except I didn't go on the Metro ride. It was a fantastic two days.

Thanks for the info that is who we wound up selecting and reserving got this coming Aug.

For St. Petersburg you will need to book an organized group tour, unless you plan to get your own visa.

 

A member of our party needed to use a wheelchair, and after checking around we found SPB tours in St. Petersburg to be excellent about accommodating people with such needs.

 

They provided their own folding wheelchair that traveled with us right in the van. The driver took care of folding, unfolding, unloading it and then reloading it at each stop.

 

If this looks like something you want, I suggest contacting them by email in advance, explaining your needs, concerns and limitations.

 

vika@spb-tours.com

 

They were very good about answering all our questions and giving advice for the other ports too, honestly telling us which tours would or would not be suitable for someone with mobility limitations.

 

 

Even for ports where no visa is required, we find a tour of this type to be so much easier and more enjoyable than trying to use a HOHO with your own scooter or wheelchair.

 

 

That's interesting about a wheelchair and SPB. When it comes to scooters they would only take us (both I and my wife have Travelscoots) in a private tour for two. They wouldn't consider any other option.

Its no secret.

You're right, no secret. I use those doors to transfer my scooter to the upper level since I can not walk the stairs.

The hot tub on Deck 17 appears to be part of the teen center. Can someone confirm it is open to everyone?

DH has chosen Princess as his input on our Alaska cruise. We have the itinerary decided.

Would you mind sharing your comments on the 3 ships:

Coral, Island and Crown?

I understand the size, passengers and cruise, etc.

We have never sailed Princess.

Thank you!

From reading this board, I think you'll find that the majority of the seasoned passengers prefer the Island or Coral. But I differ. We've been on 5 Alaska cruises (not many compared to some on this board), 3 have been with Princess, Pacific in '09, Coral in '12 and Sapphire also in '12. In addition we did Panama Canal in '08 on the Island. Since Island and Coral are sister ships, they are almost identical. I do agree that the viewing is very good on either except most of the area is blocked by colored glass. If you plan to take pictures then you have to go up to deck 16 (Sports Deck), which is a very small deck, to get your pictures. You could go down to deck 7 (Promenade Deck) but the forward section is not viewable as it is blocked. On some ships the Captain will open the crews area on the bow to passengers then you have excellent views in all directions.

We have not been on the Crown but we have been on the Ruby and Emerald which are also sister ships. These ships have a forward area on deck 8 (Emerald Deck) which is protected from the rain and offers superior views (IMHO) for photography. Also deck 16 (Sun Deck) offers unprotected views without the glass as on the Island and Coral.

As far as clothing everyone will recommend layering. Your not going to be in the Arctic in January so leave the parka at home :). Dress like you would at home, for temps in the 50's, 60's, 70's and even 80's. But remember you may get all 4 temps in the same day. As far as shoes. I'd bring old comfortable walking shoes you don't mind getting muddy for shore excursion in the rain forest. Good non-slip shoes for up on deck and anything else for in town. Even though I own several waterproof jackets I never bring one as a light poncho or light wind jacket will suffice (again think layers) and again you might get all 4 temperature ranges during the same morning & afternoon.

Thinking of a 2015 Alaska Cruise. Have only done carirbbean cruises. Have been reading and starting some research but need some expert help to start me down the path. Am thinking late May-maybe not as many people/kids that time of year but is it really too cold? How best to decide the cruise/land portion? Know we want the denali experience for a few days and in my initial research looks like with the land plus sea you typically leave from one port and fly home from say Anchorage, does this add alot to the overall price of this type of cruise. And finally since we are usually only sun seekers, if crusing in May to this destination, I assume there will be no deck chairs or loungers put to use? Any and all help is appreciated as always from this incredible resource of knowledge! Thanks in advance!

We've cruised Alaska 5 times, from May 7 - 20, 2007 (San Francisco to Vancouver), June 11 - 25, 2009 (Roundtrip Seattle), June 25 - July 2, 2012 (Vancouver-Whittier), July 7 - 14, 2012 (Whittier-Vancouver), & July 20 - Aug 1, 2005 (Roundtrip Seattle). Our worst weather was from June 25 to July 14. But YMMV. For us, the other cruises, the weather was excellent but we are from the Pacific Northwest so sunny and 60 is excellent weather. We did a land cruise between the two cruises we did in June-July (it rained almost every day). On our land tour weather was great though Denali in the evening was cool even for our standards. If you want to do a land tour BEFORE your cruise then May is probably out as the road into Denali (more than the first 17 miles) does not open until early June (not sure exact date but others will chime in). You really won't have an idea of the weather until just before your cruise. As far as added cost, it depends on the type of land tour and length you choose, not the tour stops. You have "On Your Own", "Denali Explorer", "Off the Beaten Path" and "Connoisseur", Connoisseur being the most expensive will add several thousands to your cost. Deck chairs around the pool will more likely be in use on port days if it's sunny though you always have hearty souls who will lay out on cool days if there is some sun. Next year I'm planning to cruise northbound, take a land tour to Fairbanks, another land tour to Whittier and then cruise southbound.

I find it easier to use my belly. When I was pregnant, you couldn't use that area, just arms and legs. Arms were okay but I would always hit something in the leg and had large black and blue areas. That doesn't seem to happen as often in the belly.

Oh! Good point! I didn't even think about bruising! I would hate to have a bruise on my thigh that would show in a bathing suit on a cruise!!! Sometimes I bruise on my abdomen but no one sees that (GRIN)!

My doctor won't let me inject in the arm or leg as their isn't enough space for injecting in fatty tissue. Always talk to your doctor about injecting into an area other than the abdomen.

I am a type 2 diabetic. I was to my doctor today and I am going to have to start taking Humalog (insulin) pen injections twice a day at breakfast and dinner. I am no stranger to taking an injection as I was on first Victoza and then Lantus up until now. So no problem doing the injection, its the timing I worry about.

 

With the insulin I understand that I will now have to be very careful to take a dose right when I am beginning my meal. Timing is everything. Before it didn't matter. My question to my fellow diabetics is how do you deal with this? On a cruise how do you inject your insulin right when your meal is served? In the dining room, in the buffet? Do you excuse yourself and find the closest bathroom? Sounds awkward. What do you do? Also we are signed up for traditional dining if that makes a difference.

I am a type II and have been 'shooting up' for all that time. From the time I leave my room till I am seated, I have never gone down for the count. We eat anytime dining too. I have only had to wait for a table twice in our 9 cruises and if that happens, I go to the closest bar and get a small glass of tomato juice.

 

Does everyone's insulin take effect that quickly that you need to start eating right after taking your insulin? I take a regular insulin and seem to be able to stay stable for about 20 minutes before it starts lowering mine.

 

In any case, it will be easy to deal with, with the restrooms just outside all the dining rooms if one can not take until the last minute.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

Oh, and you can ask your room stewart for a sharps container if you need one! They will bring one to your room for you.

I use Novalog myself, the manufacture recommends taking the shot 5 - 10 minutes before eating. And initially that was what my doctor wanted however my 3 hour post glucoses was too high (they had not started to decrease) and my doctor adjusted my time to 30 minutes before eating. What I'm trying to say is since you're just starting, follow your doctors advance and keep him informed of your post sugar levels incase he/she may need to adjust your time for injection. The rest may take care of itself. BTW, if I know that food will not arrive right away I will inject at the table. It can be done very discreetly.

I have never flown with oxygen before and was wondering how it works. I am on 4 continuous at home and since the poh is pulse I was wondering do you raise the number on pulse to 5 or 6? I'm also considering AMTRAK. Any advice would be appreciated.

I to am on O2 and second Linda&Vern's recommendation. Though your increase will be due to the fact that oxygen levels are pressured to 8,000 feet as well as converting from continuous to pulse. Your doctor will need to increase LPM rate and record it on the document you provide the airlines. I assume you have an FAA approved POC?

I'm not sure what final vendor means but we have already used Scoot-a-Round about 5 times in the past so obviously Carnival allows them to bring their scooters onboard their ships...They might subcontract with the other companies, but I personally deal with someone at Scoot A Round. I did call Special Needs At Sea and they quoted me $175 for the same exact electric scooter rental ($20 cheaper)..

 

Mom is comfortable with Scoot A Round so I called back and left a message with a Supervisor there. He is suppose to call me back tomorrow to let me know if they will match the price... I'll update you guys on the outcome, but in the meantime, thank you once again for posting about the other companies...

I've also used Scoot-a-round for both land and cruises. If I had to rent it was always through them. However, the actual scooter was NEVER from scoot-a-round, they were from a local company (LA or Orlando for Fort Lauderdale). Besides as others on several threads have mentioned only 2 companies are authorized to provide mobility devices on American cruise ships (Carnival, Princess, HAL, RCI, NCL and others).

I paid $195 with Special Needs At Sea for a 14 day cruise last March. Did you check that your cruise line will allow Scoot-A-Round onboard? It will need to be on Carnival's approved vendor list or they won't let them deliver and pick-up from your cabin.

Again, as I mentioned in my previous post. Scoot-a-Round is not the final vendor. They subcontract with either of the 2 "approved" companies.

Not sure if this is allowed, but I got a price of $195 from Scoot-a-Round for a 7 day cruise. Is that a good price, too much, anyone do better? Thanks..

Scoot-a-Round will work with one of the approved ship companies. We used them last January for a 20 day Caribbean cruise. I realize price do fluctuate but we only paid $400.00 for 20 days. Perhaps it was cheaper per day because it was a longer cruise. Ours was at Port Everglades and was on the ship when we arrived and they picked up from the ship.

Xtrmflyer,

 

Thak you so much for your reply! Maybe we should consider a 14 day round trip cruise instead......:o

We did the 5 day connisour tour last July between our northbound and southbound cruises. Hopefully others will post but I don't believe the TWT will be available until after the first week in June. We saw a lot of animals but most are from a distance therefore were not affected by the bus. While the bus is a school bus type the seating was more comfortable than the typical bench seats.

so I know rain is an issue in Alaska. But for a scrapbooker like me, a BIG part of my Alaskan cruise will be the pics I will be taking.

 

How can I take my 20 zoom camera with me in the rain and on a small boat (Harv & Marv) whale watching excursion without ruining the camera? Waterproof disposables are really not an option :(

Having done 5 Alaska cruises, the only time I've ever had an issue is when I change lenses, (I switch sometimes between three lenses). If you can find a sheltered area then you'll have no problem. Only once have I had rain on a tour, then I used my clear poncho and changed the lens under it.

There. An auto door opener but I cannot recall whether is was to enter or exit. Believe it was to leave the room and it did not work well with the scooter.

In May/June we were in an inside HC on the Ruby. Of course the bathroom is large and your husband can use his scooter right into the shower area. However our room did not have a tub. The room itself is very spacious and we can park both of our scooters without feeling cramped. No auto door openers to the room but they did have them throughout the ship.

We just booked a balcony cabin on our first Princess cruise, Caribbean Princess ship and were "updated". We are now on the Lido deck in cabin #303 which is directly by the stairs and elevators. We usually stay in aft cabins which have always been quiet. Any feedback about our location?

We've had both balcony and inside cabins by the mid ship elevators and have never had any issues. Our last cruise on the Ruby was next to the International Cafe and never had a sound issue. Though the neighbors across from us insisted that at night the door to the atrium be closed. We've even had an inside right behind an elevator without so much as a peep of sound from the elevator or stairwells. Our next two cruises on the Emerald will be the the exact same cabin as on the Ruby (Emerald has the same layout as the Ruby).

I've never been one to book last minute. Once I've decided that I needed a cruise fix I would book. The room was the most important selection. However, now that I have a scooter to get around it's ever more important for me to get a handicap room and since they are so few I'll book even earlier.

The Michelangelo and Da Vinci dining rooms are for anytime. The Botticelli is for traditional seating. As far as "Coke Zero," they have diet coke that is usually labeled "Coke Light."

 

Bob

Thanks to everyone for their anwers. It helps a lot.

 

Neither of us drinks enough soda to bother getting a soda card, but I do enjoy some with lunch. Coke Light is fine, but Coke Zero is preferred.

 

Kathy

Coke Light is Diet Coke. Coke Light is from a distributor outside the United States.

Right. My first reaction to the Subject is that the Sea Princess doesn't sail from Texas. Not sure if it even sails in the Caribbean. FYI, "CP" is the 2-letter abbreviation Princess uses for the Sea Princess.

Back in 2006 the Sea Princess did sail out of Ft Lauderdale on 14 day Southern Caribbean. It was a strange cruise as it picked up Americans in Ft Lauderdale and British passengers in Barbados.

I know she had a dry dock in January of this year.Just searching for opinions!

Can you expand of the dry dock dates? We were on her from January 6 - 26, 2013 and I know that she had another cruise starting the 26th. Don't believe she was in dry dock during New Years.