Cruise special occasion ideas with a disability kicker?

My family will be sailing on the Legend in February. This was originally booked as a sort of memorial for my dad, who passed last February (he and mom have gone on 20+ cruises) Both my wife and my brothers wife will have had a significant birthday (18, of course) near the cruise time. My mom would like to do something special during the cruise for them. My only ideas so far would be some sort of spa pass and/or the tasting menu dinner. Any other ideas besides my less than spectacular ones? Is there anyone at Carnival that we should contact before the cruise?

On another note, my mom is disabled (she had recent hip replacement and needs knee replacement). She walks with a cane but gets around fine, just not so quickly and stairs are out unless it's an emergency (when I'll probably carry her). We didn't mention this when booking, focusing on getting all our cabins together with a connecting for the kids. Is there any reason we should contact Carnival about this before boarding, possibly early boarding?

TIA

Since my Father passed away we haven't had to use the disabilities program but if your Mother has difficulty walking long distances, by all means contact Carnival and then proceed to "handicapped boarding" when embarking. Be aware of others and don't "drag" the whole group with Mama. Designate one individual to assist her and the cruise will provide a wheel chair to get on the ship and may provide a wheel chair and assistance if you are docking at ports with a long pier. If she is open to it, suggest a walker as well as a cane, or provide two canes because there are often times when crowds can disrupt her flow of travel and make even standing an iffy proposition.

The nice thing about cruise ships is there are plenty of places to sit and relax and make sure your Mom uses them. Get everyone else situated at meals and then bring in Mom, get Mom's meal at the buffet and then get your own, don't try and eat at prime times but go a little early.

Have a great time with your Mom...wish my parents were still around to enjoy our vacations with us.

In my opinion, the Legend is very long. If you mom need a total knee replacement it might be in her best interest to purchase a walker with a seat. That way she will have support while walking and if she get tired she can sit down.

How about booking a night at the Steakhouse for a relaxed, more private meal?

And maybe a group photo on Elegant night of the bunch of you? If you go early when the Photo stations just open, the photogs usually spend more time with you.

I agree when you arrive at the port you should mention Mom has trouble walking and they will take care of you.

Hope you have a great trip!

My family will be sailing on the Legend in February. This was originally booked as a sort of memorial for my dad, who passed last February (he and mom have gone on 20+ cruises) Both my wife and my brothers wife will have had a significant birthday (18, of course) near the cruise time. My mom would like to do something special during the cruise for them. My only ideas so far would be some sort of spa pass and/or the tasting menu dinner. Any other ideas besides my less than spectacular ones? Is there anyone at Carnival that we should contact before the cruise?

 

On another note, my mom is disabled (she had recent hip replacement and needs knee replacement). She walks with a cane but gets around fine, just not so quickly and stairs are out unless it's an emergency (when I'll probably carry her). We didn't mention this when booking, focusing on getting all our cabins together with a connecting for the kids. Is there any reason we should contact Carnival about this before boarding, possibly early boarding?

 

TIA

You should mention this in an email to Carnival, perhaps even consider a wheel chair. Our grandson has minor CP and any ship is a challenge for him. We got a fairly inexpensive wheel chair at a second hand store. It collapses in (like and accordian) so it fits in spaces very easily.

They take special needs people to a different local for the life boat drill and they let them use an elevator.

Enjoy your cruise, we LOVED the Legend and the western itinerary.

My family will be sailing on the Legend in February. This was originally booked as a sort of memorial for my dad, who passed last February (he and mom have gone on 20+ cruises) Both my wife and my brothers wife will have had a significant birthday (18, of course) near the cruise time. My mom would like to do something special during the cruise for them. My only ideas so far would be some sort of spa pass and/or the tasting menu dinner. Any other ideas besides my less than spectacular ones? Is there anyone at Carnival that we should contact before the cruise?

 

On another note, my mom is disabled (she had recent hip replacement and needs knee replacement). She walks with a cane but gets around fine, just not so quickly and stairs are out unless it's an emergency (when I'll probably carry her). We didn't mention this when booking, focusing on getting all our cabins together with a connecting for the kids. Is there any reason we should contact Carnival about this before boarding, possibly early boarding?

 

TIA

They have these very snazzy looking walkers now that are super light weight, have a small seat in case your mom tires out, even a basket for holding items. That way she'll have to insecurity in crowds and long lines. Please let Carnival know about your mom's challenges so you can use the handicap boarding line. The Legend is a pretty big ship.

I don't think it will be necessary to contact Carnival in advance. Upon arrival at the pier, I highly recommend asking for handicapped boarding assistance. The wait can otherwise be long and taxing for an older person with mobility issues. We ran into this with my grandmother a few years ago. The handicapped boarding area saved her...there was an air-conditioned "lounge" type area with seats, and then we were personally escorted by a Carnival employee onboard and got to bypass the big lines. The employee pushed a wheelchair for her (she didn't normally need it, but after standing out in the heat for a long time, it was much appreciated and needed), and we were dropped off in the ship atrium. Anyone in the same cabin or on the same charge account as the person needing assistance can check in together and bypass the lines together.

In my opinion, the Legend is very long. If you mom need a total knee replacement it might be in her best interest to purchase a walker with a seat. That way she will have support while walking and if she get tired she can sit down.

Wait, aren't there places to sit everywhere on a cruise ship? There have been on every one we've sailed.

Just asking.

yes and no. There are places to sit almost everywhere. Waiting for an elevator can be a difficulty. No chairs there. If the ship is at all rocky the wheeled walker can be a real life saver. It is also called a rollator.

You would not have to call Carnival Special Needs department ahead of time. As others have said it is so much easier to get help getting onto the ship.

A couple of other things that might be a good idea to request. A shower stool. If it is not needed then you don't have to use it. If the knees or hip are bothering her or the ship motion makes it difficult the stool again can be a lifesaver. The last suggestion I have is to let the purser desk and the room steward know that there is mobility difficulties. Muster drill is different for less mobile people.

You can rent power chairs. If she is Medicare eligible you may be able to get one before you cruise. There were a couple on Magic when we cruised. They really didn't present a problem.

maybe look at the bon voyage department gifts and pick something from there......a nice suprise cake is not such a bad thing to have delivered at dinner one night.

Special_needs@carnival.com. Even if she doesn't need an adapted cabin, she will need to register for muster drill. Also, you may be able to arrange for a more accessible table in the MDR, so you won't need to squeeze past others or climb steps to another level for her comfort. If the ship has two MDRs, you may want to request the front one, as the back one tends to be in an elevator lobby with a lounge/bar a floor above (steps).

If she has walking problems you might consider a motorized scooter for her. You can contact your TA or Carnivial rep to find out about renting one. They will have it on the ship for her use. Friends just sailed in Oct and he used one and said he sure was glad he had it. That ship can get might long when walking the halls. Your cabin may be close to the elevator, but that doesn't mean that when you get off the elevator that your not going to have to walk a ways.

You are great for thinking of your Mom.

You could also, as a Memorial to your Dad, make arrangements at the Customer Service Desk to drop some flowers off the ship..

I did that for a cruise friend of mine. I bought a rose in the flower shop, and they took me to the lowest deck of the ship, all the way to the back, and respectfully stood back while I dropped the rose in the water.

They even offered to take pictures with my camera.

Melanie

Thanks for all the ideas. I contacted Carnival about mom's issue, figure it's better to do it now then wait till we arrive at the port. She generally gets around fine and doesn't require a wheelchair. Her biggest issue is going down stairs. She says up is easy, down is very hard and painful. She fell in her driveway right before Thanksgiving while watching my nephew. Because her hands were full with the cane and a toy, she hit her head. No serious injury, but she had a cat scan to be sure. Because she is also on blood thinners, the bruising was significant. It looked like she went 2 rounds with Mike Tyson in his prime.

It's good that you contacted Carnival. Now that they are aware of her special needs, in the event of an emergency they will go out of their way to take special care of her and see that she is safe.

I personally use a rolling walker with a seat and it works out great on the ships. It helps when waiting in line to get into the dining room, waiting for an elevator, sitting out on deck when there are no chairs left.

You're so nice to take such good care of your mom. Hope she is feeling better from her fall. Enjoy your cruise.

I would book a night at the steakhouse to celebrate the birthdays.