bigger passenger

[MissRabbit]

I have an embarrassing question....we are booked in a regular balcony cabin and as a person of size am i going to have any problem using the toilet? Are bathrooms in the spa any different?? or the public restrooms?? I have been on a cruise once and don't really remember having problems but since then i have had some issues with knees and other things and have gained weight since. :o

 

Depends on what cruise line and even they vary by ship.

 

On all our cruises (carnival, celebrity, NCL and carnival again), i've only had issues with the toilet in the cabin on NCL. We had checked photos beforehand and knew that barring a can of crisco and a crow-bar, there was no way in heck i was going to be able to use the toilet. So we booked a handicapped cabin for that particular sailing.

 

so the best thing would be to do some research on your particular cruise ship to see if you can find some cabin layout plans or better yet, some photos. Then you can decide whether you'll be ok or not.

 

Have a great cruise!

[MissRabbit]

I'm wondering if anyone can comment on cave tubing in Belize? For some reason this one concerns me. DH and I are both large people. Wondering abou the trek through the jungle and sitting in the tubes? What about the life vest? Did they have life vests that fit you? Do the tubes have a weight limit? I see one company says 300+ lbs. isn't a problem (I am below but DH is above), but I am still concerned, but it sounds like a great excursion I don't want fear to stop me.

 

 

i didn't go cave tubing for that very reason. Some tours said it was 30-45min trek into the area where they launch the tubes, which can also sometimes be muddy. While it might not be a strenuous walk, it's too long for me! Another concern would be whether the river was too shallow in spots and i might beach myself or at least come home with bruises from hitting the river rocks.

 

Hope someone comes along who has done it and can answer your questions for you.

[felis_draconis]

Hey cruisers! I just read all 27 pages of this thread and it was very helpful! :D

 

It's my first CC post! My outlaw husband (OH) and I are going on our first cruise soon (SF <-> Alaska on the Grand Princess May 20-30). I'm superfat (5'3" 370 lbs.) and can only walk short distances. The OH is regular-sized and other than being deaf with a cochlear implant he is TAB (temporarily able bodied), as he likes to say.

 

I'm planning to bring my Travelscoot on the cruise. I feel like we're mostly prepared, but I'm still a bit worried about the bathroom. We didn't book a handicap cabin because they all had showers and the OH needs a bathtub. We have a balcony mini suite. I looked at every photo and video of the ship I could find, and I can see that I'll need an armless chair on the balcony and in the dining room.

 

Anyone else cruised on Princess?

 

Elsewhere on CC I saw some people mentioning that they send in a faxed or written request for a mattress topper before their cruise. It occurred to me that we could do this to request an armless balcony chair. Has anyone done this?

 

Some people earlier in the thread were asking about a travel stool. I use this one, rated to 400 lbs. It's very handy. http://www.amplestuff.com/telescopingtripodstool.aspx

 

Stef

[coach_anne]

My first cruise with my TravelScoot (TS) was on Ruby Princess, and we did not get an accessible cabin; we were in a regular minisuite. That was a mistake, as the TS does not fit thru the cabin door. You have to either take it apart (which we did once each night when going into our cabin for the night), or leave it out in the hall, which is neither safe for other pax, nor legal.

 

I don't recall having any problem with the toilet, but showering in a tub is challenging for me, both stepping over the tub wall, and not being able to sit while showering. I also prefer to have bars by the toilet. So, every cruise since then, we have booked an accessible cabin, where I am much more comfortable, and TS easily fits thru the door.

 

Even tho' you've chosen a regular cabin, be sure to connect with Princess' Accessibility department (don't recall official department name right now.) They can advise you on armless chairs, mattress toppers, etc., and also on excursions that will accommodate your TS.

 

One more suggestion. Join the Roll Call thread for your cruise, and ask fellow cruisers if anyone is interested in doing a cabin crawl. Or maybe just ask if anyone is in an accessible cabin, so maybe you can get a look at it. You may change your mind for your next cruise ;).

 

Hope this helps. Enjoy you first cruise! Maybe you, OH, and TS will become frequent floaters, too.

[Mindy97]

As far as armless chairs in the dining room on Princess, just mention it to the perso showing you to your seat and they will obtain one for you. It is not a problem.

[waitingfornextcruise]

I just want to say thank you to all of my CC friends for taking the time to post on this thread. My "fluffiness" is a sensitive issue for me. Thank you all for the encouragement and valuable information. I have cruised 4 times before and never really had any type of issues, but I am always worried that there may be some kind of embarrasing situation. XOXO

[Mistizoom]

I'm wondering if anyone can comment on cave tubing in Belize? For some reason this one concerns me. DH and I are both large people. Wondering abou the trek through the jungle and sitting in the tubes? What about the life vest? Did they have life vests that fit you? Do the tubes have a weight limit? I see one company says 300+ lbs. isn't a problem (I am below but DH is above), but I am still concerned, but it sounds like a great excursion I don't want fear to stop me.

 

Just wanted to report back on this. DH, DS (age 10) and I went cave tubing with V.I.V. tours in Belize. It was a great time! The life vests fit both of us fine, they carried the tubes for us unlike all the other companies, and the tubes were the biggest ones out there. It was a 30 minute trek on a river stone path and we crossed the river a couple of times. I wore Keen H2 sandals, so I was very glad about that as it helped me have sure footing. So I would not recommend cave tubing in Belize for someone who cannot walk 30 minutes straight (we stopped a few times, but not for long periods) or someone who has very unsure footing. But if you are just fat like me it is a great time!

[panbear]

YYYAAAA. Just booked my next cruise. Just a short one but so Canadian I couldn't resist. I am going with a group called the Giggle Dam theatre. They do a comedy theatre around Vancouver BC and are hosting events on the cruise. 29Sep from Vancouver to LA. Short and in my time zone so flights are cheap as well. Booked the handicap room again. I would love to say I could go in a regular one but it would bad for everyone all the way around!!!!

 

Glad to see this thread continuing, it has been a source of great information and great people!!!!

[MissRabbit]

Congrats on booking your new cruise panbear!

 

We are leaving tomorrow morning for a B2B on Carnival Breeze. I am hoping to take pictures of chairs in different venues as well as bathroom stalls etc.

 

We need armless chairs on the balcony and plan on visiting the Customer Service desk as soon as we board. Hopefully they'll be willing to bring down a couple armless chairs from the upper outside decks for us. If not, we might have to sneak the chairs down ourselves. We're on the ship for 2 weeks and really need use of our balcony!

 

Bon Voyage everyone!

[panbear]

Congrats on booking your new cruise panbear!

 

We are leaving tomorrow morning for a B2B on Carnival Breeze. I am hoping to take pictures of chairs in different venues as well as bathroom stalls etc.

 

We need armless chairs on the balcony and plan on visiting the Customer Service desk as soon as we board. Hopefully they'll be willing to bring down a couple armless chairs from the upper outside decks for us. If not, we might have to sneak the chairs down ourselves. We're on the ship for 2 weeks and really need use of our balcony!

 

Bon Voyage everyone!

 

 

Have an amazing time!!!!!!!!!!

[mamasylvia]

time to bump this thread again!

 

I'm morbidly obese and disabled and about to bust with excitement as I just today paid the deposit on an accessible balcony stateroom for a transAtlantic crossing this November on the Celebrity Constellation. Anything I should know about room 7137 on this ship? I'm a sit-in-my-room person (anything without a balcony was not even considered!) so casino/shows aren't an issue (and I'll have my wheelchair anyway) and DH is used to pushing me around. ;)

[xxoocruiser]

time to bump this thread again!

 

I'm morbidly obese and disabled and about to bust with excitement as I just today paid the deposit on an accessible balcony stateroom for a transAtlantic crossing this November on the Celebrity Constellation. Anything I should know about room 7137 on this ship? I'm a sit-in-my-room person (anything without a balcony was not even considered!) so casino/shows aren't an issue (and I'll have my wheelchair anyway) and DH is used to pushing me around. ;)

 

Have you considered renting a mobility scooter to give you more flexibility in moving about the ship ? It would allow you to not have to be dependent on your husband . Not mention he would enjoy you getting out of the cabin and enjoying many of the onboard features.

 

Being morbidly obese runs a full spectrum relative to one's body size so please don't be offended by the scooters that have been suggested.

 

www.carevacations.com rents a scooter with weight capacity of 400 lbs

 

www.specialneedsatsea.com rents a scooter with weight capacity of 500 lbs .

[PennyAgain]

time to bump this thread again!

 

I'm morbidly obese and disabled and about to bust with excitement as I just today paid the deposit on an accessible balcony stateroom for a transAtlantic crossing this November on the Celebrity Constellation. Anything I should know about room 7137 on this ship? I'm a sit-in-my-room person (anything without a balcony was not even considered!) so casino/shows aren't an issue (and I'll have my wheelchair anyway) and DH is used to pushing me around. ;)

 

I wish you a bon voyage! I hope you enjoy your cruise very very much. Please get out of your room. You may meet some fine people. On one cruise I met a very nice woman who has been a dear friend since 1997!

[tangerineplaid]

Ooooh! So jealous mamasylvia! I've always wanted to take a transatlantic cruise! Have fun!!!!

 

I agree... there is so much to do on board... don't let anything hold you back from having a great time! :D

[Izzybeff]

This is a great source of information. I'm a heavy person, 5'5 on a good day and have weighed everything between 260 & 375. Around the 340 mark right now. I've been on 6 cruises and I have to say the majority of the time I don't have a problem. My only issue so far really was the theatre seats on the NCL cruise ships and that can be alleviated by sitting in the balcony where they have bench seating.

 

I prefer NCL, but I have to say Carnival ships so far have been the easiest. The 4 I have been on all had bench seating in the theatre's and in the buffer area. I can't remember about the dining room. If they had arms on the chairs, they must have been large enough to fit me. I've even sat in the booth's and been ok.

 

My DH is normal sized and he's very used to making sure i'm comfortable. The poor man tends to wait on me a lot which is nice and when I travel without him I miss it.

 

I have one cruise booked on the NCL Dawn for next February and I'm looking at a NCL cruise for this November and also next May to Alaska again. The last two will depend on how busy we are at work.

 

It's really nice to know that other people understand. Oh and the biggest cruise ship shower I've seen in a regular cabin was on the Carnival Elation. The shower was huge as was the rest of the bathroom. Too bad they don't build the new ships like that.

[panbear]

Excellent info so I thought I would bump it!!!

 

Getting close to cruise time!!!!!

 

YYAAA

[SigalTchelet]

Hi all! I have been perusing this thread for awhile. I am 290 and permanently in a wheelchair due to being hit by a car 4.5 years ago. I will be traveling with my caregiver and my power chair as well as wheel chair. Disney offers an accessible tor in St. Thomas but I might not want to do that. Has anyone found any accessible tours on their own in St. Thomas? Thanks!

[redhotmermaid2]

YYYAAAA. Just booked my next cruise. Just a short one but so Canadian I couldn't resist. I am going with a group called the Giggle Dam theatre. They do a comedy theatre around Vancouver BC and are hosting events on the cruise. 29Sep from Vancouver to LA. Short and in my time zone so flights are cheap as well. Booked the handicap room again. I would love to say I could go in a regular one but it would bad for everyone all the way around!!!!

 

Glad to see this thread continuing, it has been a source of great information and great people!!!!

have fun we love the pearl we are both big and fluffy

[panbear]

Quote:

I have one cruise booked on the NCL Dawn for next February and I'm looking at a NCL cruise for this November

 

Hi Izzy,

You didn't mention if you have sailed on the Dawn before? I was on last year and it was no issues at all. The layout a bit weird at times so there are some stairs if you don't want to be held up by the elevators. But as far as seating etc, no issues. If there was a table with arms I just politely asked for one without and it was done no questions.

I booked a handicap room as my weight is in my hips and a regular bathroom was out of the question. I am going on the Pearl soon and doing a cabin crawl so I will be interested to see what the other rooms are like.

 

I hope you have a great time.

Panbear

[redhotmermaid2]

Quote:

I have one cruise booked on the NCL Dawn for next February and I'm looking at a NCL cruise for this November

 

Hi Izzy,

You didn't mention if you have sailed on the Dawn before? I was on last year and it was no issues at all. The layout a bit weird at times so there are some stairs if you don't want to be held up by the elevators. But as far as seating etc, no issues. If there was a table with arms I just politely asked for one without and it was done no questions.

I booked a handicap room as my weight is in my hips and a regular bathroom was out of the question. I am going on the Pearl soon and doing a cabin crawl so I will be interested to see what the other rooms are like.

 

I hope you have a great time.

 

 

 

Panbear

Hi panbear

I love love love the pearl have been on twice in a handicap cabin extra big nice nice nice staff. The theater has big chairs and sofas in the back loved the bliss and always got a armless chair....Try the Brazilian restaurant. the pearl has lovely steps into the pool and it has a rail all the way around. Have a good time! We are going on the epic for the first time in November on the sailing of the 16th. Would love to hang out. RED

[Kenosha]

[quote=redhotmermaid2

I love love love the pearl have been on twice in a handicap cabin extra big nice nice nice staff. The theater has big chairs and sofas in the back .

 

Is that the Stardust Theater with big chairs and sofas? Where were they? We went into the theater last Feb and I had a difficult time with the regular seating. Will be back there this November and would like to see some of the shows. Thank You.

[panbear]

[quote name=redhotmermaid2

I love love love the pearl have been on twice in a handicap cabin extra big nice nice nice staff. The theater has big chairs and sofas in the back .

 

Is that the Stardust Theater with big chairs and sofas? Where were they? We went into the theater last Feb and I had a difficult time with the regular seating. Will be back there this November and would like to see some of the shows. Thank You.[/quote]

 

Hi Kenosha,

The bench/handicap seating is usually at the upper back of the theatres. You have to up the stairs or access it from the upper level. If you go to http://www.ncl.com/cruise-ship/pearl/overview then on the right hand side midway down there is a 360 virtual tour. Open that up and look for the theatre. When the camera pans around the upper seating is to the left and right overlooking the regular seats. Looks like the "fancy" section but it has bench seating up there.

 

Hope that helps

Nicole

[Kenosha]

Thank You panbear for that information. Happy Cruising!

[panbear]

2 weeks until I leave. Celebrating by bumping this amazing thread!!!!

[panbear]

I loved the Pearl, even through some amazing rough seas it was fun!!! And very size friendly. I asked for armless chairs ahead of time and it was never a problem. I also found that some of the chairs were actually bigger than I thought when I tried them. Theatre chairs worked out ok. Not really comfortable but I fit so that's all I cared about. If you want to be really comfy, check out the lounger beds in the spinnaker. I could have slept there!!! LOL