Torn Meniscus, wheelchair, and Boarding Question

[Havinsnest]

We leave on the Star on Sunday. It's our first NCL cruise, as well as our first cruise out of NOLA; we are quite excited. On top of being excited I am also a bit apprehensive.

 

I have torn my meniscus. It should have been an easy fix but, unfortunately, in addition to the meniscus, I managed other damage to the knee so a partial replacement is in my future.

 

I spoke to NCL today about boarding since I have good knee days and bad knee days. He suggested, and reserved, a wheelchair for me. He said if I don't need it no problem but if I do it's there for the asking. I am grateful to know it's there if I need it.

 

If it comes to a wheelchair on Sunday...

Has anyone used a wheelchair at check in? Would I go through the line/process with everyone else? Is there some other line I should look for? I don't want to cause port people, NCL or other passengers trouble and, quite frankly, I didn't think to ask what the procedure was until I had already gotten off the phone.

 

Thank you for your help.

[mpk218]

Yes , just go in the front door and a port rep will direct you . It will be a breeze

;)

[raindropsalways]

We rode up on our own scooters, thus I do not know exactly how they handle reserved wheelchairs. NOLA is very well organized and I am sure if you ask the first official you see, they will either direct you or have the wheelchair brought to you.

 

 

Since you have already cruised, you know that it can be a long haul getting on the ship. If you are in doubt as to your need, I would suggest using the wheelchair. That way you have saved that knee and can enjoy the rest of the cruise.

 

 

If you check under “Special Interest Cruising”, “Disabled Cruise Travel” you might find some more detailed information.

 

 

Betty

[marelind]

We have not cruised out of NOLA, but from many other ports. They may say they have a wheelchair "reserved" for you, but it is really first come, first served. Find an NCL employee and they will direct you to a place where you can get a wheel chair. They will wheel you through the check in process and on to the ship.

[dutchess43]

I sure sympathize with you my meniscus was torn & I was operated on 9/7 we cruised on the Gem 10/10. I stupidly would not use a wheelchair I relied on my cane there were days I did not know how I was going to get around but I managed. The worse was at the end of the cruise when we had to disembark the walk in NY was horrible. My knee is in bad shape I now am waiting for the 3 injections to be given to me so hopefully that will give me some relief for a while. I know that I am facing a full knee replacement next year. When you are handicapped they will put you on a special line & move you along very fast during embarkation.

[DMH15]

My mother used one and it went like clockwork. Very easy.

[kcdancerkc]

All these answers are great if you ONLY want to get on and off the ship at the beginning and ending of the trip

 

if you think you will need one for the ports - you have to rent one from only the company NCL uses specialneeds@sea.com then call NCL with the confirmation number you get.

[rbrugler]

As the previous poster said, you might seriously consider renting a wheelchair. The ships are almost three football fields long. The pier can be longer, and add to that going on an excursion or walking around a port, and well, it is hard on the legs.

 

Anyway, embarkation and debarkation are a breeze. The staff will assist you. But to use a wheelchair once on board you must rent one. It is well worth the money. I would think it is too late to get an accessible cabin with the wider doors, but the wheelchairs will collapse for the 21" doors.

[valleyvillage]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE rent a wheelchair for the whole cruise. If you don't need it much, no problem.

My logic is NEED IT+HAVE IT = GOOD

DON'T NEED IT+HAVE IT = NO PROBLEM

NEED IT + DON'T HAVE IT = BAD

:D

[NYteacher]

I have a torn meniscus and arthritis and know what you mean about good days and bad. In August I used a wheelchair at boarding and at the airports and it made a huge difference. The walks are so very long at those places.

 

At both Canada Place and The NYC pier, when I first spoke to someone with a clipboard, they noticed my cane and asked if I needed a wheelchair. It is definitely first come, first serve on access to an available chair, but once you are in one, you and your party are escorted through much shorter lines.

[kenb]

It does help to notify the "special needs" department to ensure you will be able to have a wheelchair available to get you to your cabin. As a previous poster stated, you will need to rent a wheelchair for the rest of the cruise.

[Havinsnest]

Thank you so much for your helpful answers. I feel so much better after hearing about your experiences. I no longer feel like a wimp. :o

 

Asking for help from NCL yesterday did not come easy to me. We have Texas Rangers season tickets and our seats this year were on the top row of the Ballpark. I never used the elevator, used the escalator for going up but not going down and always walked to and from the parking lot. When my knee doctor heard this story (mid-season and awhile after the tear happened) he just shook his head and said, "Your pain threshold must really be something.".

 

NYteacher, does the cane help? I have been pondering one since the limp tends to make me off balance. I'm worry that I'm going to fall when others rushing by/knocking against me in a crowd.

[NYteacher]

The cane can really help when the pain is really bad. It's helpful also to kind of alert people to not knock you down, or that you may be walking more slowly.

 

I've learned it really helps pain in getting from a seating to a standing position, by placing it in the middle and putting both hands on it while I stand. Takes the load off the knees.

[mpk218]

Thank you so much for your helpful answers. I feel so much better after hearing about your experiences. I no longer feel like a wimp. :o

 

Asking for help from NCL yesterday did not come easy to me. We have Texas Rangers season tickets and our seats this year were on the top row of the Ballpark. I never used the elevator, used the escalator for going up but not going down and always walked to and from the parking lot. When my knee doctor heard this story (mid-season and awhile after the tear happened) he just shook his head and said, "Your pain threshold must really be something.".

 

NYteacher, does the cane help? I have been pondering one since the limp tends to make me off balance. I'm worry that I'm going to fall when others rushing by/knocking against me in a crowd.

 

If your worried about the appearance of the cane then you should just freeze dry a rattler and say its A fashion accessory , bein from TX and all ;)

[shepherdqueen]

I have sciatica and cannot stand in long lines. For our last two cruises out of NYC I have used wheel chair embark and disembark. I had no issues when in port as we are not trying to be the first on or off so avoid a long wait. On the ship I do use my cane, but hardly ever at home as I can pace myself and i know the terrain at home and at work, unless i have a bad flare up. I do think it helps with balance when the sea is rough and hopefully people will be considerate when I do move slower. Walking on excursions my cane has been a lifesaver. Just thought I would share.

[rockabutzer]

DW has chronic back pain, so a wheel chair is a must for her with all the standing, waiting, and tours. We bought a wheelchair , which my insurance helped pay for. It is portable (folds up) and light. I checked with both the airline and NCL and was told there would be no issues, as long as it was a portable wheelchair. So we are taking it with us. Thankfully, she doesn't need it all the time, but we will have it for those times when she does.

 

On the plane, there are places they can store it in the cabin, and on excursions, it can be placed either under the tour bus or in the back of a van.

 

 

And as anyone who travels with someone who has to use a wheelchair, it is a blessing going through sercurity at the airport. :)

[sassyredhat]

We have cruised with DH's torn men...He used a cane on the ship.

I have a wheelchair, but I haven't taken it on a cruise yet... I used the ports chair at embarkation, but they are not allowed to take it onboard.

Good question if the ship will allow you to use theirs on shore excursions. I haven't tried that.

You will board as disabled. Usually, that means you will board in the group behind weddings and elites. If there is an elevator at the port, you will board using that.

I inform the people at the entrance that I am boarding disabled, and they direct me where to go.

Pat

[Havinsnest]

If your worried about the appearance of the cane then you should just freeze dry a rattler and say its A fashion accessory , bein from TX and all ;)

 

I grew up hiking with my dad in Colorado and Wyoming. We all (his kids and grand-kids) have aspen hiking sticks with a leather band he sewed on for a hand grip. We had the walking sticks at his funeral in July. :)

 

I have considered taking mine!