recent broken foot and going on a cruise-need advice

[Payd]

Happy to hear you are still cruising, even with less than ideal news from your doctor.

 

Our daughter broke her ankle two days before our cruise. Even though the break required surgery her doctor cleared her to go as the OR schedule was so backed up (and maybe to calm her hysteria too :( ).

 

She was in an inflatable boot cast. NO WEIGHT bearing at all.

 

We did allow extra time for security at the airport, it does take far longer to get all the gear through scanners, and a physical pat down.

 

Once we arrived at the port, I asked if there was an area for her to sit while we waited to check in. We were taken to the front of the line (despite our protest that we would wait). Then they had a staffer put her in a wheelchair and we were escorted on with all people with mobility issues.

 

As we literally had no time to arrange a wheelchair (I was to busy talking to insurance about cancellation before we were cleared to go), we stopped at the guest service counter and made arrangements to rent a chair on board. This was the only hiccup. We got a chair, but it was oversized for a larger person. A little more than half way through - we were contacted when they located a smaller one.

 

The ship personnel went above and beyond in terms of helping, honestly I'm not sure we ever asked for help they offered. Pushed her around, got her sodas, talked her through the tender process and how they would load her...it really was incredible.

 

Our only disappointment was the very few cruisers who were rude (jumping on the elevator first, telling her she was young and not to be lazy, bumping into her).

 

So prepare with whichever mobility device you decide. The knee roller or a chair. And take care on your excursions. At least you control the ATV. You can decide after a few minutes if it is too much, and your husband can go explore on his own.

 

Live it up - enjoy your cruise!

[Algebralovr]

Happy to hear you are still cruising, even with less than ideal news from your doctor.

 

Our daughter broke her ankle two days before our cruise. Even though the break required surgery her doctor cleared her to go as the OR schedule was so backed up (and maybe to calm her hysteria too :( ).

 

She was in an inflatable boot cast. NO WEIGHT bearing at all.

 

We did allow extra time for security at the airport, it does take far longer to get all the gear through scanners, and a physical pat down.

 

Once we arrived at the port, I asked if there was an area for her to sit while we waited to check in. We were taken to the front of the line (despite our protest that we would wait). Then they had a staffer put her in a wheelchair and we were escorted on with all people with mobility issues.

 

As we literally had no time to arrange a wheelchair (I was to busy talking to insurance about cancellation before we were cleared to go), we stopped at the guest service counter and made arrangements to rent a chair on board. This was the only hiccup. We got a chair, but it was oversized for a larger person. A little more than half way through - we were contacted when they located a smaller one.

 

The ship personnel went above and beyond in terms of helping, honestly I'm not sure we ever asked for help they offered. Pushed her around, got her sodas, talked her through the tender process and how they would load her...it really was incredible.

 

Our only disappointment was the very few cruisers who were rude (jumping on the elevator first, telling her she was young and not to be lazy, bumping into her).

 

So prepare with whichever mobility device you decide. The knee roller or a chair. And take care on your excursions. At least you control the ATV. You can decide after a few minutes if it is too much, and your husband can go explore on his own.

 

Live it up - enjoy your cruise!

 

Uggggg! I hear you! We were all set to fly to Venice in 2014 when we realized DD's condition had worsened. We had to figure out very quickly how to deal with it while driving the 7 hours to the international airport. My solution was to purchase a wheelchair at a medical supply company in Chicago as soon as they opened at 9 am. We had to be at O'Hare Airport in Chicago by 1pm. It wasn't the vacation we expected, but it was still a family vacation. Luckily, DD was 20 and we could leave her on board the ship while we did some excursions she decided were going to be too much. She enjoyed the ship while everyone else was gone.

 

 

Nanny8, I was able to purchase a wheelchair for only $100. It might be worth your while.

[Payd]

Uggggg! I hear you! We were all set to fly to Venice in 2014 when we realized DD's condition had worsened. We had to figure out very quickly how to deal with it while driving the 7 hours to the international airport. My solution was to purchase a wheelchair at a medical supply company in Chicago as soon as they opened at 9 am. We had to be at O'Hare Airport in Chicago by 1pm. It wasn't the vacation we expected, but it was still a family vacation. Luckily, DD was 20 and we could leave her on board the ship while we did some excursions she decided were going to be too much. She enjoyed the ship while everyone else was gone.

 

 

Nanny8, I was able to purchase a wheelchair for only $100. It might be worth your while.

Thanks for your reply. So amazing it worked out for you. I won't ask what the condition was, but good that you knew you could manage international travel.

 

I was busier unpacking and calling insurance to cancel. Positive that without the hysteria we would have cancelled and waited days and days for OR space.

 

Had no idea I could score a wheelchair for that. We rented for about 80 for the week.

 

We were very lucky to be able to go. It turned out to be an amazing vacation. Every roadblock turned into an opportunity. By the end everyone knew Ally and was protective of her. Our excursion to watch cliff divers (they had space for mobility issues people but not a companion...no way I was leaving my teenager alone in a foreign country), my husband carried her up and down hundreds of steps (then every one knew him...Dad of the year).

 

The older boys at the kids club waited downstairs to see if they could help carry her up.

 

It takes a village. Ours was on the cruise that week!

Uggggg! I hear you! We were all set to fly to Venice in 2014 when we realized DD's condition had worsened. We had to figure out very quickly how to deal with it while driving the 7 hours to the international airport. My solution was to purchase a wheelchair at a medical supply company in Chicago as soon as they opened at 9 am. We had to be at O'Hare Airport in Chicago by 1pm. It wasn't the vacation we expected, but it was still a family vacation. Luckily, DD was 20 and we could leave her on board the ship while we did some excursions she decided were going to be too much. She enjoyed the ship while everyone else was gone.

 

 

Nanny8, I was able to purchase a wheelchair for only $100. It might be worth your while.

 

 

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[keithm]

Happy to hear you are still cruising, even with less than ideal news from your doctor.

 

Our daughter broke her ankle two days before our cruise. Even though the break required surgery her doctor cleared her to go as the OR schedule was so backed up (and maybe to calm her hysteria too :( ).

 

She was in an inflatable boot cast. NO WEIGHT bearing at all.

 

We did allow extra time for security at the airport, it does take far longer to get all the gear through scanners, and a physical pat down.

 

Once we arrived at the port, I asked if there was an area for her to sit while we waited to check in. We were taken to the front of the line (despite our protest that we would wait). Then they had a staffer put her in a wheelchair and we were escorted on with all people with mobility issues.

 

As we literally had no time to arrange a wheelchair (I was to busy talking to insurance about cancellation before we were cleared to go), we stopped at the guest service counter and made arrangements to rent a chair on board. This was the only hiccup. We got a chair, but it was oversized for a larger person. A little more than half way through - we were contacted when they located a smaller one.

 

The ship personnel went above and beyond in terms of helping, honestly I'm not sure we ever asked for help they offered. Pushed her around, got her sodas, talked her through the tender process and how they would load her...it really was incredible.

 

Our only disappointment was the very few cruisers who were rude (jumping on the elevator first, telling her she was young and not to be lazy, bumping into her).

 

So prepare with whichever mobility device you decide. The knee roller or a chair. And take care on your excursions. At least you control the ATV. You can decide after a few minutes if it is too much, and your husband can go explore on his own.

 

Live it up - enjoy your cruise!

Lucky I wasn't on the cruise! Trust me! No one would have cut your daughter onto the elevator.

[Payd]

Lucky I wasn't on the cruise! Trust me! No one would have cut your daughter onto the elevator.

Thanks keithm!

 

Maybe you were! There were a number of very helpful cruisers that helped in these situations.

 

Good to know you are part of the "village"

 

If you are one of our American cruise friends: Happy Thanksgiving!

 

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[Nanny8]

Just a gentle reminder that crutches can be dangerous on a moving ship. You can easily lose your balance.

After the recent snowfall here I have decided that there is no way I'm using crutches on board. I've been sliding around in my house if water from the snow gets on the floor. I'm going to rely on the scooter rather than chance a fall on board. My therapist said I may be down to a cane by then but I still have to use the scooter for any walking outside my room. I purchased a used scooter for a great price (and it's the same as the one I had been renting so I know how to use it.

Thanks again for all the encouragement and advice. Can't wait to cruise in a few weeks.

[Nanny8]

I cruised, with doctor's permission, with my foot in a cast. I had a mobility scooter and easily navigated both the airport, and pre-cruise hotel, then had absolutely no problem getting around the ship. Was unable to put any weight on the foot during the whole time. I did not have a handicapped room and it was tight getting the scooter into the toom but I managed. I went to the spa to take showers since there wee seats in the showers there. Highly recommend a scooter.

That is a great idea about using the Sauna shower. I have used it before and was wondering how I was going to stand up without slipping, in our in-room shower. It's not likely that I will have an accessible room (looks like they are all booked and I can move a little on my own (with crutches) so this option/idea is great.

Thanks

[Payd]

That is a great idea about using the Sauna shower. I have used it before and was wondering how I was going to stand up without slipping, in our in-room shower. It's not likely that I will have an accessible room (looks like they are all booked and I can move a little on my own (with crutches) so this option/idea is great.

Thanks

Your cabin steward may be able to arrange a small shower chair, which will allow you to use your cabin shower.

 

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[jasm8449]

Call celebrity special needs department prior to sailing and request the shower chair. It should then be in your cabin when u arrive.

 

 

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