Fat cruiser

[loosid]

Hi all,

 

We are very excited for our first cruise coming up in about 6 weeks on the Emerald Princess. However, my weight has me incredibly stressed out about how the cruise will play out in terms of seating, walking etc. I'll begin with, I am at the 400 lb mark and expect a lot of walking on a giant ship and with activities (I have two young children). However, I'm most worried about seating in the dining area or fitting in places here and there, including excursion busses, etc. Even something as simple as a high curb is an issue with me unless I have an arm to hold onto or someone to help.

 

Is there a way I can access someone in advance about having armless chairs ahead of time to avoid asking in person? My travel mates are all fit and active & it's my pride I'm sure. Good or bad let me know! Thanks in advance :D

[Duck Duck Cruise]

Hi,

 

As far as dining goes, if you have a set traditional dining time you can speak to the Maitre de when you arrive on the ship. You can ask the main desk where he is seeing people. I don't know about excursions.

 

Here is to a wonderful cruise with your friends!

[loosid]

I meant to add to me original post that we have free dining.

[GRAYTech]

Seems to me there were both types of chairs (arms on and not) in all dinning venues on our last CB Princess cruise. I have seen other pax swap chairs about when needed. As noted, the Maitre de can also get you seated appropriately.

 

If you have trouble negotiating a curb you may find the tendering process a bit of a challenge but there are always staff to hang onto when boarding.

 

You may not want to but if you ask the staff with whatever you need at the time I'm almost 100% sure they can accommodate your needs and will do so respectfully.

 

My wife caught her heel on the last stair of the staircase, fell to the ground and within seconds there were four crew members assisting her. Held her arms while escorting her to a nearby seating area and then did a quick exam of her foot and asked if we needed the ships doctor. 2 were photographers, 1 senior crew member and 1 looked to be kitchen staff. I think whomever you ask they will do their best to assist you with whatever your need might be at the time.

[LH25]

Hi Loosid - my last cruise was to Alaska a few years ago, I was probably around 300 lbs. I don't remember the dining room being an issue, I think all the chairs were armless?

 

We did have issues in the showrooms. The seats were too tight, so we didn't go to many. You might check out the venues ahead of time when non one is there to see how comfortable it is.

[floridalover5623]

I believe the handicapped seats at the back of the show lounge are wider to accommodate people with walkers easier.

[msmoger]

The issues you might have with excursions will in part depend on your mobility. In many cases you will need to board a bus which of course has several high steps. Also, the bus aisles aren't that wide. However, as long as the bus isn't filled to capacity you should be able to occupy both seats. I would consult the excursions desk when you board for advice and assistance.

 

Have a Great Cruise with your family!!

[NavyVeteran]

They will switch arm and arm-less chairs in the dining room. With traditional dining, it should be automatic after the first night. With anytime dining, you may need to ask. I recommend you ask the head waiter or hostess as you are being checked in. They can then tell the waiter and have it arranged.

 

DW often makes the opposite request. She has knee problems and has problems standing up without the arms to push on.

 

I recommend you talk with the shore excursions desk the first day of your cruise - before the cancellation deadlines for the excursions. They are generally knowledgeable about mobility restrictions on the excursions, and they will send a message to the tour operator if they don't know. For most non-wheelchair excursions, you will need to climb the steps into a bus.

 

You may find that you will need someone else in your party to accompany you on an excursion. Even though they are helpful, they are not staffed to provide individual mobility assistance on excursions.

[louden]

Hi!

 

First of all have a great cruise. Being able to share special memories with family and friends is lovely.

 

Just a tip about showers in the cabins. As many have mentioned in other posts they can be tiny for some but simply head down to the Spa where they have shower rooms available to all passengers. Large showers with all the bath products needed and fresh towels and lockers.

 

I am sure many more suggestions will be coming your way to help you have a a wonderful vacation. The Emerald is one of our favourites.

 

Cheers

 

Louden

[Thrak]

I have seen some pretty large cruisers and they seem to be able to find places to eat. Of course they may only eat in the buffet - I don't know. However, you can rest assured that Princess will do everything in their power to make your cruise successful. As others have said, excursions may be limited by the bus or other transportation provided - multiple high steps, narrow isles, narrow seats, etc. If you are able to use other types of public transportation you "should" be able to use the transportation provided for excursions.

 

Of course one can always arrange private excursions. We have had some great non-Princess excursions and you may well be able to arrange for better seating in that manner. When traveling in a mini van or taxi for an excursion there may well be more roomy seating available.

 

Like I said above, I have seen other cruisers who must be in the same weight category who have seemed to be quite happy onboard. You can always try contacting Princess in advance and asking if there is someone you can speak with regarding your concerns or, as suggested above by others, simply speak with the Maitre d on boarding and arrange for suitable seating.

 

Enjoy your cruise. :)

[capriccio]

I believe the handicapped seats at the back of the show lounge are wider to accommodate people with walkers easier.

 

The last 3 rows on each side of the Crown Princess were designated handicap (a designation ignored by most passengers so I always got their early to get a seat on the aisle) and were standard sized seats. There was wheelchair space behind the last row on each side of the theater. Each wheelchair space had what looked like a regular size seat next to it (but I didn't check out the size closely).

[Corinda]

At 300 lbs I find the Princess Theatre seats uncomfortable and small (Smaller than an airline seat). But Vista has comfortable seating; Explorers does too but the couches can be difficult to get up from. The Princess staff is the friendliest I've come across - remember they are there to help you have a great vacation.

 

Have a great time

[SadieN]

Here's an older thread....

bigger passenger

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1218007

I used 'fluffy' in the search.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[riclop]

Hi all,

 

We are very excited for our first cruise coming up in about 6 weeks on the Emerald Princess. However, my weight has me incredibly stressed out about how the cruise will play out in terms of seating, walking etc. I'll begin with, I am at the 400 lb mark and expect a lot of walking on a giant ship and with activities (I have two young children). However, I'm most worried about seating in the dining area or fitting in places here and there, including excursion busses, etc. Even something as simple as a high curb is an issue with me unless I have an arm to hold onto or someone to help.

 

Is there a way I can access someone in advance about having armless chairs ahead of time to avoid asking in person? My travel mates are all fit and active & it's my pride I'm sure. Good or bad let me know! Thanks in advance :D

They will help you if they see you don't fit in a chair .

[Colo Cruiser]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

There is a mixture of chairs with and without arms.

[skynight]

If by Free Dining you mean Anytime Dining, just ask the greeter for an armless chair when entering. The buffet area also has armless chairs, but you will have to look for them, or ask one of the waiters if they can find you one. Theater seats are not wide, they are standard width with normal leg clearance. Enter the theater through the center entrance up the ramp, not from the two sides which have stairs. Explorer's Lounge has lots of sofa seats, as well as some open sided chairs in the back by the bar. There is a ramp entrance from the main hall and also a flat entrance to the right side at dance floor level. Other seats are barrel chairs. Someone mentioned the Vista Lounge, but don't look for it. There is no Vista lounge on the Crown. There is a Club Fusion which also has some sofa seats. Club Fusion also has some high and low sideless bar stools. There are companies that will rent ship sized scooters for a cruise. You will have to research this, I don't know of any off hand.This will help you get around the ship. All scooters must fit through the 22 inch door and be stored in the cabin in the evening. If you have a scooter you can sit on the scooter in the back of the theater. Some of the doorways that open to the promenade deck have thresholds with steep ramps on each side. There is one HCP doorway mid ship both port and starboard. The gangways may be steep, depending on the tides. There is normally always one gangway that can be used by wheelchairs, but as stated it could be steep. If you have a tender port this may be difficult. You do have to step from the ship's pontoon onto the tender. Most times it is a rocking ship to a rocking tender. Once on the tender you have to go down a few stairs (and up again to exit), to get your seat. The seats are bench seats that are narrow front to back. To get to the pontoon you have to go down fairly steep stairs. To avoid the stairs inform a staff member that you require an elevator. There is one there that is used for passengers with staff escort that can't handle the stairs. Can't help with the buses used for tours. They are what you know buses to be, steps to get in and out and narrow seats. Some buses may have bench back seats. You can take private taxis and tours at the ports to get to beaches and sites.

Hope this helps. If I were you I would search out the scooters. You will be a lot happier.

[Thrak]

I know that other's have mentioned suitable seating in Explorer's Lounge but I don't think they have mentioned Adagio on Deck 16. It's right across from Sabatini's. There is some couch type seating. It also has large armchairs but large is, as you know, a relative term. It's a wonderful quiet venue with a small observation deck outside. It's one of my favorite places on Crown and I will be spending a fair amount of time in that venue on our upcoming 28 day cruise on Emerald.

 

You can check out some videos on youtube that will show you seating in Adagio, Explorer's, etc. It might be a good place to check out so you can see for yourself what the seating is like in various venues. Of course Princess also has a number of 360 degree videos that show various venues. I urge you to check these things out so you will have an idea in advance what is available.

[luv2gonow]

Welcome to cruise critic:-)

These boards are priceless for information. I see my fellow cruisers have given you some very good info!

I am just posting for moral support.

I am plus size who has yo-yo

For too long. Losing and gaining 100 pds multiple times.

Every flight I stress is seatbelt gonna fit this time.... seating, rides at Wdw everything!

Smart you are researching..... follow advice and just ask for assistance. IGNORE people who are going to judge... as you know they are always around.

Enjoy your cruise and your family you will be creating amazing memories and you will be looking to book your next cruise!

Happy sailing

Kerri

[cruzsnooze]

your cabin steward will meet you soon after you enter your cabin. Have him wait while you try on the mandatory life jacket and see if you need a bigger one. They also will bring you smaller ones for your young children you mentioned will be with you.

[Mary Ann 2]

I have also struggled with weight issues and used to be much heavier ( and have been less). The biggest problem I found at my heaviest was the theater. The seats are not wide enough for many people. I have asked crew to bring a chair up to the back area where the handicap seating is (and my husband has done gotten one from the closest venue when crew could not be found). This was the best solution I found short of standing the whole time.

 

As mentioned several times, the dining room has armless chairs so no worries there.

 

I understand the worries totally, but it's going to be fine. Adjust plans if necessary - there is plenty to do and enjoy. Relax and enjoy your cruise. Happy sailing!

[ckb104]

I'm about 350 lbs and I think the only thing I'm really worried about is the showers. I've seen so many comments about them being tiny that I keep picturing myself standing with one foot in the toilet and not being able to get clean at all. Is it as bad as I'm imagining?

[Nodales]

I love threads like this. We've cruised Princess for years and we're still learning new things. The pockets of my husband's dress pants were ripped from sitting in a dining chair with arms years ago. It's nice to know we can request armless chairs for our upcoming trip!

 

I'm about 350 lbs and I think the only thing I'm really worried about is the showers. I've seen so many comments about them being tiny that I keep picturing myself standing with one foot in the toilet and not being able to get clean at all. Is it as bad as I'm imagining?

 

Even average sized people find the showers uncomfortably small. My husband is a big guy and can't get his whole body in the shower.

 

However, some ships have open, outdoor showers by the Lotus Pool. So if you don't mind showering in a swim suit, it's a great alternative. :)

[floridalover5623]

 

 

 

 

 

However, some ships have open, outdoor showers by the Lotus Pool. So if you don't mind showering in a swim suit, it's a great alternative. :)

With soap? :D

Never see that one.

[Mary Ann 2]

With soap? :D

Never see that one.

 

I thought that I saw soap once at the Spa pool on one of the ships?

[ckb104]

I've seen posts suggesting showering in the spa (I think in this thread). Unfortunately, the spa is about as far as it can get from my cabin and still be on the same ship. It just seems really inconvenient, but I might have to try it once or twice if I feel like I need a better shower. Are the shower heads in the cabins removable (on a hose)?