GPS devices on cruise ships

[Cruising Rosie]

My husband and I have traveled extensively, with multiple cruises under our belts. Over the years he has developed mild Alzheimer's, so he gets lost easily. For my sanity's sake, I plan for us to travel as long as possible, even if it means concessions on my part. It's simply wonderful to be sailing along with someone else doing all the work.

 

My question is this - has anyone had success with GPS devices on cruises? What GPS devices work on ships and in foreign ports? I carry a travel cell phone that has a data plan.

[cruising cockroach]

Any GPS will work anywhere it can get a signal, but it all depends on what you want it to do.

 

If you want it for locating where you are, just download maps ahead of time to avoid paying for data.

 

If for driving, you can do the same or buy maps or get free open source ones (Garmins are good for the latter).

 

On a TATL on HAL's Prinsendam and a eastern Pacific repo on HAL's Zaandam, I used a USB GPS unit to log where the ship was tracking. Unfortunately it didn't work so well on the Zaandam because we were in a window cabin, a balcony on the Prinsendam.

 

I used a car GPS to track a TPAC on a container ship last year.

 

The caveat is that metal and other hard shielding will cut a signal.

[Kamloops50]

Most GPS units sold in the US and Canada only supply land maps for Canada and the US. To get overseas maps you'll have to buy them and use your computer to download to the GPS. Cellphones can use free apps that are free on included on the smartphone. My Iphone comes with a map app that shows some info for europe.

[donaldsc]

My husband and I have traveled extensively, with multiple cruises under our belts. Over the years he has developed mild Alzheimer's, so he gets lost easily. For my sanity's sake, I plan for us to travel as long as possible, even if it means concessions on my part. It's simply wonderful to be sailing along with someone else doing all the work.

 

My question is this - has anyone had success with GPS devices on cruises? What GPS devices work on ships and in foreign ports? I carry a travel cell phone that has a data plan.

 

I do not think that the people who have responded understand your question. I think that you mean that your husband wears a GPS tracking bracelet or something like that so that if he wanders, you know that he is gone and you can track him.

 

If that is the case, I am sure that it will not work as you need to see sky to get a GPS fix and you will not see sky on the ship unless you are outside on deck.

 

DON

[GUT2407]

Do you mean GPS to find him on the ship.

 

GPS for him to find his way around the ship.

 

Or GPS to find where the ship is.

[Cruising Rosie]

Don, thanks for your response. Yes, I didn't clarify that it's my husband I want to track. I've researched both GPS and Bluetooth devices such as the Tile type for locating lost keys, etc. None seem to quite fill the bill for ships and foreign travel. Maybe technology isn't the answer here. I'll just carry a photo of him (one suggestion that I have read) and maybe write our cabin number on his arm.

[cruising cockroach]

If you can get him to carry a cell phone _and_ pay for data wherever you are (and carry a data phone with you as well), I believe there are some cell phone apps that will broadcast to you the location o the target cell phone.

[julie3fan]

Rosie, what a loving and caring wife you are. I wish you luck in finding a solution that works for the both of you. I hope you and your lucky husband are able to enjoy many more cruises together!

[donaldsc]

Don, thanks for your response. Yes, I didn't clarify that it's my husband I want to track. I've researched both GPS and Bluetooth devices such as the Tile type for locating lost keys, etc. None seem to quite fill the bill for ships and foreign travel. Maybe technology isn't the answer here. I'll just carry a photo of him (one suggestion that I have read) and maybe write our cabin number on his arm.

 

Just a thought. There have to be a number of Alzheimer support groups on the WEB and many people who travel with spouses must be in the same situation as you are. Perhaps you might log into the Alzheimer support groups and ask the same question.

 

DON

[Cruising Rosie]

Thanks, cruising cockroach. Your nickname is a hoot. He won't carry a cell phone. I'll keep looking.

[Geldhart]

All the metal on the ship will cause issues with GPS and Bluetooth. Combine that with the 10m range of Bluetooth and you will find him before the tech does.

 

Great for home life and land based vacations, not do much for cruise ships.

 

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[Cruising Rosie]

Thanks for the tip. This is just as I suspected. No sense researching it any more. I can just focus on planning our trip.

[GottaKnowWhen]

My husband and I have traveled extensively, with multiple cruises under our belts. Over the years he has developed mild Alzheimer's, so he gets lost easily. For my sanity's sake, I plan for us to travel as long as possible, even if it means concessions on my part. It's simply wonderful to be sailing along with someone else doing all the work.

 

My question is this - has anyone had success with GPS devices on cruises? What GPS devices work on ships and in foreign ports? I carry a travel cell phone that has a data plan.

Another answer which you may well have considered and rejected... My mother in law, now over 100yrs, has dementia. She used to travel extensively. Since my wife and I started cruising we have discussed the possibilities of taking my mother-in-law along. The only way I could see to make it work, assuming the individual even has a background in cruising and a desire to be on the sea, is to bring a 4th person to help with caregiving. Get a 2 bedroom suite, share the watch keeping/caregiving duties, everyone gets at least something of a vacation out of it. The afflicted individual has a full-time companion and won't be getting lost. We concluded that this plan was not practical for us but I still think the notion may have merit.

Best wishes to you in your search for balance!

[CPT Trips]

You can use a phone or digital camera to take a full length picture whenever he changes clothes. Then if you need some one to find him, it will be easier to describe, or show security, what he is wearing.

[Geldhart]

I like the idea of bringing an aide for your husband (and your own sake as well). The way it could work could be something like this:

 

Bring a preferably MALE aide if possible. This will allow the aide to enter public washrooms easily if needed. However, a female aide is not a deal breaker, especially if they have related experience, but a male who your husband still knows and respects is probably best.

 

This is a "working" cruise for the aide. They get their OWN cabin (to allow for separation during off-duty times; inside is fine) near your own. You pay the airfare, cabin, tips, travel health insurance, and other mandatory expenses including excursions if the aide is expected to come along. Provide a bit of OBC if desired as well. In addition to covering expenses, also pay the aide a wage. Maybe the aide is even allowed to bring a guest to share the cabin. (Or you can have 2 aides who share the one cabin). If bringing a guest, you are under no obligation to pay any of the expenses of the guest other than I would say cabin, tips, and taxes.

 

Have a clear schedule drawn up ahead of time as to when the companion is expected to be with your husband (and the guest, if applicable, is somewhere else). 24/7 someone, either you or the aide, needs to be with your husband.

 

As an example of the schedule, perhaps the aide has your husband from 1300 until 1700 on sea days, and as well will be required to be with you and your husband in the ports and excursions on the port days. I would not go into the ports without the aide myself.

 

This can make temporary split ups much easier (say you need to go to the washroom, the aide stays with your husband, and vice-versa). This is also where a male aid will be very useful, he can escort your husband into the washroom and make sure he doesn't slip away. If both the aide and your husband need the washroom, the aide should wait until your husband is done and "returned" to you before taking care of his own needs.

 

If your husband gets lost, one of you can search for him, the other can hug a tree. This is where GPS tracking may still be useful -- while you are in port. Not on the ship, but no reason it can't work in port. The tree hugger can even monitor the GPS tracker and relay the information to the searcher.

 

Don't try to do it all yourself, you need "Cruising Rosie" time as well. While you are doing something you want to do, the aide can be with your husband doing something he enjoys.

 

If your husband is subject to leaving the room and wandering, I would definitely have 2 aides, one of whom is on "Night Shift" duty with no duties during the day - they can then sleep in an interior room during the day. Would have to make sure the cabin stewart is aware of that and make other arrangements for them to do their job.

 

When you are the one with your husband (on the ship), the aide is "off duty" and can enjoy the ship and/or port. You would also need agreement over the consumption of alcohol by the aide. Some people who bring aides aboard (for dementia or childcare) prohibit alcohol consumption by the aide for that week, others limit it, but I don't think ANYONE would get the unlimited alcohol package for their employee.

 

If you bring 2 aides make sure the schedule is specific about which one is on duty. Don't leave any room for "I thought s/he had him".

 

Big thing to keep in mind that while your husband may not CURRENTLY need this level of supervision, by the time the cruise actually comes up, he might. Better to plan for the worst and have an aide that you don't really need, then get to a point where you have to cancel the cruise after final payment, or worse yet, go on the cruise and find out you can't do it alone.

 

Wishing you the best of luck on this.

[Parrottdizes]

I am wondering if something like this might work for you. This fall, Princess is going to slowly start using a "Medallion" instead of a "card". It will start on the Regal first and then next spring on the Caribbean. It will take several years for all of their ships to go to this......Of course that is if it works like they are hoping it will.

 

Go to the Princess web site to read everything about it. Below is something I cut and paste which refers to what I think you are wondering if possible. Also you can go to the Princess form and search for information.

 

Hope this is of help to you.

 

OCEAN NAVIGATE HELPS YOU KEEP TABS ON YOUR GROUP

 

If you opt-in to location based services, you’ll never lose track of friends and family on your Ocean Medallion Class ship. Accessible through your Compass, Ocean Navigate is an optional feature that allows you to locate your party anywhere on board via their Ocean Medallions. So you can give your kids a little freedom and yourself peace of mind.

http://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/ocean-medallion-class/

[Cruising Rosie]

My thanks to everyone who has responded with (very helpful) suggestions for a solution to my query. It is apparent that cruisers are both sensitive and smart.

 

On several of our recent cruises I have noticed fellow passengers who appear to have memory problems; some of you may have also had this experience. We boomers will continue to pose challenges for cruise lines. The non-affected cruiser wants to continue to explore the world, while the memory-challenged party requires increasingly demanding care. Perhaps adult day care will be an option at some point - a cruise service at the other end of the spectrum from child day care. Disney watch out!

 

My personal approach at present is to gradually increase the amount of assistance for "Hubby" - enough to keep us both safe and content. At this point dear "Hubby" is still interested in excursions, and I am content with staying close to his side most of the time. BUT, I do realize that this plan may have a limited life span.....

 

So, thanks again, everyone. Maybe we will see you in Tasmania or Papua New Guinea in the fall!

[cruising cockroach]

OCEAN NAVIGATE HELPS YOU KEEP TABS ON YOUR GROUP

 

Looks like it will be RFID scanners that are connected. Won't work if he uses one of those RFID shields around his keycard!

[Parrottdizes]

Looks like it will be RFID scanners that are connected. Won't work if he uses one of those RFID shields around his keycard!

 

It is not a key-card like we are used to using, but rather a disk about the size of a quarter in diameter. It can be worn like a pendant around your neck or on your wrist like a watch, etc.

Being that he is with his wife, doesn't she have some input and can keep him from using a RFID sleeve. Yes, I know what RFID sleeves are as I use them myself.

[lostchild]

Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas has RFID tag tracking onboard using the ship's WiFi for you don't get lost on a huge ship. I think Disney cruise has the same technology for tracking kids with their RFID bracelet.

 

I wouldn't use a cell phone GPS to track. For GPS, you have to be close to the windows or open up to the sky. And most cellphone GPS is disabled if you are in airplane mode. The ship WiFi location will likely display you being at the Port or at the ship's location which is not going to help to track someone onboard.

[Jimnbigd]

I wonder...Can an adult's ship card be flagged so that he/she cannot leave the ship without another designated person. I'd hate for hubby to leave the ship at a port-of-call on his own.Technology-wise, this is possible -- setting off some warning alarm to the cruise agent when his card is "dinged" to get off the ship. I wonder if any cruise lines have implemented this.

 

Also I wonder if a child's wrist band would also work for hubby. Children under a certain age wear wrist bands so a crew member can get him/her to the proper muster station in case of emergency, and I think it can also be used to locate the parent -- or you in this case.

[Geldhart]

I wonder...Can an adult's ship card be flagged so that he/she cannot leave the ship without another designated person. I'd hate for hubby to leave the ship at a port-of-call on his own.Technology-wise, this is possible -- setting off some warning alarm to the cruise agent when his card is "dinged" to get off the ship. I wonder if any cruise lines have implemented this.

 

Also I wonder if a child's wrist band would also work for hubby. Children under a certain age wear wrist bands so a crew member can get him/her to the proper muster station in case of emergency, and I think it can also be used to locate the parent -- or you in this case.

 

 

No. You are expected to be fit for travel or have an aid with you. Only thing you can do is for the OP to confiscate his pass so he has nothing to ding with at the exit.

 

My suggestion for bringing an aid stands.

 

 

 

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[PROCRUISE]

Rosie, what a loving and caring wife you are. I wish you luck in finding a solution that works for the both of you. I hope you and your lucky husband are able to enjoy many more cruises together!

 

Rosie - just wanted to add my praise for your loving insight and care. As a retired ER RN, I now do hospice care and see the effects of dementia often. I also see the goodness that results when spouses, family members and care givers attempt to nurture Alzheimer's patients for as long as possible. Bless you and your husband and wishing you more cruises together too. :)

[Cruising Rosie]

Thank you all for the encouragement and suggestions. Cruisers are such clever, caring folks!

 

First off, Hubby is in no danger of trying to leave the ship without me. He has gotten lost a couple of times, and it scared him spitless. He doesn't wander, just can't find his way back to me. His symptoms are still mild, so he still travels pretty well.

 

As for devices - GPS seems to be out due to technical limitations. Since the investment is small and there are no monthly fees, I may purchase one of the "Tile" devices for locating lost keys. They use blue tooth technology that shouldn't be affected by being in a foreign country, and they are small enough to fit on his Medical Alert dog tag-like pendant. The Princess OCEAN medallion program looks promising (according to their website description, anyway), but it is available on only a few ships at present, and, unfortunately, not the Sun Princess. I suspect that this subject will arise more often as we boomers continue to stay active over the years ahead, so the discussion is probably timely. Maybe cruise lines will recognize a market here and expand use of technology for older adult purposes.

[Shmoo here]

Thank you all for the encouragement and suggestions. Cruisers are such clever, caring folks!

 

First off, Hubby is in no danger of trying to leave the ship without me. He has gotten lost a couple of times, and it scared him spitless. He doesn't wander, just can't find his way back to me. His symptoms are still mild, so he still travels pretty well.

 

As for devices - GPS seems to be out due to technical limitations. Since the investment is small and there are no monthly fees, I may purchase one of the "Tile" devices for locating lost keys. They use blue tooth technology that shouldn't be affected by being in a foreign country, and they are small enough to fit on his Medical Alert dog tag-like pendant. The Princess OCEAN medallion program looks promising (according to their website description, anyway), but it is available on only a few ships at present, and, unfortunately, not the Sun Princess. I suspect that this subject will arise more often as we boomers continue to stay active over the years ahead, so the discussion is probably timely. Maybe cruise lines will recognize a market here and expand use of technology for older adult purposes.

I'm not sure cruise lines want to set themselves up as "electronic babysitters". That's why they require anyone who needs assistance for "normal" life has to bring their own.