Husband in a knee Brace...less than 3 weeks until the cruise

[tw67]

Looking for advice....my husband has a tear in his ACL and has just been put in a knee brace for the next 6 weeks. Anyone have suggestions on how to make things smoother on the ship? He refuses to use a wheelchair, so besides a wheelchair, any other suggestions would be great!

[CrossBluePerchance]

Limp?

[Keith1010]

A wheelchair would have been the best alternative.

 

He's just going to have to take it slow.

 

Keith

[TheMeowMeoow]

Lots of alcohol to dull the pain.

[tw67]

Lots of alcohol to dull the pain.

 

 

No problem, already pre-paid for CHEERS!

[Barsnikel]

I would suggest you advise Carnival for "special needs". At the very least, when the safety briefing takes place, he woun't have to try to go up (and back down) those stairs without assistance.

[tw67]

I would suggest you advise Carnival for "special needs". At the very least, when the safety briefing takes place, he woun't have to try to go up (and back down) those stairs without assistance.

 

Thank you! I didn't even think about that one! I will get on that right away.

[kingston13]

You can just go to Guest Services when you are on the ship and ask where the special needs muster is

[tw67]

You can just go to Guest Services when you are on the ship and ask where the special needs muster is

 

Great, we will do that. Thank you.

[mek]

Looking for advice....my husband has a tear in his ACL and has just been put in a knee brace for the next 6 weeks. Anyone have suggestions on how to make things smoother on the ship? He refuses to use a wheelchair, so besides a wheelchair, any other suggestions would be great!

 

My husband fought a wheelchair for several years and then he used a folding transport chair and never looked back. I realize your situation is temporary, but try to convince him that it might be a good idea to get one - just in case. They aren't expensive and the airlines don't charge extra for them. Many times my husband, who can walk short distances, folds the chair up and pushes it for support - maybe your husband would be willing to do that.

[ccruisequeen]

I have braces on both legs. Contact speed needs department. They can assign him to a special muster station so he doesn’t have to go to the boats. They can also help if he needs an adapted cabin for a chair or walker

 

 

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[SadieN]

Convince him that a wheelchair is for YOU not him.

At the very least convince him to use wheelchair assistance for embark and debark. Also use the Special Needs Muster.

 

 

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[tw67]

My husband fought a wheelchair for several years and then he used a folding transport chair and never looked back. I realize your situation is temporary, but try to convince him that it might be a good idea to get one - just in case. They aren't expensive and the airlines don't charge extra for them. Many times my husband, who can walk short distances, folds the chair up and pushes it for support - maybe your husband would be willing to do that.

 

I have access to a Transport Chair, and I am tempted to fold it up and bring it with us. I might just do it. At least then we have it if we need it. We aren't flying, just driving from NJ to Florida a few days before the cruise, I am sure he isn't going to be comfortable, but at least he can rest it for the 18 hours in the car! Thank you!

[tw67]

Convince him that a wheelchair is for YOU not him.

At the very least convince him to use wheelchair assistance for embark and debark. Also use the Special Needs Muster.

 

 

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I contacted Special Needs, and it might be a good idea to get the wheelchair for embarkation and debarkation. At least then he doesn't have to worry about the long lines. That is if I can't convince him to bring the transport chair with us! Thank you!

[Schoifmom]

Looking for advice....my husband has a tear in his ACL and has just been put in a knee brace for the next 6 weeks. Anyone have suggestions on how to make things smoother on the ship? He refuses to use a wheelchair, so besides a wheelchair, any other suggestions would be great!

 

Seriously ... he can get wheelchair assistance boarding and debarking the ship (at the beginning and end of the cruise), but that doesn't help him on the cruise. If this is your first cruise, he will be seriously underestimating the amount of walking that he will have to do on a daily basis just to get around the ship. If he will not consent to renting a wheelchair, try to talk him in to renting a scooter, which will give him more independence. You will have to arrange for either of these prior to the cruise. Most people use SpecialNeedsatSea for this. They will deliver the devices to your stateroom and you just leave them behind at the end.

 

On another note, if you are flying, he should get wheelchair assistance in the airport.

 

Really, it's about saving the effort to have fun. If he exhausts himself just getting from place to place, he will have no energy left for anything else.

[Hoosierpop]

Having torn both ACLs, it depends on his range of motion, swelling, pain, etc. If he has little swelling, he could probably do fine with crutches. If he has swelling and pain, I’d swallow my pride and use a wheelchair to go long distances. But he can still have a great time on the cruise.

 

I do agree that it’s as much about you as it his him. If it’s easier on you for him to have a wheelchair, that’s the route to go.

 

 

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[WildBlueYonder64]

My husband tore his quadricep tendon 3 days before we were due to fly to Athens for the Vista TA. The flight over was the worst, as he had a very cumbersome brace. We had to curtail and scrap some of the things planned, however, when it was all said and done, he was glad we didn't cancel our trip. Modify your plans as needed, and allow time for frequent breaks so he can rest his leg.

[tw67]

Seriously ... he can get wheelchair assistance boarding and debarking the ship (at the beginning and end of the cruise), but that doesn't help him on the cruise. If this is your first cruise, he will be seriously underestimating the amount of walking that he will have to do on a daily basis just to get around the ship. If he will not consent to renting a wheelchair, try to talk him in to renting a scooter, which will give him more independence. You will have to arrange for either of these prior to the cruise. Most people use SpecialNeedsatSea for this. They will deliver the devices to your stateroom and you just leave them behind at the end.

 

On another note, if you are flying, he should get wheelchair assistance in the airport.

 

Really, it's about saving the effort to have fun. If he exhausts himself just getting from place to place, he will have no energy left for anything else.

 

 

We have done over a dozen cruises, so he should be aware of the walking. In fact on this cruise we intentionally booked far from the elevator so that we would have to walk a lot more (really, it was a great idea when we booked it!!) We aren't flying, so that part is ok.

 

What you said about saving the effort to have fun, that is what I really need him to understand! When the college son comes home next week, I might have a better chance of having him talk common sense into his father. I will start off by showing him these posts! Thanks so much!

[tw67]

Having torn both ACLs, it depends on his range of motion, swelling, pain, etc. If he has little swelling, he could probably do fine with crutches. If he has swelling and pain, I’d swallow my pride and use a wheelchair to go long distances. But he can still have a great time on the cruise.

 

I do agree that it’s as much about you as it his him. If it’s easier on you for him to have a wheelchair, that’s the route to go.

 

 

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No crutches, just an immobilizer brace. He claims no pain, but while sitting in an office all day is one thing, walking a lot on the ship is another.... Swallowing pride is the hardest part!! Thank you!

[tw67]

My husband tore his quadricep tendon 3 days before we were due to fly to Athens for the Vista TA. The flight over was the worst, as he had a very cumbersome brace. We had to curtail and scrap some of the things planned, however, when it was all said and done, he was glad we didn't cancel our trip. Modify your plans as needed, and allow time for frequent breaks so he can rest his leg.

 

That sounds really, really painful!!! Luckily we aren't flying, and this one is only a 4 day. Next Christmas is a 7 day, with a lot more planned! I just really think that snorkeling is out, we won't walk as much as planned and will take a Taxi in Nassau.

[knittinggirl]

We've been at several stages of injuries over the years. DH broke his elbow, and I need a hip replacement. We managed this system from San Francisco to Australia in some pretty rough seas. But oceans are generally rougher than a place like Alaska, the Gulf of Mexico, etc.

 

1. Get a wheelchair for airport. Have them order one from home to destination. I pre-ordered mine w/ the airline. We did this on our last few trips. The distances are too far, and at the speed I hobble around, I would have missed the plane. They take you from the entrance, up the jet bridge, to the entrance of the plane, then are waiting when at the jet bridge to get you to the next connection. They now can either slide your wheeled carry-on on a shelf between the wheels, or place it on the foot pedals between your legs. Maybe not so much w/ a bad knee. But the wheelchair helpers have a good system.

2. Ship your "checked" luggage, to your pre-cruise hotel or ship. We use luggage forward for ship pickup. It's a little more expensive.

3. Wheelchair service at ship embarkation and disembarkation. Pulling the wheeled carry-ons up that gang plank makes the leg hurt more, and people don't like getting slowed down. They should be able to put your wheeled carry-on right on foot petals.

4. Bring a cane, and use the railings in the hallways. I seldom use a cane at home, but always use it on a ship.

5. Establish how you're getting to the bathroom. Where to grab if you're in rough seas. Ahead of time. Always grab the sink when stepping into the bathroom. A sudden ship lurch could cause a fall. Do you grab the desk? Do you lean against a wall, etc.

6. Decide ahead of time how you're going to walk to your dining table. I do a lot of pauses. Looking for empty chairs to grab if it gets rough.

7. Wheelchairs are available for rent from a third party for use onboard, but I haven't bothered.

8. Holland America strongly suggested I avoid any shore excursions but the most mild. Some of those bus steps are very steep. I've been working out on my ten inch step stool, so I could do the tour bus steps, and the bus steps in Tasmania were higher than my 10-inch step stool. US/Canada is very handicapped accessible, but the rest of the world isn't.

[tw67]

We've been at several stages of injuries over the years. DH broke his elbow, and I need a hip replacement. We managed this system from San Francisco to Australia in some pretty rough seas. But oceans are generally rougher than a place like Alaska, the Gulf of Mexico, etc.

 

1. Get a wheelchair for airport. Have them order one from home to destination. I pre-ordered mine w/ the airline. We did this on our last few trips. The distances are too far, and at the speed I hobble around, I would have missed the plane. They take you from the entrance, up the jet bridge, to the entrance of the plane, then are waiting when at the jet bridge to get you to the next connection. They now can either slide your wheeled carry-on on a shelf between the wheels, or place it on the foot pedals between your legs. Maybe not so much w/ a bad knee. But the wheelchair helpers have a good system.

2. Ship your "checked" luggage, to your pre-cruise hotel or ship. We use luggage forward for ship pickup. It's a little more expensive.

3. Wheelchair service at ship embarkation and disembarkation. Pulling the wheeled carry-ons up that gang plank makes the leg hurt more, and people don't like getting slowed down. They should be able to put your wheeled carry-on right on foot petals.

4. Bring a cane, and use the railings in the hallways. I seldom use a cane at home, but always use it on a ship.

5. Establish how you're getting to the bathroom. Where to grab if you're in rough seas. Ahead of time. Always grab the sink when stepping into the bathroom. A sudden ship lurch could cause a fall. Do you grab the desk? Do you lean against a wall, etc.

6. Decide ahead of time how you're going to walk to your dining table. I do a lot of pauses. Looking for empty chairs to grab if it gets rough.

7. Wheelchairs are available for rent from a third party for use onboard, but I haven't bothered.

8. Holland America strongly suggested I avoid any shore excursions but the most mild. Some of those bus steps are very steep. I've been working out on my ten inch step stool, so I could do the tour bus steps, and the bus steps in Tasmania were higher than my 10-inch step stool. US/Canada is very handicapped accessible, but the rest of the world isn't.

 

 

Very good ideas, thanks, I will pass onto him. Luckily not flying, just a long car ride. We will have two teenage boys with us, so they can handle the luggage. Short cruise, so we don't have much planned. Better off this year, then next year when we have a 7 day planned! Thank you!

[Wellard]

Good insurance! that covers this issue and any event that can be links to it.

 

 

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[DebJ14]

You can just go to Guest Services when you are on the ship and ask where the special needs muster is

Not necessarily a good plan. I sprained my ankle very badly a few days before a cruise on the LIberty in Nov. 2016. The orthopedic surgeon said I would have been better off if I broke it. The ligament and tendon damage was extensive. I used a wheelchair to board, but getting it was like pulling teeth! They said I was not on the list! The cruise was on a Monday and this happened the Thursday night before. Because I knew the weekend was coming I called the special needs department on Friday instead of emailing, since it always takes a few days for them to get back to you. The woman I spoke to in Miami said she would notify the ship. If it is something you know about in advance, send an e-mail and print it out and take their response with you. Do not depend on a verbal response.

 

I went to Guest Services to tell them I would need assistance in the event of a problem. since I could not use the stairs. I also asked where the special needs muster was going to be. The woman told me that she was not allowed to tell me. I should just go to my normal muster.

 

The muster drill lasted about 45 minutes. I tried standing out there, but after about 15 minutes I was so swollen that my foot was bulging out of the ankle brace, as was my shin. My foot and leg were turning blue from lack of circulation and I had adjusted the brace to let it out as much as possible. I told the guy in charge of my muster station and he escorted me to the dining room where the rest special needs drill was taking place. He asked me why I didn't go there in the first place and I explained that GS refused to tell me where it was. He was shocked.

 

That little episode set me back days in my recovery. Thankfully, our steward brought me 2 ice buckets twice a day so that I could ice down my ankle. I spent nearly all the time on the ship in the cabin with my foot propped on a pillow with an ice bag on it. Thankfully, our only port was the overnight in Cozumel and we hired one of those guys with a bike to get me to the stores. A really nice Mexican port official saw me struggling to walk and got a wheelchair to take me to the taxi stand. We went straight to the restaurant where we had dinner reservations.

 

I talked to the GS manager about what happened and he said if you are not on the list from Miami, then they can't tell you where the special needs drill is and he said his employee did the right thing! I had the name of the person I spoke to in Miami and sent a letter of complaint about not sending the ship the information, but she claimed she did. Without having it in writing I couldn't prove if it was a mistake in Miami or a mistake on the ship.

[CeleBrat]

I feel his pain, as I got put on crutches and in a knee brace for our last cruise (Vista/Miami) 2 days before we sailed. Noooooo!

 

First I did was to email the Special Needs Dept. about the muster drill. However, they didn't respond--actually ever. My initial email went to them on FRI afternoon, and we sailed on SUN. While they may have realized that by the time they processed the email (MON?) I was already at sea, I was disappointed they didn't write back to see how I did, or attempt to contact me while onboard. Anyway...Muster ended up not being a problem, as when they saw the crutches, they let me use the elevator. And, while we sitting in the muster station (Comedy Club), someone came up to me with a clipboard and said they were collecting info for "Special Needs." After giving them my name and cabin #, they told me that in the event of an actual emergency, someone would come to my cabin to assist me. Nice!

 

When we arrived in Miami to board with my family and parents in tow, a porter quickly came up to us with a wheelchair, which he used to pushed to push me (and family) through the entire boarding process. NOTE--if using a wheelchair, you will bypass the entire line, and the Embarkation Photo.

 

Midway through the cruise, we arranged to borrow a wheelchair for a few days from Guest Services. The wheelchair was helpful in posts where there was a long walk from the ship to shore (Grand Turk, Cozumel). I had also brought along a cane to use at the beach, as crutches and wheelchairs do not work in sand. In a few ports, there are industrious porters looking to make a few bucks, and they will push you from ship to shore. I was also lucky to have a leg brace that could get wet, so I was able to stand in the shallow, no wave water at the beach.

 

Lastly, in the Lido Buffet and Dining Room, there was always someone from the staff who offered to help me get to my table.

 

Hope that helps!--CeleBrat