Need Input/Suggestions for Cruising with MS

[NC Medic]

My Mom, cousin and I are travelling on the Zuiderdam in February. My cousin has MS and uses a walker (rolater sp?). She is 34 and quite independent. She is renting a wheelchair for the cruise just in case. We are visiting the following ports: Half Moon Cay, St. Thomas, St. Martin, Nassau. Just looking for input/suggestions on these ports pertaining to her mobility. We haven't made any big plans for any of the ports yet. Planning on some beach time, minor shopping, a couple of nice lunches, and maybe a casino or two. Would mostly like to do some sightseeing. Thanks. :)

[Arwenmark]

Hi, you will need a min of the wheelchair though be warned they are hard to manuever and push on the carpeted ship a scooter is far superior for onboard and she will need it those ships are VERY long and Moving. for on shore the roads and sidewalks [when there are any] are broken and cramped the roads rough. even the wheelchair will be an adventure and there are few if any curb cuts. stores themselves are seldom accessible to the chair, she would need to leave the chair and use the walker and go up a step or two in most places. Beaches also provide a problem since neither WC nor walker work well in sand. If you want to book any excursions do call the excursion desk way ahead and Hope they actually know something about the vehicles and tours, often they don't because they have never done them and will give you false info this is true of on ship also. You Can go to some of the accessible travel sites and get names of transport of operators that can take the folding wheelchair etc. I once had them hook mine on the back of the vehicle only to have it fall off on a mountain road. so be careful.

[Splinter]

If she can climb a step or two still, then there is a lot available as far as tours. If not, then you should plan on taking your own trips in cabs or rental cars. Pushing a manual wheelchair around a ship is hard work due to all the carpets...I would second a scooter for that, but a manual wheelchair is more functional ashore if she has a good "pusher".

 

Keep in mind that even in February some of these ports can be quite hot. If she is sensitive to heat as many people with MS are, be sure to take plenty of water, and a spray bottle/fan combination or something like a Misty Mate can really come in handy. Don't let her get overheated as if she is sensitive it can make her much weaker.

[NC Medic]

Thanks a bunch for the information. The only problem with the scooter is that we could not get a HC room and all three of us are in a standard verandah so storing it could be a problem. I never thought about the carpet being a problem but I guess it could be. Knowing her, I doubt she will want to use the wheelchair much.

 

She can do steps pretty good, impressed me at a concert a couple months back. The heat is something we will have to be conscious of. We will definitely be prepared when we leave the ship and if it's too hot we'll just head back. She should also do okay with the beach. If she can hold onto my arm she can tread most any terrain if the distances are short.

 

This is her dream vacation. She cried the day we made reservations. I just want her to have a good time. I don't care if I have to work a little plus my Mom is capable of helping just as much.

 

Thanks again and any other information on the specific ports is greatly appreciated. Have a great day!

[Arwenmark]

remember that on board the ship can be swaying from side to side and that it is as long as close to three football fields so using a walker may be a real strain. Hopefully your scooter come apart as it won't fit through the door otherwise in a standard cabin, and you cannot leave it in the hall. Do you have a mister and fan to keep her cool? I use one and that with a gel moist scarf on my neck helps a lot.

[Oceanwench]

My husband has MS and enjoys cruising, but he never gets off in port -- except for Key West.

But he cannot walk and uses a powerchair to get around. Most ports would not provide him with the accessibility he requires ... and finding an accessible bathroom is another worry. It's hard enough finding them in the US!

 

Fatigue is a big problem for people with MS. Back when DH was using a cane or walker, and we were going to a festival or mall, somewhere that meant a lot of walking, we would take along a wheelchair in case he had a weak spell.

 

We've sailed the Zuiderdam twice, and have been on two other Vista ships, and distances are great. Having a wheelchair available is important. Although I've not pushed DH in a manual chair aboard a ship, I've seen others do it and it did not appear too difficult, carpet or not.

 

Are you waitlisted for an HC cabin? It's too bad they're all booked, as they offer ample room for a scooter.

[Arwenmark]

about the chair and carpets, I beg to differ, My husband is a strong man and he has a devil of a time pushing the chair, even the men assigned to wheel people to their room during embarcation have problems with it.

So while it may not have appeared difficult to you, it is.

[NC Medic]

We aren't waitlisted for a HC cabin. They filled up quickly and when we booked, we didn't think we'd need one. I'm sure the only way she'll accept using the wheelchair is if she's having a "bad day" and wants to go to a show or something on the other end of the ship. I wouldn't be surprised if she doesn't use the wheelchair at all but I've insisted that she rent one just in case. Thanks for all of your information. I'll report on the HC aspects of our cruise when we return.

 

Lori

[EileenN]

Some times on board ship, she might consider using the wheelchair like a walker. My DD walks behind her empty chair and is able to sit and ride if necessary. When empty, it moves on carpets without much effort. Something to think about.