Standing in line? Arrang.for person with cane?

[MokieWoman]

I have a quick question. We are sailing May 29th on Majesty and my sister-in-law uses a cane. She has a state-issued handicap parking permit, but does not require a wheelchair. She can walk better than she can stand still. My concern is standing and waiting in line for embarking, buffets, shows, etc. She just won't be able to do this. She either has to sit down or keep moving (albeit slowly). If she has her handicap permit, do they make any kind of exceptions and allow someone like this to go ahead and not wait in line? I called RCL customer service and the man was very pleasant but didn't really have any information. He said that she could bring a wheelchair if she wanted. Well, she does not need a wheelchair and rather than be put through the embarassment of being wheeled around in a chair, we'd rather just skip anything that might require standing in a line. Any suggestions or anyone with experience with this? Thanks!

[Son of a Cruiser]

We took my MIL on a cruise on the Enchantment several years ago and she was in a similar condition. I don't think you will find the lines to be too big a problem. Just don't arrive early, i.e. before the doors are opened for dinner and shows. Don't try to be the first off the ship - lining up before the ship is cleared and passengers are allows to disembark. There are generally chairs in the vicinity of all places where you might experience a line, so your SIL could sit until the line is moving, or until you have reached the front of the line. We did use a chair with my MIL a few times. Remember that you will be on a moving ship, and if your SIL has any balance problems it could be a problem. This is when we used the chair for my MIL - a few rides in the chair is way better than a fall. Hope this helps

[Sue L]

I own a cane that turns into a chair, I too have problems standing in place.

 

They are available online but since you are sailing in a couple of days I would call your local surgical supply

 

Here is the link so that you can see what it is

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=nb_ss_gw/102-8561521-7751335?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=chair+cane

[cb at sea]

1st advice was best--don't arrive too early for anything and you won't have to wait in line!

[MokieWoman]

Thank you all. I'm not worried about her falling over or anything, it's just that problem with standing.

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

I sailed on Enchantment OTS last October with a broken toe that necessitated my using a cane as an aid to walking. I didn't ask for assistance with lines, but none was given or offered either. I'm trying to recall if there were any lines of note though. I don't think there were.

 

On Majesty of the Seas, there was a long wait in line to get on the ship, maybe fifteen minutes or more. We arrived at the dock at about eleven AM. Maybe you will have better luck if you arrive around one.

 

I hope your sister-in-law will have a good cruise and not have to wait in any long lines. Elevators are the worst for waiting and, oh, yes, getting on and off the tender boats to Coco Cay.

[BJane]

When I reached the point where I could not stand I bought a four wheeled walker that has a seat. (Are they called rollators?) It has been the perfect answer to my problem. As a bonus I found that pushing the walker even makes it more comfortable to walk. I have two fold up canes that I take with me for use when I do not need the walker. For me it's easier on my damaged spine to use two canes, sort of like crutches, rather than just one. Our local medical supply stores do not sell the canes that become a small stool. They told me that they can be dangerous, so they stopped selling them.

[DesrtDrmr]

Perhaps your sister in law would rather bear the "embarrassment" of being wheeled in a chair when she boards and disembarks the ship only. There is always a line, and having mobility issues, even with a cane, she can board with the handicapped line, but there is still a line. RCI, and other cruiselines, have chairs and "pushers" available to get on the ship and off. There are cruise line employees at check in who will get her a chair, someone will push her through the line to check in, and then push her to her cabin. Her family, up to four people, I think, can accompany her. They will leave her at her cabin, and return to the terminal to pick up someone else. When the cruise is over, you can alert the pursers desk the day before, and someone will bring a chair to her cabin to help her off of the ship. There are lines in the buffet area, sometimes to get into shows, and to line up to get off the ship at ports. You may wish to call CareVacations.com, or Scootaround.com to rent a folding wheelchair for a week, "just in case". The cruise line does not let passengers use the ship's wheelchairs to take off the ship for ports., and most do not let the passengers use the chairs while aboard. Her handicap permit is not used aboard, and would only be used while on a cruise if you rented a car somewhere and wished to park in a handicapped spot, if available. Has she cruised before? Does she realize how huge ships are if one has trouble standing or walking? The next best are the suggestions above, of having a cane or a "rollator" walker, so she could sit when tired. (I took my Mom on a cruise and she INSISTED that she did not need a chair or scooter for her first cruise.....she's use her walker..............we ended up doing nothing, as she was too exhausted. We went to meals at the only dining room at the bottom of our closest elevator, and to the casino which was also in that area, and that was it! It was a shame that she missed so many things she would have enjoyed on board) You can call the "special needs" department at RCI to discuss this with someone at the cruise line.

[cusyl]

She would be pleasantly surprised how much a rollator with a seat would help her. It has allowed me to continue traveling. :D

[Hey! Jude]

Sue, which one do you have or recommend. Both my mom and MIL could use one of these amazing canes. My mom uses a regular cane quite often but they both have difficulty standing in line. This looks like a great option for our trip.

[Sheffie]

I also have had times that I have had issues with standing. My TA called RCI and I was told that I could have priority boarding. I was told to tell the people when I checked in. Due to the fact that our ship did not dock until after 1 p.m., we ALL had to wait for hours in the embarkation area. When it came close to time to board, my DH went and talked to the people who were letting us on the ship. I was allowed to be in the first group, so that I didn't have to stand in line.

 

So I suggest that you talk to your TA about priority boarding.

 

About the lines on the ship, I agree with everything everyone has said, especially not coming to dinner till a few minutes after the doors open.

 

Have a great cruise!

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

This may or may not help, but while standing in long lines for the tenders back to the ship in Hawaii, the crew was going through the line to bring anyone with a obvious difficulty foreword to the front of the line. They took anyone who had a cane, walker or wheelchair.

 

 

***

[mercedesmom2002]

I have Lupus and arthritis in my knees (Dr. says I have knees of an 80 yr. old and I'm only 50) so I can't stand for very long.

 

On both our previous cruises I used my "Hugo" which is like the rollator pictured in other posts. I got mine at Sam's Club for under $100. The seat lifts up and has storage. It works great for going into port and carting items around. I also put my purse in there and it works wonderful.

 

I found when I arrived at the Port to board ship, they took me immediately to the front of the line. Also when we disembarked, they got me a wheelchair and took me a separate way so I got off easily and quickly. I found that RCI went above and beyond in assisting me. A prime example was in the Windjammer I had at least 5 crew members ask if they could assist me with my food tray and I kept telling them no, I was fine. Then finally the manager of the Windjammer came to me and said, "ma'am, I insist, please let us assist you". I finally gave in and from that first day, there was always someone there to help me.

 

I look forward to our cruise on the Navigator on July 1st as I know I will get the same treatment. I again will have my "Hugo" to assist me in those times I can't stand for long.

 

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

Sue

[gerif]

I'll second the suggestion for arranging for a wheelchair just for embarking and disembarking. DH has often had problems when we travel (he has COPD emphysema and asthma) and has had to use this service several times. No need to be embarrassed.

[vickiw0318]

When we last boarded an RCI ship in Galveston, the personnel there noticed my spouse getting a "pat down" because he has a pacemaker and can't go through the metal detectors. They pulled him out and sent us to the priority boarding. Hopefully, this will be the same in Miami.

[ILoveScotland]

DH does not need a wheel chair but uses a walker. We haven't sailed RCCL yet, but when we boarded the NCL Majesty last fall the staff provided him a wheelchair for boarding and also for disembarking when we arrived back in port. It was a huge help.

[Riba]

Gerif, My DH has the same problems. Last year on Princess, he got a wheelchair getting on and getting off. He uses a cane on the ship. They were very helpful. I hope RCCL will do the same when we cruise next year. Have a wonderful cruise.