Re: cruise

November 4, 2003

> My husband and I are going on a cruise Nov. 16-23 on the newest

> Royal Caribbean ship. It's for 7 days, stopping at San ,

Nassau and St. Maarten. The ship is fully handicap accessible, and

we have a handicap room with a balcony. I'll be using my electric

scooter to get around the ship, and the walker inside my room.

> I don't plan to get off the ship since I doubt there are curb cuts

> or other amenities in these ports. We also bought walkie talkies

so we can find each other on board.

>

> Does anyone have any other tips for us for the cruise? I'd

> appreciate hearing of your experiences. Thanks.

> Edith

Hi Edith,

Have a wonderful cruise! I love cruises. In fact, I'm planning one

right now in January. A 5-night one to the Western Carribbean.

Fabulous idea to have a walkie talkie.

You are correct that there are challenges on those islands for

wheelchairs. I have been to those islands. Some places have curb-

cuts, but not all areas. Where I was, many sidewalks were bumpy

cobblestones and many shops are up a step or 2 from the sidewalk.

Sometimes it was hard to find a public restroom, never mind one that

was accessible.

Are you using a travel agent? If so, you get specific details. It

is great to get off the boat, even if you can't do a lot of things.

7 days is a long time to be on a boat. It's possible there is at

least a cafe or few stores close enough and accessible to visit.

Please look into it. Sometimes the islands have special wheelchairs

for sand, if you are interested. You can inquire about that. The

boat staff is very used to helping people with wheelchairs get on

and off the boat so don't worry about that.

How wonderful you have a balcony! These are great.

One thing to watch out for is using the elevators during peak rush

periods. Especially if you are on a lower deck. The first cruise I

went on was when my sister and I took our mother, who uses a

wheelchair. We wanted to go to the Captain's Party but never got

there because it was so crowded at the elevators that we couldn't

get close enough to one to get a turn to go on one. There were

enough other wheelchairs that nobody was giving us preference.

It's probably a good idea to get to the dining room floor early to

avoid that problem.

In general, the staff is very helpful. You have an accessible room

so you are all set. You will have a wonderful time. Enjoy.

Oh, here's a good tip: don't be shy about allowing the

photographers to take your photos. You don't have to buy them, and

they may come out better than you think. Let them take a lot. Go

to the different spots for photography for the formals. There will

be a handful of different places for different backgrounds. Be a

hog. My husband and I took a cruise a year ago and we had a lot

done. Two of them came out unbelievably well. I am so glad we did

that.

Take small bills ahead of time so that you all ready to make your

tips for the end of the cruise. It's hard to get small bills later

and long lines at the purser's desk so go prepared. Bring lots of

1's, 5's and 10's to make up your tips. Your cruise packet suggests

what tips you should give.

Take a water bottle with you to the pool. You may want to take

bottled water from home in your luggage as it is expensive on the

boat. Some people (not me) take a small carry-on bag full of beer

and drinks and bottled water with them. They drink it up on the

cruise, and then use the carry-on luggage to bring home their

purchases. Your cabin attendant may keep bottled water and sodas

in your room but you will be charged if you open them.

If you want to spend a lot of time at the pool, either in the sun or

under the overhang, then get your spot early because they can fill

up on the days at sea. It is not as crowded on the days that the

boat docks because people get off the boat. Some people take an old

book or old towel on the trip to put on chairs to reserve them.

They go on the deck early to reserve their spots and come back

later. If someone steals their stuff and takes the seats (doesn't

really happen much), then you haven't lost much.

When you go to the deck for a while, try to take what you need for

the rest of the day because it can be a bummer to run back and forth

to the cabin.

Bring plenty of film, sunscreen, good books and trashy books, cards

if you play them.

YOu will have a blast.

best,

Kathi

November 4, 2003

Edith:

Have never been on a cruise. Enjoy and tell us all about it when you

return.

Take care.

Jo!

cruise

> My husband and I are going on a cruise Nov. 16-23 on the newest

> Royal Caribbean ship. It's for 7 days, stopping at San , Nassau

> and St. Maarten. The ship is fully handicap accessible, and we have

> a handicap room with a balcony. I'll be using my electric scooter

> to get around the ship, and the walker inside my room.

>

> I don't plan to get off the ship since I doubt there are curb cuts

> or other amenities in these ports. We also bought walkie talkies so

> we can find each other on board.

>

> Does anyone have any other tips for us for the cruise? I'd

> appreciate hearing of your experiences. Thanks.

>

> Edith

>

November 4, 2003

Dear Edith,

It sounds like it will be a fun trip! Enjoy!!!

cruise

> My husband and I are going on a cruise Nov. 16-23 on the newest

> Royal Caribbean ship. It's for 7 days, stopping at San , Nassau

> and St. Maarten. The ship is fully handicap accessible, and we have

> a handicap room with a balcony. I'll be using my electric scooter

> to get around the ship, and the walker inside my room.

>

> I don't plan to get off the ship since I doubt there are curb cuts

> or other amenities in these ports. We also bought walkie talkies so

> we can find each other on board.

>

> Does anyone have any other tips for us for the cruise? I'd

> appreciate hearing of your experiences. Thanks.

>

> Edith

>

November 8, 2003

HI Edith,

Enjoy your cruise and no I don't have any tips, just want to wish you a happy

trip. Take care.

God Bless

Yolanda

cruise

My husband and I are going on a cruise Nov. 16-23 on the newest

Royal Caribbean ship. It's for 7 days, stopping at San , Nassau

and St. Maarten. The ship is fully handicap accessible, and we have

a handicap room with a balcony. I'll be using my electric scooter

to get around the ship, and the walker inside my room.

I don't plan to get off the ship since I doubt there are curb cuts

or other amenities in these ports. We also bought walkie talkies so

we can find each other on board.

Does anyone have any other tips for us for the cruise? I'd

appreciate hearing of your experiences. Thanks.

Edith

August 3, 2005

Amy,

My Celiac 12 year old daughter just returned 3 weeks ago from a Hawaiian

cruise with my parents. They toured the Hawaiian Islands on the Norwegian

Cruise Line " Pride of Aloha " . They were absolutely wonderful and took

excellent care of her. Simply call the cruise line with you cruise

information. They will contact the ships Head Chef for you. My parents met

with someone the first day they were on board and they assured my parents

everything was under control. My daughter picked her meals out the day

before. Her waiter would watch for her to come into the dining room and had

a basket of hot rolls on the table as soon as she sat down. She loved it!!!

Cari

>

>Reply-To: SillyYaks

>To: SillyYaks

>Subject: Cruise

>Date: Wed, 03 Aug 2005 22:52:29 -0000

>

>Does anyone know if Norwegian Cruise Lines will accommodate a gluten

>free diet? I had a wonderful experience with Princess and am wondering

>about NCL. Thank you.

>

>Amy

>

August 3, 2005