If I had to sum up this cruise in one word, that word would be CHALLENGING!
It took me a while to write this, because I always try to be
a “glass is half-full” kind of gal. But the bottom line on this cruise is that
I’m not sure I would recommend this cruise to anyone – even those with full
mobility. Well…maybe I would recommend it to a fully mobile, first-time
cruiser, who isn't fussy about the quality of their food, doesn't care about
customer service, and has the patience of a saint.
That being said, all is not lost because we made our own fun.
And best of all, we made new cruising friends!
Here is the top ten summary of the lessons I learned on this
trip:
- Don’t blindly trust the info you get from the Special Needs staff who sit in a corporate office. Verify the info with the on-board staff as soon as possible – after all, they’re the ones who actually deal with the day-to-day logistics and issues.
- ABSOLUTELY book an accessible cabin.
- Cruising is more fun with friends.
- If a cruise line representative tells you that your power scooter won’t be allowed on a tender (the small boats used to transport you to land when a pier is not available) – don’t believe it until you personally check it out. Go down to the tendering platform, if possible, to get the most accurate info.
- If your mobility device has a battery, it may be wise to also bring or rent a lightweight wheelchair, especially if you want to be assured that you can go onshore at every port.
- I know you've probably heard all about the massive quantity of food on cruises, but you may want to pack a few snacks. This is especially important if you have certain dietary needs, have had gastric surgery, or have small children.
- The all-inclusive alcoholic beverage program is probably not worth the cost, unless every adult in your cabin is likely to drink five or more cocktails or glasses of beer/wine per day. The caveat to this is that you may find it’s worth the money if you don’t want to worry about your final bill every time you order a drink.
- Don’t be afraid to assert yourself. You are a paying guest. And there is no reason why most of your needs can’t be met if they are reasonable. Don’t ask for a refund if you overspent at the casino, but it’s not out of line to approach the dining room Maitre D’ to request a more accessible table. Just please be polite…most of the crew members work very hard for their money and are away from friends and family for extended periods of time. A little empathy goes a long way.
- SMILE! Even if you’re having the worst cruise ever. Smiling is contagious, and can make the most unbearable cruise a bit easier. And hey…you might even make a few new friends!!!
- And last but not least – you get what you pay for.
Be sure to watch for my next few posts, where I’ll expand on
the list above. You really don’t want to miss some of the important and
fascinating (and sometimes funny) experiences that went with the lessons I
learned (especially #1, #8 and #10).
Until then...Here's to accessibility-filled dreams and
cruise-filled experiences!
