Re: advice/cruise/Sue

[Guest guest]

Sue- My husband (MSA/OPCA)loves to go on cruises. He has gone on

several since dx. The first time he was still using a walker and

that turned into quite an adventure. Most days he was able to get

around fairly well. We always had someone with him just in case.

One rough day at sea we all looked drunk walking back to our cabin.

After that, we learned that renting a scooter for on board is a good

idea. Since the ships are so big it is better to have the scooter to

get around. He took his wheelchair with him also for use in the room

and he was even able to get off at a couple ports of call during the

trip. Some of the ports he had to remain on board since they could

not get the wheelchair on and off the tender. The last time he went

he was completely wheelchair bound and had a wonderful time scooting

about. He went with our sons, a bonding time, and although they said

it was a lot of work for them (he would get up too early and they

would go to bed too late) they all had a great time. He and the boys

shared seating with another couple, she with MS. The waiter was

great, cutting his food for him, always catering to the needs of both

disabled passengers. They really went out of their way to make him

comfortable. So, we recommend renting or taking a scooter on board.

If you don't have one there are several companies that rent them and

deliver directly to your cabin area on board. We also had his oxygen

delivered on board as well. Seems to be a common practice with most

companies located near cruise ports. If your cabin is in the center

of the ship there seems to be less movement so you might consider

location. If you need a handicap room we found them much larger

making it easier to move wheelchairs and equipment about but there

are not a lot of them on board so request early. My husband would

give you two thumbs up on cruising. His biggest problem with cruises

is that I don't like them. Give me land any day over the sea. But I

am an exception as most people just love them. Good luck and Happy

Sailing.

Jan & Jerry Burg (Arizona)

> I have the opportunity to go on a cruise in the Antarctic

(relatively cheaply) and was about to leap at the offer, when a

neuropsychiatrist friend sent me this comment: " It depends what you

want out of the cruise. My concern is that the constant motion will

worson your autonomic symptoms and that will make the cruise too

physically unbearable to enjoy. " Can anyone comment on that? It would

too awful to be stuck on the ship, unable to leave and unable to

actually do anything. I'd really appreciate some advice. Sue

> sueblyth@g...

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