Tony...
If you
and your mom have never been on a cruise, it will be the best possible vacation
you could ever give her.
First,
the transfer issue. I use a Hoyer lift which I have brought on board with
me on each of my cruises. The accessible rooms have open bed frames to
accommodate the lift.
The
accessible rooms also have incredible bathrooms with roll in showers and
comodes. If you do not have a shower wheelchair that you would bring
along, they have a fold down shower chair that looked substantial for practical
use.
Accessibility on board is remarkable on virtually every
deck. On the newer ships you would be completely independent with the
possible exception of needing help with an elevator button to get to your
preferred floor. Someone is almost always moments
away.
I
challenge anyone to make a case that cruising is not the best bang for your
buck. A single price per person gets you your travel, room, all meals
and entertainment. You only pay additional for alcoholic beverages and
soft drinks (carbonated sweet drinks, not iced tea) and any excursions or
gambling including bingo which is offered daily.
Cruises run from 3-10 days or more. Expect to pay
approximately $100 per day, per person for a quality cruise unless you come
across some incredible deal. Be careful, this is one of those areas where
you get what you pay for. A 3-4 cruise is nice, especially if you are
unsure of what you are getting into. One week is perfect for me, as my job
is pretty stressful and it takes me 3-4 days for my body and mind to let go and
succumb to the pleasures and relaxation.
Every
cruise has at least 1-2 formal dinners which require a coat and tie for men, and
a dress or equivalent female attire. I strongly recommend taking advantage
of these dinners, even if it is not your personal preference. Your mom
will feel like a queen. The service is extraordinary. There are
non-formal options available if preferred by you and your
mom.
Don't
expect much in terms of accessibility at the ports of call. It varies
widely from completely inaccessible to moderately accessible at best. You
can still have a terrific time and never leave the ship.
Entertainment is available and free every night.
It will be geared towards an older crowd, but it is professional and
entertaining nonetheless. Almost every cruise features some form of
karaoke, so you will be able to showcase your talents.
If you
have someone who can drop you off and pick you up, you will save about $10 per
day for parking your van.
Cruising rules! If a C4 quad with a large power
chair like myself can have a terrific time on 2 different 7 Day cruises, a
rambling dude like yourself will be thrilled, and trust me, your mom will talk
about little else for weeks afterward.
I
could go on, but will leave the rest available for questions if you or anyone
else has any.
Start
saving and planning today! You won't regret it!
Steve
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Heyyy Steve dude.....love your voracity for life!! everything is complicated for us to travel, and i flat haven't had the luxury to do much of it, but i'm really thinkin of taking my mother on a cruise next spring...still trying to figure out the transferring deal.
peace...tony c5/c6 car + tree
