Cruise or not cruise! That s the question.

[Katiebow]

Anybody. Got opinions on if a Mediterranean cruise would be a good idea., was worried that the motion of the boat (especially if there is a sea swell) would be a step too far for Ben. His balance is pretty poor now but not using any aids yet although he could do with something as half scares me to death! Thanks in advance. Kate xx

[vlh4444]

Can't really comment on whether a sea cruise would be suitable, but D and I went on a River Cruise just over a year ago and it was lovely. The crew and tour staff were amazingly helpful and everything bar a few of the shore trips was accessible. D was more mobile then than he is now and the only slightly tricky bit was that he needed to be able to get up the steps of the coach used for airport transfers and day trips. The boat even had a lift between decks. We went with a group of family members including my mother who was 99 at the time (yes she is now approaching her 100th birthday and still pretty indomitable!). The tour company didn't even mind our party taking a wheelchair and a wheeled walker between us. We went with Riviera Travel to the South of France.

If Ben is keen I should definitely go for it - create the memories now while you can!

Vicki

[NannaB in reply to vlh4444]

Are you back from your holiday Vicki? Did you manage to get some rest?

[vlh4444 in reply to NannaB]

No, we're still in Cornwall - I wouldn't say it's much of a rest (staying away from home with D is never that!) but it is lovely to be here. We are revisiting some favourite places and seeing friends and they do say that a change is as good as a rest!

V

[gypsywoman1947]

We did a cruise in May , it's the best holiday for this type of illness, and especially for the carer. My husband did have a fall on the balcony and cut his head when ship was in port , nothing to do with sea swell ! Staff are excellent , and you need do as much or as little as you want. The shore excursions were a little problem , getting on and off a coach , so we only did the one and the n just had a stroll locally at othe r ports. I hired a wheelchair from the ship for these , no charge. My husband does use a walker but not too good. With it at all as coordination is poor. We took insurance with Liverpool Victoria , did it online and as soon as I started to type in Psp the illness came up , we paid about £60 for two of us.Hope this helps

[Yvonneandgeorge in reply to gypsywoman1947]

Hi late we did a cruise in 2013 it was the best holiday ever, everyone was helpful, there were people in wheelchairs, everyone on the ship could not do enough for you. The excursions were ok George was walking with a walking stick, would not be able to do the excursions again if we went. We went with celebrity cruises, we ended up in Australia Yvonne xxxxx

[Heady]

As long as Ben is happy to go in a wheelchair, if things get a bit rough. I would say definitely go! Travelling with Special assistance is a must, but it's great. No queues, someone looks after you the whole way through the airport, on and off the plane. Even first class, don't have it so good! Plus it's free!

We have travelled long haul, until very recently. Still hope to go to Europe, but insurance is now getting a problem. S has various ailments! Go NOW, while you still can. Of course, it may be harder than it use to be. SO WHAT,!! You both deserve a break, if you pack quietly, PSP stays at home for a couple of days. Worth every penny and any hardship!

Lots of love

Heady

[NannaB]

As others have said, a cruise is one of the best ways of taking a holiday. C was diagnosed in September 2010 and very soon afterwards we booked the Norweigian cruise we had planned on having when we retired. At the time, the only walking aid C had was me. I held his hand when walking round the ship but the sea was like a mill pond for all of the holiday. There were hand rails in all the corridors which were very useful. We did manage to do all the trips apart from one on a small boat. I'm glad we did it as a year later it would not have been possible. For our silver anniversary we went on a river cruise down the Rhine and that was lovely. It was before PSP but 3 days before I was in hospital with a slipped disc. I could hardly walk but layed out flat on the deck most of the time watching the beautiful scenery change continuously.

As Vicki said, make memories while you can.

X

[Katiebow]

Thanks everyone for your comments, sounds like its a good way to holiday for the both of us. I will start looking for September deals. Thanks again. Kate xxx

[abirke]

Yikes.....uhm it would be good to have (1) some sort of floatation device on him at all times . (2) have a personal aide who has some form of life guard certification.

However the first thing I would do is ask the cruise liner what form of accommodations they have for disabled......

Good Luck,

AVB

[jillannf6 in reply to abirke]

I AGREE - DO IT WHILST YOU CAN`

IVE NEV E RBEEN INTERESTED IN CRUISES BUT HAVE A CHANGE OF HEART ALREADY IF IT MEANS YOU CNA VISIT SOEM FOREIG PLACES IN COMFORT

.LOL JILL

[Katiebow in reply to jillannf6]

Hi Jill, we to have never fancied the whole cruise thing always seems like a posh substitute of bus tours, just not our bag. However things have changed so much that it does seem quite appealing now. Thanks for the advise. Xx

[Amilazy]

All I can say is go for it, most ships have wheelchair adapted rooms and lifts between decks. After 22 yr in RN of which 17 at sea, cruising never appealed to M and I but can see the appeal of these new ships. Do it while you can and keep the good memories for the bad times that PSP will throw. Best wishes Tim

[Katiebow in reply to Amilazy]

Thanks for the advise, looks as if most people on this site think that is a good Idea so I will be doing some research. Thanks. Xx

[toyota11 in reply to Katiebow]

We have been on many cruises using cabins with disabled facilities, very spacious and great service from the crew. Now not possible as M now not weight bearing. Use no fly cruises if you can, you always get priority attention. Peter.

[jillannf6 in reply to Amilazy]

JHI TIM/KATIEBOW

I AGREE DO IT WHILST U CAN WHAT EVER IT INVOLVEs

lol `jill

[jillannf6]

hi katie bow

will you and ben be coming to the onlein party on Thursday 6 august at 6 pm uK TIME

I HOPE SO....]

LOL JILL

[Katiebow in reply to jillannf6]

Hi Jill, not sure what these parties are but won't be able to this Thursday as we are out with friends. Don't think Ben will get involved as still not accepted his diagnosis although I'm pretty sure he really knows but can't face up to it. Let me know what it is all about and I will try to join the next party. Xx

[abirke in reply to jillannf6]

OK here it is. So if it's at 6pm London time , then its noon Central time in US, or as I know it, Arkansas......2pm on East coast and 10 am in CA!

help me Jill am I right yet/ Math not my strong suit!

And Jill is there anything we "bring" to this party?

"SEE" ya soon,

AVB

[york]

Goings on s cruise should be fine we go in October /November and have taken my mother who had psp and also my brother with cerebral palsy both ha walking frames and managed no problem and stored in cabin no problems the only thing i could think of would be the step into the shower

Hope all goes well and you decide to go

[Katiebow in reply to york]

Hi York, where do you cruise at that time of year as Mediterranean weather could be a bit dodge.

[york in reply to Katiebow]

We have done western med the last two years and going again this year in October weather has been ok the odd day with rain but also not too hot especially if you have wheelchairs to push

[Auddonz]

All I can say is expected the unexpected. D uses a walker when I remind him but tends to just leave it and walk away. I would also be well aware of what they will have available for him, wheel chairs, aide perhaps, Dtr on board. I am very protective but do WHAT YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH.

Audrey (auddonz)

[peterjones]

hi katie bow I think I would go mate if the ship rocks to much you can always sit down cant you I think ben would be ok mate whats one more little thing like a ship rolling I think he would be used to that with psp matey I wanted my wife to go on a cruise but unless it is as smooth as a mill pond she reckons I should forget it no sense of adventure . I said I cant guarantee any smooth sailing even around the coastline of Australia so no deal so we have to go on land

oh well never mind im no sailor either but I was prepared to try it we went up the inside passage in Alaska it was great and smooth . ah well back to ben im sure he would have a good time on the cruise you only live once that I know of

so make the best of it that's what I say matey if ben is ok with it go for it miss Katie bow peter jones queensland Australia psp bloke. don't let the psp stop you doing anything within reason mate

[Katiebow in reply to peterjones]

Hi Peter, every comment advises it's a good idea to cruise so looks like we will be booking very soon. I wish Ben and myself had your positive attitude to this rubbish disease and he talked about his condition. Take care now. Xx

[jimandsharynp]

Go, go, go as long as you can. Build those memories of good times even with PSP. My motto for PSP or any disease is "Don't let the disease redefine who you are!"

Jimbo

[Katiebow]

Trying to do our best to do 'normal things' knowing that there are so many hurdles to appear normal. I know it is important to build up a memory bank for both of us, I think a cruise would do just that. Thanks for the advise. Kate

[Joandbear]

Yes, take lots of photos and memories! My husband was diagnosed in 2011 and just last year we took a six country tour. He was only using a cane then. Then he "graduated" to a roller walker and now a wheel chair. We are going down the ladder rapidly. We still take small day trips, and have one last hurrah trip planned for Maui in December, God willing.

[Joandbear]

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