DO I NEED A WHEELCHAIR

[traveled]

I HAVE POST POLIO AND HAVE HAD TWO KNEES REPLACED BUT NT SUCCESSFULLY. ONCE I AM SEATED I HAVE TROUBLE GETTING UP UNLESS THERE ARE STURDY ARMS ON THE CHAIR. MY WALKING IS USUALLY OK UNLESS I AM TIRED, i CAN ONLY GO UP AND DOWN STAIRS SLOWLY AND SIDEWAYS. I AM SCARED WHAT WILL HAPPEN DURRING THE LIFE BOAT DRILL. WE HAVE BOOKED THE HAL DELUX SUITE. AND ASKED FOR A SHOWER SEAT. I HAVE CRUISED MANY TIMES BEFORE BUT NOT IN THIS CONDITION. ANY SUGGESTIONS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED

[JeanS]

Travel,

Don't worry about the lifeboat drill, just let someone at the purser's desk know that you would need assistance in the MOST UNLIKELY situation where anyone would have to abandon ship. A wheelchair sounds like a good idea, because the length of the ship is VERY long and no need for you to exhaust yourself throughout the cruise.

Another suggestion that my sister & I learned when we took my mother on a cruise who was in a wheelchair, when waiting for an elevator during busy times, push both the UP and DOWN button and take whichever way it goes! It always has to return, and you won't be waiting forever for an elevator with plenty of room!

Have a great time!!

[Lola]

Most definitely take a wheelchair or rent one from a provider near the port.
Ships are large and getting from Point A to Point B can be tedious.
As far as lifeboat drill, those with mobility problems are allowed to use elevators.
Or you can go to your assigned station 15 minutes before the drill, taking your time and using the elevator.

[darcie61]

How about a scooter? I use one for trips to places that require lots of walking, such as Disney. I usually use a cane, but for those trips with lots of walking, I always rent a scooter.

[l2c]

I too have post polio syndrome. Stairs and slopes of any kind are a big problem. In the past I have relied on my DH to give me support in walking and we could do a lot. We have cruised all over to many countries. Now, however, my DH has ALS (Lou Gehrigs disease) and he is the one who needs help getting around. He will be using a wheelchair when we go on our transatlantic cruise at the end of October. At least I'll have something to hold on to as I push him! Go early to the muster if you can stand for a time otherwise go later and use the elevator.

[DesrtDrmr]

A scooter would be even better to use on the ship. It's hard to push a wheelchair over miles and miles of carpeting. It's even harder to push yourself in a wheelchair over carpeting. A folding wheelchair would be best for taking off of the ship, for shore excursions, as they can be folded and put in the trunk of a taxi or in the luggage bays of a bus.
You can rent either or both of the above at home and take them with you, or you can rent from CareVacations.com or Scootaround.com, and they will have them in your cabin waiting for you when you arrive for your cruise, and you leave them in your cabin when you get off the ship. Very easy. If you DO decide to rent/purchase at home, the airlines carry wheelchairs and scooters as luggage, at no cost to you. You can even ride them to the gate, check them there, and have them delivered to the gate at your destination.
If you have trouble walking distances at all, I would definitely have some chair or scooter ready to use when you get tired. Scooters give you more independence, but chairs are less cumbersome. You would have to have a cabin with a door wide enough to admit a scooter, or a folding wheelchair if you do not have a handicapped cabin.
Have a great cruise!

[jrr]

Don't worry about lifeboat drills. My wife can't do them and no one complains. Using elevators is not at all bad (my wife can't do stairs - period) if you have a little patience.