PeopleWithMS.com

Have you ever dreamt of going on a big ocean liner that was headed to an exotic place or maybe to a place that all your friends have been and you have seen all their pictures and now you want your own adventure? It can be done! I took such a cruise to Alaska!

I never thought I would be able to go, let alone, on a cruise ship. I need to use a wheelchair if I have to walk long distances. How would I get up the gangway? How would I get down? What about my room? What about the dining room? Won’t the ship move too much? How would I get around to see any of the off shore attractions?

The first thing you need to do is contact a travel agent. We worked with Absolute Best Cruises. We had selected Princess Cruise Line but there are so many other cruise lines to chose from. Our cruise line did provide handicapped cabins so just check with the cruise line you chose and ask for availability.

The cabins have large doors and a large shower. They have handrails for your convenience and the available for you to enter the shower stall with your chair if needed. I didn’t need to take advantage of such a room but had asked for a very large room to serve our needs. Make sure you have notified the ship’s doctor before you sail with all your health issues. There is a form that you need to have your present doctor fill our and fax to the ship. Make sure you take all your medication with you. If you need to take any shots, be sure to take a container to place the spent needles into and not into the trashcan.

Sam and I had gone online and booked our excursions ahead of time. We were able to see what attractions was “wheelchair friendly” and which ones weren’t. It also gave us a chance to view something about them and whether we were going to be interested in seeing them as well. Once we booked online, our tickets for those attractions were in our cabin once we had boarded. Once you place your bags with the airline with the cruise line tags in place, you never have to worry about them again until you see them in your cabin. The cruise line will take care of them.

The one good thing about traveling with a wheelchair is that it does make it easier for you to get to the head of the line quicker! Sam and I were brought up to the head of the line to get checked in, in front of all those that had been waiting. I had felt bad but it been the decision of the cruise personnel. When Sam and I arrived at the ship, we saw a very steep gangway that we had no idea how we were going to get up. Before we knew it, down came three crewmembers from the ship and they assisted me up. This was the start of the many times the crewmembers were there to help me out when I needed any assistance. At the top, you are greeted, your picture is taken, and your cruise card is presented to you. This is an important card that you keep with you always. You can’t get off or on the ship without it!

At dinner, Sam and I would go into the dinning room and the wait staff took over. I had a choice of either staying in my wheelchair or moving into a regular chair. Either way they were there to assist me. We were asked constantly if we needed anything.

Our big change came when we had to leave the ship by tender to attend one our excursions. A tender is a smaller boat from the ship to go onshore. I could not go down steps so I was taken down a smaller elevator while Sam when down steps and then we met up at the tender. The crewmember helped me onboard and away we went. I thought the tender would be rough but it was just as smooth as the big ship. On shore, they helped me onshore. Again we had a steep ramp to go up and they were there to help me up. After we were through our adventure and it was time to go back to the ship, we just did everything all over again with the crewmembers helping me back down the ramp and into the tender.

This was our last outing. We would soon be going home. This was our first cruise and we would definitely do one again. We were treated well and looked after. Even the passengers looked after us! I had many fears before I had this cruise. Would I be able to get around? Would I enjoy myself? Would my wheelchair be a problem? Would I be a burden to Sam?

I can tell you I did enjoy myself! The crew will take care of you. You can get around the ship very easily. The doors to the outside decks are heavy and might be difficult for one person but usually someone will come along that will help hold it open for you. You usually will have to go through backwards through a doorway because the thresh hold is not usually done real well but what else is new? You come across that off a boat too!

So, if you are thinking about a cruise, take the plunge (no pun intended)! You will enjoy it! I liked the Princess Cruise Lines but I know there is so many others out there so just do your research, Sam and I will go again. We are thinking Australia or New Zealand. We also want to go to Italy.

I think the world is open to us now!

Click here to check out the full sized photo's of Betty Jo's 7 day cruise along the Alaska coast.