Onward to Alaska!

What an exciting new experiment!  I just returned from my very first ocean cruise, and my very first time in Alaska!  I wasn't the only person on board with a disability, far from it, so I was able to get many perspectives from quite a few people.  As for me, some of the experience was quite good, and other parts not so much.  Here's what I learned:

1.  Be upfront with the travel personnel about your disability and ANY special needs you might even THINK could come up.  I've been doing pretty well in recent months, so was going to act as any normal/healthy person, but after standing in line for what felt like hours, I really wished I'd requested a wheel chair.  There were many stubborn people like me who were using walkers and canes and in agony by the time they were able to board.  

Waiting in line feels like FOREVER

2.  Plan on everything taking longer than expected.  Not just waiting in line to begin your vacation, but simple things like using a bathroom and getting your next meal.  There was even a fellow who's oxygen tank battery ran out while waiting.  Sure, you can get the help you need if you ask, but if they didn't know in advance what you MIGHT need, you're going to wait for it.

3.  If you have vertigo at all, you'll probably get sea sick.  Actually, you don't even need to have vertigo to get sea sick.  I was warned and told to start taking the medicine several days in advance, but once again, I was stubborn (and forgetful).  I ended up having to wear a patch the entire trip.  Unfortunately, it makes me very sleepy and a bit zombie-ish.  

4.  Carry your medicines and a change of clothes with you in your carry on.  Your luggage will eventually make it to your cabin, but it could be several hours.

5.  You might want to look into a folding walker to take on your trip with you.  I’m told it’s much easier to use in the small spaces on the ship and in the restrooms.  I believe that was the most frequent complaint I heard from the disabled people I met on the ship.  The bathrooms were all a challenge.

6.  Plan to go early or late to the buffets, and make reservations for the specialty restaurants as soon as possible.  CALL to make the reservations and let them know if you need special accommodations.  I repeatedly saw the servers scrambling to try and accommodate for a wheelchair that wasn’t mentioned when the reservation was made.  Also, it doesn’t matter how big the ship is, the space is limited everywhere.  The elevators are almost always full.  The tables at the buffet are almost always taken (during peak hours).  The hallways are narrow. 

7.  Really pay attention to the onshore excursion brochures.  As much as they try to accommodate those of us with limitations, a lot of the excursions are just not meant for us.  Because I’m fully ambulatory, I was able to take the float plane tour of some of the glaciers.  It was great, but if I’d have been having trouble with my legs, I wouldn’t have been able to board.  The train going up White Pass was wonderful and meant for everyone, but if sitting for a long period of time is difficult for you……..well……let’s just say it’d be a challenge.  Also, the bathrooms on a train…………not so fun.

8.  The ship I was on had a great spa!  It’s expensive, but I found it worth it.  Just be VERY honest about what your disability is and what you’re looking for.  They have well trained professionals working on most ships from what I was told by other passengers. Many of the disabled passengers I spoke to took advantage of the whirlpools and massage therapists.  I even tried out acupuncture for the first time!  It helped me to relax and calmed some of my muscle spasms.

Here is an excellent website with tons of information about traveling with disabilities.  If you scroll to the bottom, it has many links that will come in handy, and it’s not just meant for seniors! 

If you have limitations, do your research and don’t be afraid to ask for special accommodations!  Not all countries are willing or able to accommodate as well as the United States, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.  In another article I’ll talk a bit about traveling in Europe.  I’m already in planning mode for a trip to Great Britain next year.  We went to Italy and eastern Canada two years ago.  No, I didn’t miss traveling last year……I moved from the southeastern United States to the great North West!  That was a trip that could take up several pages of text all by itself!  Happy traveling everyone!