Daily Life with a C4/C5 Spinal Cord Injury

Lifts – there are 12 lifts onboard. All spacious with easy access to call buttons.  They get busy at particular times such as dinner times and theatre times.  Other than that, not usually more than a 2 minute wait if that. Lifts go to all floors with the exception of the retreat deck. This is a sun deck for suite guests.  The only access is via steps. 

Access around the ship – brilliant! Can’t really fault it. So much space in most areas. Dining areas have some higher tables which are great for those with an electric wheelchair. Staff always on hand and willing to help with moving chairs where necessary.  Corridors are all plenty spacious and there’s passing points in accommodation corridors for passing wheelchairs! 

Theatre has space set aside for wheelchairs and a companion on each of its three levels. Downfall to this, only one companion seat and unable to sit as a family group. 

A minor set back we noticed on our first wheelchair cruise, the public toilets. There are no gender neutral accessible toilets anywhere. All accessible toilets are inside the female or male toilets.  Not a problem this cruise, but the first cruise we didn’t take PA’s, meaning either mum or I went in the men’s with dad or he came in the ladies with us.  Not a problem for us, but a few other guests found a problem with this 😕🤔 We did mention this to staff in the hope they’ll bare this in mind for future ship building. 

As I sit and type this, dad has taken himself off to the sports bar watching some football. I’m close by, at a distance but around.  I can see the bar tender moved a stool for him to get tucked under a table, he’s bought him a drink and he’s got his straw…he’s happy!  If he fancies a pint at home, the local pub is inaccessible on his own; on the cruise ship he has more freedom to make his own choices of what to do and where to go.  More freedom leads to improved mental health and well-being.  

Gangways – we book knowing we may not have access off the ship at every port. If the gangway is too steep or too narrow, there’s not a chance of using it.  Previous cruises we’ve received a separate gangway timetable with accessible gangways where the main gangway is not suitable.  We’ve not been to a port yet that uses a tender but we do know that most tenders are not wheelchair accessible.  Not a problem for us.  When using the gangways, ship staff are on hand to help guide the wheelchair and ensure safe passage. 

Swimming pools – outside, solarium pool and at least one hot tub all have hoist points.  Hoist chairs are available and all pool attendants can use them.  We’ve not tried them out but we have seen them in use and they look clean and in working order.  There is a sign by the pool about not using the pool of not toilet trained.  Not sure how that relates to disabled people who may need pads,or stomas etc.