Cruise (verb)
sail about in an area without a precise destination, especially for pleasure
I said I would only ever do an Alaskan cruise, since you’re standard, to the Caribbean type deal never appealed to me. Knowing myself well, I was really spot on. While Alaska & Canada were lovely, I most loved the days at sea. They really felt like vacation, and so calm. BUT, I am hooked, but where they go makes a huge different to me. Because my main MS symptom is heat intolerance, being able to be outside in August, not only at the ports, but also on the ship at the pool, was amazing. While I love the ocean, the beach in the summer is too hot for me, as are most beach destinations, even during the winter months. So this is a great option for me. And now I’m looking at another cruise next year through Scandanavian locales.
And while I’m not plugging the cruise line, and I don’t have any mobility challenges, I was so impressed by their efficiency. Just all around, the airline industry could really learn A LOT from them.
Beyond just being on top of getting people through security, check-in, and on board, I watched as people with differently abled needs had a separate area to support them. And once on board, I would say most all of the common areas were accessible, and even the jacuzzi and pool had a lift chair. Though I suspect, like any activity, it depends on how much (or not) assistance you might need. I can’t speak to the ease of ports, but from what I could see getting on / off the ship could work for most anyone. It now makes sense to me why some of the MS orgs do cruises as a group event.
Verdict? Sleep away camp for grown-ups, but better.
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Two Faces of MS 