NOW hubby wants to go on a cruise ship in Europe...to Barcelona and elsewhere on the way!

[CTyankee]

After YEARS of waving goodbye to me as I trotted off to Europe in my latest art trip, now he wants to go.

I think since he fell and had to go to the ER and get stitches, he is thinking about last chances. He's 81 and has had 2 spinal surgeries. I am exhausted from caregiving. Maybe it is best. One last shot...

[MutantAndProud]

1. Why not?

[CTyankee]

2. I know, right?

I just have to find out if the ships have elevators from one level to another, which I think is SOP. They must be used to having old people, needing assistance to get around...

[MutantAndProud]

3. That makes sense

I would imagine a cruise ship would, shouldn’t be too hard to call or message and figure out based on the trip reservation options etc

[CTyankee]

4. Old folks on a cruise ship...sounds like a new thing?

[MutantAndProud]

5. Possibly even newer than the chocolate chip cookie

Chuck Grassley may not be pleased to hear of this

[CTyankee]

6. Now what from him?

[csziggy]

13. Yes, most cruise ships have elevators

And they take very good care of their passengers. In 2019 my husband and I took Cunard's Queen Elizabeth from Fort Lauderdale to Glasgow, then a Royal Caribbean ship (can't think of the name right now) back via several Caribbean islands.

I much preferred the Cunard ship. Smaller, better service (though Royal Caribbean was pretty good), better speakers (we just don't like the stage shows that Royal Caribbean has). The speakers on the Queen Elizabeth were from NOAA and NASA and had some very interesting talks.

Let's see, I just got a brochure from Cunard. They have a lot of cruises that include Barcelona, some go north to tour Europe, some go into the Mediterranean. The ships they have in the area this year and into 2024 are the Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Victoria.

Go to Cunard.com and check them out!

Most of the cruise lines give plans of their ships so you can see exactly where things are and the layout or you can go to https://www.cruisedeckplans.com and look up ships you are considering. My travel agent for our trip recommended cabins in the center of the ships to reduce sea sickness - less going up and down in the center. I recommend a balcony room - the balconies are small, but they do provide a space to sit and enjoy the sea view without having to go to the public decks.

[Marthe48]

7. Oh Yes!

You wouldn't have to cook, or make the bed

[RazzleCat]

8. The ship should not be a problem

But it sounds like he has mobility issues, per your post you have been to Europe, so you know that it is not in general an easy place to navigate when you have mobility problems. Lots of steps, uneven pavement (cobble stones), very few if any curb cuts for wheel chairs, in general wheel chair access is not the norm, so expect narrow pathways etc. Yes I know you did not talk of him using a wheel chair, but wheel chair access is also mobility access, if you engineer for them you have engineered for walkers, canes, etc.

[CTyankee]

10. My days of spending hours in big museums are over and have been for a while, only I wouldn't

face up to it. My first warning should have been when I decided to complete the Sainsbury Wing of London's National Gallery. I limped out and got a cab to my hotel where I collapsed for the rest of the day. I was a sad case. I have since learned I have arthritis in my lower back and left knee. My knee is pretty good, because I have stairs in my house and still make limited numbers of trips up and down during the day. Not bad for an old lady.

[Emile]

9. I have been on three Mediterranean cruises

when I was in the US Navy. Barcelona was my favorite port of call for having fun. Naples Italy is filthy, the French Riviera is beautiful and Malta is nice because they speak English there.

[CTyankee]

11. Um, maybe that fun wasn't what I have in mind. I go where the art is.

[elleng]

12. Interesting point of view for you, eh???

[CTyankee]

14. It sure is!