desertduds

We have loads of miles on Holland America and Princess and after our last cruise it finally dawned on me that there are SO many people with scooters, walkers, canes and wheelchairs and possibly other undetectable ailments. I noticed loads of travelers that were able-bodied but with someone who possibly couldn't go off the ship. Why in the world don't cruise ships offer a secure safe large room for adults with activities, bingo, movies, etc., etc. so their accompanying travel partner can go ashore. I am sure many more would be able to go on cruises if they knew their traveling companion would be well cared for. I spoke with numerous women whose husbands couldn't participate in on-shore excursions and even the husbands agreed that they would love for their wives to go ashore. Of course I realize numerous people with disabilities do go ashore, but adult day care would be good for those that cannot or do not want to go ashore. My own husband has moderate Alzheimer's and is able to cruise and do a few shore excursions, but I would prefer to have him in a safe place rather than walking on unsteady pavement or getting into a tender to go ashore.

Eschew

I thought there are lots of activities on port days for "adults". There are movies, bingos, spa discounts, card games, contests etc.

The crew, in general, will look after the passengers who did not go ashore, and there are crew staff "hosting" the varies activities.

Are you suggesting that there should be special activities designed for the less mobile? or those who may requires more care?

Dayenu

How much would you agree to pay for this type of care? I would think, a nurse should be present to avoid potential law suits.

What about using a restroom? Should an employee accompany a frail person? Would this be invasion of privacy?

If anything goes wrong, how the personnel can reach you on a tour? Will you sign a release to make medical decisions while you are off the ship?

desertduds

The primary clients of cruises are adults, many of an older age and when children are on board, they have daily planned activities. On a cruise, yes, there should be a CNA or LPN in the room and the passenger should be charged in the $20 an hour range. Everyone I spoke with was enthusiastic about the thought they could leave their traveling companion with assurance that they would be secure and safe. Of course, I don't have all the answers, that would have to be contemplated by the experts, but since ships always have child care for most ages, I can't see having adult day care would be much more liability than the children's program. Luckily for us, we have long term health insurance and it pays for adult day care at our local hospital, but even if we didn't, it would be well worth it for me to be able to do some shore excursions with a guilt-free mind. The last four cruises, we have not gotten off the ship at all in 14 days and there were loads of folks with us and we were happy to see, on this latest cruise, movies being offered every day, during the day. Most crew directed activities are lessened on shore days, more on at sea days. Alot of people sit in the library and read or do puzzles, everyone seems happy enough and alot of these people seem to be able-bodied and along for the ride. We always find someone to speak with and eat with, so I am happy to cruise, just seems odd to me that children are provided activities so parents can go ashore or do what they want, but the majority of passengers, the over 70 crowd and/or disabled adults do not have the same services.

Eschew

As you have pointed out, liability is an issue.

The ship's child care facility generally do not have the need for a fully qualified medical staff. The ship's medical facilities generally can provide for emergency situations. I would venture to say emergency situations would be minimal.

With Adult care, a fully qualified medical staff would be needed, and the cost would be a factor. The chances (or opportunities) for a medical emergency would be higher due to age and health factors. What would be an acceptable patient (person needing care) to staff ratio? Are family members willing to sign a waiver? (Waiver is not even worth the piece of paper it is printed on amyway.)

There seemss to be more activities obn Sea days as there are more people on board. There are less activities on board on port days as there are less people on board. The crew also takes time off (in rotation) on port day as well since there are less people on board. You probably notice all yhe staff hanging out at the dock / port facilities using telephones or internet, or shop, or eat or whatever.

I doubt it very much any cruise line would offer the "adult care" that you envisioned. The best to hope for is probably more variety of activities on port days.

Dayenu

"just seems odd to me that children are provided activities so parents can go ashore or do what they want, but the majority of passengers, the over 70 crowd and/or disabled adults do not have the same services"

Not exactly. A cruise is a business of making money. When the children are cared for, adults do not go ashore, they stay on the ship within easy reach, and the most important for the cruise, they buy drinks - the main money-maker for cruise lines.

Disabled adults usually travel with older adults who'd drink the same - care or no care.

trav2512

I have cared for adult patients with disabilities both in my home and in a hospital. The range of what is required is huge and complex. If I were a cruise ship, no way would I offer this because some cases are extremely complicated. It would be better if you found an in home care giver and then found an able-bodied person to cruise with so you are just stuck on a ship.