On a cruise with PMR
Posted , 13 users are following.
We thought a cruise would be a good idea so that I could just rest in our cabin when I got tired. The reality: since it was a last minute decision rooms were limited and we like quiet. Our room is in the far front and meals are in the far back - so we walk the length of the ship for meals. This I found very tiring. This is a large ship.
We planned "easy" excursion by bus but we meet in a large auditorium then we rush down stairs, in hoards, to the gangplank. I find this exhausting. So: my husband advised the tour director and I will get handicap seating and preference. I brought my walking poles so I can lean on them. I look too healthy. Nothing hurts on 8.75 pred.
We are visiting: BarHarbor, ME; Charlottesville, PEI; Quebec; Halifax;St Johns, NB; Portland, ME and back to Bayonne,NJ.
I just feel disappointed this requires more energy than I thought- but will adapt. We are half way through and night encounter a hurricane.
1 like, 19 replies
erika59785 karenjaninaz
Posted
Hope, you can deal with it, and you are not going to encounter a hurricane. Good luck and I wish you all the best.
barbara73592 karenjaninaz
Posted
Hello Karen,
I find a cruise one of the best ways to have a holiday when you have PMR. To start with you can go at your own pace. If the the buffet/restaurant is to far,why not have cabin service. We do not do tours,too tiring,instead when the ship is in port,just get off and walk the amount you feel comfortable with. We have just returned from a Greek Isles cruise and a typical day was morning on the loungers (after breakfast) lunch at the buffet,then off for a wander (if in port) back on ship,a nice relaxing cocktail in the one of the bars. Showers later,then dinner. I have to say though that we were in our cabin by 9.30 so I could get quiet time before bed. You just have to pace yourself. I am on 11mg of pred at the moment and coped ok. Word of warning,when you get home,don't go mad witth catching up with the washing and knock yourself as I did,then had a flare!
EileenH karenjaninaz
Posted
I'm not totally enthusiastic about cruises - even though our experience with our first wasn't bad. But we did no excursions except the walks on shore. I didn't mind the walking to the dining room in the evening but we had breakfast in the cabin - since we'd had to take Concierge Class to get a balcony cabin. Otherwise room service was pricey - and the cabin had been enough!!!!
Enjoy the rest of it though - and hope you can avoid the hurricane!
Anhaga karenjaninaz
Posted
I hope you have a great time. I've been on two cruises, Baltic and Mediterranean. Before PMR mind you, and on relatively small vessels. With luck the weather will hold, ships have been diverted to Halifax because of recent storms and it's been warm, calm and sunny in the region. Just do what you can, take your time and accept all help offered. Personally I'd amble down to public areas rather than staying holed up in my cabin, but that's just me 😉
Bethune karenjaninaz
Posted
It seems a lot of people on this forum describe exhaustion...
Elijo karenjaninaz
Posted
Hi ;Karen, My husband took me for a 4-day cruise on my birthday last September (2016) to the Bahamas; we went at our own pace, had a balcony room, but took all of our meals in the dining room where we had superb service. However this year on Sept. 10, my birthday, the whole celebration planned for me didn't happen due to hurricane Irma! My daughter and whole family in NJ, son ad wife in NC, friends in TN, people nearby, were coming to a surprise birthday weekend celebration here in Sarasota, Florida. My husband and I were arranging a "safe room" and sitting out the storm. After it was over, we were so thankful for no major damage. (Note: My wonderful daughter said they are going to go thru with the celebration at another time, unknown to me!). Karen, I do hope you feel better. I've had PMR almost 2 years now down to 4mg, and soon 3 1/2 mg. hoping for no flare. Take care of yourself. (P.S. My birthday was the beginning of a whole NEW decade) Best wishes, Elinor
Michdonn karenjaninaz
Posted
karenjaninaz, I know being on Pred is no picnic. We all have very unpleasant side effects, but we have an almost normal life. I had no life before Pred, so now I have a smile and think positively of the day I can get off Pred.
Good luck enjoy your trip. 🙂
carolyn44300 karenjaninaz
Posted
linda17563 carolyn44300
Posted
carolyn44300 linda17563
Posted
Well we found it really easy. We live an hour or so from Southampton and boarded there. Not sure I'd want the hassle of flying to Norway first. I don't know if I'm allowed to say which cruise operator it was but it's very well known. Obviously there are lifts so no climbing stairs and everything is done for you. Like you, I am always very fatigued and I ache a lot and I was a bit worried before we went but I thoroughly enjoyed it. We only booked 2 short trips because of my condition but when the ship was in port I was able to wander around and enjoy the scenery and the shops. I would definitely go again.
linda17563 carolyn44300
Posted
carolyn44300 linda17563
Posted
I hope you do. It's not that expensive - we had free drinks added to our package which was good. It was mid April but the weather was lovely most of the time apart from in Bergen where it always rains (I'm told). I managed to find a sheltered spot at the back of the ship and sat reading my book! With the occasional glass of Rose! The entertainment was good as well and we met some really nice people.
RD_Swede linda17563
Posted
Some year after I was off pred we went with American friends on a cruise ship on Hurtigruten (means the fast route) the first week in September. We were lucky to have sunshine all week from Bergen to Kirkenes along the Norwegian Coast. We only took one trip and that was for North Cape where they seldom have sunny weather. I had problems walking but walked into the city centers and had nice look arounds.
An American friend had had skin transplants and stayed on board with his wife. Every evening before dinner we went to their cabin to have a nice chat and some wine. A friend had said that alcohol was so expensive that we bought two baginbox wines and put them in plastic bags in the suitcases that were checked in. Then we had some chips also. There were elevators between the decks so my friend could easily come upstairs.
We enjoyed the Hurtigruten trip and were glad we had chosen the food package as the food was excellent. I really rekommendera this trip. The airline Norwegian has cheap flights from Gatwick probably direct to Bergen and from Kirkenes there are flights via Oslo to Gatwick. SAS also has similar flights. Going south is usually cheapink than going north and the stops are different
Ragnar
track karenjaninaz
Posted
So sorry you did not like your cruise. We have been all over the world on cruises, we cruise out of Australia to Grt Brittain and Europe and also across to America, and I have found it very relaxing with my PMR, no worries at all. We also do a lot of the excursions, though you must pick the correct ones that are not too strenuous for you.
We have also flown out of Australia over to London, and found that is more strenuous than Cruising on the ocean.
Hope someday you will try a Cruise again, relax in between Ports and enjoy.
Track
karenjaninaz track
Posted
Hi Track, I never said I did not like the cruise. I didn't expect walking the long distances because I found it tiring and I get breathless with pred. We are now halfway through and I got fitter doing all that walking. It was hard in the beginning though.