Traveling with 2 elderly

I traveled with my aunt 74 years old  and my mother 70 years .  My aunt uses a walker.  My mom and aunt have been on many cruises  Carnival and others. as they are getting on up in age we realized this might be their last cruise.  I hope not but time will tell. They said it was  good to get out of the  house but this was their least favorite cruise.

First and foremost our Steward Pavlo went above and beyond to accommodate my mother and  aunt who were traveling with me.  Pavlo greeted us thru out the  day,  would have fresh ice upon returning to our room, hold the door for my aunt who uses a walker, the towel animals were too cute,  Cleanliness was Superior  I just can't say enough about Pavlo...   

Excursion #1 Jamaica    BEST EVER  Jodi was an excellent guide... Vernon a crazy driver but no problem... answered all the questions, assisted my aunt off and on the bus... ( There was a wheel chair bound gentleman traveling on the tour who had to lift himself up and down.   wish the tours had more wheelchair accessible buses. )  The jerk chicken was awesome...  Bus was AC.....  They stopped and had local fruit for us to smell and taste... Jodi taught us some of the local language, history and culture. Vernon would  stop for us to take awesome pictures... Laughed at the time and Loved Jamaica

Excursion #2  Grand Cayman  Good

We missed our on shore excursion in Grand Cayman initially. My aunt uses a walker. Guest  services the night before instructed us to go to level 3 and someone would take us to the lower level. We arrived 40 minutes early.  We were told to have a seat as we were too early.  We waited and waited. After noticing alot of people leaving I had to go find the staff. They did take us down via the elevator and placed us on the boat. By the time we got off and found our line the original bus had left. Good news another bus offered to drop us off at the first stop so we could catch up to our bus.  We will never book another 7:30 excursion again. The bus was more of a shuttle type. No seperate guide  just a driver with a microphone.  He mainly pointed out the condos, hotels and houses.  There was no laughter, very dry personality.  The turtle farm was good though. 

Excursion #3  Cozmel - Fair

The Brochure said EASY... Yet it was the most difficult.  and the ad was misleading.. We understood having to walk down the  long pier. We were not prepared to have to walk on brick paving with uneven surfaces even further thru the shops to get to the  bus.  The bus was actually an oversized van. It was difficult for my aunt to crawl to the back seat and  slide across the long seat.. After the first stop a couple change seats so my aunt could get in and off  faster. At the first stop there was a few souvenier stands but nothing to offer drinks.. When we got to the Mayan stop it was a park that involved walking for 1 and half hours minimum.  The paths were uneven too walk let  use a walker. So I ended up getting 2 wheelchairs , 1 for my mom and 1 for my aunt. Problem was i couldn't push both. Our Guide started off pushing my aunt but about 1/3  way thru the couple that changed seats with my aunt started pushing her. I pushed my mom.  The wheel chairs would still get caught on the  rough surfaces.  While the history was great it was difficult to hear as other guides were 20 feet away talking loudly to their group. Best part was the flying guys at the end.  It was hot and then a light shower. We were expecting to stay in an ac bus and tour. The rating should be  changed to Difficult.   By the way I upgraded dinner and bought a bottle of wine for the couple who assisted my aunt. A freindship has developed that will last a long time with this couple.

Shows on the Boat...  Great.. Would have enjoyed even more but lights would shine in our eyes as it circled the audience.  We got there very early and would wait outside. There  was typically 5 people or less in front of us.  When the doors were opened the crowd would go around, push or stumble on my aunt and mother who were very slow.  At one of the shows Mike opened the door and let the wheel chair and assisted people in first.... This should have been done at all shows.. 

Food: Sapphire food was good.  The chicken was rubbery one night. The waiter did exchange it for something else.   My aunt and  mom did enjoy getting all dolled up for the elegant nights...

Debarkment

Very disappointed in debarkment. My aunt has to use a walker. We waited on the  11th deck for almost an hour to get her down. Other passengers got on the lower decks and would ride up then down . The passengers level or zone wasnt  even called.  I recommend someone be placed at each elevator area and monitor the passengers. When we got to 3 we waited in the theatre.   Brad was great...

We had a wheel chair for my mom and walker for my aunt .  Guest would literally push, bump or cut off my companions.  Very rude... A possible  solution is the first 15 minutes of each hour only assisted guests be allowed on elevators or ramps... 

I asked my mom and aunt if they are ready for another cruise.. my aunt said "not really, i can banged and bumped in Walmart" 

I am younger and will book another with kids and  grandkids...  Not sure mom and  aunt will though.  

Enough said.