Sept 18 2010 WB TransAtlantic Pirates/Capt Jacks Re-Repoing Repossession Cruise Pt.7

[Belle1997]

Dear Belle! I can feel your pain! Our son,Patrick, uses a wheelchair most of the time, and for the last 5 years or so, when traveling outside the US, we have been booking first or business only for the very same reasons you wrote about!

AND I was afraid to do Disney Air and transportation because I can't just take any seat. It takes both my husband and I to walk him through the aisle to get him to the "accessible" WC. Then I hold a blanket to shield my husband helping him because of course they can't both get into most WC's together AND shut the door! It's a real circus!

ALSO, we do NOT ask permission ahead of time to use first class restrooms, we deal with the flight attendants for that, they are usually so helpful.

THIS time I booked business all the way through and yesterday I dealt with the seating thing......we are in ECONOMY CLEAR AT THE BACK ON THE WAY TO NEWARK!!!!! It wouldn't matter except I paid for business! So onto the phone calling today.

Love ya! Keep travelling!

Big hugs seems bad customer service is shared by a few airlines.

Thank you to all who showed support. I really am a positive person with a great sense of humour. I never got why people who used wheels to get around always had something to complain about. But until you are faced with the issues you can not really understand. I sure do now. And you never ever know when or if a illness can hit you.

As for Disney I am sure not happy with how they deal with there mobility challenged cruisers.

I wrote them that I was discouraged how I would like to go on a tour and found no wheelchairs allowed. The said they are working on adding that to the website which would show what we could do.. Well they have done this cruise before so they already know. How hard is to to update their site to add a tab for special needs travelers. Maybe it could not cover everything but they could at least start. I think it is because there is no real tour they offer it would look bad.

I have gained more info on what I can do from my friends on this board. I would have just stayed by the port not knowing I could see other places. At least Disney could give us some more info. How hard is that.

A big thank you to all that have gone the extra mile to help me. From posting what I could do a a port to finding out if I can join a cruise to offering me help on air travel.

No we will not be using Disney Air ever again. They wrote me back to say that the benefit of booking with is making sure we are not bumped from a flight and if we miss the port then they would get us to the next.

Duh isn't that what travel insurance is for

If we had known this when we were booking almost 2 years ago we would have done it ourselves. They know who their mobility challenged cruisers are by the rooms we are in and the medical forms we need to be able to get these rooms!!!!

Many of you were around when they did not put us in a handicapped room cat 11. After 2 long long weeks they finally admitted their mistake. They even sent us a letter saying we were guaranteed a accessible room. Funny when we made a big payment we got an upgrade.


Which made my laugh cause cquick just booked and got an and accessible cat 11 go figure.

But then again there is a good chunk of us being ripped off for fuel charge. So at least DCL is sharing the non pixie dust: lmao:

 

[tinker1bell]

Perhaps you, Krisann and us were in a chat room together at some point!

I had Prodigy dial-up too but was able to pick my name which I kept. tinker1bell. I was always in the cat chat room. Actually met three families while we had it.

 

[Belle1997]

Well, I will be on my own tonight. I have been struggling trying to get CPAP supplies for Dennis. Long story, original sleep center no longer has records (more than 10 years old), the place we were getting them can't send them now because we moved, new place can't send them without a prescription. On and on...he now gets his medical care from the VA, they can't supply without a study. His mask is in really bad shape....so, I called the VA this morning to see when they can get him in for a study and WHOA!! they had a cancellation and he can go tonight. And they will send him home with a new mask! But, that leaves me here without him. The VA hospital is 125 miles away so he will be gone from 6 tonight until 8 tomorrow morning. Probably doesn't sound bad to many, but we are "joined at the hip" and have not been apart for more than an hour or two at a time since we retired 2 years ago.....I will miss him.

I totally understand I am so glad he is going to have the right equipment to have a enjoyable cruise

 

[woody73]

Many of you were around when they did not put us in a handicapped room cat 11. After 2 long long weeks they finally admitted their mistake. They even sent us a letter saying we were guaranteed a accessible room.

I remember that fiasco, and am glad it all worked out.

Woody

 

[MrsMork]

I also identify with Lilo, lol "My friends need to be punished." One of my favourite lines ever!



Glad he got in quickly, I know you don't like to be apart, but think how sweet the homecoming will be.


Pj

We really are pathetic! We both almost cried when he left. Such silliness!
I think we are both a bit gun shy because I was at a conference on 9/11/2001 (St Louis) and could not get home for a week. I still have some stress when I think of that week. After that he went to the conferences and business meetings with me. We just bit the bullet and paid for his flights and he saw lots of fun places while I worked. Together we can handle anything that is thrown at us, apart not quite so much, me especially.

I had Prodigy dial-up too but was able to pick my name which I kept. tinker1bell. I was always in the cat chat room. Actually met three families while we had it.

We still have a friend we met on line in a chat room in 1988. It seems it was safer then to just talk with folks and eventually travel across country to see them.

 

[MrsMork]

Our grand niece is here keeping me company. Sweet girl.

 

[woody73]

assigned user name: JKDH33B

so as you can see - so did we!!!

Too funny! I was assigned GBSN99B.

I remember one Thanksgiving, it was such a big deal when we used Prodigy dial-up to "talk" to my uncle on the internet at an arranged time.

There we were, a dozen of us standing around my first laptop (monochrome screen with the latest version of DOS -- WOW!). It took about 30 minutes to say what would have taken a three minute phone call.

The stuffing got cold.

Woody

 

[1DisneyQueen]

Someone mentioned vegetarian dining in Barcelona but I can't find who so this might be of use

Its of concern to us also as Robert and I are both vegetarian and have been for years but I'm sure we won't starve

It was me and thank you very much!

Well, I will be on my own tonight. I have been struggling trying to get CPAP supplies for Dennis. Long story, original sleep center no longer has records (more than 10 years old), the place we were getting them can't send them now because we moved, new place can't send them without a prescription. On and on...he now gets his medical care from the VA, they can't supply without a study. His mask is in really bad shape....so, I called the VA this morning to see when they can get him in for a study and WHOA!! they had a cancellation and he can go tonight. And they will send him home with a new mask! But, that leaves me here without him. The VA hospital is 125 miles away so he will be gone from 6 tonight until 8 tomorrow morning. Probably doesn't sound bad to many, but we are "joined at the hip" and have not been apart for more than an hour or two at a time since we retired 2 years ago.....I will miss him.

I am going through a similar drama trying to get a new CPAP for Bob. He is eligible to go to the VA but we are using my insurance and trying to get one through APRIA. With the way our prescription costs are going up we will be looking into VA soon.
I also sympathize with how you feel with him being away overnight. Bob and I are together 7/24 since I retired 4 years ago. People said it would drive us nuts but that is not the case. I love it. We each have cell phones for when we are away from each other for even a short time. When he went for his sleep study 3 years ago I called him multiple times during the night.

Hope all goes well. val

Thanks so much for offering to help with any VA questions. Would love to talk with you sometime about it. The main reason we haven't moved to the VA is due to the fact he has a number of medical issues and we really don't want to change doctors nor hospitals. I don't think they would let us just get our prescriptions from them?? Also, he will qualify for his military retirement next year (12 years active, 8 years active reserve) so we are thinking of looking into what that will give us. Anyway, don't want to bore everything with this here so would love to talk with you and the other retired military folks about this offline.

Disney is so wonderful to us military folks (here in the Bay Area, more so then the government). Last year we got a 5 day hopper pass for him and one for me for $100. This cruise the military rate is unbelieveable.

Val

I wanted to say that I hate APRIA. Is that to strong of a word. I get my CPAP supplies from another company and they call every 6 months to see if everything is ok and to set up for a new order. I just got a new mask, filter and tubing. YAY! DH's is still the original. What a differance a company can make.

DH and I are both retired and I agree Disney has been good to the military. We enjoyed thoses passes last year and I read tonight that it was extended till 8/31/10. Even the discount for this cruise was amazing.

Glad you guys are enjoying your time together. I wish we could. Dh is retired, but I am on my second career and have a long way to go. Look forward to meeting you guys.

 

[MrsMork]

Too funny! I was assigned GBSN99B.

I remember one Thanksgiving, it was such a big deal when we used Prodigy dial-up to "talk" to my uncle on the internet at an arranged time.

There we were, a dozen of us standing around my first laptop (monochrome screen with the latest version of DOS -- WOW!). It took about 30 minutes to say what would have taken a three minute phone call.

The stuffing got cold.

Woody

The good old days!!

I wanted to say that I hate APRIA. Is that to strong of a word. I get my CPAP supplies from another company and they call every 6 months to see if everything is ok and to set up for a new order. I just got a new mask, filter and tubing. YAY! DH's is still the original. What a differance a company can make.


Glad you guys are enjoying your time together. I wish we could. Dh is retired, but I am on my second career and have a long way to go. Look forward to meeting you guys.

Can your husband not call APRIA and get new supplies? We never had a problem for 18 years until we moved. BUT we did have to initiate the order, they never called us.

We look forward to meeting you as well.

 

[cquick]

As for Disney I am sure not happy with how they deal with there mobility challenged cruisers.
I wrote them that I was discouraged how I would like to go on a tour and found no wheelchairs allowed. The said they are working on adding that to the website which would

Which made my laugh cause cquick just booked and got an and accessible cat 11 go figure.

Hi, this is Connie, (cquick). Didn't you get an accessible room for this cruise? I hope you did. We are still hoping to get an outside accessible....spending 2 weeks in an inside will certainly be a challenge!

I know the Disney excursions are not accessible. We are going to do private tours so that we can take Patrick a few places. Are you interested in joining us?

Are you doing B2B? I have almost decided on the tour company I want to use for Rome and Florence.

Please let me know.

Connie

 

[PoohluvsFigment]

Originally Posted by 1DisneyQueen
I wanted to say that I hate APRIA. Is that to strong of a word. I get my CPAP supplies from another company and they call every 6 months to see if everything is ok and to set up for a new order. I just got a new mask, filter and tubing. YAY! DH's is still the original. What a differance a company can make.


Glad you guys are enjoying your time together. I wish we could. Dh is retired, but I am on my second career and have a long way to go

I also have my original and DH has had to go back to the md to get refitted. Sleep apnea sucks ... can I say that on the Dis boards? I am nervous about the flight as I also have restless leg syndrome and irrate people that sit next to me moving so much. I think I will have to call the MD to find out what miracle they can come up with. The trip from Vegas to VA was horrible.

 

[cquick]

Are folks talking about dressing up in villain costumes? or just doing the masquerade part like making/buying/bringing masks?

I am giving serious thought to making Villain themed vests for Jason and I if it's a formal night....and then maybe making and bringing some fancy masquerade masks for us, as well....but I doubt we can bring costumes...there's just not enough room in our bags!!

I think the villains vests would be great! I wonder where you could find the fabric? On the Baltic I was the only cruise passenger in a cruella de ville costume! I had fun, though. Some people had t shirts that they had bought at WDW Hollywood studios with villains on them. I don't know what shop they bought themin.

 

[BoosGram]

Well, I will be on my own tonight. I have been struggling trying to get CPAP supplies for Dennis. Long story, original sleep center no longer has records (more than 10 years old), the place we were getting them can't send them now because we moved, new place can't send them without a prescription. On and on...he now gets his medical care from the VA, they can't supply without a study. His mask is in really bad shape....so, I called the VA this morning to see when they can get him in for a study and WHOA!! they had a cancellation and he can go tonight. And they will send him home with a new mask! But, that leaves me here without him. The VA hospital is 125 miles away so he will be gone from 6 tonight until 8 tomorrow morning. Probably doesn't sound bad to many, but we are "joined at the hip" and have not been apart for more than an hour or two at a time since we retired 2 years ago.....I will miss him.

Angie, it certainly will be worth the pain of separation to get your DH checked for sleep apnea. My DH was diagnosed several years ago after I would wake during the night and find him not breathing for long intervals. It was scary! When they tested him, they found his blood oxygen saturation levels were in the 70s; they're supposed to be in the 90s. Needless to say, he sleeps w/the CPAP every night (and happily for me, no more snoring!!!!!). And we hate being separated, too .

Can't wait to see the lanyards; I know they'll be terrific. I love being one of the "lanyard people." , Erik.

 

[BoosGram]

I think the villains vests would be great! I wonder where you could find the fabric? On the Baltic I was the only cruise passenger in a cruella de ville costume! I had fun, though. Some people had t shirts that they had bought at WDW Hollywood studios with villains on them. I don't know what shop they bought themin.

My DD has an Evil Diva t-shirt. Maybe I'll borrow that, but it might be too casual for dinner??

 

[PoohluvsFigment]

My DD has an Evil Diva t-shirt. Maybe I'll borrow that, but it might be too casual for dinner??

That is an Idea I am going to go to the fabric store in the morning to see what they have.. A vest is not that much to pack and not too difficult to make. Thanks for the idea.

 

[MrsMork]

Angie, it certainly will be worth the pain of separation to get your DH checked for sleep apnea. My DH was diagnosed several years ago after I would wake during the night and find him not breathing for long intervals. It was scary! When they tested him, they found his blood oxygen saturation levels were in the 70s; they're supposed to be in the 90s. Needless to say, he sleeps w/the CPAP every night (and happily for me, no more snoring!!!!!). And we hate being separated, too .

Can't wait to see the lanyards; I know they'll be terrific. I love being one of the "lanyard people." , Erik.

Dennis has been using a cpap for 19 years. The thing is, he only needs a new mask filters. We can't order them from anywhere without a RX and since his study was done so long ago they did not keep the records (only keep them 10 years) and so can't send a RX. Just red tape, he uses his cpap everytime he lays down and loves the thing....guess he likes breathing!

 

[PoohluvsFigment]

If anyone would like to be added to this list please PM. Basically it is a list of people who would like Disers to stop by if they get a second to help them out with something. This was suggested by Kimberley (Buckeye Gal) and is a way for people to remember the trip. Some previous uses were:

Signing personalised scrapbook pages for people
Marking maps for children so they can use them either in a school project or for scrapbooking

Participants

• Kimberley (Buckeye Gal) - Scrapbooking
• Stefffy (Steffy)
• Sue (Su_kraft) -> after day 10
• Sandi (Hoagie Pie)
• Melodie (MagicMe)

Okay I know I am late in this planning... But for the kids.. I was thinking of things that would make them get schooling with fun. How about if they talk to someone. They can get a quick lesson in geography.. Like someone from Ny meets someone from VA then they get a post card with the state or city. I know it is more to pack but when the kids go back to school they will have good memories to share. Or we could give out a world map and then put stickers on it. Just ideas anyone with children school age want to do this?

 

[1DisneyQueen]

Here is a google map of the hotels and a few sites to see.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl


fingers crossed this works.

 

[Buckeye Gal]

Inbound Barcelona Flight and Accommodations Lists

Post #2 has been updated with LOTS of new additions to the accommodations and flight lists. We have new "DIS Meets" for the planes, too! Please check it out to ensure I have you accurately reflected.

If desired to be included, please remember to PM me with your info as you receive it! I pick up some through chit-chat on the thread, but I can't guarantee that it will be captured by a general post, especially since I'm learning to skim the pages on some days more than others.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I had Prodigy back in the day! It was around the time the 90's version of the Mickey Mouse Club was on and I was a HUGE fan. There was a group of us on Prodigy on a BB and all we did was talk about MMC. Those were the days! LOL! It's funny because now I'm friends with many of those people on Facebook.

I forgot who said they can't get too much Disney stuff (I think it was Hayley)...that really stinks! Hopefully you can stock up on the cruise!

I had a dream last night that we were leaving for the cruise and I had forgotten to buy a bunch of things including the journal that I'm planning on keeping. I really need to make a list as to what I need to pack and buy before the cruise! LOL!