Port of Ensenada in a Wheelchair - A Quick Walk

accessible cruise ports Mar 28, 2022

The Port of Ensenada in a Wheelchair - A Quick Walk Through the Main Port Area


When we booked this cruise, it was a replacement for a hotel stay. This was our third cruise in two weeks, and we had three days to fill before we needed to fly to Miami. Using a TA rate, the cruise was cheaper than a hotel, so we booked it.


Ensenada is the only port on this 3 day cruise, and we looked at the excursions, and there was nothing particularly exciting that was accessible. We decided just to walk off the ship and explore the port area.


Sea Lions


As we got off the ship, at the end of the pier on the other side of a fence, there was a sea lion basking in the sun. It was joined by another sea lion which caused a loud discussion between the two of them about who's spot it was.


We watched as they both bellowed and postured trying to show their supremacy, and then the most recent occupant seemed to concede and move away from the original occupant, and things quieted down.


On that point of land next...

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Planning and Preparing for an Accessible Road Trip

Uncategorized Feb 18, 2022

Planning and Preparing for an Accessible Road Trip

By Kristin Secor

 

Road Trips can be a fairly affordable and fun way to travel.  They allow you to not only visit a specific destination, but see the beautiful country along the way.  It can also be a great way to have an accessible vacation.  In this post, I’ll give you my tips for planning and preparing for your next accessible road trip.

 

When to start planning.

Typically, I start planning my next vacation at least one year in advance.  This ensures that I can snag accessible accommodations and get an idea of what the budget for the trip will be.  Unfortunately, being spontaneous and needing accessible travel doesn’t always go together and can lead to disappointment if accessible hotels and activities aren’t available. 

 

Decide where you want to go.

This can be harder than it sounds.  There are so many great destinations across the United States, that deciding...

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Top10 Tech Gifts for Travelers.

Top Tech Gifts for Travel

Selfie Drones

Selfie drones are a relatively new phenomenon, and the pricing and skill requirements have put this category in reach of the average person.  They allow individuals to capture photos, and that were previously out of reach for most.

When traveling with a drone, the recipient will need to make sure of the laws and rules for drone operation at their destination.  For example, some cruise lines ban drones in any form, and others allow camera drones, but they can only be used ashore.  They need to make sure they are aware of any restrictions and comply with the laws

Zerotech Dobby

This is not the cheapest selfie drone available, but it does have a nice mix of features for the price and is a good entry-level device.

It is primarily a device for selfies and has a limited range of about 300 feet or so, I would worry about losing control outside of that range.  But if you want a great picture from a different vantage point, that...

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Accessibility Issues When Cruising to Icy Strait Point

Uncategorized Jan 18, 2021

Accessibility on the cruise port at Icy Strait Point, Alaska and what wheelchair users need to know

So, you are planning a cruise to Icy Strait Point, Alaska. You have heard about the local, Native culture and hospitality and the indescribable wilderness. Wanting to experience it for yourself you would like to tour the port area on your visit but wonder how this will work with my mobility limitations.  

Come along with us and see what to expect on a cruise day on NCL Jewel at Icy Strait Point.  

Preparing for the Day 

Alaska is known for rainy days, but today we are happy to see just some cloudiness. I was able to video some of the trip into Icy Strait Point from our balcony.  The water was very calm, as it usually is on Alaska cruises. As it is April the temperature is cool but not uncomfortable.   

When cruising to Alaska in the early or late season, it is good to remember raingear and warmer clothing. Here is a link to a...

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Our Winter Getaway on the Breakaway (part one)

Uncategorized Feb 11, 2020

 About us

My wife and I are both in our 60’s, and my wife has mobility challenges.  She has had her back fused, and several joints replaced.  So as a result, she uses a walker at home and is quite active, but when she has to travel longer distances, and when she may have to sit for extended periods, she then uses a wheelchair.  We are both outgoing and like to meet and talk to new people.

One thing to know about us is we are very much G or PG people.  We have no tolerance for vulgarity or sexual material.  This affects the choices of the shows we attend.  You will read more about our options in later posts.

This blog will address our travels and adventures.  While I will try to provide an abundance of information for those with mobility issues, I will also try to provide information for everyone. 

 

I would consider us as experienced cruisers, and I will share tips, things we learned, and mistakes we make so...

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Norwegian Jewel Day 2 Activities, Teppanyaki, and Hubbard Glacier

Uncategorized Dec 28, 2019
 

This was our first full day on the ship.  We all slept really well, I woke earlier than the rest and spent some time on the balcony just filming as we sailed along.  The weather was intermittently rainy but always cloudy.  This would be our day to explore the ship and participate in ship activities.  

When my wife and granddaughter woke up, we went down to the MDR for breakfast, there is something so pleasing in having a sit-down breakfast as the world is sliding by outside your window.  

Since we were at sea and it was raining outside, it was a day to participate in indoor activities.  My wife and granddaughter worked on a puzzle in the game room, and our first planned activity was the fruit carving demonstration in the Atrium.  There is video of the fruit carving on my YT page as well.

After this we again ate lunch in the MDR, the menu was similar to the previous days, and we chose it because we wanted to stay warm and...

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Norwegian Jewel Day 1 Standard Family Cabin and Balcony

Uncategorized Dec 26, 2019

After lunch, our cabins were available, so set off to set up the cabin. Fortunately most of our bags were there already.

The first issue to address was power, we had 3 phones, 3 tablets and 4 cameras that needed charging, and I also travel with a CPAP. So we brought a regular extension cord and this expansion cord.  It added three outlets and 3 USB connectors.

Then I ran the extension cord across the floor to my side of the bed, always the farthest away from the bathroom. Here is a picture of that.

You can see several things here, on the door of the bathroom, there is an over the door shoe organizer, and it is full already.  You can also see where I taped the extension cord to the floor.  I used Gaffer tape, which sticks well but doesn't leave a residue or damage the walls.  Pictures with links below.

Here is a picture of how we used more than one of the shoe organizers.

On the counter under the TV, you can see we already have the chargers in...

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Norwegian Jewel Day 1 Dining Options and Menus

Uncategorized Dec 25, 2019

The first thing we did once we boarded the Jewel was to drop the carry on bags off and head to lunch in the Azura main dining room (MDR).  NCL always has one MDR open on boarding day for lunch.    We love starting our cruise with a sit-down meal and not having to deal with the rush of people to the Garden Cafe which is also open.

Here are our choices:

                                            Scallops Gratin

                                                Greek Romaine Salad

                                                        Poached Atlantic Salmon

           ...

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Alaskan Railroad from Anchorage to Seward

Uncategorized Dec 24, 2019

Alaskan Railroad from Anchorage to Seward

We had to get up early and get started for the train; we left the hotel about 6:00 A, and there was already a line of people checking bags at the train station.  We got into the line with maybe a dozen people ahead of us, and it took about 15 minutes to get our bags checked.  One nice thing is that they check the bags to your hotel.  That allows you to take a tour when you get to Seward without having to worry about your luggage.

When we went into the terminal and were in line to get our tickets, we realized that we had left the small carry on with our passports in the taxi.  It was now about 15 minutes until the train left, and they were already boarding. 

It took a few minutes on hold to get through to the taxi dispatcher, and then another stressful 10 minutes for the taxi driver to get back with our passports.  We paid the driver a $20.00 fare...

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Raleigh to Anchorage

Uncategorized Dec 21, 2019
 
We spent the night in Raleigh at a Holiday Inn Express near the airport.  The room was less expensive than the cost of parking the car at the airport, and since we had a 7:30 flight, I wanted to be at the airport by 5:30 this was a very good choice.  They hadn’t started serving breakfast yet, but we were able to get a ride to the airport, and we cleared TSA quickly, and then we grabbed some airport food to hold us till we got on the plane. Since this was a non-stop flight, Delta served breakfast for all the passengers.

The flight was almost 6 hours long, but with free movies to watch and food to eat, it went very quickly.  I had booked this flight in Economy Comfort, and that worked well for my wife, who has mobility challenges and is not very flexible.  She had plenty of room for her legs to reasonably straight. I wound up in the middle seat, which is my least favorite, but I let my granddaughter sit by the window.

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