Cruising around the UK
We chose the Celebrity Silhouette UK cruise for 6 nights. We just wanted a short break away after a stressful two years and to celebrate last year’s 40th wedding anniversary ???? and I wanted to see the sea. That’s what Nick’s brief was and he definitely delivered, but then I’m his mum, so he would wouldn’t he? ??
Nick sorted everything out for us including making sure we got a wheelchair accessible suite, assistance with boarding and the before cruise hotel too. Highly recommend this as it was quite a long journey to Southampton. Nick booked us in the Holiday Inn Southampton and what a good choice as the ship docked practically outside the hotel at gate 8 and was just by the City Cruise Terminal. Again, the hotel was fully accessible with a huge wet room and very Covid secure. We had to wear masks except if eating and drinking.
We had booked a blue badge space with APB at the Terminal car park right by the Terminal and was sent a badge to display. They had a free offer on car parking which was great. When we arrived at the car park they were so very well organised and two people collected our cases. They suggest you take your own blue badge with you on the ship as you already have the car park disabled people’s badge.
Nick had booked assistance, but the terminal was so organised and accessible that we didn’t need it in the end and made our own way through and on board the ship as there was ramped access throughout. So glad I printed off our PCR test results and vaccination certificates by the way as people were struggling all over with their phones and told me they wished they had printed them off too. We used Randox at East Midlands Airport for our PCR tests and what a great service and results in a record 2 hours!
We had booked a Sky Suite and it was huge and so was the wet room. Our balcony was huge too. In fact the suite was twice the size of the usual suites. There was an automatic door into the room and everywhere was accessible for me. I did notice outside one of the accessible cabins there was another type of shower seat available if you couldn’t manage the one fixed to the wall.
Our suite really was lovely with all mod cons such as a fridge, safe, tea and coffee maker, hair dryer and designer bathroom goodies. We had a sofa and chairs and sun lounger on the balcony. And get this, we even had a butler!!
I found everywhere except Deck 16 to be accessible for wheelchair users, with plenty of lifts including a lift to into the swimming pool and hot tubs. The theatres had plenty of wheelchair accessible spaces and a ramp up to the stage. As a suite user we had access to the Retreat restaurant, lounge and sundeck which was great and made us feel really special. Food was superb and you could choose from two menus. As a faddy eater this was ideal for me! We did try the afternoon tea once in the Retreat Lounge with sandwiches, scones, jam and cream -so tasty, but too much for me before a big dinner.
I did go for a manicure in the Spa and found this accessible too with low level counters for manicures. They also put on several free pamper and beauty advice sessions.
The shows and entertainment were brilliant and we thoroughly enjoyed them. I love Rod Stewart so when Danny Smart put on an evening of Rod’s music I was there in the front row bopping away.
What I found best of all is that all around the ship I could see the views through the glass with no obstructions. This is a rarity for me as there are usually rails in the way, but not here.
My only negative was the plush carpets. As a manual wheelchair user I did struggle to push myself on them and they are nearly everywhere and my husband struggled to push me too. I am a petite 7 stone so not heavy to push either. Most disabled people I saw were either in mobility scooters or motorised wheelchairs, so this was not an issue for them.
There are quite a few shops on board to sober your on-board credit and more in my case!
Staff are fantastic and can’t do enough to help and their in depth customer care training shows through.
We did not go on a trip ashore, but I noticed some other disabled people did and there were accessible mini buses for them.
This was my first cruise and as it’s an American ship and we visit the States regularly I am used to their great access for disabled people so it came as no surprise to find the ship so accessible.
We usually fly first class to the States and all the trouble with access to the first class cocoon seats, whether they have the on-board wheelchair so I can get to the loo (yes they forgot it one time) whether my chair is in the closet on board, just were not there with the cruise so I can’t tell you how less stressful our trip was. Yes it was UK and yes the weather was rubbish most of the week, but wow what a place to be with hardly any barriers to face.
I am so recommending this trip and look out for the dolphins and whales and the grey seal at Inverness too.
This is a very popular cruise so if you fancy being pampered by a great crew, having lovely views, fantastic food and excellent entertainment then you’d better see Nick quick, but don’t have my cabin as I may need it soon too.