[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Good intentions, maybe. But the ADA law is extremely expensive, with apparently no budget constraints.

Why would they care, since it costs them nothing? "Unfunded Mandates": Feds create law, forcing states, counties, cities and private businesses to comply and absorb all costs of doing so. Businesses pass those costs on to customers via higher prices, governments pass the costs on to their taxpayers.

To be fair, states have their own unfunded mandates, as do counties and cities. The farther down that list you go, the less people subject to the cost though.

[jimhoward]

For the most part, cruise lines bend over backwards for seniors because it is their core customer base.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by Velvet

Definition of disability:

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)Under the Job Accommodation Network, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a disability as an impairment that substantially limits a major life activity (such as walking, breathing, or working).

If it functions properly: If the pacemaker regulates your heart and you live a relatively normal life with only minor restrictions, it is not a legally protected disability.

Lol, isn't your heart pumping life throughout your body important? You can still live with those other disabilities but when it's your heart, it's your life. It amuses me how those who don't have a pacemaker think it's nothing. You could say the same about other disabilities, just depends on whose ox is being gored, I guess

[Stu from NYC]

OP if you think you need wifi for medical reasons why in the world do you expect the cruise line to give it to you.

If you can afford the cruise you can afford the wifi. BTW I also have a pacemaker.

[Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by bikeman

I also am starting to hear rumors that even though you purchase the ships medical insurance, there might be an exclusion for some pre-existing conditions that the cruise lines might not cover. I am also hearing rumors that some ships are targeting seniors for not having a letter from their physician stating that they are medically able to cruise or be denied boarding...just a heads up for all us seniors...

Where do you hear all these rumors?

[Mrmean58]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

First of all, the price cruise lines charge for wifi is a ripoff, among other things that they charge for.

Secondly, if you are on a cruise that is not within the jurisdiction of the United States, why do the cruise lines need to comply with the ADA, which is a U.S. law?

They do not. Secondly, does the OP expect the same accommodations from airlines and hotel chains who do not provide free wifi. I'm not in the medical field but I would expect that the change in cabin pressure could have more effect on one's heart than being at sea.

[KSSunshine]

My husband has had a pacemaker for 5 years and we travel via air and cruises. The pacemaker keeps the data and transmits WHEN we have wifi. We do not pay for additional wifi. Since we are at sea or in the air, there is nothing that a land-based service can do should there be failure, either with his body or transmitting data. When back on land and our wifi is connected, the data is transmitted back to Medtronic. I'd focus more on enjoying the cruise. We are on our 15th cruise since that implant enjoying life (and leaving on another one in a few days). Bon Voyage!

[rsmurano]

I also have a Medtronic pacemaker and it’s my responsibility, not some other company’s, to provide the necessary steps to keep me or my pacemaker healthy. I have to do quarterly reports of my pacemaker to Medtronic (device on my chest to gather stats from the pacemaker to send to Medtronic) and it’s my responsibility to be in a place, anywhere in the world, that provides me cell service to send that report. It’s not a ships problem, a cell service problem, or a planes problem, it’s mine.
If you were on a dialysis machine, would it be the ships responsibility to provide you the medicine to keep you on the dialysis machine during your cruise?

[mikemalloy]

Originally Posted by Aces4

It's right up there with wheelchair ramps, most people don't need them so those that do should pay for them. (Playing the devil's advocate..)

We cruise a couple of time a year. I need a walker to get around but I do use wheelchairs at airports and to get on and off cruise ships. A rather significant percentage of cruise passengers use wheelchair assistance to get on and off the ship. Not providing that service would put a big dent in the devil's bottom line.
As to the OP, it's my experience that most people that cruise find a line or two that they prefer. We've cruised on Carnival on one occasion. It reminded me of Animal House. We were definately too old to keep up with the majority of the passengers who apparently had bottomless margaritas and couldn't wait until the midnight ice cream sunday buffet. We found a line the fits our budget, provides service we find above average and food we enjoy. Our loyalty level now provides us with free drinks and laundry which reduces the cost of the cruise and the amount of luggage we need. Most folks like to take vacations. The cost of airfare, rental cars and accommodations it quite considerable. We find cruising is actually a bargain. It's not for everyone but for those that have learned to enjoy it, it's something to look forward to.

[defrey12]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

OP if you think you need wifi for medical reasons why in the world do you expect the cruise line to give it to you.

If you can afford the cruise you can afford the wifi. BTW I also have a pacemaker.

Him asking for free WiFi for his pacemaker is like me asking for it for my C-pap. Same configuration for talking to "the mother ship" as a PM. And as the good Dr pointed out earlier, his health team, like mine, is not watching the monitor 24-7. A weekly check-in is sufficient.

[RRGuyNJ]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

My older brother is completely blind and has a highly trained German Shepherd guide dog that he can bring with him anywhere in the USA, but she isn’t allowed on cruise ships in international waters where the ADA isn’t recognized.

We were on a 30 day cruise last year with Norweigian and we saw a guy with a small yappy dog I assume was a "service dog " of some kind. I love dogs but this thing wasn't trained to do anything but look for it's supper at the appropriate time. Major barker and was being carried more than walked. I would never have guessed we would see that on a major cruise line.
Off topic, the cruise was a disaster. Caught COVID, stuck in our room for 3 or 4 days until we tested negative. $9K medical bill for treatment between the two of us. Thank God we took out Faye Travel Insurance! They paid it in full. Missed several ports due to weather. Cruising is done for us! LOL

[defrey12]

Originally Posted by bikeman

Amen...seems like everyone else is just saying that I am cheap, but the main reason for the post was to make seniors aware that some cruise lines will not acknowledge their health issues and some of the cruise lines insurance does not cover. pre-existing conditions, but you never hear about that...they are also starting to target seniors to have a letter from their doctor stating they are fit to cruise and if not may be denied boarding...thanks again

Yes, you are. You expect to get something for nothing. What part of "your responsibility" are you not getting? It's not anyone else's problem to keep up with your, or my, health issues. And where's your evidence that they're "targeting seniors"? Frankly, I would be in favor of a health check for ANY person with questionable health issues. We see people on excursions that have no business being there! I'm sick of getting run over by people in scooters. On our last cruise there was one guy that was SO obese he didn't fit through stateroom door. Imagine trying to evacuate with him in your way.

[bonbonn]

We quit cruising years ago. They are out to rip you. We bought insurance from the cruise line my wife got sick they said we had to pay up front. Said we have cruise insurance, they said you pay us then go to insurance to get reiembursed. Last cruise. royal carribean

[defrey12]

Originally Posted by Aces4

It's not that simple, developing further cardiac issues while having a pacemaker can happen.. think of the development of sudden, brief episodes of ventricular tachycardia. Also, if the sinus node is ablated or fails due to a condition like Sick Sinus Syndrome, you almost always need a permanent pacemaker.The sinus node is your heart’s natural pacemaker; it generates the electrical impulses that dictate your heart rate and keep it beating. When it stops functioning or is intentionally ablated, the heart loses its internal rhythm generator. Without a pacemaker to take over, your heart rate would drop to a dangerously low, life-threatening level, causing severe dizziness, fainting, or cardiac arrest.

I know of a young fellow who's fulltime pacemaker since sinus node was ablated because of irreparable issues.

As I said, no one has a pacemaker because they are fun, they are necessary for life and the person's cardiac disability.

Yes, anything COULD happen. But history shows most things we worry about usually don't.

[RRGuyNJ]

Originally Posted by Aces4

It's right up there with wheelchair ramps, most people don't need them so those that do should pay for them. (Playing the devil's advocate..)

So if Mother Nature kicks you right square in the $%&^%$ and you become handicapped, you should have to pay for the inconvienece just because most people are lucky enough to NOT be handicapped? WOW! Classy!