In November 2009, Barbara Jacobson and Christine Deming from Flying Wheels Travel were privileged to be invited on a two-day inaugural sailing of the brand new mega cruise ship, the Oasis of the Seas. Weighing in at 225,282 gross registered tons, this is by far the largest ship ever built for recreational cruising.
The Oasis is home ported at Port Everglades in Florida where the port authority has built a brand new fully-accessible facility with 90 check in counters and a goal of 15 minutes from shore to stateroom when travelers check in shore side.
The size of the ship may sound overwhelming, but Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has done a wonderful job of dividing it into neighborhoods, so the only time you notice the size is when you are in that long corridor going to your stateroom.
Some of the unique features of the ship are: the Central Park neighborhood, the first park at sea with more than 12,000 plants and trees; the Boardwalk neighborhood, a family oriented environment with a hand carved carousel; the Aqua Theater, an amphitheater that serves as a pool by day and a dazzling ocean front aquatic theater at night and a thrilling zip line ride that races diagonally 90 feet above Boardwalk.
Stateroom categories include 40 plus disabled accessible rooms and even two storey loft suites with a wheelchair elevator between floors. These cabins are perfect to accommodate families along with the disabled traveler and their attendant. The late Judd Jacobson, founder of Flying Wheels Travel, and a C4/5 quadriplegic himself, felt that cruising was the ultimate vacation for a person with a disability and for their caregiver, and family members.
Oasis of the Seas would have fulfilled all of Judd’s dreams – where else can you shop, gamble, enjoy a choice of 24 restaurants, watch world class entertainment and imbibe in the accessible Rising Tide Bar, while your attendant and/or family members relax in the Vitality at Sea Spa – and guess what, it is all accessible and you do not need to worry about finding a wheelchair parking place close by.
The Oasis of the Seas departs on weekly seven- night Eastern Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale to St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Nassau. Western Caribbean seven-night cruises to Labadee, Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico will be added in May 2010. Facilities at all these ports have been enhanced to accommodate the new mega ship.
Want to get on board? Call us at Flying Wheels Travel at 1-877 451 5006 or email us at barbaraj@flyingwheelstravel.com or christened@flyingwheelstravel.com.
Bon Voyage!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Flying Wheels Travel introduces weekend escapes
November 2009Flying Wheels Travel recognizes the importance of networking and respite for people living with a disability or chronic illness and therefore is introducing weekend escapes to provide an opportunity for a fun, relaxing, educational and affordable escape from the daily grind.
Our first weekend escape is for couple's living with a disability or chronic illness. This escape provides couples the opportunity to network with others while providing time to have a romantic rendezvous. The escape is at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Plymouth, Minn. The hotel is truly a romantic retreat tucked in a scenic area. The hotel features graciously appointed guest rooms with Sleep Number® beds and award winning dining and service.
The seminar speakers are the ever popular Tom Ellis and Sara Heinzen from the Center for Grief Loss and Transition. They provide expertise on life balance, romance, intimacy and coping with loss and transition disability and chronic illness cause in a relationship. This escape will also provide you with the opportunity for plenty of fun and relaxation. The weekend package is $750 per couple. Read more and register for the escape now, space is limited.
Additional escape weekends are being planned for singles, men, women, families and care partners. Keep your eye on the monthly e-newsletter for more details.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Flying Wheels Travel at Ability Expo in Atlanta
Nov. 2009
Flying Wheels Travel staffed a booth for the Society of Accessible Travel and Hospitality of which we are a member. We had the opportunity to connect with many new friends in Atlanta during the Abilities Expo November 6 -8. Timothy Holtz also hosted a seminar on traveling with a disability at the expo. Reaching out and educating people with a disability or a chronic illness is just one of the many ways we open the world of travel opportunities to people.
Flying Wheels Travel staffed a booth for the Society of Accessible Travel and Hospitality of which we are a member. We had the opportunity to connect with many new friends in Atlanta during the Abilities Expo November 6 -8. Timothy Holtz also hosted a seminar on traveling with a disability at the expo. Reaching out and educating people with a disability or a chronic illness is just one of the many ways we open the world of travel opportunities to people.
Group travel is hot again
Oct. 2009
"Not only did Flying Wheels Travel provide me with a seamless travel experience with outstanding customer service, I also had the opportunity to meet so many other wonderful people who live with a disability or chronic illness," said Mary Rodenkirchen, pictured here. "Meeting new people not only enriches my travel experiences but it has enriched my life," she added. Mary is not alone in looking for travel adventures that include opportunities to network with other people who live with similar circumstances - group travel is hot again. In this era of social networking online, people are also reaching out for face-to-face experiences with the opportunity to enlarge their support network with new friends who understand living with a disability or chronic illness and who share their passion for travel and adventure.
"Not only did Flying Wheels Travel provide me with a seamless travel experience with outstanding customer service, I also had the opportunity to meet so many other wonderful people who live with a disability or chronic illness," said Mary Rodenkirchen, pictured here. "Meeting new people not only enriches my travel experiences but it has enriched my life," she added. Mary is not alone in looking for travel adventures that include opportunities to network with other people who live with similar circumstances - group travel is hot again. In this era of social networking online, people are also reaching out for face-to-face experiences with the opportunity to enlarge their support network with new friends who understand living with a disability or chronic illness and who share their passion for travel and adventure.
Mediterranean Greek Isle cruise
Oct. 2009
Flying Wheels Travel just completed an escorted cruise experience to the Mediterranean Oct. 1 - 13. The group consisted of 24 people including nine people who use power chairs, scooters or manual wheel chairs. Flying Wheels provided fully accessible excursions to Florence, Pisa, Rome, Ephesus, Athens and Naples. Highlights of the trip included a visit to the Academia museum in Florence to view Michelangelo's David, the leaning tower of Pisa, the blessing of the Pope in Vatican City, shopping in Kusadasi Turkey, visiting the Acropolis that is newly accessible to people who use mobility devices and a pizza demonstration in Naples.
Timothy Holtz joins Flying Wheels Travel team
Sept. 2009
We at Flying Wheels Travel are proud to announce that Timothy Holtz has joined our team. He has worked extensively with people who have disabilities and chronic illness for nearly ten years. Timothy has wide-ranging experience in coordinating travel opportunities, getaways and special events. For the past three years, he collaborated with Flying Wheels to provide travel opportunities for people with multiple sclerosis. Timothy will coordinate and assist guests on future travel excursions for Flying Wheels as well as develop new adventures to open the world to everyone.
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