how exciting, donna! a friend of mine took her scooter on a cruise to
alaska. on second thought, it might have been a motorized
wheelchair--she had both and i don't know which she took. what fun it
would be to zip around a ship on a scooter!

i don't have the answers to any of your question, but i'm excited for
you anyway.

diane

I think it takes 6-8 weeks to get your passport, but I can't remember
for sure.  Here's the link which can tell you more.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

As for meds, usually what I was told was to be sure to keep everything
in its original packaging, with its drugstore label & to get a copy of
all your prescriptions from your doctor to take with you in case of
questions or difficulties.

I have never been on a cruise, but I suspect they will allow scooters.

Enjoy your trip!!!

Plantmistress/Shannon

A certified birth certificate and 2 passport-size photos, plus $95.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_832.html

The Passport Services Office provides information and services to
American citizens about how to obtain, replace or change a passport.

A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that
verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. A valid U.S.
passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries. Only
the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue or
verify United States passports.

New Application for a U.S. Passport
To obtain a passport for the first time, you need to go in person to
one of  7,000 passport acceptance facilities located throughout the
United States with two photographs of yourself, proof of U.S.
citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification such as a
driver's license.

Acceptance facilities include many Federal, state and probate courts,
post offices, some public libraries and a number of county and
municipal offices. There are also 13 regional passport agencies, and 1
Gateway City Agency, which serve customers who are traveling within 2
weeks (14 days), or who need foreign visas for travel. Appointments are
required in such cases.

You'll need to apply in person if you are applying for a U.S.
passport for the first time:  if your expired U.S. passport is not in
your possession; if your previous U.S. passport has expired and was
issued more than 15 years ago; if your previous U.S. passport was
issued when you were under age 16; or if your currently valid U.S.
passport has been lost or stolen.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How to Get Your Passport in a Hurry

Expedited Service

Cost, in addition to regular application fees, is $60 per application
plus overnight delivery costs.
Two-way overnight delivery is strongly suggested.
If you mail in - clearly mark Expedited on the envelope.
Anyone may request expedited service for any type of application (e.g.,
first-time applications, renewals, amendments of existing passports,
etc.)
Passport applications sent together or at the same time do not
necessarily remain together.
Passports will be mailed separately.
After you apply - You will receive your passport: Ordinarily, if you
paid additionally for expedited service and two-way overnight delivery
within about 2 weeks

Routine Service

Include your departure date on your application.
After you apply - You will receive your passport: Ordinarily, within 6
weeks.  However, processing times can vary depending on workload and
occasional unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters.  During
busier times, such as the summer travel season, we encourage customers
to expedite their applications if traveling in less than 8 weeks.

That's a question for Customs.

Those are questions for the cruise company.

Dan in Reno, NV just completed his second cruise.  Do you have his
address?

... Sorry, you are not an instant winner.  Try another message.

Where are you going on the cruise? Some desinations do not require a
passport so check before you spend the $$.

Carole

How wonderful.  Get to the post office ASAP and get the passport
business taken care of right away.  I had mine renewed before I went
back to Perth, W.A., Australia, in March.  I sent it FedEx overnight to
make sure it got there quickly,  took about 6 weeks to get it back.  It
can take up to 12 weeks and with Christmas upon us you need to hustle.

Lyn

Do I need to get special clearance for my meds for both the airport and
the ship?
When I traveled I had my doctor write an additional script for the trip and
make sure to carry with you all the bottles your meds come in (dont place
them in a separate bottle or case) with you name on them. I also had him
write a letter that had my diagnosis and meds that I took.

I don't have a lot of gimp-type advice as the only criuse I've been on was
during my "smoldering-along" days.  The one thing that really stands out in
both our minds was the smell of chemical toilets.  For us, we could smell the
stuff every moment we were in our cabin.  For us it was annoying, but I
thought I'd mention it as I don't know what's likely to irritate your lungs.

As for meds, it depends on where you will be onshore with the meds.  I
believe that if you are just cruising around Mexico or the Carribbean, you'll
be fine.  The only issues I've EVER had traveling with meds was about
carrying Enbrel on the plane with gel ice packs. I made sure I kept the
Enbrel in a box with a Rx label and they didn't question me being on it at
all, just the allowability of the gel ice.  

We did find the cruise to be a great opportunity to spend time with people.  
Different groups could meet up for different stuff during the day.  I don't
htink we would have enjoyed being on one alone, but as part of a larger
group, we enjoyed the time together.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/cruisestyles/disabled.cfm

Knew I found a link somewhere.  The biggie is the ability to leave to go on
the shore leave spots - not all are accessibible by wheelchair etc.

Kelly

http://www.access-able.com/tips/oxy.html

Information on oxygen and cruise lines.

Kelly

http://cruises.about.com/od/disabledcruises/Accessibility_for_Disabled_Cruisers.htm

Links for scooters, medical companies that arrange oxygen etc.

Kelly

Call your cruise ships special needs number and talk to them.  They'll give
you instructions and also note your chart.
Nicole who just made this same phone call

You can get a passport in less than 2 weeks if you pay a fee for
expediting.  Most post offices also now take passport photos.

Go top you local post office and ask them.  The total fee with photos
and expediting should be around $170.  You can save about $65 of that
if you don't need your passport for at LEAST 6 weeks and maybe longer.
Thumper