Question about. some Mediterranean Port Communities

I can only talk first-hand about Naples, where the cruise port is right in the middle of the city, within walking distance from some highlights like Castel dell'Ovo, Piazza Plebiscito, Vía Toledo...

I can only speak for Palma although not ever having taken a cruise there I have seen the bus stops that shuttle the passengers to and from the ships. The stops are very close to the centre of Palma and easily within walking distance, in under ten minutes you'll be at Palma Cathedral. I don't know how far it is to walk from the ship if you aren't taking the shuttle but it doesn't appear particularly far.

Based on your last trip report and your challenges with following a map, you will get lost in Naples.

I suggest you spend some time on Google Maps (satellite view) and Google earth. Use their features to measure distances to the areas you want to see. Given the difficulties you had on your last cruise, I don't think you will find DIY as easy as you think. The average healthy adult may well be able to handle the distances and navigate the streets with a map; but by your own admission, you don't fall into that category.

Palma de Mallorca is an easy walk to the cathedral and there are lots of cute little streets nearby that will entertain you for a few hours. Naples is near town, but with your knee and inability to walk quickly, I think it would be better served by an excursion. Naples is a bit rough around the edges, too. Valletta is a very hilly city, but there are taxis available. I think an excursion would be a waste; tour busses would not be able to navigate into town easily. There are things to see outside the city, but in my view, it would be a real shame not to see what's in town. If you are interested in World War II history, the Lascaris War Rooms and the Malta at War Museum are must-sees. By all means, find your way to St. John's Co-Cathedral. It is spectacular. In the center of town, there is a large, flat pedestrian street with shops and restaurants. The Co-Cathedral is located there as is the Archeological Museum. It is very good and you will see objects from the Hypogeum and Tarxien Temples. The Hypogeum is fascinating, but it requires reservations well in advance and is a three-flight down walk. Both the Cathedral and Museum on located on that flat pedestrian center. The museum also has an exhibit on the famed cart tracks found elsewhere on the island.

Are you open to taking a taxi? If so, I would grab a taxi at the cruise ship terminal and go to the farthest attraction you want to explore. Then make your way through town back to the ship. If you find yourself short on time or lost, just get in a taxi and go back to the cruise ship terminal.

At Palma, my understanding from the well respected What's in Port is that the port is a 6km or about 1 hour walk in, although there is a city bus every 15 minutes.
That is about twice as far as your walk to Victoria last cruise.
Valletta I know is fine. There is an elevator to take you from port level to city level. However I would be anxious about your way finding back to the ship.
There is, I believe, a HoHo bus which serves the cruise port. That does island tours, as a bus couldn't really do City tours.

Just doing my research which is still in the early stages. That is why I ask a lot of questions and turn to all of you. I do not just use the forum for all my research but you are a definite part of it.

There is a number for Norwegian Cruise Lines Shore Excursions but as far as I can tell, all it is is a call center to book the cruise. They seem to be reading the same information that I am and do not have additional information..

Cruise Critic is of very little help when it comes to shore excursion and ports. One time, they offered reviews of ports but no longer.

I will also be watching youtube videos and then perhaps email visitor information for each city / town / island.

Thanks to everyone. I shall return.

I have returned.

I went and checked my itinerary.

For now, NCL offers no excursions for Messina or Cagliari. They will eventually

For Naples, 5 are offered, none which grab me, but if i had to choose 1, I could. But probably more will be offered.

Valetta has 7 excursions offered and Palma a whopping 17.

Eventually I will be asking some questions about places and attraction offered through the excursions.

Palma and maybe Valetta has so many attractive excursions that I am having trouble making up my mind as to what i want to see.

well here is one that interests me in Palma

For those who have been to Alfabia Gardens in Palma, what do you think?

5
hrs
Meal
Stroll the cobblestone paths of Alfabia Gardens, an oasis of greenery that surrounds an estate dating to the 13th century. An official Cultural Heritage Site, the gardens contain rare species from all over the world. While meandering about, you may see pomegranate trees with twisted trunks, Indian horse chestnuts, Spanish firs and the Queen’s Garden, an enchanting greenspace redesigned for Isabella II’s visit in the mid-19th century. Even so, the highlight may be the 72-column pergola adorned with dozens of sculptures and concealed jets that shoot graceful arcs of water through the air. Following a leisurely lunch in the gardens, you will visit Bellver Castle, a spectacular Gothic landmark from the 14th century. Its round design is unusual among Spanish castles and the seemingly impenetrable fortress is just as fascinating inside. As you ramble about the hilltop castle, you will appreciate the origin of its name Bellver, which means “lovely view” in Catalan.

I thought you had trouble on cobblestones - it is the first thing they mention.

About the Bellver Castle, I know you had trouble with stairs. I notice that it has several levels all connected by one way stairs, no sign of a lift/elevator.

From a review I found - "You can drive or take the sightseeing bus to the castle, but we walked up many many steps from the entrance to the castle grounds. Firstly, they only charge €4 per adult, which is amazing value for such an amazing sight. The castle has three levels, with a museum on the ground floor."

Hi Nigel

I have trouble on all sidewalks. Cobblestones are not much worse but I have to be a little more careful.

I can walk up a couple of flights of stairs without luggage. But if there are a lot of stairs, then I have to stay at the bottom. I have to forfeit going to the top.

I am not alone however. There are sometimes other persons on excursions who have to stay behind because of mobility issues.

Perhaps I would be able to get to only the first level of the Castle and the museum on the ground floor.

Hi Mary from Massachusetts

I could walk from.a cruise port and not get lost as long as I could see my ship and or the port behind me or in front of me. It does not have to be immediately in front: it can be a distance but I have to be able to see it.

Or I have to be able to see a landmark like the Big Wheel in London or The Space Needle in Seattle, even in the distance.

Naples is a large city. I understand there is a nice promenade along the waterfront, but most of the sights are quite some distance from the water. As you walk away from the water (rather than parallel to it), you will eventually encounter uphill walking. The city does have a useful subway system (Metro), but the stations are rather far apart, so considerable walking could be required to get to the nearest one. I really don't think the do-it-yourself approach is going to work for you in Naples unless you do something like this:

• Hop into a taxi near the port and go to the Archaeological Museum. It has a lot of the nicest items from Pompeii, as well as other antiquities. It's a multi-hour visit.
• Exit the museum and walk down to the Capella Sansevero to see the Veiled Christ (requires prepurchase ticket; it sells out)
• Exit the Capella and get a taxi back to the ship. The Capella is not far off Via Toledo, and I know there are buses running down that street toward the water. I don't know whether any of those routes would get you near the port. I think you'd need to buy bus tickets in advance. For the subway, there are vending machines right in the station, and tickets bought there would work for the buses, too.

Obviously, you'd need food somewhere along the way. I didn't take any taxis in Naples and don't even know whether you can hail them on the street or must walk to a taxi stand.

acraven and others

I did not realize how big Naples was. It would probably be best if I stick with a shore excursion offered through my cruise line.

For now, my cruise line only offers 5 but 2 would work and maybe others will be offered.

The Jardines de Alfabia are fantastic, well worth a visit as well as the Castell de Bellver. They're not located in Palma but Bunyola which is in the Tramuntana mountains on the way to Soller. The gardens do contain a lot of cobblestones and steps but if you think it could be manageable I'd highly recommend it. I've been a number of times at different times of year and it's lovely to see the changes.

There are also a lot of steps in the castle not least the very narrow winding staircases without handrails. The museum is very small so it won't take long to visit it but it is interesting, my kids very much enjoyed the instruments of torture! The view from the castle is particularly spectacular.

Five hours doesn't give you much time considering you have to make your way to Bunyola, have lunch and then return to Palma for the castle but I guess that's the downside of shore excursions.

Good Morning jC and thank you

Unfortunately cruise excursions are often rushed and that is one of the complaints.

I can handle cobblestones but very carefully so, but that is also true of all ground surfaces. Since I am now using a cane, maybe it will be easier next time.

I would not be able to walk up the steps to the top of the castle. With a handrail, i might be able to get to the first or maybe the second level but not without a handrail.

Appreciate your feedback.

In rereading some of the comments, I am going to do further research about Bellver Castle. I want to see how many steps there are from the coach to the grounds of the castle.

I would hate to only be able to see the castle from "down below". It is one thing not to be able to climb stairs to the top of the castle but something else not to be able to climb stairs to get to the castle.

EDITED

So I went back to the description of the excursion and it is level 2 which is right in the middle but here are some notes at the bottom.

Need To Know:

This tour includes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes of moderate walking/standing. There will be 4 steps to enter/exit the motor coach. Guests will have to manage 40 steps as well as paved and cobble stone surfaces throughout the excursion. The tour is not available to wheelchair guests and may not be suitable for those with mobility concerns who are cautioned to carefully evaluate their personal level of stamina and ability. Casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable, flat walking shoes are suggested.

It might be that we are not going to go to the castle itself but only around the castle and or we might approach the castle but not go inside.

The descriptions are not always clear and it is is almost impossible to get further information.

I am on a NCL Facebook page and might ask the community about Bellvar Castle. Sometimes the community responds.

I found this page regarding disability access for the castle that may be of use: https://disabledaccessibletravel.com/accessibility-bellver-castle/

Thank you JC

Looks like it might be a possibility for me although while I still walk, I have difficulty because of my arthritic knee. But I can still walk. If it is too difficult, I can always turn around and go back towards the coach.

I had a truly terrible time last cruise in October because my doctor had given me a shot to mask the pain and the shot did not work., It never occured to me that the shot might not work. I am better prepared for this trip.

I am still skeptical about the 5 hour excursion. it does not seem to be enough time for all that we are being offered / promised.

And besides being rushed, the tour guides almost walk too fast, like speed walking. They are on "borrowed" time

I do like this excursion however but Palma has 17 excursions while other ports have only 5 and even none.

I had a day in Naples when my cruise ship docked there. Took an excursion to Pompeii in the morning. Ate lunch back on the ship, then took a taxi to the museum which was uphill. Walked back.

Alarm bells went off when I read your post. The biggest issues you had on your last vacation all surrounded taking independent based shore excursions and inability to walk without significant pain. We are all hopeful that medical intervention will help with the walking. Only good planning will solve the issue of unsatisfactory port excursions. Make sure you spend what needs to be spent to have better experiences this time. You’ve invested too much in this vacation to cheap out on the excursions and end up lost and bewildered again.

Good Morning Carol NR

Happy New Year and thank you for your concern. I have my concerns also.

I am doing my P. T. which is really only exercises although she massaged my knee and leg last time. I am doing a lot of quality exercising at home including using a pedal gadget I got on Amazon. Watching lots of youtube videos about managing arthritic knees even bone to bone.

I have almost no pain doing my exercises and using my gadget. In fact, it feels good. Having very little pain walking in my apartment or within the building. The pain is when I walk on surfaces like the ground.

I have just ordered a better knee brace through my health care plan and a very good ultra heating pad. I am now using a cane. For now, I am back to Voltaren.

There does seem to be some improvement .

I was not prepared last cruise. I expected my injection to work and it did not. I had nothing else to turn to when the injections did not work

I do not want surgery unless I really must for more than one reason but it seems like once you have one surgery, another is close behind. People say, I have had two knee replacements and one hip and so glad that I have. Well, I don't want one yet alone three. It seem that when you replace one, something else gives out.

First, you deal with the pain and then the surgery and then the recovery. And then again. And then again.

For this cruise, I am also being more selective about excursions. I am more realistic and aware. I may have to do the Level I Panoramic Excursions.

I know that I might have another not so good experience when it comes to this upcoming cruise. Maybe not as bad as last one but still not so good. If so, I will then schedule surgery.

FYI. My doctor feels the P. T. will not work and I will be needing surgery but I was told the same with my spinal stenosis. And my spinal stenosis has been managed through exercises.

Have you been to Barcelona and or the Mediterranean?

it is about time for me to book air. There are no non stops from Austin to Barcelona.

I think that you have responded to some of my posts about my upcoming cruise. Are you the person who suggested that I fly to Heathrow and then on to Barcelona. I also think that you told me you have not been to Barcelona.

At Palma the Soller Railway is a good tour to consider. The most scenic route of quite a large surviving railway network on the island (used to be an even bigger network). I know it is graded at Level 2- but that is because of the walking tour of Soller. While it would be a shame to dip out on that walk, presumably it would be possible on the day.
For those who are able to navigate their way round more successfully it is relatively easy to do that independently, but that is a non starter in your case.

Well...I would not be one to dispense medical advice on the internet to strangers.

That said, I do think there's plenty of validity to the old saw (often attributed to Einstein) that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, which sure looks like it could apply here.

And if your doc says PT won't work to address the issues you are facing...what reason do you have to disagree with their professional assessment? OK, so you're not eager to go under the knife (who is?). My advice (worth what you paid for it) would be to get a second (and maybe a third) opinion about that specifically. If all the trained professionals (more or less) agree on that, then that should tell you something.

I will share this: You seem to be attracted to Mediterranean cruise ship ports, old cities with charm. Things those all seem to have in common include: plenty of uneven pavement, lots of cobblestones, LOTS of stairs, and plenty of vertical terrain. If you have significant mobility issues and pain when confronted by uneven pavement, cobblestones, stairs, and going up/down all the time...it's worth asking, what's wrong with this picture? (And what's the best way to address that?).

I wish you good luck, good health, and happy travels no matter what you choose to do.

...not realize how big Naples was. It would probably be best if I stick with a shore excursion offered through my cruise line.

Good thinking. Naples is one of several places where we have seen people running along the pier trying to get back to the ship after the ship had cast off. If you are on a excursion through the cruise line, the ship will wait if your return is delayed. In some small ports, it's ok to do it yourself as long as you can get back to the ship by foot. But I'd not try it in Naples.

I'm looking at this health matter a bit differently. It is your decision whether to have the operation or not, but time is very definitely ticking now.
What significantly worries me, is that if something happens to you in Europe directly related to your knee (or, as I understand it, other medical issues you have) will your travel insurance cover you for those pre-existing medical conditions?- do they clearly understand the entirety of your medical case notes- and have clearly agreed to them in writing ('phone is not good enough). I don't want to see a Go Fund Me page ultimately appearing.
Please don't disappoint us by saying you don't have insurance.
From the start, when you switched from the Eastern Med out of Israel, you had two choices- Western Med or West Coast of America- YVR to LAX via Mexico from memory. Given the entirety of your circumstances my own view was and remains that the western US would have been the more prudent option.
As your operation is at best now further delayed, I feel more than ever that that is still the case.

isn31c and everyone else

I have a Medicare Advantage Plan which will not cover me in Europe. I do buy insurance through Norwegian but I am not sure what it covers. It may not cover pre-existing conditions.

Except for my knee, my health is pretty good and my knee is doing better.

I just took a short walk around my building and there was almost no knee pain.

I m very conservative about surgery. I am not opposed to surgery but feel that it should be used as a last option. My doctor feels that P.T will not work but is allowing me to try. I also have spinal stenosis and my doctors years back felt that P,T would not work but it did!

If i have another terrible time on this next cruise like the last one, I will not be crying on anyone's shoulder I will accept full responsibility and anyone is welcome to tell me "I told you so"

I do not yet have the trip planned and I am already thinking about the trip report. I will mention the knee first thing in the trip report and then write about the trip as though the knee was no issue at all. I will write about planes, hotels and ports. It is going to be informative and entertaining.

Now for those who have been

What do you think about this excursion: This one is Level One and accessible to disabled but that does not say anything about bad knees

The restaurant at the end gets mixed reviews on Trip Adviser. But. someone on a Norwegian Cruise gave it a very good review.

I have really gotten hooked on Bellver Castle

Panoramic Coastal vistas
DETAILS
5 hrs
Meal

Limited Accessibility
Gaze out over the sea from several spectacularly scenic hilltops, where you will tour a 14th-century castle and the former palace of an Austrian archduke.

After departing from the pier, you will soon arrive at Bellver Castle, a spectacular Gothic landmark from the 14th century. Its round design is unusual among Spanish castles, and although seemingly impenetrable, the fortress never served a defensive purpose.

As you ramble about the hilltop castle taking photos, you will appreciate the origin of its name, which means “lovely view” in Catalan. Few panoramas are quite so beautiful.

Continuing on, you will enjoy a picturesque drive inland, passing through Valldemossa, the island’s highest town. Still renowned for Polish composer Fréderic Chopin and French author George Sand spending the winter of 1838-1839 in a monastery here, the town has retained its atmospheric charm.

Nearby, you will find Son Marroig, the former palace of Archduke Luis Salvador of Austria. The estate is handsomely decorated with period furnishings and makes quite the setting for you to enjoy an aperitif under the Carrara marble rotunda that overlooks the sea. The oddly shaped rock formation that you will see jutting into the water is Na Foradada, which means “pierced rock,” a reference to the gaping 60-foot vertical hole in the center of the rock.

The panoramic view from the nearby Mirador de Na Foradada restaurant will be just as magnificent. Lunch will consist of a traditional mixed paella cooked over a wood-fired grill.

Need To Know:

The tour is available to wheelchair guests who have a collapsible wheelchair, can make their own way on and off the vehicle and have an able-bodied companion to assist them. This tour includes approximately one hour of walking and few steps to negotiate. Those guests with mobility concerns are cautioned to evaluate their personal level of ability and stamina. Casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable, flat walking shoes are suggested.

isn31c

I like the Soller Railway. I love trains but I am kinda hooked on Bellver Castle. What do yoi think of the excursion that I just posted.

But it is a possibility. I m shopping for an excursion.

David in Seattle

I have a Medicare Advantage plan and it is not so simple to get a second or third opinion. I always need a referral from my PCP.

I saw an Orthopedist about a two years ago who diagnosed my arthritis. At the time, he did not feel that i needed surgery and wanted to refer me to physical therapy. I declined because I felt that I could learn through youtube videos

Since then, the clinic I was going to shut down and I had to change clinics and doctors. My new doctor is a D.O and he feels that I need surgery. I asked him if he would refer me to an Orthopedist and he said "no because I did not want surgery". Maybe I should have said "yes I want surgery" just to see an Orthopedist.

So I have now decided to try physical therapy which was what the Orthopedist suggested two years ago.

If i am in as much pain on my next cruise as my last one, then I have to see an Orthopedic Surgeon.

But I have learned a lot about managing arthritis even getting in touch with an Arthritis Association and getting a lot of materials.

Maybe it is in my head but I am seeing improvement.

I walk every day. I live on a. greenbelt.and lake. I walk on uneven surfaces every day. I walk up many stairs but holding on to handrails. I walk up hilly areas.

EDIT. I went to my records and I was diagnosed October 2022 so it is less than a year and a half when I was frst diagnosed.

I’ve had two knee replacements and felt so much better after healing from them, which took about 6-8 weeks each time.
You obviously want to travel and see some great sights, but I feel you are holding yourself back by denying yourself the option of surgery.
I was a nurse for 43 years, and saw many people have great improvement in the quality of life after joint replacement surgeries.
Do you want to be more mobile now and have lots more cruises to look forward to, or in 10-20 years time when you finally have no other option other than surgery?
If it’s fear of surgery, there are plenty ways to get over that, one of which is finding others who’ve had it done and can give you good positive advice.
I’m sure I sound a bit harsh, but what on earth are you waiting for?

Good Middle of The Night S J

I am not afraid of the surgery and I know many persons who have had all kinds of replacements. And mostly, everyone is happy withe replacement but some are not and have advised me against having surgery unless I must.

It ia not even the money although I will have some kind of co pay. and while money might be an issue, that is not the problem.

The problem is that I have no one to help me after surgery. I have no immediate family left and no family in this area at all. I have a few friends but their lives are complicated. I can not count on friends

I have a Medicare Advantage Plan, an HMO.

I would have to depend on social services and my health care plan. They do not even want to keep you in the hospital these days or send you to a rehab center. They want you in and out in the United States. I see that you are in Canada and we have a different health care system.

I am 78, going on 79 in March. Who knows where I might be in 10 years let alone 20 years. I doubt that i will be traveling in 10 years yet alone 20 years.

This cruise that I am taking come October will be the last one that i can take before needing to have my passport renewed. .The situation with passport renewal seems to be improving but it was sometimes taking months to get a renewed passport.

I thought that would be a good time to have surgery.

I like the look of that Castle tour. Unlike Cannes where I too am uninspired by the tours on offer, Palma has a great range of tours available where you are spoiled for choice. If that is the one which grabs you then book it.
It looks as if the only walking is at the Castle, and you could tailor that on the day.
I am not especially interested in restaurant reviews- especially if they are mixed.
Personally I would not do Palma on a cruise because of the location of the new port- and have rejected Western/Central Med cruises on the basis of them including Palma. That is because of the poor location of the cruise port which does not suit my way of travelling and what I want to do on a cruise- the time inconvenience of the public bus into the railway stations (the intermodal station for Soller, the subway and the main line trains) at peak cruise flow times.
I don't mind arriving in to the port by ferry as you have a much longer day, even if it is just a day trip from the mainland (as opposed to staying on the island)- and don't have the same peak passenger flows.
The way I would do Soller personally is train one way and public bus the other way.
Whereas I would not hesitate to do Naples on a cruise using public transit from the port. But then, unlike many cruise passengers I can tell the time and regulate my day accordingly, and ensure that my watch/phone whatever are on the correct time zone.

The tour that you've posted mentions driving through Valdemossa but it doesn't state whether it stops there. Having seen the number of coach tours from the cruise lines I suspect that it probably does. If so you need to be aware that Valdemossa is very hilly and uneven. I note that the tour is described as suitable for wheelchairs however it does contain the caveat that wheelchair users need to be accompanied by someone able to provide assistance. It is possible to travel around in a wheelchair but you certainly need someone fit to push it around.

Likewise for Deia, it too is very hilly (these are mountain villages) but again, I don't know how much walking is involved. The mountains are a fantastic part of the island, certainly my favourite, so a tour in the area is very much recommended however only you will know how suitable it is for you and unfortunately that's unlikely to be established without personally experiencing it.

isn31c

I have kinda gotten hooked on The Castle. I have been watching youtube videos and noticed an older man using a cane walking down the stairs that lead to The Castle grounds. There are handrails in the middle of the stairs. He was holding on and he did have a younger man assisting him as he walked down the stairs.

I am not as disabled as this man and maybe I am even younger so I should be able to manage the stairs leading to the Castle Grounds. Inside The Castle might be a different story but how much time are we going to have. The entire excursion is only 5 hours and we have a meal as well..

Palma does offer a wealth of excursions unlike other ports but I think more will be dropped.

Hi JC

The excursion is listed as Level 1 which is supposed to be the least challenging but there is no one directly involved with the excursions to ask further questions of.

Sometimes you do not have the answers until you are actually on the excursion and "doing it"

Norwegian no longer allows guests to post reviews of the excursions.

CruiseCritic no longer offers reviews of individual ports and excursions. You can try to search for your itinerary but it is often difficult to find reviews of ports.

I am on Norwegian Facebook pages and have posted a couple of questions about the ports and the excursions but. no responses thus far.

R S remains the best forum to get answers about my ports and excursions.

Yes, I get that, and I’m so sorry you have no one nearby to help.
A neighbour had her hip replaced and had food delivered from the grocery store.
Physio came to her house.
She didn’t let us know it was all happening until after, but managed it all herself.
Could you do that, perhaps.

I am thankful every day to live in Canada, as far as healthcare is concerned.
Our system is not perfect, but we don’t pay for surgery, or post op physio, after joint replacements.
I got 8 weeks of twice a week physio after my knee surgeries.
We do pay for it all with our taxes and that is expected and fine with me.

Just keep up your exercises , do them religiously to keep mobile!

I find it interesting that you write

They do not even want to keep you in the hospital these days or send you to a rehab center. They want you in and out in the United States.

I had a friend in hospital in Seattle after a serious fall earlier this year, and she had to petition the hospital to be allowed out after almost 2 months- and had to prove that she had support in place to be able to win her case and was able and willing to attend out patient care for several more months. Although I never asked I'm pretty sure she was either paying or it was covered by insurance- so it may be different under Medicare. The hospital was adamant that she needed to stay as an in patient for a good while longer, due to her circumstances.

Hi Mary from Massachusetts

My diabetes is well managed and considered under control. Doctor is happy with last A1C.

Doctor tells me that I am in Stage 2 kidney failure but he told me that it was normal for persons in my age group who have diabetes. He tells me that most persons in my age group with diabetes are in Stage 2 kidney failure.

But for my arthritic knee, doctor is happy with my health.

I am trying to build stamina and one way is by doing my exercises religiously every day and then some.

I have.a long ways to go go but then my cruise is not until October.

isn31c

A fall is one thing and scheduled knee replacement or hip replacement is another.

And it sometimes depends on insurance. Your friend might have very good insurance. My plan might not allow me to stay in the hospital more than one night. I only have Medicare and even then just a HMO.

I have a friend who has Medicare plus a private insurance from her former job. She had a hip replacement. She was only allowed one night in the hospital and no rehab center. She had to stay with a friend for a week and even though she is now home, other friends are having to come over and help.

Welcome to the healthcare system in the United States.