Bon voyage – care home sisters set sail on a dream cruise

90-year-old twin sisters who live in the same care home climbed aboard a cruise ship and fulfilled their dream of going on holiday together after a two-year delay.  

The siblings, Pauline Robinson and Patricia Friis, who both live at Care UK’s Mountbatten Grange, on Helston Lane, had previously booked onto a cruise which was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The duo was talking about how they have dreamed of embarking on a cruise ever since their original holiday was paused. A member of the Care UK team overheard the conversation and set about organising the cruise to fulfill their dream holiday. 

The pair – joined by Care UK team members, Debbie Winwood and Clare Hibbert – set sail from the dock in Southampton and enjoyed a three-night cruise that took them to France, Belgium and then back again. While on their trip, the twins enjoyed the sites of Port Chantereyne-Cherbourg and saw the Le Roudoutable submarine. When onboard they indulged in quizzes, discos, drinking pina coladas and eating delicious food. 

Patricia said: “We had the most wonderful time making memories with each other and we will always treasure those moments. We really enjoyed the food, the luxurious atmosphere, dancing and all of the activities on the ship. We were treated so well onboard, we couldn’t have asked for anything more from the crew. 

“It brought back memories of us when we were younger as they were providing us with cocktails and whiskey and ginger! We felt like celebrities as we had the chance to have our photographs taken with the captains of the cruise ship. It was a truly exciting experience.”

Pauline added: “We met so many wonderful people on the cruise and had so many people in tears as we were telling them all about our past and our current lives. So many people loved hearing about the current chapter of our life. It’s been great reliving the memories as we’ve told the residents back at Mountbatten Grange.”

Debbie Winwood, Home Manager at Mountbatten Grange, said: “It’s a huge privilege for us to be able to fulfill residents’ wishes and this one was no exception. I was delighted to be able to join them on their travels and I know the residents enjoyed waving them off from Mountbatten Grange and welcoming them back again. They’ve kept us smiling ever since their return as they’ve been regaling us with stories from their wonderful trip.

“This wish meant a lot to the team as Pauline and Patricia’s original cruise had been cancelled due to the pandemic and they were worried they might not get the chance to go on holiday together. We’re delighted that a member of the team overheard their conversation and was able to help make their dream come true.”

Mountbatten Grange is a care home that provides residential, nursing and short-term respite care, as well as specialist dementia care. The home features 72 en-suite bedrooms and enables residents to live active and fulfilled lives while also promoting independence. Mountbatten Grange has its own café, hair and beauty salon and cinema. 

To find out more about Mountbatten Grange, please contact Customer Relations Manager, Tracey Van Zyl, on Trac.VanZyl@careuk.com, call 01753 307978 or visit careuk.com/care-homes/mountbatten-grange-windsor.