Have any of you traveled with someone needing extra help with mobility? Or, perhaps you yourself need extra help. Do you find that the crew goes out of their way to assist? I know that there are specific cabins for those in wheelchairs which is great. I know that elevators make getting around the ship easier. Is the handicapped passenger given seating close to the door in the MDR? Do you receive help exiting the ship in ports? On tenders? In the theater?
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Contributor Level:
Admiral
How Well Do Cruise Lines Accommodate Hadicap Passengers?
39 Answers
Contributor Level:
Admiral
Originally posted by:
BAK1061
I wouldn't give Norwegian an F. They get an A, from us anyway. I don't know what your experience was, but ours has always been good. Like I said, if you ask for help, you'll get it. We have yet to have an issue with service on any of the lines we have cruised on.
I agree with what was stated regarding booking as early as possible. Accessible cabins are in short supply. And as I learned from experience, don't let someone on the phone try to determine how disabled someone in your party is. If you need the cabin, book it. Don't worry about the person who is booking tomorrow. I know that sounds mean, but I let someone talk me out of a HC cabin once. The cabin we got was so small, my wife's rollator barely fit. Luckily, someone with a HC cabin didn't show up, and we were offered the cabin. Which we took possession of at around 11:00 pm.
I guess that everyone's experience is different. Perhaps some passengers are reluctant to ask for help. Good to know that you aren't one of them.
Contributor Level:
Captain
BAK1061 - It is amazing, huh? It rather sad the lack of understanding/empathy on both sides of this fence (those who use them versus those who do not) seen on our recent cruises.
People who require assistive devices have more difficulty getting onto elevators and around the ship. A few people try to be helpful but by and large people allow elevator doors to close before someone a tad slower can get in.
On the other side of this issue are those using scooters who almost knock people down to get where they want to be or who leave their equipment in public passageways despite clear guidance that scooters and the like are to be kept in their cabin. Sure, this equipment takes up space in one's cabin and are sometimes challenging to get in and out of the doorway but the alternative is blocking a public access way and causing a safety issue for hundreds of fellow passengers. No one is entitled to do that.
It's getting a bit more contentious and a bit more tolerance and understanding on both sides would go a long way.
Contributor Level:
Captain
Originally posted by:
glomarrone
I was surprised to hear that seats were reserved for specific passengers. If so, their name or just cabin number should be on the seat so there is no misunderstanding.
I agree with this and have to ask that this be done.
Contributor Level:
Captain
It's amazing conversations are over walkers and scooters.
Contributor Level:
Admiral
Originally posted by:
CruisingCM
FYI - another important consideration
On a recent northern European cruise, we noticed that RC provided excursions for both able and accessibility-needs passengers.
On our So.Pac cruise, we noted that Princess excursion descriptions were highly detailed as to number of walking steps, incline steps, terrain, and accessibility issues. This allows passengers to decide for themselves. Princess also offered small group excursions which are easier for physically challenged passengers who are not necessarily wheelchair-bound.
How wonderful that there are so many options.
Contributor Level:
Captain
One of my sister-in-laws really likes to cruise. Unfortunately her husband has a stability problem and some years ago he took a real header on a cruise. I forget which cruise line it was on. It scared him so bad he never wanted to sail again.
Last year she talked him into doing it once more, he very reluctantly agreed. It was a three weeker on the Seven Seas Mariner. He uses a wheel chair a lot any more. They got one of the mini-suites on the ship which is about all they have on that ship except this suite was set up for limited mobility guests and it was a little larger, the ship has a number of these on each deck. It so happened we were getting off the ship as they were getting on it. So I had went into their future cabin just before our disembarkation. I was impressed. Incidentally Beritz rates this ship's wheel chair accessibility as "Best".
They (he) really loved the cruise, not only did they like the cabin but the crew waited on him hand and foot, special diets, special beer and all. I didn't have to take just their word for how much they appreciated the voyage either as I got the lowdown from other family members who were on board too along with a small group they like to travel with.
Contributor Level:
Captain
Originally posted by:
amikaa
Glad your experience was good on Norwegian. As you could probably tell, mine was not. I was in a wheel chair recovering from unexpected hip surgery. I found the crew really clueless on dealing with someone in a wheelchair. I was on the Pearl and also found that the public handicapped washrooms were in funny places, just not well thought out. I was having to make the same requests repeatedly. My favorite was me struggling to get through the Lido cafeteria and passing 3 officers talking among themselves and not one took notice. . I think I must have passed them at least 3 times. I found that on Holland America, I have a crew member offering assistance very shortly after arriving in the dinning area. I also had issues with other cruising expectations that were not met, so that also reflects on why I will not sail with Norwegian again.
wow that is really surprising. You should have rolled over a foot. Then they would have noticed you. Norwegian has always been very accommodating to my wife, and now, me. As I stated, there are a couple of ways to get a tray. Sometimes we don't give it up and use it for the week. Especially if I go out at night to the 24hr food venue, or if I am bringing breakfast back to my wife in the morning.
Contributor Level:
Admiral
Originally posted by:
amikaa
WOW I didn't know that the handicapped seats on excursions could be specially reserved for someone. Shouldn't any handicapped person be allowed to sit in them? Who is to say that one handicapped person is more handicapped than another. Instead of asking for such preferential treatment, ask the operator to provide more seats. Most will accommodate.
I agree with your comments about the inconsiderate passengers. It can get very frustrating.
As for the scooter, I believe that you can rent one for use on the ship. The only problem with that is that some of the people using them, aren't use to them and can create interesting problems. On my last cruise there was one such passenger and I had to keep a very careful lookout for her or risk getting run into. LOL
I was surprised to hear that seats were reserved for specific passengers. If so, their name or just cabin number should be on the seat so there is no misunderstanding.
Contributor Level:
Admiral
Originally posted by:
CruisingCM
amikaa - We worked directly with RCL's accessible excursion desk when arranging our itinerary in Europe this spring. RCL reached out to each tour operator who promised us we would have a seat reserved at the front of the motor coach. One of the operators even put our last name on the reserved signage.
This was a great idea!
Contributor Level:
Second Mate
Originally posted by:
BAK1061
I wouldn't give Norwegian an F. They get an A, from us anyway. I don't know what your experience was, but ours has always been good. Like I said, if you ask for help, you'll get it. We have yet to have an issue with service on any of the lines we have cruised on.
I agree with what was stated regarding booking as early as possible. Accessible cabins are in short supply. And as I learned from experience, don't let someone on the phone try to determine how disabled someone in your party is. If you need the cabin, book it. Don't worry about the person who is booking tomorrow. I know that sounds mean, but I let someone talk me out of a HC cabin once. The cabin we got was so small, my wife's rollator barely fit. Luckily, someone with a HC cabin didn't show up, and we were offered the cabin. Which we took possession of at around 11:00 pm.
Glad your experience was good on Norwegian. As you could probably tell, mine was not. I was in a wheel chair recovering from unexpected hip surgery. I found the crew really clueless on dealing with someone in a wheelchair. I was on the Pearl and also found that the public handicapped washrooms were in funny places, just not well thought out. I was having to make the same requests repeatedly. My favorite was me struggling to get through the Lido cafeteria and passing 3 officers talking among themselves and not one took notice. . I think I must have passed them at least 3 times. I found that on Holland America, I have a crew member offering assistance very shortly after arriving in the dinning area. I also had issues with other cruising expectations that were not met, so that also reflects on why I will not sail with Norwegian again.
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39 Answers