How Well Do Cruise Lines Accommodate Hadicap Passengers?

As far as I know those handicap signs are NOT for specific passengers.  I have found that the crew start unloading wheelchair passengers as soon as disembarkation is announced and they keep at it until done.  It could depend on cruise line.  I have not had a problem in this regard.

I have sailed with a handicapped person and now sail handicapped myself,  I have found that assistance varies greatly between cruise lines.  I would give Norwegian an F and Holland America an A.   Other passengers make a big difference also.  Been on cruises where passengers were polite and considerate and others ones where they were extremely rude.  On excursions, I have found all staff extremely helpful.  Fellow passengers ..... not so much.  I do take the handicapped seats and have had to very pointedly request able bodied people to move their butts.  On some buses, there were more handicapped people than allotted seats, but the operator remedied that by allotting more seats, so you may not have sat in the front row but the one behind it.  The seats  were never reserved beforehand for particular passengers.

I have sailed with a handicapped person and now sail handicapped myself,  I have found that assistance varies greatly between cruise lines.  I would give Norwegian an F and Holland America an A.   Other passengers make a big difference also.  Been on cruises where passengers were polite and considerate and others ones where they were extremely rude.  On excursions, I have found all staff extremely helpful.  Fellow passengers ..... not so much.  I do take the handicapped seats and have had to very pointedly request able bodied people to move their butts.  On some buses, there were more handicapped people than allotted seats, but the operator remedied that by allotting more seats, so you may not have sat in the front row but the one behind it.  The seats  were never reserved beforehand for particular passengers.

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 am physically disabled and use a power chair or walker to get around. I find that cruising is one of the best vacations for someone with limited mobility as the majority of ships are handicap-accessible. I have cruised on most major lines (Disney, Norwegian, Princess, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean) multiple times and know how to make the best of my vacation: 1. Book as early as possible (over a year in advance) to get a handicapped cabin. I just booked Norwegian Epic for Dec. 2016 and got the cabin of my choice. 2. Arrive at the cruise terminal early as the lines will often allow priority boarding, eliminating the crush of people trying to get on around you. 3. Because everyone has to be at the muster station, plan on getting there early so you skip the elevator crush. Some lines excuse limited mobility guests before the drill is over (be ready to take advantage of this if offered) or wait until everyone is gone (and then some) so that the elevators empty out. It is very annoying to have to wait forever to fit in an elevator while able-bodied people rush to get in first. 4. Along the lines of waiting for an elevator, if it is at a rush time, consider taking the elevator in the opposite direction - if everyone is heading down to deck one to go ashore, take the elevator first to the the top deck (often an empty ride) before riding all the way down. 5. Study the seating area in the theaters as very often handicap seating is both in the back rows and down in front - get there early so you can choose where you want to sit. 6. I have found that the room stewards are incredibly helpful, offering to do anything that they can to make things easier for a disabled guest. The same is true for those on the Lido deck - they always offer to carry my plate, get stuff for me, find me a table, etc. If by chance someone doesn't offer, they still are more than ready to help if I request it. 7. Shore excursions are very iffy unless actually listed as handicap-accessible. Very limited walking does not mean the same thing to an able-bodied person as it does to someone who struggles to walk (with a walker) more than a few feet. I have had some severe disappointments in this area and often just remain on the ship, especially as most people are off of it! I love to cruise and I think that the best way to do so in my condition is to plan ahead and be realistic about the crowds. A few thousand people might all be headed to the same area of the ship at one time so I plan on getting there early to avoid the bottleneck and any disappointment. The guests on board are just like they are at home - many are very courteous and helpful and then there are the ones who push past and cut in front of the power chair just because they want to get there first and also those who make no effort to control their children, allowing them to stand in your way. That's life and just something that disabled people have to deal with. If you are physically disabled or traveling with someone who is, cruising is a great way to vacation - but the key to a great trip is in the planning and in being realistic as to what works for you. If you are not challenged with any mobility issues, be considerate of those who are as you can make the difference in how well they enjoy their cruise.

I have sailed with a handicapped person and now sail handicapped myself,  I have found that assistance varies greatly between cruise lines.  I would give Norwegian an F and Holland America an A.   Other passengers make a big difference also.  Been on cruises where passengers were polite and considerate and others ones where they were extremely rude.  On excursions, I have found all staff extremely helpful.  Fellow passengers ..... not so much.  I do take the handicapped seats and have had to very pointedly request able bodied people to move their butts.  On some buses, there were more handicapped people than allotted seats, but the operator remedied that by allotting more seats, so you may not have sat in the front row but the one behind it.  The seats The seats were never reserved for particular passengers.

I think if there is a handicapped person trying to do anything, an attentive crew member would stop and at least ask if he/she wanted their assistance.  It's not rocket science... LOL.