Is the room bigger?

[sdpoulin1]

Our TA booked us in a wheelchair accessible room(not on request)5054 on the Westerdam. The room looks bigger in the deck drawing, has anyone stayed in one of these rooms, is it really bigger?

[ekerr19]

They usually are. They need to accomodate wheelchairs. We've had one a couple of times - also not requested - but once HAL did move us as they needed it for a handicapped person.

[IRL_Joanie]

Our TA booked us in a wheelchair accessible room(not on request)5054 on the Westerdam. The room looks bigger in the deck drawing, has anyone stayed in one of these rooms, is it really bigger?


The Oosterdam is a sister ship to the Westerdam and we were in 5054 on the Westerdam in May 2008.
I have tons of photos of our stateroom here along with descriptions of it. http://joanjett2000.topcities.com/HAL/Oosterdam/index.html
Back up (in case main site is down) http://abqreunion2008.com/Oosterdam/index.html

It is a lot larger than a regular stateroom and is absolutely wonderful!

The only drawback is that there is only 1 sink. But that was not a problem for us, but you have no storage area under the sink.

There is no tub, only a shower area with a drain in the floor for drainage, a fold down seat for the shower. At night, I would park my Scooter in the bathroom and had it charging from the nightstand electrical outlet.

Also, another plus to me is that the verandah appears to be larger because of the stateroom being in what I call the bend of the ship (it has been pointed out to me by other CC members that the verandah is actually not larger, but it looked like it to me.)

I loved this stateroom!!!

Joanie

[uppitycats]

Our TA booked us in a wheelchair accessible room(not on request)5054 on the Westerdam. The room looks bigger in the deck drawing, has anyone stayed in one of these rooms, is it really bigger?

Yes, it's bigger. It's bigger because those of us who use wheelchairs for mobility -- who cannot walk, and need to use a wheelchair -- need the space to maneuver in the cabin, and into the bathroom.

You'll also find no threshhold between the bathroom and cabin. Able bodied people find this inconvenient, because if they stay in the shower (there is likely no tub, but a shower) the water tends to flow out of the bathroom and gets the rest of the carpeting wet in the bedroom/sitting area. You may also find that there isn't the same kind of furniture as you'd find in a regular cabin -- often things like plush couches and overstuffed chairs are moved out of there so that we have room for our chair and scooter.

How far away is your cruise? If it's several months out, you have plenty of time to do the right thing and book a regular cabin so that someone who actually needs the space might be able to cruise.

Generally a cruise line will not move someone from a cabin. Yes, I know they say they will. And yes, occasionally it happens. But it is a rare and unusual occurance. Just ask those of us with disabilities who have to book 8 months or more away from when we'd like to cruise, just to acquire one of the few accessible cabins available on most ships!

[CowPrincess]

Our old TA put us in one too... I found out after the fact, when we were switched out of it. I told her not to do that anymore. :)

I'm really REALLY surprised that able-bodied pax can book the HC cabins -- they are at SUCH a premium, and so many HAL cruisers seem to need mobility aids. I'd think HAL would insist on proof of need before giving out a HC cabin.

[pms4104]

I'm really REALLY surprised that able-bodied pax can book the HC cabins -- they are at SUCH a premium, and so many HAL cruisers seem to need mobility aids. I'd think HAL would insist on proof of need before giving out a HC cabin.
I do not think HAL requires proof of need for HC cabin ... also, I do not think that if a passenger selects one that HAL can ask, legally, whether one needs it or what one's disability might be.

[ekerr19]

I'm really REALLY surprised that able-bodied pax can book the HC cabins -- they are at SUCH a premium, and so many HAL cruisers seem to need mobility aids. I'd think HAL would insist on proof of need before giving out a HC cabin.

We found out after the fact too, just like the OP!!! We didn't request it either. I don't know what my TA was thinking, other than she thought we'd want extra room.... I told her not to do it again, as we don't need it.

[IRL_Joanie]

I never said, "I insist on keeping it." I spoke to the TA and he said no more available, and any changes I would have to pay for. I told him to make a note that I am willing to move. Said he would. I should not have to pay more for a booking problem just like a HC person should not have to pay more for a HC room. I have NEVER been attacked like this on this board. Maybe knowing all the facts before you jump on someone might be a good idea....you think???


sdpoulin1, I am handicapped and made special note of it when I booked our first cruise 2 years ago on the Oosterdam through HAL. I use a scooter, a walker and a cane for mobility.

I read your post and showed you photos and gave you my thoughts on the stateroom. I did not blame you then, nor do I blame you now for accepting what may in all likelihood be the last stateroom available in your category.

Please understand that not all mobility/handicapped cruisers know about the HC staterooms. Unless they mention it to their TA or HAL PCC they just assume there is no option.

On our 1st cruise, there was a lady and her family staying a few staterooms down from us. The lady brought along her HoverRound. It was way to big to fit through her standard sized stateroom door, nor would there have been anywhere inside the stateroom to park it. I asked her if she would like to change staterooms (which had the adjoining stateroom door) and she refused. Stated she would just park her HoverRound by the Glass elevators whenever she was not using it. She did not want a HC stateroom.

So, please do not be ashamed or refuse to take the stateroom if that is all you can book. It costs you and I the same.

And two other things: 1.) moving staterooms has been mentioned by another CC member and you've already informed your TA that you are willing to move. 2.) The drain in the bathroom did not seep or leak in any way into the rest of the stateroom on the Oosterdam, There was a lip approximately 1 inch high across the doorway into the bathroom that kept that from happening.

I am happy to see you on board and in a stateroom of any kind and happy to say welcome to CC.

And to other CC'rs that do not feel the way I do, that the OP is not guilty of anything, take it up with HAL please, not the OP, who has already done what can be done for someone who may need or want the stateroom. The OP can do no more other than to not cruise at all, and where is the fairness in that?

Joanie

[ekerr19]

Seems to me you missed my point ! HAL will not make you move !!!
Your TA has booked you in this cabin - and it is off the inventory. A couple
of times people have posted that they were willing to move ...but that is
very rare. Once booked - the cabin is off the Inventory. Sorry
the category you want is not available. But is that a reason to continue
to keep a handicap accessible cabin when you state you don't need it ?
You have many choices. ..........

YES, they WILL ask you to move!!! It happened to us!!! Please, this is our first hand experience - HAL called us and asked us to change our cabin and we readily agreed!!!!

WE DID NOT KNOW it has a H/C accessible cabin when it was assigned to us!

[Maxine]

How would you like to find out that the week you want to cruise, there are no HC available -- and you are booking almost a year out?
And how about finding your second choice of weeks is also not possible.
Because someone who decided he or she "deserves" the extra space -- not requires it, but somehow deserves it -- booked it.

How many cabins are there on the Westerdam that an able-bodied person can book? 800? 900?
And how many that a handicapped person can book? 28.

Please do not encourage someone like this.


Several years ago we were assiged a HC cabin on a Carnival cruise. We did not request it. The cruiseline told us that if a handicapped person needed the cabin we would be moved. They didn't and we weren't moved - but certainly we were not in the cabin because we wanted a larger space.

[sapper1]

Even though your cabin category is full, you may be able to unbook your specific cabin and request a guarantee cabin in your category. That way you will at least get a cabin in the category you paid for and could possibly be upgraded. I may be way off base, but it is worth a try. It doesn't hurt to ask---- the worst that can happen is that they say "no"

[CowPrincess]

Depending on when the OP is sailing, perhaps there's very little chance of that cabin being required for HC (sailing soon rather than many months or more out). Personally, I think it is asking a LOT of the OP to give up a cabin that may not be needed for HC, and take a chance on a guarantee.

We know too little about the situation to be demanding or requesting or suggesting that the OP change his/her booking IMHO.

[sapper1]

Depending on when the OP is sailing, perhaps there's very little chance of that cabin being required for HC (sailing soon rather than many months or more out). Personally, I think it is asking a LOT of the OP to give up a cabin that may not be needed for HC, and take a chance on a guarantee.

We know too little about the situation to be demanding or requesting or suggesting that the OP change his/her booking IMHO.
I didn't mean to sound as though I was demanding. It seemed as though the OP wouldn't mind changing if another in her category was available and I just made that suggestion. Sorry if it came out wrongly worded.

[gabbyisadog]

You're right. You did not know. Now you do. And now you know you have an unthinking and uncaring travel agent, who would do such a thing, without telling you, and without correcting his/her mistake. I hope you consider someone else the next time.

Have a great cruise.


The problem for the physically challenged HAL passenger is with HAL. HAL does not care about your business or they would have a reservation system that would "save" HC cabins for you until say 60 days prior to sailing or a policy to upgrade non-challenged passengers booked in HC cabin if you need one etc etc etc.

Your anger may be justified but not toward this passenger who accepted a cabin in total compliance with HAL rules.

I would be very angry with HAL but alas you probably realize it will do little good so you vent on this passenger.

If she gives up the cabin and pays more it is only one cabin on one ship on one sailing -hardly a solution to the real problem. The problem is HAL's. You should not let them off the hook.

[IRL_Joanie]

The problem for the physically challenged HAL passenger is with HAL. HAL does not care about your business or they would have a reservation system that would "save" HC cabins for you until say 60 days prior to sailing or a policy to upgrade non-challenged passengers booked in HC cabin if you need one etc etc etc.

Your anger may be justified but not toward this passenger who accepted a cabin in total compliance with HAL rules.

I would be very angry with HAL but alas you probably realize it will do little good so you vent on this passenger.

If she gives up the cabin and pays more it is only one cabin on one ship on one sailing -hardly a solution to the real problem. The problem is HAL's. You should not let them off the hook.

gabbyisadog, I posted this in Post #19 above :

"Please understand that not all mobility/handicapped cruisers know about the HC staterooms. Unless they mention it to their TA or HAL PCC they just assume there is no option.

On our 1st cruise, there was a lady and her family staying a few staterooms down from us. The lady brought along her HoverRound. It was way to big to fit through her standard sized stateroom door, nor would there have been anywhere inside the stateroom to park it. I asked her if she would like to change staterooms (which had the adjoining stateroom door) and she refused. Stated she would just park her HoverRound by the Glass elevators whenever she was not using it. She did not want a HC stateroom."

What I am trying to explain is that it, in my opinion, HAL does care. And HAL will do all they can to place a handicapped person in a HC stateroom, BUT the passenger must make HAL aware that they are handicapped.

Joanie

[CowPrincess]

Sapper1, sorry if you thought that was intended for you -- it was not specifically for you -- there were a number of posters saying the OP should give up the cabin. And I just don't think we know enough about the circumstances, y'know? :)

[jtl513]

How far away is your cruise? If it's several months out,

When is you cruise....your signature isn't showing up. :)

Depending on when the OP is sailing, perhaps From the four corrupt attempts at creating a countdown clock I can see that OP is sailing 1/3/2010.

sdpoulin1: If you want to try again on making a countdown clock, use Internet Explorer (not Firefox or Safari etc) to create and install it, and then you can go back to using your preferred browser.

Or, you can edit the string created in your 3rd attempt, replacing the single character appearing between "2010" and "=Beach" with the string "&image"

[sapper1]

Sapper1, sorry if you thought that was intended for you -- it was not specifically for you -- there were a number of posters saying the OP should give up the cabin. And I just don't think we know enough about the circumstances, y'know? :)
I agree-----we don't know. I do know it is a hot button subject and I have every sympathy for the plight of handicapped people. My husband suffered a severe case of sciatica last winter and was wheelchair bound for a while and then had to use a cane for a month. We had a temporary handicap sticker for our car and it was most frustrating when people who didn't have stickers would park in the reserved spots. Fortunately my husband has made a full recovery but I still have a great appreciation for those with mobility problems and treat handicapped spots with great respect.

[HoneyGV]

Depending on when the OP is sailing, perhaps there's very little chance of that cabin being required for HC (sailing soon rather than many months or more out). Personally, I think it is asking a LOT of the OP to give up a cabin that may not be needed for HC, and take a chance on a guarantee.

We know too little about the situation to be demanding or requesting or suggesting that the OP change his/her booking IMHO.

Not to mention that no one knows what the conversation between the TA and HAL was about, what happened and what took place. Everyone knows what happens and what it means when we ASSUME.:confused:

[HoneyGV]

I agree-----we don't know. I do know it is a hot button subject and I have every sympathy for the plight of handicapped people. My husband suffered a severe case of sciatica last winter and was wheelchair bound for a while and then had to use a cane for a month. We had a temporary handicap sticker for our car and it was most frustrating when people who didn't have stickers would park in the reserved spots. Fortunately my husband has made a full recovery but I still have a great appreciation for those with mobility problems and treat handicapped spots with great respect.

Handicapped parking can be very deceiving. Just because someone SEES a person they BELIEVE to be able bodied just because they are not in a wheelchair does NOT mean that they aren't handicapped and that they are using the parking space that they don't need.

Assumptions can be sooooo totally off base.

[CowPrincess]

I agree-----we don't know. I do know it is a hot button subject and I have every sympathy for the plight of handicapped people. My husband suffered a severe case of sciatica last winter and was wheelchair bound for a while and then had to use a cane for a month. We had a temporary handicap sticker for our car and it was most frustrating when people who didn't have stickers would park in the reserved spots. Fortunately my husband has made a full recovery but I still have a great appreciation for those with mobility problems and treat handicapped spots with great respect.

My late DH had a handicap sticker and we utilized those spaces whenever they were available, too. I'm such a bag, I will on occasion say something to someone who is without a sticker and parking in a HC spot. (Not often, usually if I'm already cranky, y'know?) :) I'm glad your husband is recovered!

[sdpoulin1]

From the four corrupt attempts at creating a countdown clock I can see that OP is sailing 1/3/2010.

sdpoulin1: If you want to try again on making a countdown clock, use Internet Explorer (not Firefox or Safari etc) to create and install it, and then you can go back to using your preferred browser.

Or, you can edit the string created in your 3rd attempt, replacing the single character appearing between "2010" and "=Beach" with the string "&image"


Okay, thanks for posting my cruise date???? Not sure what that has to do with anything??? Not really sure I wanted it posted after the response I got here. Talked to a HAL rep after my TA was made out to be evil. She said they use the guar bookings to move people around if a HC room is needed, and that they usually do not fill the HC rooms so they are filled all the time with people who do not need them. So I guess I can rest easy knowing I"m not taking the room away from a person who needs it.Last thing I would ever do. Will think again before I post another question.

[Zappa Fan]

Okay, thanks for posting my cruise date???? Not sure what that has to do with anything??? Not really sure I wanted it posted after the response I got here. Talked to a HAL rep after my TA was made out to be evil. She said they use the guar bookings to move people around if a HC room is needed, and that they usually do not fill the HC rooms so they are filled all the time with people who do not need them. So I guess I can rest easy knowing I"m not taking the room away from a person who needs it.Last thing I would ever do. Will think again before I post another question.
TOO MANY Busy-Bodies on the HAL forum. Sorry that you had to endure such wrath. Enjoy your cruise! :)

[Zappa Fan]

They'll have your name, cabin number and credit card info in no time at all.;)

[sapper1]

Handicapped parking can be very deceiving. Just because someone SEES a person they BELIEVE to be able bodied just because they are not in a wheelchair does NOT mean that they aren't handicapped and that they are using the parking space that they don't need.

Assumptions can be sooooo totally off base.
In our province if you don't have a sticker, you cannot use a handicap spot. I was not making assumptions.
With regard to appearances being deceiving, you are correct. I had to work hard to convince my late father ,who had advanced COPD, to apply for a sticker. He couldn't walk very far without gasping for breath but he was afraid people would think he was taking advantage of the system because he looked so healthy. So I do understand and you made assumptions about me.

[uppitycats]

OP, WHEN you are cruising was an important piece of information because indeed, if it is close to the cruise date -- within 60-90 days -- then, as you noted, "guarantee" cabins are assigned, people are moved around, and handicap cabins (as well as others) which haven't been booked get assigned randomly to passengers, or picked up by travel agents and assigned to their customers who might be coming in during that time frame to book a cruise. It's unlikely any of us would have "jumped" on you had we known the cruise date, but rather simply explained how that might have happened, and described the handicap features you might encounter.

Indeed, we with disabilities are sensitive about people deliberately booking handicap accessible cabins which you did not do. We are also sensitive to travel agents who book those cabins for their clients without regard to whether indeed they need such a cabin, "because they'll have more space", or for other reasons which we've all heard way too often. And we are really annoyed at cruise lines who care more about getting their cabins filled than they do working to be sure that the folks who book those cabins need those cabins (certainly those who book the cabins months and years out from the cruise date -- not within that 60-90 day window).

And again, while apparently one person here has been asked to move because someone with a disability has come along needing that cabin, it truly does not happen regularly, and we in the disability community can tell you that was an expection, certainly not the rule.

You booked rather late, the agent found and booked a handicap accessible cabin for you. Maybe you'll be moved..but likely not. Again, have a great cruise.

[Harleycat]

YES, they WILL ask you to move!!! It happened to us!!! Please, this is our first hand experience - HAL called us and asked us to change our cabin and we readily agreed!!!!

WE DID NOT KNOW it has a H/C accessible cabin when it was assigned to us!

Yes, HAL called you and you were willing to change. The issue with that is many people are not willing to change. The cruise line can call you, ask if you need the cabin and if you say yes, they can't take it any further and require proof that you need it. There is another thread on the disability forum about how no one will give up the HC they got even though they don't need it.

It's also hit or miss as to whether they will call or not. It's been the general concensus that they usually will not call.

[ekerr19]

Yes, HAL called you and you were willing to change. The issue with that is many people are not willing to change. The cruise line can call you, ask if you need the cabin and if you say yes, they can't take it any further and require proof that you need it. There is another thread on the disability forum about how no one will give up the HC they got even though they don't need it.

It's also hit or miss as to whether they will call or not. It's been the general concensus that they usually will not call.

Well, we make sure never to book one now - this was back in the day when we weren't very cruise saavy and relied on our agents advice.

I cannot imagine why an able-bodied person would not switch. :confused: I hope the issue on thread you are referring to was a one time occurrance.

[Roz]

I think the criticism of the OP is unfair. Good grief, they didn't set out to do something bad or evil.

In their defense, I usually book inside or outside guarantees. Oftentimes the category that's offered as a guarantee is the one that has handicapped cabins. I've wondered why HAL did this, since most passengers booking guarantees are not going to want or need a handicapped room. Of course, since they are guarantees, if a disabled person wants to book one of them, they can always move us out of it.

Roz

[catl331]

Of course, since they are guarantees, if a disabled person wants to book one of them, they can always move us out of it.Actually, unless you have specified Do Not Upgrade on a non-guarantee HAL can move you without notice. The point that many are making here is that they don't bother.

[heathriel]

For my upcoming cruise, I had to fill out the Special Needs form because I travel with a service animal. It asks if a person requires a handicapped room or any special accomodations. I did not, so I specifically wrote that I did not need a handicapped cabin. When my cabin was assigned, I was given a regular cabin, but someone else on my roll call did end up with a HA cabin.

[tarps14]

I think there is also a whole lot of assuming going on here about the TA as well. How do we know for a fact that this TA specifically requested this room? Just because the TA booked it doesn't necessarily mean that even THEY requested it. What if the TA called HAL to book the cruise and it was assigned by HAL? No, I don't think the able-bodied should be able to outright request an HC room. But to attack both the OP and the unknown TA for this is incredibly unfair. I work with disabled seniors on a daily basis as well as having a family member (immediate family) in a wheelchair so I am not ignorant to the plight of the handicapped. But, IMHO, there is no excuse whatsoever for attacking someone who was simply asking a question. I wouldn't blame the OP for never coming back here asking questions.

And, just for the record, some of your voiced concerns were very respectful. This is definitely a hot-button issue but I just don't see where all caps yelling at the OP is warranted. JMHO

[DebNJoe]

We (2 couples) were assigned side-by-side handicapped cabins when booked as guarantees. Not only did we NOT ask for these cabins, we actually had to beg the cruise line to move us out of them. Our cabin was not larger, just much less storage space, to allow for more floor space. Our travel companions cabin was similar to ours EXCEPT the entrance and bathroom doors were operated automatically - which for able bodied people was a definite inconvenience, since they took a long time to open and close. The water leaking out of the shower was also a problem. Fortunately, we were moved to different cabins on the 2nd day of a 12 day cruise, but we ended up on different decks, not the end of the world, but after booking almost a year in advance, this was not what we expected. This was not on a HAL ship.

The TA may not have known either. In our case, the deck plans did not indicate that these cabins were handicap accessible.

sdpoulin1 - We on the same sailing. I think you have been unfairly attacked here. From the pictures posted, it looks like the cabin you are assigned to does not have the problems ours had. If you are not moved - hope it turns out to be a nice cabin for you & DH ;)

[GrammyPL]

On our next cruise on the Noordam we will have a HC cabin. I do use a wheelchair at times as I can't walk very far or stand for any length of time. This will be our first HC cabin in a lot of years. We are also booked on the Maasdam for 2010 and don't have one on that ship. Since Hubby pushes me all over the place I can use a reg room. The one drawback to a reg room is that I can't stand in the shower and have to sit on the ledge of the tub to try to bath. Anyway-that is why we are going to try the HC cabin. ALSO-since I do have a wheelchair - I have had to fill out a form about chair size and how capable I was at getting around. So-I don't know if HAL is sending them to all the HC rooms or just to those of us that have chairs. Penny

[Host Joe]

sdpoulin1,

I would like to apologize for the way that so many of our members attacked you for your very simple question that you posted and would like to note that usually our members are very helpful and kind to one another. I hope you will continue to contribute to our forums in the future.

To any poster that is considering attacking any other members, be sure to visit our community guidelines for a refresher course on how to treat one another on our boards. :)

[jtl513]

Okay, thanks for posting my cruise date???? Not sure what that has to do with anything???It has a LOT to do with the situation. If you were given an HC cabin in the final few weeks before sailing you can safely presume that no one needing an HC will be booking it. HAL always assigns such un-booked cabins to fill guarantees.

If you're not sailing for 6/8/10/12 months, however, by you occupying an HC cabin you could well be preventing someone who does need it from going on your cruise.

At 2 months out (in your case) it is probably a safe bet that no one who needs an HC cabin will be booking it, as people who do need them tend to book early. Still, you never know. It is my opinion that your TA should not have booked you into such a room this far from sailing, but uppitycats, who is far more familiar with this situation than I, seems to think 60-90 days is in the "okay" range.

[CowPrincess]

At some point it HAS to be okay for someone who does not require a HC cabin to be assigned one..... is HAL going to let vacant HC cabins sail because no one NEEDS them?

[Beebob1]

In our province if you don't have a sticker, you cannot use a handicap spot. I was not making assumptions.
With regard to appearances being deceiving, you are correct. I had to work hard to convince my late father ,who had advanced COPD, to apply for a sticker. He couldn't walk very far without gasping for breath but he was afraid people would think he was taking advantage of the system because he looked so healthy. So I do understand and you made assumptions about me.

Here in South Carolina you can receive a perminate tag and not use the cards. Would that be legal in your province?

[jomarie10]

for a May 30, 2010 sailing to Alaska. Our TA had us fill out a HAL form regarding the wheelchair size that Mom will be using and who her able bodied companion will be (me). It's nice to know that we have the nice balcony and a bathroom equipped with all the grab bars for Mom.

[sapper1]

Here in South Carolina you can receive a perminate tag and not use the cards. Would that be legal in your province?
Whether the card is permanant or temporary, if it is not displayed either on your dashboard or hanging from the rear view mirror, you will be ticketed. They are supposed to be removed when the car is being driven.

This allows the handicapped person to take the card with them no matter which car they are using or are a passenger in. However once the car is parked, the handicapped person must exit the car if a handicapped spot is used. The able bodied driver cannot just leave the card holder sitting in the car while they run into the store, etc. if they are parked in a handicapped spot. The police in our area are quite vigilant in handing out tickets. However I am amazed at the people I see using the spots when they shouldn't.

If the card is a temporary one, the expiry date is punched out on the card.

[rangeley]

The arguement about HC rooms has been going on forever. Let me start by saying most able-bodied have no clue about whats it's like to be handicapped. I was one of them. Until I met my fiance (he's a quadriplegic) I had no clue about HC people. I didn't even know what the stripes in a HC parking place were for. When able-bodied start talking about HC cabins it gets everyone stirred up. There are able-bodied people who request HC cabins because they are bigger and then come on the boards and brag about it. And there are TA's who are booking them for non HC people. The cruiselines are NOT consistant when it comes to HC cabins. Sometimes we have had to fill out forms and sometimes not. We have no problem getting a doctors note if we need to, although we have never been asked. The frustration of people booking room, or parking in a HC spot (they are only running in the store for a minute, you know) gets to be to much sometimes. Now as far as the OP goes, they did not request the room. If it's the only cabin left and is not booked close to the cruise, thats fine. The cruiseline has every right to book cabins that are going to be empty. Until hearing it here, I have never heard of an able-bodied person being moved out of a HC cabin. Maybe progress is being made. We aure hope so! :D

[Sunshine91]

On our next cruise on the Noordam we will have a HC cabin. I do use a wheelchair at times as I can't walk very far or stand for any length of time. This will be our first HC cabin in a lot of years. We are also booked on the Maasdam for 2010 and don't have one on that ship. Since Hubby pushes me all over the place I can use a reg room. The one drawback to a reg room is that I can't stand in the shower and have to sit on the ledge of the tub to try to bath. Anyway-that is why we are going to try the HC cabin. ALSO-since I do have a wheelchair - I have had to fill out a form about chair size and how capable I was at getting around. So-I don't know if HAL is sending them to all the HC rooms or just to those of us that have chairs. Penny

Hi Grammy - I'm guessing you informed HAL that you use a chair? Now I'm just trying to look at it from their end - but maybe HAL is trying to assess if you will need any additional assistance while onboard? Or perhaps what type of chair you use? Not having seen the form you had to complete, I certainly don't know what questions were asked.

As a "for example" - We were in Alaska last month on Ryndam & onboard with us was a fellow in his 20s or 30s. He pretty much wheeled the chair himself, but when we were on uneven terrain, his travelling buddies helped out. In one of the ports, the tide rose drastically between docking & all-aboard. By the time he came back, the angle of the gangway was waaaay too steep for him to wheel himself back up. It took a couple of burly crewmen to push that chair up onto the ship. Actually, many returning pax had a bit of difficulty walking up that stiff angle.


Also, in some ports on your cruise, there may not be docking, but tendering, so the ship will need to be prepared for any pax who may require assistance.

If you haven't been on Noordam yet, she's lovely. I'm certain you'll have a grand time. :)

[IRL_Joanie]

Just for the record. I just did a stateroom search for the 7-21 February 2010 Westerdam Caribbean in VF and VA Category (which is what we booked) and there are only 4 Staterooms in VF and 3 in VA and they are all HC Staterooms.

So, before we judge we should take into account that these may be the very last staterooms available, just as the TA for the OP discovered.

I still say to the OP, you have a great Stateroom. And with your attitude of being willing to change staterooms, you are a wonderfully considerate person and do not be embarrassed or upset with what Stateroom you have gotten.

Enjoy your cruise and relax knowing that you did your best.:)

Joanie

[texancruzer]

Just read this thread with much interest. The reason being is when I booked our upcoming HAL cruise it was HAL who booked us into our cabin...... the booking was made quite some time after final payment was due as we usually can't book stuff too far out due to dh work schedule. Then several weeks later that I realized it was a HC cabin......

so I called them and told them we are not handicapped. Was told not too worry....... so close to sailing and many HC cabins still available. Made sure they knew if they needed it they could move us...... just keep me in the middle of the ship as I get yucky at night if I am forward or aft and lying down :o Just recently checked and most of the ship is fully booked - Thanksgiving weekend. We will see.

So I am not going to worry about it. FYI: I never park in a handicapped space !

[Harleycat]

Well, we make sure never to book one now - this was back in the day when we weren't very cruise saavy and relied on our agents advice.

I cannot imagine why an able-bodied person would not switch. :confused: I hope the issue on thread you are referring to was a one time occurrance.

Unfortunately, no it was not a one time occurance, it's quite common that an AB person assigned a HC room will not move. As I've mentioned on other posts, I'm disabled but don't require an accessible room. I was given one at a Marriott once but as soon as I saw it was an accessible room, I asked to be moved. They thought they were doing me a favor. I can't handle stairs or walk long distances so I always ask for a room on the lowest floor near an exit (in case of an emergency). The Marriott just assumed that because of this I needed an accessible room.