DUTRAVEL

You can try emailing Celebrity at accessibleexcursions@rccl.com. Just be prepared to wait several months for a reply and the excursions will generally be very expensive. For the Azores, try https://wheeltheworld.com/ (search Azores Portugal under things to do). We had a great accessible excursion to Lagoa do Fogo at a very reasonable price in November. For Bermuda, we have used Keith Simmons. His email is keithsimmons@logic.bm. He has a wheelchair accessible van and offers tours from the Dockyard. In Palma, we have taken the public bus which is accessible.

Not on the Royal Princess.

Also try bicycle repair - sometimes bike shops can make wheelchair repairs.

Thank you for taking time out of your holiday to take us along on your cruise. Your sense of humor is priceless! Have a safe trip home.

I will never forget October 17, 1989 either. I was working on the 22nd Floor of the Embarcadero Center when the earthquake hit and had no way of getting back to the East Bay as BART was completely shut down. Lucky for me, a colleague took me under her wing and took me on the ferry with her to Vallejo. It was so eerie to be crossing the Bay and seeing the Financial District in total darkness and the Marina on fire. I was finally able to reach my husband to come get me much later that night and we filled our mini van with complete strangers needing a ride home. I love hearing about your love story with Iain – its one for the ages.

My husband thought the Polaris Burger at IAD was one of the best burgers he has ever had. Totally agree, the food on the flight was barely passable. Definitly eat in the lounge.

We can keep her as a pet when she retires - she just wont have public access or be able to travel with us. Luckily our daughter will take care of her when we’re out of town. Luke was lucky to find a home with you with so much love and patience.

They are all irreplacable - such different personalties. I dread Henrietta's retirement next year since she is the perfect traveller. I'm sure my successor Service Dog will be a pro too, but it will be interesting to see the differences.

I have been away from Cruise Critic for a couple of days and I'm already six pages behind. Henrietta (your best girlfriend) has her reading glasses on and we are following along with your adventures! Hope you and Iain have a fantastic cruise! Dianne & Henrietta

Thanks for the update Chris. Sounds like a real catch-22 situation!

So sorry about Alf. Heartbreaking to lose a beloved family member. He was lucky to have had your parents rescue him even if only for a little while.

I also highly recommend Romecabs.com. You do need to be able to transfer into the vehicle as they do not have accessible vehicles. They will advise you on the size vehicle you will need (we had more than enough room for a manual wheelchair, luggage and a 65lb service dog). They are very easy to work with and extremely reliable.

Yes, I booked an upgrade at $12.99 and then when a better offer came along, I canceled and rebooked at $6.99.

Never heard of a "handivan" supplied by Celebrity. At embarkation / debarkation ports in the United States, Celebrity will provide an accessible transfer (which is just the large bus that everyone else is on with a lift at the back). Generally, in my experience, Celebrity may provide accessible shore excursions, but only at an increased cost which is usually quite expensive.

You can't rent a wheelchair from Celebrity. Try either: https://www.specialneedsatsea.com/ or https://scootaround.com/en