Miserable experience on Disney Wonder as disabled w/scooter passenger

Here are a few of my impressions after a four night cruise on the Disney Wonder as a disabled person using a mobility scooter. I believe the ship is not meeting it's claim to be disabled-friendly, and I had extreme difficulty navigating the ship as well as dealing with staff regarding my issues.

Some examples:

For the first time since I've needed a scooter, I was refused any accommodation for the safety drill. I spoke to five different staff members, explaining to each that I couldn't bring my scooter into the massive crowding of the drill, and was repeatedly told I had to attend. I mentioned that on other ships I was led to a lounge away from the crowd or allowed to remain in the cabin to view the safety video. I was told five times I had to attend in person. I was also asked: "Well, you can stand for a few minutes, can't you?" (We all know the safety drill is more than a few minutes.) And from another: "What is it about your condition that makes you think you can't attend?" I believe that in addition to being rude, intrusive and humiliating, these questions are illegal. Also, it just seems insane that they would want me maneuvering my scooter amongst hundreds of passengers, many of them young children darting about. I could so easily hurt someone. I would bet DCL's insurance company wouldn't want me driving a machine through that mob scene.

Upon boarding, I was dismayed to discover that there was no venue on the ship where I could be served lunch by a waiter while sitting at a table. While I can manage a short walk with my cane, I cannot navigate a buffet, and I'm far too unsteady to carry a plate back with my one available hand. I had been told that a sit-down meal would be available somewhere on the ship. It was not. To their credit, Disney staff eventually sent out a chef who agreed to make me something and send it out to me. It arrived about thirty minutes after my entire family had finished eating, but at least someone tried. Other lines I've traveled have always had someplace where I could be served a meal, even if it's a pub or a sports bar. On the Wonder - nothing.

The lack of automatic doors on the ship is shocking. The number of thresholds with huge bumps is disgraceful. In order to get to main parts of the ship, like the pool areas, I was forced to take my scooter over bumps that sent jolts of pain searing through my body. These bumps were all over the place, often trapping my wheels and jerking me to a painful stop or just sending the aforementioned pain up my spine. I couldn't get into the spa area without asking strangers for help. The same went for far too many venues throughout the ship. I bring a scooter at my expense so that I can be independent when I travel. Having to constantly beg strangers for help to open doors is humiliating. Disney, spend the money and make all doors automatic. Put some gentle ramps over those horrible thresholds. Other cruise lines have done it.

Although I had booked a cabin large enough to hold my scooter, for comfort I prefer to park it in the ships scooter parking area. I had been assured by Disney reps that the Wonder did have a secure parking area. Upon arrival, I found this to be a dark, isolated space behind an elevator shaft, completely out of sight. My scooter was vandalized there the first night of the cruise. Even in the dim light, my husband helped me straighten out the scooter so I could use it, but I never parked it there again. Although I reported the incident to the Hotel Director, no security tape was ever reviewed and I never heard another word about the vandalism of my property.

Prior to the cruise, I was repeatedly given incorrect information over the phone by Disney reps. A rep insisted I couldn't get a scooter into the cabin I had booked. I knew it would fit, and in fact it did fit in our cabin. With only four ships, why can't the system know which stateroom doors can accommodate a scooter? I was also told repeatedly to pick up my rented scooter at Guest Services. After waiting on a long line to pick it up, we were told that it had been delivered to my cabin (yes it fit inside my cabin), and that I couldn't access it until cabins were ready. This was not a good way to start off the cruise.

I actually have video evidence of much of what I've reported here, but I'm afraid to post it as I was detained by security while recording it. I was trying to document the site of one of my worst experiences - the boarding ramp in our final port. This ramp was so sharply angled that I was forced to use quite a bit of speed. I was slammed to a halt right at the top, my wheels caught and my scooter stalled out as multiple people converged on me trying to "help". After returning later to get video of the site, I was held against my will by a security officer while he threatened to put me off the ship and have me arrested. On debarkation morning, just as I was boarding my scooter to leave, another security officer appeared in the hallway accompanied by an armed police officer from the local authorities. I was informed they wanted to speak to me. I declined their invitation to speak. I was told we could speak in the public corridor or we could speak in my stateroom, but I wasn't going to be allowed to leave the ship until I contributed to their "report" about the "incident". I was told I had been recording in a restricted area. So why didn't someone just tell me that at the time? I could have gotten the same shot of the boarding ramp from another location. Anyway, I was imprisoned in my room for 15 minutes, despite my repeated requests to leave, while they basically scolded me for being unpleasant. I described what I had been through on the ship for the last four days, specifically the feeling of being kicked in the spine every time I crossed a threshold. I asked both of them how pleasant they would be if they had been kicked in the base of the spine fifty times. They left, and I was free to go.

The wheelchair that was supposed to be available for me to get off the ship? No staff member could locate one. My husband did spot one as I labored to walk off the ship with my cane. It was broken, wouldn't open fully and missing one foot rest, but we managed to use it - rather a fitting end to my treatment on the Disney Wonder.

David Weiser

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Sorry to hear about your experience.

Just some information for future consideration.

Regarding the muster drill. I always go to the muster drill on my scooter. I always plan to arrive early so that I do not have to deal with the crowds. When it's over I wait for the crowds to vacate the deck before I ride out on the scooter. In fact on most ships the Crew holds back the other passengers until all those with walkers, wheelchairs and scooter have left the deck.

Regarding buffets I just ask ( in fact more often than not I don't have to ask one if the staff walks up to me) that a waiter assist me. They carry the plate and let me know what my choices are and help me locate a table. Buffets have never been an issue for me regardless of the cruise line.

Thanks for your reply and info. It's a little more complicated, though. I have other medical issues that make being in a crowd a bad/painful idea. The point is that I asked for an accommodation and was denied.

Re the buffet, I do have a waiter help me at buffets when I must eat at one. But again, my point was that there was no table service available. On every cruise, it has always been our practice and our pleasure to board and enjoy a leisurely lunch served in one of the main dining rooms. This goes back to before my scooter days. I was displeased by the lack of this option as a cruiser, and discomfited by the situation as a disabled person.

Just a few comments:

I cruised on the Wonder last year. From my research, I knew ahead of time that Disney does not have a plated lunch on embarkation day. The only options are the buffet up top, or the buffet in Parrot Cay, unless you want pizza or a burger. I'd be surprised if a waiter wouldn't have assisted you with your food to your table. Not sure where you saw that you would get a served meal on embarkation day.

Regarding the scooter, I've never heard of a scooter parking area. In fact, I thought all cruise lines required the scooter to be parked in your cabin at night.

With regards to the ramps, etc, while I can't speak for entry ways on the ship (as I'm not in a scooter, I wouldn't have noticed the bumps, but had I been entering a door at the time you were, I would have gladly held it open for you), I find it surprising that no crew were around to help you get up/down the gangways.

The phrase "sit-down meal" was used both by phone staff at the DcL disability line, and in repeated announcements in the boarding hall telling us that upon boarding we would have a choice of the upstairs buffet or a sit-down meal in Parrot Cay. I see now that they meant you would sit down at a dining room table after getting food from a buffet in the dining room. That to me is not a sit-down meal. Why the different verbiage? Why not tell people there are buffets available in two locations?

1025cruise, obviously you miss my point about being independent. I don't want you to open the door for me. I don't want staff putting their hands on me to get me up a ramp. I want to be able to get around the ship myself. That's the point of disability access legislation.

I am sorry you had such a bad experience. My very minor broken foot this summer gave me a very small taste of what it must be like to have an ongoing physical limitation. It had increased my empathy 10 fold. I certainly appreciate you were prefer to be independent.

I have noticed the difficulty other's have had with the ramps and their scooters. The angle of inclination is certainly well beyond ADA standard. Do ADA standards apply to foreign flagged ships? I know the Royal Caribbean often has large humps over doorways which made pushing my daughter in her wheelchair challenging. We had an amazing experience with RCI. They were right there with wheelchair service to get on and off the ship and made sure she could get down the pier to our excursions.

As far as a sit down lunch, could your family not have gotten you food from the buffet when they got theirs? I know you were told there was a sit down lunch, but when there wasn't it is too bad you had to sit there and watch them eat.

Your experience certainly wasn't what I would have expected from Disney. Usually their customer service is above and beyond.

I'm sorry you had such a bad time. Perhaps cruising isn't for you any more. Most of the things you have found not acceptable are things that most of us deal with every time we sail. Not the part about the Security Officer holding you against your will, but most of the rest.

Princess is my cruise line of choice. I attend muster in a special lounge or the casino with many people, including all of the people who have accessibility needs. Princess likes to muster all of us together, I guess so they know where we are, I don't know. But, as somebody else mentions, I get there early and wait till I can get an elevator afterwards. I'm on vacation, so I don't have to hurry.

Maritime safety laws require that scooters not be parked in the passageways. I always keep mine in my cabin for exactly the reason you discovered. I've heard of others who parked theirs in the storage area behind the elevators and had a child play with it or something. I paid good money for mine, and I need it in working order, so I wouldn't chance it to be in a place I can't watch it.

Princess doesn't have automatic doors,, and on sea days they don't have an open dining room either. But as others have said, they do have people who will accompany you through the buffet to hold your plate, load it if you need that kind of help, and escort you to your seat. And since you were with others, they could have helped you. Being family they probably know your likes and dislikes, I'd think.

As for the doors to the outside having high sills, Princess has this, too. I guess it is something that needs to be the way it is built, I don't know. Some times I can make it over them, and sometimes not. In an accessible handicap cabin, Princess has a ramp to the balcony.

I find that I can generally get onto the ship over the strip, and also off, but I cannot get onto the gangway in San Pedro without assistance. There is too much of a sharp incline, so I must get off the scooter, have somebody stabilize it about ten feet further along, and walk those few feet. If I weighed less, perhaps I could make it, I don't know. In any event, I go to the area for assistance when disembarking and explain my need, that is that I don't need a pusher, but I do need help on the gangway, and they provide someone to help me.

You say there was nobody to help you off the ship. I'm pretty sure Disney must have had the same sort of an arrangement that Princess does, where you notify Passenger Service ahead of time that you need assistance, and they will send you notice of where to meet prior to disembarkation. They have wheelchairs and pushers there to help those who need it.

Anyway, this has been *my* experience over quite a few years of cruises. Hope your next experience is better.

M.

Do ADA standards apply to foreign flagged ships?

In fact, they don't. As another CC member pointed out on a recent thread, the only aspect of ADA that applies to cruise ships (with one exception) is that the cruise lines cannot discriminate against the disabled. The courts ruled that requiring ADA compliant construction (ramps, automatic doors, no thresholds, etc) would interfere with the ship's sovereignty. Remember, the ship is not part of the US, and with the exception of Disney, are not US corporations. The one exception that must meet ADA regulations with regards to construction is NCL's Pride of America, since she is US flag.

Most lines at least try to make some accommodation for the disabled, having seat lifts at the pool, HC cabins, and some ramps between outside decks, but they are not required to do any of this. So, what I am saying is that this is not necessarily a Disney problem, but a cruise industry problem.

MommaBear, thank you for your thoughtful and empathetic reply. Don't worry, I did nibble off my mom-in-laws plate at that meal. I wasn't in jeopardy of starving! But my point was the lack of independence available to me compared to other lines we have sailed. (There are more than my signature indicates - I haven't updated that in four years.)

Mindy, I promise you we made all the arrangements for disembarkation, checked and double-checked. Then when it came time, no wheelchair, nobody to help, no one to take responsibility - we were absolutely alone and helpless in a huge crowd. Even after making all the arrangements.

Also Mindy, why is cruising not for me anymore? My entire post is about how this trip was completely unlike all my other experiences with a scooter. I would certainly agree that Disney Cruise Lines is not for me anymore, and I posted this as a warning to others.

Chengkp, when I met on board with the Hotel Director, he told me that Disney DOES accept and follow ADA standards. Perhaps it is voluntary, but that is their stated policy. He agreed that my complaints were reasonable and should be addressed, particularly an accommodation for muster. I wish I could feel confident that they will be.

MommaBear, thank you for your thoughtful and empathetic reply. Don't worry, I did nibble off my mom-in-laws plate at that meal. I wasn't in jeopardy of starving! But my point was the lack of independence available to me compared to other lines we have sailed. (There are more than my signature indicates - I haven't updated that in four years.)

 

Mindy, I promise you we made all the arrangements for disembarkation, checked and double-checked. Then when it came time, no wheelchair, nobody to help, no one to take responsibility - we were absolutely alone and helpless in a huge crowd. Even after making all the arrangements.

 

Also Mindy, why is cruising not for me anymore? My entire post is about how this trip was completely unlike all my other experiences with a scooter. I would certainly agree that Disney Cruise Lines is not for me anymore, and I posted this as a warning to others.

 

Chengkp, when I met on board with the Hotel Director, he told me that Disney DOES accept and follow ADA standards. Perhaps it is voluntary, but that is their stated policy. He agreed that my complaints were reasonable and should be addressed, particularly an accommodation for muster. I wish I could feel confident that they will be.

I am very surprised about your comments regarding the muster drill. Every cruise line I know of has a "special needs" muster station (ask for it upon boarding), where those with mobility or other disabilities (heat, etc) will be allowed to muster and there will be additional crew assigned there, and most times even a nurse is assigned to the special needs muster.

While that and possibly the problems at the gangway might be, and probably should be addressed, I wouldn't expect further construction changes short of a new ship. If Disney does in fact follow ADA requirements, there would not be any thresholds at any doors in public areas, so this seems disingenuous on the part of the HD.

I said that perhaps cruising might not be for you any more because you felt that the crowd at muster was too much for you, and/or you might not be able to navigate it safely.

Some examples:

 

For the first time since I've needed a scooter, I was refused any accommodation for the safety drill. I spoke to five different staff members, explaining to each that I couldn't bring my scooter into the massive crowding of the drill, and was repeatedly told I had to attend. I mentioned that on other ships I was led to a lounge away from the crowd or allowed to remain in the cabin to view the safety video. I was told five times I had to attend in person. I was also asked: "Well, you can stand for a few minutes, can't you?" (We all know the safety drill is more than a few minutes.) And from another: "What is it about your condition that makes you think you can't attend?" I believe that in addition to being rude, intrusive and humiliating, these questions are illegal. Also, it just seems insane that they would want me maneuvering my scooter amongst hundreds of passengers, many of them young children darting about. I could so easily hurt someone. I would bet DCL's insurance company wouldn't want me driving a machine through that mob scene.

Maybe you were exaggerating the scene to illustrate how you felt? I do agree that the questions you were asked were rude.

M.

Also Mindy, why is cruising not for me anymore? My entire post is about how this trip was completely unlike all my other experiences with a scooter. I would certainly agree that Disney Cruise Lines is not for me anymore, and I posted this as a warning to others.

Regarding the scooter, I've never heard of a scooter parking area. In fact, I thought all cruise lines required the scooter to be parked in your cabin at night.

 

Disney is the only cruise line that provides an alternative parking area for mobility scooters. The following was copied directly from Disney Cruises website :

Personal Mobility Equipment

To ensure the safety of all Guests, it is strictly prohibited to park personal mobility equipment in Guest corridors or stairwell landings.

Safety regulations require that all Guest personal equipment—including wheelchairs, electric mobility scooters, ECVs and strollers—must be stored in one of the following 2 areas when not in use:

If a cruise ship departs from a U.S. Port or sets anchor in U.S. waters they MUST abide by ADA laws as mandated from the DOJ [Dept. of Justice], this is Federal Law.

It's just good business to want to assist and follow ADA guidelines as much as they can, as to welcoming ALL people onboard their ships.

Princess does have automatic doors in some areas of every one of their ships. Usually it's upon entering and exiting the pool areas to go into the Horizon Court. Every single, solitary ship on the high seas has thresholds and areas onboard that are not conducive to wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Some cruise lines handle this better than others. Holland America has devised electric doors and ramps that take the passenger out to the Promenade Deck independent of any assistance. Their suites with veranda's have the most accommodating ramps to go in and out of the veranda with independence and ease.

When going to any area of a cruise ship [including but not limited to] the Muster Drill's you MUST enter, at least 20 minutes before anyone else and then exit at least 10 minutes after everyone else. It is your responsibility to take care of your personal health issues and make sure that your needs are met by being the responsible party.

PLANNING, that's all it takes to do any kind of travel any where, whether it be a cruise, train or airplane. You can not expect to be comfortable and get your needs met if you arrive late or at the same time as the crowds or if your attitude is of one of entitlement!

When you are traveling with "special needs" it is imperative that YOU do your homework. YOU MUST inquire, before boarding, as to what that particular ship has to offer in terms of your comfort.

It's not the cruise lines job to take care of you. YOU take care of you. And, if you're traveling with a companion or other family members they should see to your meals and comfort as well!!!!

I travel with a Service Dog and my husband was in a wheelchair for many years. I made sure that both my dog and his needs were met. I made sure that I had assistance when we entered the ship and when we exited. If you're not alone make sure that one of your family members is a good advocate for you when you're too upset to advocate for yourself!

Do your homework before you cruise, it makes for a much more pleasant cruising experience.

I wish you safe & happy sailing ahead!

Also, ALWAYS speak with the Special Needs Dept. of your cruise line and give them a head's-up to any special requests that you may have. They will in turn email the ship and let them know that you're coming!

They're not mind readers and do appreciate you expressing your desires and needs ahead of arrival. Don't depend on your Travel Agent to do this for you.

If a cruise ship departs from a U.S. Port or sets anchor in U.S. waters they MUST abide by ADA laws as mandated from the DOJ [Dept. of Justice], this is Federal Law.

 

It's just good business to want to assist and follow ADA guidelines as much as they can, as to welcoming ALL people onboard their ships.

I believed as you do about ADA compliance, but another poster, xxoocruiser, posted this on another thread:

Technically only Cruise Ships that are permanently home based in the USA , registered to the USA and sail under the USA flag have to comply with all ADA regulations. The NCL's Cruise ship the Pride of America is the only cruise ship that has to fully comply with all aspects of ADA.

In the land mark case Spector v. Norwegian Cruise Line Ltd., 125 S. Ct. 2169 (June 6, 2005) the U.S. Supreme court in a highly divided 5-4 decision, ruled that foreign-flagged cruise ships embarking in U.S. waters are subject to liability to disabled passengers under the ADA for alleged discrimination practices, policies and procedures. There was no ruling by the US Supreme court as to the whether a Foreign Flagged/Register ship has to meet all construction build outs regulated by ADA .

In fact at that time the Supreme Court remanded the matter back to the lower court to determine whether plaintiffs were discriminated against as claimed, and whether the structural modifications sought were in conflict with international law or otherwise interfere with the ship's internal affairs.

A lingering question left unanswered to date by the Supreme Court's decision is whether the pending DOT regulations addressing construction, alterations and barrier removal on cruise ships, when finally promulgated, can be applied at all to foreign vessels, and if so, to what extent. Even if the regulations are not inconsistent with international law and pose no threat to safety, they presumably would require permanent structural parameters in the design and construction of vessels, and if applied to foreign ships, would implicate their internal affairs. The Court was clear that such application of the ADA would "likely" require an amendment by Congress to specify application to foreign ships. To the best of my knowledge no such amendment has been made to date.

After I was reminded of this, I remembered that this is correct, and I've looked at this some more. As you say, ships have some areas that are accessible, and some ships are better than others, but it is voluntary, because if it was mandatory, there would be uniform compliance at all locations around the ships, and on all ships.

Wisebear - sorry you had such a miserable experience. I'm sure you'll avoid Disney like the plague.

So many interesting comments so I'll just make some observations from my own experience on Princess and HAL.

I always have to attend the safety drill even though I am totally deaf and cannot understand the announcements - they will not excuse me. It gets realy boring just sitting there. 23 cruises on Princess but I had no idea they had a special staging area for people with disabilities. I always notify them in advance but nobody told me about this.

Like Roz said - Princess does have some automatic doors and the staff in the Horizon Court always seems happy to carry your tray to your table if needed.

Wish we had some final answer on how the ADA applies. Princess has "ADA restrooms" and "ADA hearing loss kits" so they seem to think the ADA applies to them though of course it will never be the same as on land. Safety rules over access and ships have special safety requirements - can't have waves sloshing through sliding doors, gangplanks change as the tide lifts or lowers the ship etc.

Sorry you had such a bad experience on Disney. Recently cruised on Allure with my sister, who uses a scooter. We always book an accessible cabin and the ship itself is very accessible. The muster was very easy - when we showed up, they sent us to the "accessible" staging area. All public restrooms have automatic doors, even for the accessible stall. In the Windjammer, there were accessible tables. One time someone who did not need the accessible table sat down right before we came in. One of the crew went over to them and asked them to move so we could sit down. There was always crew members offering to carry my sister's tray as she browsed the buffets. Always got beverages for us, etc. We even had a pool assistant get us lounge chairs close to the beach pool, which was easy for her to get in and out of.

We've had amazing service on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.

Unfortunately ADA doesn't mean anything to the cruise industry. Some seem to be better than others. The new ships seem to be better than the older ships.

Hopefully you'll have a better experience on your next cruise.

Being in a wheelchair full time and have taken 4 cruises in the chair, I have found out you need to do a lot of research and expect nothing. I have cruised on RCCL & NCL and they have all accommodated me. You need to travel with a able bodied person to help you when needed, and be nice and it will get you along way. I have been ran into by so many people in scooters who think they have the right of way, no matter what.

The bottom line is........If you need assistance, notify the ship in advance of your travel. Give them a chance to do the right thing.

Let the Purser's Desk know that you will need help at meals or when entering the theatre's or when leaving the ship. I promise you will get the help you need if you give them the opportunity to help you with a heads-up!

THINK! Always be early to arrive at any venue onboard so that you can get the assistance you need. And, be prepared to wait when exiting.

Also, cruise ship elevators are the worst. There are NEVER enough of them, they're always full [especially at dinner time] and some don't go to certain floors. For some reason, people will see someone in a wheelchair or scooter and try to get in front of them to get on an elevator. Makes me nuts when I see the poor behavior of some!

Cruise ships are always willing to assist you on and off the ship!

I'm very sorry to hear of your experience. I am not however, surprised to hear of your experience.

We've sailed DCL 5 times. We've had mixed experiences with accessible issues.

After sailing on Royal and Carnival and experience assistance with board and debarking, when filing out the special needs form I asked about assistance on DCL. I was assured all I had to do was tell the person checking us in that we needed help and it would be provided.

Yeah, that didn't work out. The check in person (who was about 80 years old and a wisp of a thing) said that if we needed help, she "guessed" that she could *try* to push my mothers chair onto the ship.

We've always had to attend the regular Muster drill (no special place) and at least twice, we haven't been dismissed early and ended up waiting over 45 mins to try to leave the area.

Disney is one line where we have never had assistance in the buffet - other lines, there have been regular offers of "do you need some assistance? Would you like me to take your plate for you?"

The newer DCL ships have the automatic doors at most locations but the 2 older ships do not.

We've also board the Disney Dream during high tide where the ramp angle was almost unnavigatable. It was so steep that it took both my dad and I pushing and pulling to maintain control of my mothers chair - plus towards the top, we were starting to lose control and slide (not roll but SLIDE) backwards. Finally an officer in white took 4 steps from the top of the ramp to help us. There was a scooter behind us that just couldn't make it up no matter how hard she tried.

Getting off the ship a lot of times I have been very thankful for handbrakes as it's the only way we haven't flown down the ramp.

What has always bothered me about DCL is that one of the 3 dining rooms (and you visit all 3 in rotational dining), isn't accessible for wheelchairs by the main entrance because there are 3 steps up and 3 steps down. Wheelchair users are sent to a small, side entrance. I feel that it's poor show and a poor choice on their part.

All that being said, DCL does somethings very well - they were one of the first to dock at their private island and offer sand wheelchairs and an accessible tram to move around the island. Generally, we've had very good service and people have gone out of their way to engage my mother and not just treat her like "a person in the wheelchair". Their accessible cabins also tend to be large and well appointed. Large showers, sturdy shower benches, and good balcony ramps.

The bottom line is........If you need assistance, notify the ship in advance of your travel. Give them a chance to do the right thing.

 

Cruise ships are always willing to assist you on and off the ship!

That hasn't been our experience and it didn't seem to be the experience of the OP.

"Always" and "Never" are dangerous words to use because they are very rarely true.

 

Wish we had some final answer on how the ADA applies. Princess has "ADA restrooms" and "ADA hearing loss kits" so they seem to think the ADA applies to them though of course it will never be the same as on land.

Princess having ADA restrooms and ADA hearing loss kits should not be interpreted that Princess believes that construction requirements as contained in ADA law apply to them. Particularly since the USA Congress has yet to adopt any law specific to the construction build out of Foreign registered/flagged cruise that enter USA waters.

Princess' decision ,or any other cruise line 's decision for that matter , to provide ADA restrooms and ADA hearing loss kits can only be interpreted that its chosen to "Voluntarily" comply to limited aspects of ADA Law so to broaden its customer base

Did you complain to corporate and your TA when you got back? We cruise Princess and have never had a problem other than goofy people walking right in front of my Husband's scooter.

I can only answer for 3 Cruise lines and they are not DCL. Considering the economic situation where profitability, costs, and service suffers one has to make huge compromises. AI was on a scooter on the Celebrity Summit and they have those speed bumps too. Even though you brace yourself it still rattles the cage.

The tone of your post really seems whiny to me. And I suspect you probably made some noise to irritate the security people. When you do they counteract with "The full extent of the law". Quite childish of them IMHO. So the only consolation I can offer you is not to sail with them anyway.

BTW I always made the safety drill while on a scooter. I don't see why you couldn't? Did the ship prevent you from using the scooter? Were the elevators shut down? If so then I would have asked for some assistance from ships company.

Better luck next time!

I am in a wheelchair. Frankly, you sound like one of those disabled people who thinks the world should stop for him. I have sailed on 30 cruises, 2 Disney, the last three in a wheelchair. I do what I can, and when I can't do it, I ask my husband to help. When he has not been around, I have been surprised at the number of people who have approached me on ships and in foreign ports and asked if they could help in any way. Maybe you should learn to accept assistance in a more gracious way. If someone does you a kindness or even wants to do you a kindness, be gracious. It benefits them as well as you. Doing anyone else a kindness is good for the soul.