Dawn Princess wheelchair access cabin D315

[ozgeordielass]

We have just returned from a cruise to New Zealand with my husband who is confined to a wheelchair after a stroke over 5 years ago. The stateroom D315 on Dolphin deck is fully wheelchair acessible and had room for hubby to get around. It did not have queen bed but 2 singles to give more room for wheelchair. If anyone wants photos of stateroom I will email them to you, not sure if should post here or not.

We had a fantstic time, we had great weather and got into all the sounds, Milford Sound was a bit cold and misty with light rain but the weather cleared up by lunch time. We got into all the ports but we did not get off at Akaroa as it was a tender port which we knew about so just relaxed on the ship and had a good day.

The ship was lovely and the crew were amazing, very helpful and friendly and was there to help when needed. We went to most of the shows, played bingo twice, went to the casino twice, watch a great piano player Larry Dunsmore.

Hubby did well but was getting a little tired the last couple of days as one of them was a bit rough and they had to cancel one of the shows because there was a lot of dancing in it.

We would do another cruise with her to NZ as we live in Melbourne and did not need to fly, we can only do NZ and Tasmania from Melbourne and Tasmania is not suitable as mostly tender ports.

My email is ozgeordielass@gmail.com if anyone wants photos of cabin.

[MilliesMom]

There shouldn't be any problem with posting your photos here. They will help others not only now but in the future.

[mattandkelly]

Thanks for this information, would love to see your photos. How was the rest of the ship for accessibility - I've heard the Princess ships have a large lip to the outer decks which makes it very difficult for wheelchair users to get out to them?? Do you happen to know if any of the accessible cabins could sleep 4?

We have always sailed RCCL as their ships here in Oz seem to be the best for accessibility but we would like to try another line if we could be sure it would be suitable and had cabins that could sleep a family of 4.

Cheers

Kelly

[ozgeordielass]

Hi mattandkelly, Yes it was a little difficult to get out on deck, my husband is paralysed on his right side after a stroke over 5 years ago and was in a power (electric) wheelchair. I was the one to help him over the lip just had to steady the front as he went over the ramp ....it would be too hard for someone on their own but there was always someone to help us if we needed it. I am glad we had the power wheelchair as I would not have liked to push him around in his manual one.

The rest of the ship was great to get around, there are some places we could not access as they had raised seating areas in some places but it did not hamper us. The crew and the entertainment was fantastic so the little inconvenience getting out on deck was no problem.

We were on a table of 6 and the table companions were very nice and good company.

Not sure of a cabin for 4 that is fully wheelchair acessible , we tried to get a cabin for 3 as our daughter came with us and had to have a cabin on her own on deck 9 which was expensive being a single in a double cabin. I think we could have went up to a mini suite which I think had a roll away bed in the lounge but it was too expensive for us.

But we would go again on the Dawn Princess if we had the money .....so now on a saving spree to go on another cruise in about 2 years time.

[MilliesMom]

We were on the Dawn in 2006 with Friend in Wheelchair. We had one major complaint. The main show room was stairs and if she wanted to see the show she had to position her wheelchair at the very back just before the stairs. There was no other option. The first 3 or 4 rows are marked specifically for those with problems with stairs, so her husband nor us could sit by her during a show. It was very, very disappointing.

The cabin was just like yours (they had ocean view) and they loved it. Couldn't believe all the room. They went all over the ship, but not sure if they hadn't any other issues other than the show room.

In the buffet, staff always came to get her tray and would of pushed her wheelchair too if needed (it was manual). We had a wonderful time, no regrets on going. We cruised to Alaska. They had ramps at the docks, and one was steep coming back (probably higher tide) so the staff came down the ramp to help her husband with the chair with my friend in it.

On a side note: We have been on Carnival Spirit a few times with my brother in law in a wheelchair. The main showroom is a gradual ramp and they have areas throughout for a wheelchair or scooter. It definitely allows families and friends to sit together at a show AND lets the person choose the area they want to sit.

[ozgeordielass]

Hi MilliesMom,

Yes we had the same problem with the theatre, by the time we got there all the back seats were taken, Bill was ok but I would have to stand, not easy with back and hip problems.

Once a lady saw me standing with my hubby and got a crew member to tell me if we moved over to that side I could use her mini scooter to sit on. That was the only time I sat to see the shows, when we went to the Vista Lounge it was a lot easier.

I would still go on her again, we had a great piano player Larry Dunsmore and enjoyed listening to him a few nights.

The crew are amazingly very helpful and were always smiling and polite.