Vision Impaired on Oasis

Can anyone tell me what services RCCL would provide for people with vision impairment on Oasis? This is my second cruise, but the first since accepting that I need to use my cane. I have RP and I'm currently in orientation & mobility training.

I saw on their website a place to notify them of special needs, but I haven't done it yet since we just hit the final payment date. Do they provide seating closer to the stage for shows? Anything else I'm not thinking of or I should know/be aware of?

Thanks!

Can anyone tell me what services RCCL would provide for people with vision impairment on Oasis? This is my second cruise, but the first since accepting that I need to use my cane. I have RP and I'm currently in orientation & mobility training.

 

I saw on their website a place to notify them of special needs, but I haven't done it yet since we just hit the final payment date. Do they provide seating closer to the stage for shows? Anything else I'm not thinking of or I should know/be aware of?

 

Thanks!

Not being vision impaired myself , I really can't answer the question regarding show seating. The following information was copied directly from RCCL's website . One thing stated on the website for the Vision Impaired is that you can request a Ship's Orientation Tour. Thought perhaps you might find this helpful given the size of the Oasis. Enjoy your cruise !!!

Visual Disabilities

We're determined to make the cruising experience as convenient and enjoyable as possible for guests with who are blind or have low vision. Our ships have been designed to incorporate Braille in public areas and elevators. Our crew and staff are on hand to assist in every way.

To customize your accommodations to meet your specific needs, please complete the Guest Special Needs Form.

For more information call our Access Department at (866) 592-7225 (voice), fax (954) 628-9622, send an e-mail to special_needs@rccl.com, or have your local travel agent or International Representative contact us.

Accommodations include:

• Large-print menus and Cruise Compasses.
  
• Service animals welcomed onboard: a 4 feet by 4 feet relief area with cypress mulch is provided.
  
• Braille/tactile signage.
  
• Braille elevator buttons/audio call signals.
  
• Orientation tours.
  
• Qualified Readers.
  

Thanks xxoocruiser!

I guess I just need to bite the bullet and go ahead and contact them. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience beforehand. :)

Please contact them ASAP. There is a form you can fax to them that you can get from your travel agent. I would call first and make sure you talk to someone who knows about disabilities. I would then get their fax number and send the form to their attention.

An orientation tour would be quite helpful. The ship is so big that it can be difficult even for sighted folks to get around.

Near the elevator banks there is a touch screen for information on the end wall, I did not check if low vision folks can access it or if it can speak to you. I would ask about that.

The ship is quite crowded, so please your cane. Allow more time to get places, as it can be a wait for elevators. Be sure you can walk down decks to get to places. Sometimes the decks do not go all the way on some ships. I used the cabin decks to go forward or aft to get as close as possible to the elevator near the venue I was going, rather than use the Promenade or Central Park as they were quite crowded. I wish you all the best and hope you have a great cruise.

Please contact them ASAP. There is a form you can fax to them that you can get from your travel agent. I would call first and make sure you talk to someone who knows about disabilities. I would then get their fax number and send the form to their attention.

 

An orientation tour would be quite helpful. The ship is so big that it can be difficult even for sighted folks to get around.

 

Near the elevator banks there is a touch screen for information on the end wall, I did not check if low vision folks can access it or if it can speak to you. I would ask about that.

 

The ship is quite crowded, so please your cane. Allow more time to get places, as it can be a wait for elevators. Be sure you can walk down decks to get to places. Sometimes the decks do not go all the way on some ships. I used the cabin decks to go forward or aft to get as close as possible to the elevator near the venue I was going, rather than use the Promenade or Central Park as they were quite crowded. I wish you all the best and hope you have a great cruise.

Thank you for all the helpful info! I contacted them via the web form when I wrote my previous post and got a response back already. They said they made a note of it in my reservation and to contact guest services when I board about my needs.

I shouldn't have a problem with the screen/maps by the elevators, as long as the writing isn't teeny-tiny. I will absolutely be using my cane while navigating the ship. It helps so much in unfamiliar areas. I've found it also helps with crowds - people see my cane and (usually) understand that I didn't mean to bump into them/walk in front of them, etc.

I will definitely ask for the orientation tour as well. I'm sure it would also put my DH at ease. :)

Good. I have some experience with people in different phases of RP from the newly diagnosed to legally blind. Some refuse to use a cane when they should. The Oasis is not easy to get around if one has a visual impairment and many people have few manners. Hopefully they will make room for you. I will try to keep tabs on your thread in case you have other questions.

Sorry, I hit the wrong tab. Not used to this computer.

Our cabin had a nightlight in the bathroom which is a suggestion I gave RCI several years ago. However I would still suggest taking a small flashlight to get around the room. I kept one in my bedside table and took it with me to the shows, etc. to see if the lights had been dimmed. The only room clock is on the phone, has small numbers and is difficult to read. If you have a light up watch you probably should take it. I missed not having mine.

There are also few clocks on the pool deck, so they may be difficult to see. I enjoyed the beach pool, as you could get in and out easily.

Plan to get to the shows early so you can choose a seat that best suits your vision.

Have a great cruise.

Sorry, I hit the wrong tab. Not used to this computer.

 

Our cabin had a nightlight in the bathroom which is a suggestion I gave RCI several years ago. However I would still suggest taking a small flashlight to get around the room. I kept one in my bedside table and took it with me to the shows, etc. to see if the lights had been dimmed. The only room clock is on the phone, has small numbers and is difficult to read. If you have a light up watch you probably should take it. I missed not having mine.

 

There are also few clocks on the pool deck, so they may be difficult to see. I enjoyed the beach pool, as you could get in and out easily.

 

Plan to get to the shows early so you can choose a seat that best suits your vision.

 

Have a great cruise.

Thank you!

On my last (also first) cruise 4 yrs ago, we kept the light on the bathroom at night and left the door ajar to provide light. We do this in hotels too as I often prefer it to a nightlight to give enough light to navigate in the room too (usually). I'll have to remember to pack my mini flashlight too, just in case. I'm glad they've added a nightlight though! Maybe it'll be bright enough.

I'll be bringing a travel clock, plus my iPhone and iPad (in airplane mode!). I plan on carrying my iPhone most of the time to have the time and to have instant access to zoomable maps that I'll download before we leave.

I'm in the "stable" phase of RP, I'd guess. I was suspected of having it in '90, but it was not confirmed by a specialist until '96. My vision has been stable for the most part, but my needs have changed. I'm in unfamiliar areas more often, travel more, etc. and that's why I'm only now learning about O&M, though I've been dealing with red tape for the past 2 yrs just to get it. Most people who don't know me well would never guess that I am vision impaired and I tend to hide it well, unintentionally. It's only more recent that I've begun using my cane more and requesting assistance.

So far, I've used my cane in WDW twice and in Las Vegas. This will be the first time on a cruise and the first time with "real" training.

Be prepared that outside on the decks, in the ports and when on some of the tours the sun will be very strong and very bright. Very bright! Be prepared with really good dark glasses and a hat as well.

Going from inside to outside can be a difficult thing to do without good eye protection.

I purchased plastic, uv sunglasses from the state support group for the blind and visually impaired for a low fee. They go over my eyeglasses and wrap around. I was able to choose between different colors and shades until I found the pair that worked best for me--an amber shade. They will fall apart if they fall off, but usually can go back together. They are inexpensive enough to get a couple of pairs in case you lose one.

I also wear a hat. I have found that one with a visor or a visor shade that extends out over the top of the glasses reduces glare the best for me.

Maybe your O&M instructor can suggest how to find these in your area.

Yes many folks with RP pass for not having an impairment. That's why using your cane may help part the folks on the decks that otherwise would have walked into you.

Thanks for the tips about the hat & sunglasses.

I don't leave the house without my sunglasses! I often use them even on cloudy days - they make a huge difference for me as my eyes are very slow to readjust to changes in light (another RP thing). I have a favorite pair or Ray-bans (totally worth the $$ for me) that are ready to be retired after 4 yrs of faithful service. A new pair is on my Christmas list, but I'll delegate my old ones to be "travel" sunglasses. :)