A "hello" from a potential new cruiser

I just wanted to say "hello", having just registered at this Forum.

DH and I have never been on a cruise, but it is something on our To Do List. We are retired and love travelling - it's a big part of our Retirement Plan!

So, I'll be doing lots of reading here to pick up info, hints and tips.

But I do have a problem that seems to be becoming a big one, judging by our very first attempt to actually book a cruise. I will explain...

At Christmas DH received a flyer from Saga offering a splendid price for new cruisers on a 7 day trip to the Norwegian Fjords. That sounded just right - not too long (in case we didn't like it) and starting from Southampton (no flights). So DH phoned and tried to book it as a surprise Christmas present for me. Trouble is, it seems Saga only allow ONE wheelchair user, and that one place was already gone. We were pretty amazed that they only have one wheelchair user on any cruise, considering they are aimed at those aged 55+!

As you can see, our ideal first cruise would be short and from the UK, and I must be able to bring my folding wheelchair. Any ideas/suggestions would be most welcome.

Thank you in advance for any input. I'm pleased to meet you all and to be aboard :)

That would be a Saga rule as far as I know. We sail on Princess and have seen multiple wheel chairs on our cruises.

I just checked Saga cruise lines and it looks like they have smaller ships - so there may be only one handicapped cabin on their ships.

Cruise lines with larger ships usually have more HC cabins - although you still have to book quite a ways out to make sure you get one as they may fill up fast.

And welcome to the great world of cruising - prepare to be hooked. :)

Your post surprised me too!!

Plenty of other cruise lines sail the fjords from Southampton, Dover, Harwich - even Newcastle & Rosythe.

All have some adapted cabins, though there's a tendency for those cabins to book-out early.

You do need informed advice on using non-adapted cabins. Some lines (eg P & O) require that you have an adapted cabin or one large enough to accommodate required wheelchairs. Plus door widths, thresholds & limited cabin space generally can make life tricky. Though like Paul we've seen plenty of wheelchairs parked outside cabins.

Public areas on cruise ships cater very well for wheelchair users, perhaps newer ones better than older ships like Saga's. And crew are great with handicapped passengers.

Beware ports where the ship doesn't berth at the quayside - in those places passengers are ferried ashore in boats, either the ship's own tender boats (upgraded lifeboats) or local tender boats. If you are unable to board the boat on your own two feet (with help from crew) you'll probably not be able to go ashore. Crew will happily put your wheelchair on/off the tender boat.

Those ports are generally marked on cruise itineraries as "ashore by tender" or "may be ashore by tender"

I very very strongly advise you to book through a cruise specialist travel agent rather than a High Street allsorts agent.

They know their stuff, and can prove invaluable to any newbie cruiser, let alone one with a wheelchair.

Cruise Critic rules don't allow us to quote agencies by name. So just google "cruise travel agents" and phone a few with the word "cruise" in their name - you'll soon figure which are going to be the most helpful, the most willing to answer "dumb" newbie questions.

Have fun choosin', have fun cruisin'

JB :)

Welcome to the forum... And HAPPY Cruising... :)

I just wanted to say "hello", having just registered at this Forum.

 

DH and I have never been on a cruise, but it is something on our To Do List. We are retired and love travelling - it's a big part of our Retirement Plan!

 

So, I'll be doing lots of reading here to pick up info, hints and tips.

 

But I do have a problem that seems to be becoming a big one, judging by our very first attempt to actually book a cruise. I will explain...

 

At Christmas DH received a flyer from Saga offering a splendid price for new cruisers on a 7 day trip to the Norwegian Fjords. That sounded just right - not too long (in case we didn't like it) and starting from Southampton (no flights). So DH phoned and tried to book it as a surprise Christmas present for me. Trouble is, it seems Saga only allow ONE wheelchair user, and that one place was already gone. We were pretty amazed that they only have one wheelchair user on any cruise, considering they are aimed at those aged 55+!

 

As you can see, our ideal first cruise would be short and from the UK, and I must be able to bring my folding wheelchair. Any ideas/suggestions would be most welcome.

 

Thank you in advance for any input. I'm pleased to meet you all and to be aboard :)

Welcome to CC.

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

You really do need to talk to a travel agent in your area.

We have sailed on 5 different cruise lines and there have been quite a few people in wheelchairs, scooters and walker/rollators.

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Travelling with a folding wheelchair would be no problem on most lines. We travel with a scooter wheelchair and unless the cabin is very small most cabins are fine. For passengers with mobility problems an accessible cabin may be necessary . A good Travel agent can be a big help.

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

Travelling with a folding wheelchair would be no problem on most lines. We travel with a scooter wheelchair and unless the cabin is very small most cabins are fine. For passengers with mobility problems an accessible cabin may be necessary . A good Travel agent can be a big help.

Agree.

Welcome to Cruise Critic!!

I can see from your info that it looks like you are from the UK...

That wheel chair rule must be a Saga rule? I have never heard that from other cruise lines? Try looking at other major cruise lines such as Princess. I know they wouldn't have a rule like that. I know you said Saga offered you a great deal, but Princess typically is running deals and sales as well!

I do hope you find something that works for you!

Good afternoon Sue,

It's Nichola from Saga Holidays here and I happened to notice your post. Whilst it is necessary to limit the number of wheelchairs on our ships in the interest of onboard safety, I am sorry to hear that you were misinformed that this number is limited to one. The limit for each ship will vary but we are able to take several wheelchairs onboard Saga Pearl II and Saga Sapphire. We would like to contact you in order to understand your individual circumstances so if you would like to discuss this further, please e-mail us at chat@saga.co.uk with your name and telephone number and we'll arrange for one of our experienced cruise advisors to call you.

Best wishes,

Nichola

Welcome to C.C. This place is great.....we love cruisin.......happy travels

I just wanted to say "hello", having just registered at this Forum.

 

DH and I have never been on a cruise, but it is something on our To Do List. We are retired and love travelling - it's a big part of our Retirement Plan!

 

So, I'll be doing lots of reading here to pick up info, hints and tips.

 

But I do have a problem that seems to be becoming a big one, judging by our very first attempt to actually book a cruise. I will explain...

 

At Christmas DH received a flyer from Saga offering a splendid price for new cruisers on a 7 day trip to the Norwegian Fjords. That sounded just right - not too long (in case we didn't like it) and starting from Southampton (no flights). So DH phoned and tried to book it as a surprise Christmas present for me. Trouble is, it seems Saga only allow ONE wheelchair user, and that one place was already gone. We were pretty amazed that they only have one wheelchair user on any cruise, considering they are aimed at those aged 55+!

 

As you can see, our ideal first cruise would be short and from the UK, and I must be able to bring my folding wheelchair. Any ideas/suggestions would be most welcome.

 

Thank you in advance for any input. I'm pleased to meet you all and to be aboard :)

Hello,

We have cruised many times out of Europe, including Southampton, UK, and we have seen that the ships are always very wheelchair friendly. We have sailed on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and NCL.

Our cruise out of Southampton was a blast - 13N on the Adventure of the Seas to Iceland and Norway.

Here is a link to the cruise review if you are interested -

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2058253

Cruising to the Fjords is a wonderful experience. Check out the view of the Fjords from our balcony.

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