bwgreen

On my next trip (beginning of May) I plan to take my rollator that converts to a transfer chair and use a "pusher" from the airport.  I should be able to take it right to the door of the plane, have them stow it, and have it at the door at the other end - if they don't break it!

20 hours ago, Jagggg said:

I am also looking at the same transfers as you have listed. Have you booked through any of these companies yet? Please let me know, what you decided to do. Thank you.

After some reading, and looking at quotes, I decided to book through a company called Meadway.  I don't have first-hand experience with them (yet!), but I hope it all goes well!  We made a slight change to two of our transfers - Heathrow -> Southampton with the pick\up at Terminal 2, and a stop at Terminal 5,; and London Hotel to Heathrow, ending at Terminal 4 with a stop at T2. 

We have booked with Meadway, but haven't used them yet (as our trip is in May) - so I don't have anything for you, but I'd be interested to know who you booked with!

My only caution there (and it may not be relevant to you) is - check on how you are getting to the ship.  If you are flying, they have VERY specific rules about battery types and sizes that they allow, and also have stringent rules on how they are to be transported - and each airline can have their own set of rules.  I agree, a Scooter is fantastic - I rented one while on board (I never took it off the ship) on our last cruise, and am renting one again through Special Needs At Sea.   I also will have my rollator - it's foldable, so it shouldn't be a problem.

I am going on the Regal in May, and have a scooter booked for while I am on the ship - as for tendering (there are 3 tendering ports, according to the itinerary) they state that the crew will not lift anything over 50 lbs onto the tender - I assume that's if they use the ship's tender & crew.

As for on board - I was last on Celebrity and had no issues.  We didn't go to the shows, so I can't speak to that, and I can walk with a cane so I would "park" the scooter outside the MDR, take the key, then walk (with my cane on one side and DW on the other) to our table.  Even elevators - I had no issues with people not getting out of the way - especially when I told them this is a rental and it was my first time!  Ankles take a while to heal!

After reading this thread, and the older one, I am now trying to decide between several transfer companies.  I am looking at three transfers - Heathrow -> Southampton, Southampton -> London, and London -> Heathrow.  The companies I am looking at are:  Meadway Cars, Jewels Airport Transfers, Aquacars, West Quay Cars & International Friends (I don't have a quote back from them as yet).  Does anyone have any recommendation for whom to use?

Thanks!

Talk to your physician or you can request a list of "ADP Approved" physicians and physios from ADP themselves.

That's kinda what I though - we're not planning to get them sent to us.

Thanks for your input!

2 minutes - I can deal with that! 2 hours - not so much!  My main concern is time - not wanting to spend a long time in embarkation because of this.

Hello!

I wanted to ask - for those who have boarded recently in Southampton is it wise to get the Medallions shipped ahead of time?  I would prefer just to get them at the Pier (as if thy are sent then that is one more thing to remember!) but if there will be a significant delay for these then we'll order them (we have Plus so shipping is free, and we are in Canada so they send them to the house now).

Thanks,

Brian

I've used an e-scooter aboard ship (it was Celebrity, not Princess) and the stewards were very helpful in getting things out of the way if I needed to get by.  If they were in a cabin or otherwise didn't notice me, a quick "Hello" (unless they were vacuuming!) got their attention.  I admit, I didn't encounter many as our cabins were near the elevators (I try to request an accessible one as I usually have a scooter or rollator) and that seems to be where they all are - probably for this reason.

On 11/1/2023 at 7:32 PM, CruisingAlong4Now said:

Just want to add a comment that Medicare in the US will usually pay for a rollator if medically necessary.

Similar in Ontario, Canada - the Provincial Government will pay 75% of it if medically needed under the Assistive Devices Program (ADP).

I  used one in San Juan, Puerto Rico - they brought it right to the curb for me.

Does anyone know if there are "Premium Dessert" options for those who are lactose-intolerant, and cannot have regular gelato, whipped cream or chocolate (as they all contain milk)?

Thanks - that's great information!

One question - do you know where in Dornoch the tour would drop you off for your time in town?  There's a store or two that I'd like to go to - if they're not an option then that is a deal-breaker for me!

Thanks!

On 9/1/2023 at 10:19 AM, Steelers36 said:

I don't think the first line was necessary.

 

Service in Canada can vary and it was quite poor according to reports during and post-Covid.  I am not sure how they are doing these days, but our service level is 10-20 days (depending on how application submitted), plus mailing time.

I just renewed ours in Ottawa (we're Canadian, obviously) and the new ones showed up at our door in just 9 days!

I've used a cane, walker and electric scooter, and haven't had issues with the cand tip losing rubber.  If I thought it could be an issue, I would take am extra tip with me.  I think putting tape on it, depending on where, could make it very slippery.

I have a neurological condition that makes using a wheelchair in the airports absolutely essential.  When I first started, it was hard getting over my own self-consciousness of needing help.  Also when I started using a cane or a rollator.  But those around me were glad to see it - the usual reaction was "it's about time!" as they knew (the hard way) what could happen if I took a tumble (I had a fall years ago at work that necessitated a trip to the hospital 😞 .

Do what you need to do for yourself (I know it's easier to say this than to do it!) and don't worry what those around you think.

On our last cruise from San Juan I rented one (a 4-wheeler) from Special Needs At Sea - it made a world of difference!  Without it, walking from the dining room back to the cabin would have been exhausting.  They dropped it off in the room - I got Celebrity to provide wheelchair assistance to get on board and for disembarking as well.  We are doing another cruise in May - this one out of Southampton on Princess - and I've rented another unit, again through Special Needs At Sea.

I have a rare neurological disorder - called Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia - that mainly affects my balance (I fall A LOT) and gait.

I'm booked on a UK Cruise in May and have rented from Special Needs at Sea.  I've used them in the past (out of Puerto Rico) with no issues.

Thanks - hadn't thought about steps in the dining room itself!

I've used wheelchair assistance on Celebrity both in Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) and San Juan - I just let the person I first see know and they were more than willing to help.  In Florida there were two pushers - one from the port and one from the ship, while in San Juan it was the same person from the curb right to the cabin.

Bottom line - they were all very helpful and considerate!

Thanks - Concerto it is!  BTW our cabin is near the forward elevators - C302.

Hello,

There are 8 of us booked on the British Isles cruise May 3rd 2024 on the Regal Princess and I was hoping to reserve a table for all 8 of us, at the same time in the same dining room on the ship.  I see from the deck plans that there are 3 MDRs - the Concerto, the Allegro and the Symphony - which would be the best one to try?  Also to consider is space - one of our group (me) has a balance disorder and uses an electric scooter (and takes a cane with me) on-board the ship to get around - so would need a place to "park" it while at the table.

Thanks,

Brian

I really hate having to think about this, but...On our May '24 British Isles cruise we have a port call in Invergordon, and I am considering the "Easy Scottish Highlands Drive" from the cruise line (Princess) - it includes a stop in Dornoch and wanted to know - what is that town like for accessibility?  I use a rollator (4-wheeled walker) to get around and would hate to miss out on something because it just won't go there!

Thanks!

Brian