ChloeBelle910

Just another tip re: restrooms. I found the best accessible restrooms to be at the ferry terminals. We only did Dockyard, Hamilton, and St. George ferries, but all had great accessible restrooms. I ended up planning our days around visits to those toilets in lieu of rolling the dice elsewhere.

Breakaway to Bermuda, May 10-17, 2015. A review by someone who rolls, but also walks.

I hope it's ok to put access-related reviews here, if not please advise.

I'm so not ready for this vacation to be over, I'm stretching it out by eating the last of my rum cake very slowly and writing this review.

I did quite a bit of researching for this trip, AFTER booking, that is. We booked it at the spur of the moment when we were both fed up by the Massachusetts winter. To put this review in context, it may be helpful to understand my ability level. I have the type of cerebral palsy that affects my legs only. I use a small, manual, ultralightweight rigid frame chair that breaks down but doesn't fold. I can walk around a stateroom without crutches, and am perfectly safe using a standard bathroom with a shower bench. I need crutches for longer distances. I can do a few flights of stairs on a good day. I am young-ish, but not as young as I once was. My husband is strong, able-bodied, and willing to do the heavy-lifting when required (me, chair, me+chair, you get the picture). I never expect access to be perfect, and we always travel with a "make it work" attitude. We made this, our second cruise with NCL, work. I hunted around to find reviews from folks who were close to my ability level and using a manual chair (not scooter), and came up short. So if you are a fellow CPer, MSer, Arthritis-er, or AnythingElse-er who is at a similiar functional level and thinking of taking this ship, I hope you find this helpful. And thanks for all the helpful info so many of you provide in this forum. It made our trip great!

We were unable to book a wheelchair accessible room without downgrading from a balcony. I was willing to, DH wasn't, but he knew that this may mean more work for him. He was willing. I am 4'10, and about 105 lbs. (Pre-cruise. Heh.) My chair is sized accordingly, and is about 25" at its widest point (bottom of wheelrims, due to 2 degree camber). My chair fit through the stateroom door, but just barely. I did not have an inch or even a half inch to spare on either side. We made a lot of jokes about threading the needle. We did have our agent book a stateroom that had the bed nearest the balcony, and that made all the difference. I was able to get the chair into the room easily. We had our room steward remove the stool under the vanity, and I just pushed my chair under the vanity like a standard chair. Worked fine. I do think if my chair was any wider we would have had to break it down before bringing it into the room. The Breakaway has incredibly narrow hallways. Our only comparison is the Jade, which had wheelchairs and scooters galore in the hallways (never mine!). You cannot leave a wheelchair or scooter in these hallways, so if you can't get it though the door, prepare to have it taken by the staff every night. Seriously.

Bathroom was fine for me, but I did have to walk to get to it. Step up was fine, but by the end of the week I had cut up my left foot a bit on the ledge, because I drag my feet when I walk or climb stairs (that scar will be a little souvenier). They put a small bench in the shower; it was clean and served its purpose. The showerhead is a removable handheld even in standard staterooms. Again, served its purpose. The grab bar handled my weight fine. Overall, as previous reviews have mentioned, balcony room was tinier than the industry average, but servicable, even with a tiny wheelchair. You won't be able to get a wheelchair out onto the standard balcony.

We were in room 10884. Very close to aft elevator which was so handy access-wise, because we tended to stay towards the aft end of the ship.

Our at-sea morning routine was thus: up at 7, into bathing suits, breakfast at 8 at the Uptown Grill (16 Aft), then out to Spice H2O for sun and hottubs. Uptown Grill is this ship's best-kept breakfast secret. Early in the week no one was there, but us and some crew. The buffet is a little too high for wheelchairs, but when on a ship I am very happy to let crew help me out. It makes it easier for me and them. But if you are the sort of person who likes to get all your own food in a buffet setting, this isn't the spot for you. The selection is small, and there are no pancakes/waffles, but it had everything these omlet-lovers wanted.

Spice H20: Wheelies, get there early. The deck chairs filled up fast and quickly filled in the aisle which made it hard to get around the deck. Other cruisers quickly realized that this was our home base, and were helpful and self-policing in keeping the aisleway clear. Facing the screen, the wheelchair accessible bathroom to the right up the ramp past the hot tub was fantastic and never occupied (as were all the accessible restrooms on this ship--NCL did these very well, with push-button access and tons of room). Unfortunately, the hot tubs on this deck all have 2 rung ladders to get in, and no access-lifts. I can do stairs, I don't need a lift, but I cannot do ladders. Nope. This was a disappointment. My DH was able to lift me up on to the hot tub deck and we did just fine, but I was dependent on his help and wasn't able to use the hottub without him. So many fellow cruisers were so sweet and helpful on this ship, that honestly, with someone spotting me, I probably could have gotten into the hot tubs. I just felt safer with DH. I saw lots of older, able-bodied people having trouble with these hot tub ladders, too.

Vibe: We were planning to pay extra to use this area. But I knew from the blank look on a couple of crew member's faces, and an inquiry to the access coordinator, that getting someone who knew how to operate the wheelchair stair lift to that deck AND who would operate it in a timely manner would be a stretch. They wanted an hour's notice to get to Vibe or leave it. We weren't into planning our sunbathing time to the hour, nor did I want to walk up those stairs so we scrapped it. Mildly disappointing; but not a deal-breaker. Training all Vibe staff members in the use of this lift would be easy, and could result in them making (even more) money. The thinner crowds up there could be a draw for folks with disabilities.

Pool: We ventured down to the pool a few mornings. The hottubs near the pool have shallow steps to get in, and I was able to get into those just fine. These hottubs had no chair lifts, so you have to be able to do steps. As others have mentioned, this pool is tiny, for the size and capacity of the ship. There is a chair lift, but to use it requires an hour notice so they can set it up and safety check it. We didn't use it, because again, we aren't into that level of advance planning on sun days. I remember having no problems getting into the Jade's pool, so I know it doesn't have to be this way with NCL. Unlike the pool on the Jade, this pool only has a ladder to get in. I was able to get in myself, but needed DH's help to get out. We loved this ship, but the pool and hottub access will lead us to look at other ships to Bermuda in the future (we will definitely be returning!!). These barriers are not up to the usual access and helpfulness standards of NCL. I want to swim when I want to swim, just like everyone else. There are other ships that will allow me to do this. The Breakaway is not that ship, unfortunately.

Other areas of the ship:

Buffet: only did this for snacks. Access is fine but a bit high/set back in places. NCL's buffet staff were extremely helpful and inobtrusive.

Specialty Dining: We did UDP. All was perfect. I asked for assistance at Moderno's salad bar, and the floor manager dropped what he was doing, washed his hands, and filled a plate for me. That level of service was what I recieved throughout the ship. There was a patron with a power wheelchair and service dog at LeBistro one of the nights we were there. She was obviously a regular, and was being fawned over. Love it!

Shows: We had Cirque the first night as a perk. They asked if I wanted to stay in my chair or transfer. I told them whatever would give us the best seat. I transfered, they took away my chair, and brought it back immediately. Loved the show.

Breakaway Theater has a place for wheelchairs, but the ledge was high. I got out of my chair and sat in a regular seat (down one step). If you are tall or sit up high in your chair you may be able to see over the ledge. They may have better accessible seating on the other side, but we couldn't get over there.

We spent our other evenings in Fat Cats, which became our favorite spot on the ship thanks to the Creole Cookin' Band. Just wished there was more room in there for dancing...

Waterfront 8 Aft was my favorite spot on the ship. There are no chairs back there, but if you're a wheelchair user and bringing your own you don't need one. It's quiet, no one hangs out there, and you get a great view of the wake. Perfection.

Elevators: They are plentiful, tiny, and always crowded. Don't be afraid to claim your space if you're a chair user because people will cut in front of you otherwise. I had to put a few very drunk 20-somethings in their place.

Disembarkation: DH insisted on doing the self-disembarkation. Wheelies, maybe don't do this. Even as a seasoned traveler, having help with my luggage is a plus. We were off the ship quickly but it was stressful for me. There really is no help from staff whatsoever. I did this mostly to prove to DH that it was a bad idea. He agreed, in the end. We will check bags next time.

Pier 88: if you are a chair user they will separate you from the crowd after you get off the gangway, to take you to the elevator to customs. Doing this you may miss the declaration form that they are handing out at the escalator. Be sure to ask for it.

Ok, I think that's it. I hope this is helpful. We loved this ship. We just didn't love the barriers to swimming/hottubbing. I'll do another review of our port activities (we got the wheelchair on a public bus!!). Bermuda may very well be my new favorite place on Earth.

Just returned from the Breakaway, I am a wheelchair user myself. There was an accessible wheelchair toilet stall and shower stall. There is a ramp to get into bathroom. We used a phrase over and over on this trip: "Bermuda Standard," for facilities that had access but weren't up to the code I have grown to expect in the US. It was fine for me, in a small manual chair. I was actually impressed by how much I could see and do (Review forthcoming).

We took a $16 round trip minibus to Horseshoe Bay, the driver was more than willing to let us break down my rigid frame chair, and I could get myself on the bus. He took us all the way down the hill. I was able to push through the sand to the concession stand but then the sand got looser. There was a beach wheelchair there for rent, but the guy didn't know the price. I opted to walk down to the beach (100 yds, or so) with my crutches from that point, and the concession guy was happy to babysit my chair.

I read this post and you clearly stated your feelings. I would call the cruise line and see what they can do for you(you know your needs). Ask to speak to a supervisor. Before you cancel there is no harm in making a phone call.

I did :). My conversation with NCL Access sparked post #13. No able bodied person is allowed to stay in an accessible cabin if someone books the cruise and has a documented need for it, no matter when the person with a disability books the cruise. They were most helpful.

And thanks for not judging. People in wheelchairs are really no different than other cruisers. Often we can plan ahead and sometimes we can't but are still happy to snag a great deal, and in our case, get out of the New England cold.

Mking-- you are a saint for exchanging staterooms. To answer your questions, I'm not beating myself up. My health is such that we cannot plan ahead. Our last cruise we planned way ahead, but this situation is different. Everyone has different reasons for booking cruises when they do. But it often seems ok to scold people with disabilities for not booking ahead. I've been lurking on CC for years. I get what this board is about, and I understand that there are people on this board who make it a hobby or mission to learn as much about cruising as possible. The extra legwork I have to do around access issues leaves a little less time for researching other things so I am thankful for the wealth of info I've learned on this board. On another board, about another subject, I am the veteran who schools the newbies. I get it. ;)

What you stated in the earlier post about how/when accessible rooms are given to able bodied passengers is largely correct; confirmed by NCL Access Desk.

And to the person who suggested I was being unreasonable for wanting an accessible room after booking late, I assure you I am not. All I am asking is for a room that I can fit into if one is available that is not being used by another person who needs the room for the same reason. Would you feel YOU were being unreasonable for asking for a cabin that you could fit into? I don't think so. More importantly, NCL agrees with me. Able bodied people who are given accessible rooms are given written notification that their stateroom may change at any date prior to embarkation to another room in the same class if someone with a mobility issues needs the accessible cabin. If all the accessible rooms are booked by people who need them, I would never expect to get one. That would most certainly be unreasonable of me.

And in the end, putting people in accessible cabins who truly need them makes not only the experience better for people with disabilities (and sometimes merely just possible), but it also makes the crew's job easier, too. It's one less mobility device to schlepp up from below deck; it's one less wheelchair in the hallway (for the record, we will bungee it on top of the pullout couch before we leave it in the hallway. Biggest pet peeve ever.)

And with that, I take my leave and go back to being a (mostly) lurker. Enjoy your cruises everyone.

I am on the May 10th sailing and was unable to secure an accessible balcony cabin. I am a wheelchair user. The fact that NCL is giving these rooms to GTY bookings on any day other than embarkation day disgusts me. We did a last minute booking today on a whim. I tried everything to get an accessible room and wasn't angry because we didn't book far ahead of time. But now that I know this I am angry. We have until 12 more hours to cancel...