maxbannister

I would be very interested to know which ships allowed a full time (unable to walk) wheelchair user to board their tenders.

The last was RC Navigator OTS at Villefranche. I was amazed and hadn't expected to be able to go ashore but RC guest services assured me it would be ok, and it was.

My only gripe is that my specialist cruise compamny should have advised that we would be unable to go ashore in Croatia as I only booked that cruise because we wanted to return to Croatia post stroke.

Most cruise lines have the same rule for the tenders

 

 

Did you have tender ports before where he did not have to be able to stand to board the tender??

Yes he has been on several tenders albeit not with P&O. He has the most amazing powerchair so doesn't generally need help per se to board a tender.

Obviously P&O tenders must be designed differently. Would have been useful if the cruise specialist travel company had told me before I paid.

Oh,how disappointing for you. I think this rule applies to many ships- you will go through a door in the side of the ship, down some metal steps and on to a metal dock, where the tender ship will be bobbing around- a bit like joining a ship fastened to a pier without a gangway. You have to cross that small gap, with your arms take by crew members. I've always been aware that this is not allowed for people who cannot manage to stand, and have met people staying on board because of this, on P&O.

Looking in the brochure for 2019, for eg Oceana's fortnightly trips round Croatia, there is the anchor sign for tender next to several ports, and also the symbol for: "ship usually berthed alongside, but there is a possibility we may be required to land guests by tender". I've always noticed this when we've been with P&O to Dubrovnik with P&O, but the captain has usually announced that he has a berth. Perhaps your TA didn't tell you about the symbols?

Hi Jo,

It is dissapointing. We've been on 2 cruises since he had the stroke and not had any problem with the tender.

I booked over the phone with a company we have used for years. It's only because I wanted to start booking private tours that I came across this.

Fortunately I've managed to get on Celebity later on in 2019 with no tender ports.

Lesley

Hi,

Just wondered if anyone can help. I'm trying to find out when P&O first implemented the rule that you can only board a tender if you can step unaided over 18 inches and also step up/down 8 inches unaided.

I booked a cruise last year for 2019 with P&O. I have only just been made aware that my husband who is disabled and a full-time wheelchair user will not be able to access the tender ports. The whole point in going was to return to Croatia.

Their site states "In order to board the tender, please note that you will be required to use steps (up to 20cm/8 inches high) and navigate the gap between the platform and the tender (of up to 45cm/18 inches).

In the interests of safety, we require all guests wishing to use the tenders to have sufficient independent mobility to negotiate steps and traverse a gap of up to 45 cm/18 inches."

Our travel company omitted to tell us this when booking.

I have been told that the deposit of nearly £900 cannot be transferred unless we book a cruise of to at least the same value.

Many thanks in advance, <|3