FOPMan

Actually, two to three is a significant change as it means using a 4-top table, not a 2-top.

The Whittier cruise was likely operated by Captain Phillips. It is definitely good for the money. They can also provide transportation to/from Anchorage- my mother was aboard several weeks ago, including northbound bus service.

That shouldn't be a problem.

The Fort Lauderdale airport is 5 minutes from the Port Everglades' Eller Drive exit. It's literally one right turn, going through a loop turn, and bearing right into the airport a minute or so later. You can likely set up a one way rental, picking up from a Port Everglades location and returning to the airport. Or use a ride share to get to the airport locations. For the day, you could explore Fort Lauderdale on the Water Taxi ( If you have Jeremy as your captain, say "Hi!"). You can explore mangroves in canoes or kayaks at Anne Kolb Nature Center. If you end up with a rainy day, the Museum of Discovery and Science is a good option.

I think HAL's position is pretty clear from the email you referenced and the contents of the website. HAL does not provide 1:1 assistance to accommodate other disabilities, save for a temporary steadying hand as one goes up or down a gangway and assistance carrying a tray or beverage in the Lido.

The ability to go ashore is always at the captain's discretion. Concerns include safety, not only in getting off the ship, but also in returning. If the excursion is using a tour bus, often (but not always, and you won't likely know until you are at the bus) the bus driver can store mobility equipment where the luggage usually goes. Your husband would still need to be able to ascend/descend the bus stairs. Additionally, you will need to consider the nature of each excursion and whether there is an accessible path/route. Sometimes, when lunch is included in the tour, the facility used may not be wheelchair accessible unless so noted in the description. The excursion desk aboard ship is unlikely to have significant derails. Safe travels!

HAL is relatively consistent in providing supports for individuals with disabilities regarding accessibility accommodations for excursions. Buses used for excursions purchased through HAL in most ports outside the US are not wheelchair accessible. Most other excursions are not wheelchair accessible for one reason or another. I am not aware of a European law that requires the provision of an interpreter. HAL's ships have loops or technology to assist individuals in some environments on each ship. See https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/faq/accessibility/what-options-are-available-for-guests-who-are-deaf-or-hard-of-hearing. Are there speech to text tools that you can use when an interpreter is not available?

HAL is providing a cabin at no charge. You are responsible for paying the interpreter any wages/salary (and, presumably arranging any. necessary work permit or visa), paying the interpreter's travel costs to and from the ship, and the costs of any excursions, spa services, photo services, casino, drinks that are provided at a fee, specialty restaurants, etc.

The $100 credit is in the individual's name in the app, specific to excursion expenses, similar to dining credits that are specific to the individual in HIA.

AFAIK they are not transferable, however it can be used towards a cabana or other rental that can be used by more than one person. You can also use it towards transfers to the airport at the end of your cruise.

This change seems to introduce challenges for people with service animals on 11+ day trips involving Alaska, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. Seeing a veterinarian in the midst of a railcruise trip to Denali would be challenging. Similar issues would occur in finding a vet in the Carribean.

I would drop the people and the bags at the terminal and then return the car.

It's been a few years, but every hoho bus was NOT accessible. It seemed every other one was. They (smartly) use manual ramps that pull out from underneath the bus. Space for one wheels user per bus.

It shouldn't be much of a problem, and less so on any non-holiday Thursday-Saturday night. At worst, a taxi will be easily available,

The only significant obstacle a few of the mainline cruises ships may present is the use of tenders. You may be a bit late for 2025, but you will want to book an accessible cabin, and you need to do so pretty quickly after itineraries are released or you may have little choice. It is much easier to get from the airport to the cruise port using a power wheelchair in Vancoiver using SkyTrain public transportation. Getting around Seattle is doable, but requires more planning. Staying at the PanPacific at Vancouver puts you right above your ship for the night. Although it may be a bit more expensive, you may want to buy excursions through the cruise line, noting in the catalog which (few) are wheelchair accessible. The train in Skagway IS accessible if you are in the right car- there are limited seats. It is unlikely you will find an easily accessible helicopter tour. The dogsled tours probably can accommodate you of you can transfer, but not your 350+ pound wheelchair. Salmon fishing may also not be a accessible to you. The ships themselves are generally very accessible, save for some pools and slides if your ship is so equipped. If going only northbound, I suggest going on Captain Phillips' tour in Whittier before transferring to Anchorage.

Yes, the ship will need to be at zero count. No, you do not need to pack your stateroom if you have the same stateroom for both legs. The night before turnaround you will be given an "in transit" pass. All "in transit" passengers will be required to assemble (often in the World Stage) WITH THEIR PASSPORTS AND PASSES and then marched off the ship, downstairs, and to ICE. Don"t be the passenger that's late, holding everyone else up. They won't start until every passenger is there. ICE will process all passengers. Passengers are then released to reboard or are free to continue ashore and reboard at their leisure, but before "all aboard."

I would see if it has a Bluetooth option and connect it to the person's phone.

There is a large shopping center with a grocery store, Total Wine, and various retail establishments about 8 minutes walk west of Port Everglades on 17th Street. There are more stores across 17th Street. Bubba Gump's is on Fort Lauderdale beach, about a 7 minute ride from the above-mentioned shopping areas. The shopping areas mentioned above are an 11 minute ride from the Fort Lauderdale airport. I lived just north of the shopping centers for 22 years and went by the airport pretty much every day for over 10 years.

Probably. Airport arrival for international flights out of the US is generally three hours or so. You could very well clear immigration on landing at Pearson and not on the US side.

Except be really careful not to damage the door. We've come close to damaging a hinge or two.

1) Stay somewhere else. Dania Beach may be far enough. Or you may need to "head West, young man...." 2) Move your cruise.

Navigating the Pinnacle ships is generally pretty easy. Music Walk is forward, just aft of the World Stage. Some of the shops are on the starboard side The Pinnacle Grill and Rudi's specialty restaurants are a bit further aft. Ocean Bar is on the starboard side. The main dining room (non-scheduled seating) is at the aft. Deck 3 forward is the World Stage, with the casino immediately to the aft. The art gallery is next (bow to stern) on the port side. More shops are on the starboard side. Next, the port side has the upstairs part of BB Kings. At the atrium, you'll find the Grand Dutch Cafe on the starboard side, Walking aft is the photo center, and all the way at the stern is the upstairs main dining room.

There are no free inter terminal shuttles provided by Port Everglades. Your options include asking your cruise line for assistance (Celebrity and RCL are related companies), taxi, and ride share.

You could always split the difference and go 2+2, with 2 in a ride share or taxi. It’s a 15 minute ride. Both taxis and ride shares ate plentiful.$30 would cover fare and a generous tip.

For the ship to airport transfer, its probably easiest to book a transfer through the cruise line. They pretty much HAVE to offer a wheelchair transfer. It’s often a greyhound-style bus with a wheelchair lift, but could also be a wheelchair accessible van. If your flight is later in the day, the tours/drop off at airport trips will also have an accessible option.