xxoocruiser

Good morning cruisers -- I'm looking at a cruise on the Veendam with my sister, who uses her own mobility scooter and has some other mobility issues (walks full time with a cane). I've got a hold on Vista Suite B202, which is an ambulatory accessible cabin. I'm assuming because they use the word "accessible" there is enough floor space for the scooter (she has a collapsible scooter - similar size to a Luggie). We're also OK with the small step into the bathroom and shower, but the question is grab bars in the shower. I've sent a message to Holland's accessibility department but wondering if anyone knows if there are grab bars in the shower?

 

Thanks!

Your assumption is incorrect, HAL's ambulatory accessible cabins are basic standard cabin that has some minimal adaptations . The shower will be a standard shower and it does not have a fold down seat. Additionally the entrance door is not wheelchair accessible width so if your sister's scooter is wider than 21" it won't fit through the doorway. Following description was copied directly from HAL's website :

Ambulatory Accessible rooms are designed for use by guests with mobility disabilities who do not require the regular use of a wheelchair, scooter, or other

similar assistive devices. These rooms provide some accessible features.

Following copied directly from the Veendam Deck Plans :

Suites SA030, B200 & B202 and staterooms K500, G501, G502, C567, FF829 & FF831 are ambulatory accessible, shower only with small step, step into bathroom, standard interior and exterior door size.

Important to note the scooter must be stored in the cabin at all times when not in use. Per SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulations the scooter cannot be stored in the hallway regardless what the cabin attendant tells you. Your sister really needs a Fully Accessible Cabin

Hi.. we are flying into Fort Lauderdale for our cruise. I will be in a bariatric wheelchair (heavy duty 350lb+) and have great difficulties walking. One of my greatest difficulties is pulling my foot up to step into a vehicle.. so we are looking to get one of those Taxi/Van's that either have the hydrolic lift on the side.. or the two back doors open and I can drive my wheelchair right up into the back.

 

Can someone let me know what company there is that has these types of taxi vans?

At the airport go out to the taxi line and speak to the person in charge. Let him/her know you require an accessible. You can always pre-arrange one. I prefer Yellow Cab as they have the largest Fleet of accessible taxis http://www.yellowcabbroward.com/our-services/ Go Airport shuttle has vans with an accessible lift https://www.go-airportshuttle.com/

My responsibility ended when I was given the 100% all clear to board with the service animal. I did read their policy and it is flawed in regards to what I was told. Yes, it clearly states I am responsible for obtaining all permits. It does not state what happens if I do not obtain all permits. The only thing it states is that you can not hold them responsible for your failure to get off in a port you do not have a permit for. So with that, and talking for years with guests who remain onboard because they don’t have a permit, it leads me to believe that it’s acceptable to remain onboard, which is false. I can read the contract over and over and it does not state, “failure to obtain permits for ALL islands regardless if you exit in port or remain on the ship, will result in the service animal not being permitted to board on the day of embarkation”.

As for placing blame, I accept the blame that I did not have the permit for the Bahamas, that is 100% on me. What does the contract state if I don’t have the permit, it states I can not hold them responsible for being denied exiting in that port. I do not hold them responsible for not being allowed off in that port. What does it say about failing to obtain all permits for all the islands....nothing, it says nothing (this is what I’m trying to change).

Blame also goes to the trained staff who gave me the 100% all clear to board. This member assured me all the paperwork was filled out, even placed me on hold to fill it out. So my 100% blame and responsibility ended and was then transferred to the trained staff who gave me wrong information.

Blame also falls with the contract and policy, it’s very simple to add in and inform people failing to obtain permits for all islands regardless if you exit the ship in those ports will result in not being allowed to embark with service dog.

Blame also goes to the executive in charge of complaints. If he assured me there would be an immediate change, such as a quick memo to all staff to refer calls to their special needs department to ensure the passengers have all required documents, prior to giving them the 100% all clear to travel, then it would have resolved this issue and this thread would not have existed.

 

As I stated previously, if I had traveled with the dog on other cruises and remained onboard as others have done, I would have not asked if we could get off in the ports, I would not have been asked to call special needs to answer that question, I would not have spoken to the person who told me the dire consequences for not having the permit and remaining onboard. I would have been oblivious to the heartache that awaited me when I got to that port. That’s is why it is so important for me to inform others like me that if you don’t have all the permits for all the islands then don’t cruise!!! Don’t be misled by false information that it is okay to travel and no further paperwork is needed, permits are needed even if you don’t exit the ship.

Have read through this entire thread and perplexed as to why you don't understand that the responsibility regarding this matter was NOT Disney's but instead yours ? It's been explained over and over again in this thread as to why it wasn't Disney's responsibility despite what you alleged to have been stated by a Disney Rep that you were good to go after having informed the of a Service Dog.

The facts of this matter are:

Your TA at the time of booking should have had you complete a Disney's "Special Services Form" . Even if the TA didn't request you complete the form if the Service Dog was included in the booking that would have triggered Disney to have emailed you the Special Services Request Form to complete and return.

You stated somewhere in this thread that a Disney rep allegedly told you the information regarding policy service dogs wasn't posted on the website when in fact it is posted on the website. Scroll down to the bottom of the Disney home page go to the section titled than click on "Guest with Disabilities" you will find the following information regarding service animals posted :

• Arrange for wheelchair access and/or ground transportation lift
  
  
• Specify if a wheelchair-accessible stateroom is required
  
  
• Reserve a communication kit for Guests with hearing disabilities
  
  
• Request a sharps box for the disposal of needles, syringes and lancets
  
  
• Indicate if you will be traveling with a service animal
  
  
• Provide notification of medical equipment arrangements
  
  
• Indicate if you will be traveling with oxygen
  
  

I have to put my two cents worth in here. I am disabled and cannot walk over 100 feet at a time. I do NOT think the disabled in wheelchairs or scooters should get dismissed first, we have seats and are sitting down. Some of the non- handicapped are in bad shape and truely need to sit down. The same goes for the elevator! I feel that should be a first come first serve, although I am totally NOT saying anyone else should be able to push past us. However, holding a door is ALWAYS appreciated! Rant over. Thank You all!

My thoughts exactly !!!

Ours was delivered to our cabin on our Breakaway cruise. This was about 4 yrs ago.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

OP Collboy already cruised. Cruise was on February 2, 2018.

once the cut off date has passed and any unsold HA cabins are released to the general public, thats it. first come first served. that's why the vast majority of people who truly need a HA cabin will book as soon as the itinerary is released. the cruise line has no requirement to contact the occupants of that cabin and request that they move, or to move them unilaterally just because some one calls and requests a specific type of cabin. nor does the passenger have any obligation accept the request, regardless of their physical status.

 

as for the person who claims that unworthy people booked a HA cabin.. just as a corollary about the complaint that handicapped people travel with families.. just because you saw 2-3 people 'walking in and out of cabin' does not mean that there is a person who IS in a WC or ECV also in that cabin.

 

or myself.. who last cruise traveled 3 month post op from a hip replacement. still under surgery protocol restrictions: no steps. , grab bars and raised toilet seat. outside of the cabin on board I didn't use my cane at all. ( did at port calls, just in case)

Though your information is much appreciated, the post written by JLS Pebble was posted on Posted June Posted June 9th, 2013.

Taking a Royal Caribbean cruise. These are the 2 scooter companies who service Royal. I’d love to hear the good, bad and ugly about both. Trying to decide which to book a heavy duty scooter through. Thanks!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Both are good companies. Suggest you contact both and compare the prices.

FYI - Scootaround's standard scooter is the Pride GoGo which has a 325 lb. weight capacity may be cheaper than SpecialNeedsatSea's full size scooter.

We will be in Tallinn this July. Does anyone know if the "free" shuttle from the port to the old town takes a powered wheelchair?

Don't remember it as having a lift . There are 2 taxi companies in Tallinn that have wheelchair accessible taxis but they must be booked at least 12 hours in advance. Tulika Takso AS and Termaki Autopargi AS.

NYC subways and buses are wheelcheer accessible. NYC has wheelchair accessible taxi's http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/html/passenger/accessible.shtml

We are traveling on the GEM on 4/21/18 and we have an obstructed ocean view handicap room already booked.

 

We received the "bid to upgrade" email and realize that if we bid and get accepted that we will not be guaranteed a handicap room.

 

My question is, has anyone ever stayed in a Mini Suite with a scooter successfully on the GEM? I would love to have the balcony, but if I can't get the scooter in the room or be comfortable with the scooter in the room then I don't want to try for the upgrade.

 

Thank you :)

Things to consider with booking when bidding on a NCL upgrade and not being gauranteed a HC room :

• The bathroom has a step to get in and out .
  
• The bathroom doesn't have grab bars nor a raised toilet. A walker won't fit through the bathroom door and even if it did there's not enough room to use a walker. The shower is very small which is difficult to fit a free standing shower chair (provide free from NCL) and has a 4" lip.
  
• Though NCL's website states a standard room entrance door is 26" wide that measurement is from door frame to door frame. The balcony will not have a ramp so the scooter cannot go out onto it and the sliding door will have a approximately a 6" or higher step over. You have to deduct 2" as the door does not open flush to the wall so the total actual clearance is 24". Meaning your scooter has to beless than 24" in width to even get it into the cabin and it can't be left outside as it violates SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea ) regulations.
  
• The balcony will not have a ramp so the scooter cannot go out onto it and the sliding door will have a approximately a 6" or higher step over
  

Being that you're not gauranteed to get an HC Cabin with the bid do you really want to give up the accessible cabin you already have ?

Long story short, I’m sailing out if Tampa. My suggested boarding time is 2:30-3 for a 4 pm sailing?

Kind of irked... I rebooked my flight a few weeks ago because RCCLs website suggested I was arriving too late. I wanna calm down and enjoy my trip. I’m now arriving the night before, are they enforcing this?

Though the "suggested boarding time isn't enforced the required to be check-in on board time IS ENFORCED. All passengers must be checked in and on board 90 minutes prior to the ships departure time. Being the ship is departing at 4:00 PM you must be checked in and on aboard by 2:30 PM. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/cruise-boarding-time

I've heard that if you own Royal Caribbean stock you can get a small discount on their cruises. Any truth to the rumor?

 

Sent from my SM-T550 using Forums mobile app

Not a rumor.

Check out this link http://www.rclcorporate.com/investors/shareholder-benefit/ what the link doesn't state is that it's not combinable with most other promotions so you need . Being that the shareholder benefit is no combinable most of the time, IMO one should consider if purchasing the stock makes sense to ones overall investment decision not to buy it solely for the shareholder benefits but that my opinion.

Shareholders discount .

• $250 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 14 or more nights.
  
• $200 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 10 to 13 nights.
  
• $100 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 6 to 9 nights.
  
• $50 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 5 nights or less.
  
• Applicable on any eligible Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises or Azamara Club Cruises sailings. (excludes any charter sailings or Celebrity Xpeditions sailings)
  

How long is the drive? I would look for a mi-fold or bubble bum for each child and have an adult in back with them to ensure they stay seated properly. As long as you aren't driving for hours and they don't plan to sleep in the car it should work fine. Our 5yr old is still harnessed but I would consider this for a short drive on a trip. I would prefer the bubble bum booster over a provided car seat. You just don't know the history of that seat, it may be expired, or damaged. A properly used booster is safer than an expired/damaged/improperly installed harness seat.

By the statement "We saved 3K in airfare, by leaving the next day" most likely mean that by flying the day before the cruise the OP saved 3K in airfare . Therefore OP is not flying .

TO OP suggest you post your question on the Port of Call Forum. However it's unlikely that you'll find a shuttle option that will provide a bus. Your only option may be a van shuttle or a taxi which means than you need to ask the company if it provide car seats or bring your own.

My scooter has acid batteries and I have taken it on the plane several times. No one has ever asked about the batteries.

Do you have check your batteries to make sure the level of acid is correct and have to add water thus classing them as a spillable lead battery ? IMO highly unlikely. therefore if you are not having to check the level and add water to your lead acid batteries periodically than they are sealed non-spillable lead batteries that are approved by the airlines. Refer back to my post #4 in this thread which states non-spillable lead batteries are approved by the airlines.

am renting a scooter for upcoming trip on Allure, have a junior suite 9640 and am concerning about getting in and out of the room, any info will be greatly appreciated

Allure Junior Suite 9640 is a standard junior suite with the 23" wide door clearance. . You have to deduct 2" for the fact the the door does not close flush to the wall leaving only a total clearanance of 21". If you require a full size or a bariatric scooter than the scooter will not fit. The standard scooter rental from either www.specialneedsatsea.com or www.scootaround.com will fit through the door but it will be a tight fit.

IMPORTANT: Per SOLAS ( Safety of Life at Sea) Regulations the scooter cannot be stored in the hallway even if only for shortime regardless of what the cabin attendent might tell you. Leaving the scooter in the hallway even if only going into the room for a few minutes impairs the safety of others moving about in the hallway as well as in the event of an emergency. Upon seeing a scooter left in the hallway I contact ship's security to have it removed immediately !

As my mobility as progressively declined, I made the decision to rent a scooter on my cruise last month. It made such an impression, I have already purchased one and booked a few more cruises too!

 

My question is the hotel and park with shuttle service to and from the port. Is this something I’d need to check with the individual hotels to see if they can transport the scooter or should I just plan on driving ourselves to the port? We live within 2 hours but enjoy the peace of mind of staying in port the night before. Anything else I should consider?

 

This is for Baltimore, MD if anyone has any specific experience at this port.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Per ADA -If the hotel provides a shuttle for able bodied individuals than it must provide accessibile transportation for the disable. If the shuttle does not have a lift than the hotel must arrange for accessible transportation to accomodate your scooter. Being that you would be paying for the Hotel & Park package at the same rate that able bodied people are being the charged the hotel CANNOT charge you more for accessible transportation. Per ADA the hotel must pay the additional cost of arranging accessible transportation as it can not charge you more than it charges an abled bodied guest. If the person you're speaking to at the hotel says no insist to speak to the hotel manager. If they say that say that you will be file a compliant with the Hotel's Corporate Office as with the State of Maryland's States Attorney's Office ( being that you said you're cruising out of Baltimore). Don't take no for an answer.

I would recommend getting a scooter that is gel cell. A lot of cruise scooter users like the go go scooters by pride which is also what the rentals are on ships. You can’t fly with acid batteries either so it is better to get one with gel that you can take anywhere your future adventures take you. It is also my understanding most go go scooters break down to some extent allowing easier transportation.

Your statement that You can’t fly with acid batteries either is not 100% correct.

If the battery is a sealed non-spillable lead battery, airlines will accept it. Airlines will not accept non-sealed lead acid batteries. Mobility scooters today either contain an AGM battery, Gel battery or a lithium battery.

AGM stands for "Absorbed Glass Mat," which is a specific type of lead-acid battery and is a sealed non-spillable lead battery. Airlines accept AGM batteries. It's highly probable that the scooter the OP plans to purchase already has a AGM battery and he or she really doesn't have to purchase a gel battery only of they want too.

We are looking into buying a mobility scooter due to the cruises we have booked as well as for other trips. Where do you find the gell cell batteries? It comes with a sealed acid battery.

Gel cell batteries may not be available for your specific scooter . You can do an internet search as well as contact on-line suppliers such as:

www.monsterscooterparts.com

www.batteriesplus.com

www.mkbattery.com

check on Amazon

There's lots of on-line batteries websites. Have you asked where ever you're purchasing it from if they have compatible gel cell batteries ?

Has anyone cruised and had the Dexcom continuous monitor and been able to use their app on the ship? We are sailing Carnival and plan on purchasing the Wi-Fi package but just want to make sure that this app will work.

Would also recommend posting your question on the Carnival Forum.

Thanks all. I talked with the Trolley people on Friday and they said no to scooters (yes to wheelchairs). I have bad memories of trying to navigate in Disneyworld using their bus system. Was it hard to get on/off? Is there anything immediately around the ship worth looking at?

Would call back and speak to a Supervisor. The Boston Trolly accepted my scooter on all three past NE Cruises. Being that some of the Trolley's have an accessible lift by limiting it only to wheelchair violates ADA and if it were me I'd point that out to them.

Nothing worthwhile around the port.

You can always arrange for a WAV https://www.boston.gov/departments/disabilities-commission/wav-taxi-cabs-wheelchair-accessible-vehicles and go to specific area of interest.

We are going to Alaska out of San Pedro in April on Princess. I would like to bring my mobility scooter to use when we are in ports in Alaska as I can not walk for an extended period of time with out my hip hurting. Does anyone know if I can put a luggage tag on my scooter, leave it with the porters and have it delivered to my state room? Any information would be appreciated.

Only if you want to risk it being left at the port and or damage before it even gets to you. Checking it in at the port is not recommended. The porters load it into a luggage bin and than throw other items on top of it. The scooter would not be driven on board.

Perplexed as to why you don't just ride it onto the ship on embarkation day as well as ride it on disembarkation day ? That's the easiest and safest thing to do .

Jenn Question did you bring an extension cord or was the cord provided by the scooter rental company sufficient for charging the scooter?

 

Jenn thanks for this thread and all the helpful info. We board the Dream in 9 days. YEAH US!!!!

Extensions cords are on the "Prohibited Items List" of most cruises line and will generally be confiscated. The cord on the charger provided will be long enough in most cases. If you need an extension cord ask the cabin attendent as he/she will be you one that's approved for used in the ship.

It is very doubtful that you will be able to go ashore in Bar Harbor. That is a tender port. For the other ports, depending on your willingness to use public transportation, you can see a lot. Please refer to Google maps for reference points and enlarge map enough to identify the bus stops.

Boston: The last time I checked with the ho ho bus, they would not allow mobility scooters on. However, the public buses are accessible. The metro is also accessible, however, you have to contact someone for a flat ramp getting in and out. We took flying leaps, not recommended. Taking the bus, you will be able to see a number of the Freedom Trail sights. Take the #4 bus from Summer St @ Drydock Ave. (near the cruise terminal) to Commercial St. opp. Hull St. Then just follow Hull St. south to Old North Church (you will pass Copp's Hill on the way). From the Old North Church just follow the Freedom Trail to Boston Common. If someone is walking with you, the total distance is approximately 1 ¾ miles. From there, go to South Station where you will catch the SL2 bus and get off at Drydock Ave @ Design Center Place. Notes: On your way to catch the bus, check the stop at Drydock Ave @ Harbor St. That is where we caught the bus, however, it is not currently marked on map as wheelchair accessible. Going back to the ship, you may have to ask where to catch the SL2 bus at South Station.

Halifax you can easily follow the Ocean walk and see a lot in the town. However, unless you are a feather weight, I doubt that your batteries would get you to the Halifax Citadel. That is hill takes a lot of battery power. To get to the citadel, you can catch either the 7 or 41 bus to Gottingen St After Cogswell St (north of the citadel) and enter the grounds through the north entrance. Heading back to the ship, take the south exit from the citadel and as you exit the grounds make a couple left turns heading north on Brunswick St. to the Clock Tower. Turn right at the tower and follow street downhill to the Ocean Walk. That will take you past most of the sights in town to where you head south on the Ocean Walk back to the ship.

St. John we just wandered around town. There are also some hills there.

In Portland we just made a big loop; went over to Congress St., headed southwest and crossed over to Commercial St. going back to the ship.

If you can get ashore in Bar Harbor, we took a “Lobster tour boat” tour. I think it was Lulu Lobster boat. They secured our scooters in the dock area and assisted us on and off the boat. It was fairly close to the tender dock. Getting up the hill into the town area could be another challenge for the batteries. There is a nice park if you just want to wander around the port area.

Have a wonderful trip,

Betty

Betty

Not certain the last time you were in Boston, but I've been there in 2010, 2012, 2014 and was able to ride the HOHO Trolley with my scooter every time. Not all of the Trolleys have a lift and Trolleys with lifts don't stop everywhere along the route. However it's easily done. The important thing to note is to not purchase a ticket on board the cruise ship nor wait for the port day to get off the ship to purchase a ticket that morning. The OP really needs to contact the company in advance as they need to know a information up front as to date and time of arrival. Here's the link https://www.trolleytours.com/boston/accessibility-services

Pat

To OP - Betty's information regarding the other ports is exactly what I would have said.

We do have an accessible balcony booked and I'd definitely like to keep it. This is just new territory for us as our previous experiences on RCCL we had an accessible that included the queen bed and a sofa that turned into a bed. 1 cabin was a balcony and 1 an interior stateroom. I was just hoping to get a deluxe accessible (bc a regular deluxe shows a sofa wuth a pull out bed). I guess we'll have to decide which we'd rather do - accessible balcony or a mini-suite. Any idea if the actual balcony in accessible balcony has more room than a regular balcony? I'm wondering if I can take the scooter out there. Thanks for your input! 😊

 

Sent from my SM-N950U using Forums mobile app

The depth of the balcony is the same accessible vs, standard balcony . The length of an accessible balcony is longer than that of a standard balcony. The scooter can be taken out but will most likely have to be backed in when leaving the balcony,

Hello,

 

I just got surgery of my spinal cord and spine, I have a cruise coming up in 6 weeks, doctor says I be fine but cautioned me as I need months for the bone grafting to heal, he suggested I wear my cervical collar when I am walking in uneasy places and in large crowds. I called special assistance and got a wheelchair to get me onto the ship as the ramps of going up and down is not good for me to walk. I have a few questions:

 

I assume somebody working for RC will push me onto the ship in my wheelchair, do they just push you onto the ship where you board and am I able to ask the person if they can take me to deck 8 so that we can make our ultimate dining reservations? After I get to deck 8, I am able to get out of the wheelchair and avoid the crowds.

WHeelchair assistance is only provided by RCCL on embarkation day and disembarkation day. If the ramps are going to be an issue on port days it's important to know the RCCL does NOT provide any wheelchair assistance for port days. If a wheelchair is necessary during the cruise than you'll have to bring one with you or rent one to be delivered to the ship by on of RCCL's approved vendors http://www.specialneedsatsea.com or http://www.scooteraround.com.

On embarkation day RCCL will drop you off in one of the public areas and the wheelchair will be taken away. You're on your own from that point on. Depending on how many people are waiting for wheelchair assistance will determine if the pusher will be able to take you to deck 8 or not.