kokopelli-az

I always like the pier runners. Especially the ones who look they don't have a clue that they are late and are just sauntering toward the ship.

This is exactly what we do. Booking a future cruise while on board has the added perks of OBC, reduced deposit (like $100 pp), etc. If you booked your current cruise with a TA, Celebrity will transfer your new cruise to that same TA (if you want, or you can tell them not to transfer it and then you can choose whatever TA you want).

We were on the Equinox last month and this is what their newsletter said was open at embarkation (under Lunch).

The Skyride is not accessible but you can drive to the top and skip the Skyride (which gets a lot of mediocre reviews). Here is John Sage's take on accessibility of St Thomas, including the lack of accessible taxis: https://www.accessiblecaribbeanvacations.com/st-thomas-usvi-disabled-access If you decide to hire an accessible vehicle, this transport company (ICBW) has 5* on Trip Advisor. ICBW = It Could Be Worse. https://usviicbw.com/ Is your cruise ship offering any accessible tours in St Thomas?

If the vendor raised their fee, wouldn't Celebrity just increase the amount it charges passengers for this service?

Yes, we had luggage valet on Princess twice this year. We love it! I can't figure out what the deal is with Celebrity that they have not reinstated this very popular program.

Are you talking about employees of the ship or port personnel? If it's port personnel, you might consider a medical alert pendant or lanyard identifying your husband as having Alzheimers. Hopefully they will look at it and be more patient. The ship personnel will be aware of his Alzheimer's since it should be noted on his Medallion. If you haven't already done so, contact Princess' Access Department to advise them of his condition. accessofficeprincess@princesscruises.com You might take a look at this video where the Princess employee is talking aobut the Medallions and explains the ship/crew will also know where he is at all times on the ship (especially important in the event of an emergency). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VJEY3Wxm3k

@GoHuskies! Your rollator photo is exactly like my husband's. Highly recommended! PS: Is your name referring to the Washington Huskies?

Take a look at this, page 8: https://secure.viewer.zmags.com/publication/bd36ca7d#/bd36ca7d/8 Definitely contact Celebrity's Access Department and advise them. special_needs@celebrity.com 866 592 7225

We were just in Fort Lauderdale (at the airport and the cruise ship port) with a foldable transport chair. I don't know how small your friend's scooter is when it's folded but our foldable transport chair fits in the trunk of regular taxis and some of them are not very big. There are definitely taxi vans at the airport, too, so she could ask (there should be a person directing the passengers to the taxis) for one of them specifically if she thinks she needs a larger vehicle. The vans cost the same as a regular taxi sedan. And interestingly, she should definitely take a look at this recent thread about taxis in Fort Lauderdale: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2897302-taxi-from-lauderdale-cruiseport-to-airport/#comment-64425158

Just got back Nov 21 from a 9 day cruise on the Equinox. We stopped at two of the ABC islands (Aruba and Bon Aire). No pre-cruise testing required.

We've taken a taxi from the Fort Lauderdale airport to the cruise ship port (and vice versa) many times, including last month. On nearly all our taxi rides, the drivers did not want to take a credit card and will say that their credit card machine is broken. If you tell them all you have it a credit card, they will miraculously fix the credit card machine. I know that the ride should cost about $15 (rates are posted on the taxi window). I ask the driver how much the ride is and it's been anywhere from $20-30. I tell them I have a $20 bill. Period. Take it or leave it. They always take it. At broward.org, it says: Taxi Service Taxi cabs charge an estimated $18-$21 based on the meter reading. Cabs accept up to five people for the fare stated on the taxi’s meter. They accept cash or credit cards. Taxi rates are subject to change due to the current fuel surcharge. Please note: Taxi fares are regulated by law in Broward County.

We've used Scootaround many, many times and never had any issues. We've also used Special Needs several times with no issues. I always get a price from both companies and Scootaround has nearly always been less expensive for us. Just a note, if you book from Scootaround on-line, equipment protection and cancellation coverage is added to your price and (assuming you don't want it) you have to remove it to not be charged. Scootaround also has some good promo codes (such as USCRUISE from United Spinal Association) to bring your cost down (if you can't get the promo code to work booking on-line, just give them a call and they will add the code).

Royal Caribbean's website says they use Terminals 2 and 3 at the Port of Tampa. Here is a view of Terminal 3 FYI: https://www.google.com/maps/place/815+Channelside+Dr,+Tampa,+FL+33602/@27.9459911,-82.4445586,3a,75y,52.91h,92.1t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s87o9ErE8t8oH_Kij7QgGlw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x88c2c4f0c9c89b7b:0xd1d0fd95b4341c0e!8m2!3d27.9454167!4d-82.4442159 If your scooter is in your stateroom, definitely request wheelchair assistance from Royal. If you haven't already done so, also advise their Access Department about the scooter and any other special needs. 866-592-7225 PS: You have an accessible stateroom, correct?

I think a rollator is far better than a regular walker, but you know your DW's abilities. Is this going to be a Caribbean cruise? My experience on most sea days is that the ship is just sitting or is going relatively slow. They pick up the speed at night.

You might also post your question on the Viking board: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/689-viking-ocean/

Your scooter rental place will tell you where to pick up your scooter. It depends on where exactly the ship will be docked. If your ship's dock location changes, where you pick you your scooter may change too (ie, from outside the terminal to inside your stateroom or vice versa). On Scootaround's website, it states (always subject to change, of course): In Tampa, there’s something for everyone. And remember, if you struggle with mobility issues, call Scootaround or visit us online to rent a scooter or wheelchair in advance of your trip. We’ll deliver the mobility device directly to your hotel, residence, or cruise ship cabin – whatever is most convenient. The scooter or wheelchair will be waiting for you when you arrive, so you’re good to go as soon as you check in.

Maybe someone on this board who was on a MSC cruise and had wheelchair assistance at Port Canaveral might be able to answer whether the port personnel provided wheelchair pushing outside of the terminal (from where you drop off your luggage with the porters) to inside the terminal where the MSC pusher takes over. @Essiesmom is correct. There is some invisible line at many terminals that the port personnel are not allowed to cross over and vice versa (ship personnel do not cross over). This is how passengers often end up with two different wheelchair pushers (the port personnel and the ship personnel). PS: The pushers appreciate a tip. And Plan B, as@Silver Sweetheartsmentioned, would be to take your own wheelchair. Ships are huge and there is a lot of walking so your wife might appreciate using it on the ship occasionally. They really don't take up much room in your stateroom when folded up. If you are flying, wheelchairs fly for free. Since you're leaving so soon, you might post this question on the MSC board.

Many, many passengers will be using mobility devices on and off the ship. There is wheelchair accessible seating at all the eating venues. Employees watch for passengers who might need additional assistance (like by yourself in the buffet) and can offer help. Take a look here: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/ports/printAccessibilityInformation.do?pagename=accessible_features_FR And here is some more information in case you haven't already seen it: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/topics/accessibility-disability-needs If you get off the ship at one of your port stops, the ship's personnel will be right there to assist you down the ramp and back up. You might consider using the ship's wheelchair pushing assistance (available on Day One when embarking the ship and on the last day of your cruise for disembarking). Personnel can push you (in your wheelchair or the ship's wheelchair) from where you drop off your luggage with the porters, through security, check-in and to the inside of the ship (to your room, the buffet, etc). After the pusher takes you to your drop-off location inside the ship, they will at this point leave you. Actually, you might have two wheelchair pushers. The first one (from where you drop off your luggage curbside with the porters) would be one of the port employees who will take you as far as they are allowed. Then the ship's wheelchair pusher will take over until they drop you off inside the ship. Even if you have someone with you who will be pushing your wheelchair (or if you will be navigating it yourself), the wheelchair pushers know all the short-cuts and how to get you through lines as quickly as possible. Tips are appreciated. Make sure you contact Royal's Access Department and advise them you will be bringing a wheelchair. (866) 592-7225 or send an e-mail to special_needs@rccl.com

First of all, what ship/cruise line are you going to be in? Look for a chair with arms in the buffet/dining room to help you get up. You might grab several of the folded beach towels they have by the pool. Stack them in your chair so you are higher. If there are pillows, ask for or grab one/some. Especially in the dining room, employees are on the lookout for people needing assistance. Check with your cruise line's Access Department and ask about any cushions they might provide. You can probably take your walker on a tour bus (they would stow it in the luggage compartment below the bus) but you need to be able to go up the bus steps to get inside the bus. Your cruise may have some accessible tours to consider. Again, check with your cruise line's Access Department. Ask for wheelchair assistance for embarking and disembarking the ship. A wheelchair pusher (using the ship's wheelchair) will push you from dropping your luggage off, through security and check-in and on to the ship. They can load your walker on the back of wheelchair. You may have two pushers. On embarking the first one might be one of the port employees. They can only push you so far and then a ship employee takes over. Tips are appreciated. As far as going up/down the ramp at port stops, the ship personnel will help you. If you don't feel comfortable with the ramp, make sure to wait for someone to help you. They are right there to help. The ship personnel are excellent when it comes to watching out for those who need help.

Lyft has WAV in San Diego, too. https://help.lyft.com/hc/en-us/all/articles/115013081668-WAV-rides#sandiego

Have you considered using Uber WAV? They have WAV vehicles out of San Diego. You would need to confirm that the driver would have access to the cruise ship ports. https://help.uber.com/riders/article/how-to-request-a-wav?nodeId=11de44da-51c9-4a03-8968-c947717386a1 Another company that is highly rated (and we have used this company many times) is Wingz. They operate out of major cities, including San Diego. Again you would have to confirm that they have a driver with a wheelchair accessible vehicle (and that the driver can enter the cruise ship ports). https://www.wingz.me/airport/san/

Here's a sample of the scooters waiting for passengers at Port Canaveral

You can double-check with Special Needs at Sea about where you pick up your scooter, but take a look at post #12 in this link: https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/topic/2862885-walking-chair/

Maybe you can print this out and take it with you: https://www.celebritycruises.com/content/dam/celebrity/pdf/public-health-questionnaire-v2.pdf