Bar Harbor Scooter Accessability

We are planning to cruise on Grandeur of Seas next Oct. but I know it is a tender port but is it accessable for scooters gettin on and off the tender. I can walk a few steps . My scooter is a large one has lots of power for hills. Want to do Bar Harbor so bad.

The ship's lifeboats are used as tenders in Bar Harbor. I don't know if RCI will allow a scooter on the tender.

Maybe use a manual chair?

Sherry

Anytime I've been to Bar Harbour , RCCL has never allowed me to tender with my scooter. There is no room on RCCL's tenders ( lifeboats) to accommodate a mobility scooter. Therefore one must have a collapsible wheelchair and able to walk up/down a few steps to be allowed onto the tender.

Am going again in Sept and plan an staying on board the ship.

Thanks for eply I can not move a wheel chair(no arm strength.) my husband also must use scooter. My friend has a lighter scooter and they can fold it and she transfers to tender. So loooks like another sea day for us. I love a quiet day to read and enjoy the ship. Might treat myself to s spa treatment.

Did that trip last fall and even after the tender, there is a very steep hill up to the street where the busses park.

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Even for wheelchair users it can be a challenge.

The tidal range is massive, so when we went ashore (me in a wheelchair) the ramp up from the jetty was fairly gentle and I could wheel myself. On return, I swear the jetty had dropped by a good 5m and the ramp was so steep that 3 crew were struggling to hold me back even though I was gripping the rails to help.

The hill out from the harbour is a bit steep, but you don't have to make the climb. The tour buses are on the flat and there is also a bar/restaurant with very nice lobster, maybe also a shop or too.

If you can find any way to get off I recommend you do so, because the tour of the Acadia National Park was beautiful, despite the mist and rain when we went, plus we were about two weeks early to see the full autumn colours. Definately the best part of our NY/New England/Canada voyage. When we were there, there was a free shuttle bus doing a circular tour of the locale and also a small part of the park; it's a pity Cunard didn't tell people this before we booked the tours! :( Maybe they still do it, maybe not.

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The hill out from the harbour is a bit steep, but you don't have to make the climb. The tour buses are on the flat and there is also a bar/restaurant with very nice lobster, maybe also a shop or too.

 

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OP stated that they're using a mobility scooter. Generally speaking the Tour Buses RCCL uses will be equipped with an accessible lift. Also though some people have reported instances of the tour bus driver allowing the mobility scooter to be stored in the luggage hold many companies do not allow their drivers to do this due to insurance issues. If allowed the OP would than be required to walk up/down several steps to even board the bus.

If there is a local shuttle that too is unlikely to have an accessible lift.

OP stated that they're using a mobility scooter. Generally speaking the Tour Buses RCCL uses will be equipped with an accessible lift. Also though some people have reported instances of the tour bus driver allowing the mobility scooter to be stored in the luggage hold many companies do not allow their drivers to do this due to insurance issues. If allowed the OP would than be required to walk up/down several steps to even board the bus.

 

If there is a local shuttle that too is unlikely to have an accessible lift.

The OP didn't report that she is unable to climb the steps of a coach, but if you know her personally then I bow to your greater knowledge.

As for the storage issue, my own experience is limited to two cruises a year for the last 7 or 8 years since I returned to the water after qualifying for a wheelchair. I have NEVER had, or even seen any problem with storing a wheelchair or a modest sized scooter on a tour bus. Note that mine doesn't fold, so don't imagine it fits in small spaces.

Granted I've never sailed RCCL but I have done Celebrity several times and have had very negative experience of dealing with the RCCL people by e-mail regarding tours. But actually sticking my chair under the bus was never an issue.

From your comments I can only assume that RCCL make special arrangements to inconvenience disabled passengers in a way that the other lines I have sailed with don't seem to feel the need for. Considering that almost all tours are contracted out to local firms who will be servicing just about every cruise line that comes into port I'd be utterly amazed if RCCL were failing to get something that is commonplace with other lines, including those in the same group.

Maybe the OP could hire a TravelScoot,walk the single step to get on the tender and take a tour at the other end, seeing some beautiful sights. Or maybe not, we just don't know.

Of course, if a disabled accesible vehicle is available doing a specialist tour, then everything is straightforward. Lift into vehicle, transfer to a seat, job done. There were none available in October 2011, but things might have moved on. There were no conventional tour buses with an accesible lift as you seem to be suggesting either.

We encounter enough negativity in everyday life without any need to spread it liberally on a disabled forum. I trust that your negativity is based on having been to Bar Harbor and bought the tee-shirt, in which case I would encourage you to try it again with a different cruise line. I come from the other end of the spectrum - investigate, plan, arrange and somehow I don't seem to have any unexpected problems. Maybe I'm just lucky.

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I trust that your negativity is based on having been to Bar Harbor and bought the tee-shirt, in which case I would encourage you to try it again with a different cruise line. I come from the other end of the spectrum - investigate, plan, arrange and somehow I don't seem to have any unexpected problems. Maybe I'm just lucky.

 

 

 

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Not negative about anything nor do I need to try it again.

What is failed to be understood is that the issue is the OP's Mobility Scooter. Even Celebrity Cruises clearly states on its website http://www.celebritycruises.com/onboard/tabLanding.do?pagename=onboard_special_needs&cS=Footer&ICID=Cel_10Q4_web_hp_ftr_accessibility#onboard_boarding_accessibility_tab/onboard/textPanel.do%3Fpagename=onboard_boarding_accessibility that when tendering guests must be able to take steps and use a collapsible manual wheelchair.

RCCL's website also clearly states that mobility scooters are not allowed on the tenders http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contentWithHero.do?pagename=getting_on_and_off_the_ship

FYI NCL, Princess and Carnival basically all have the same tendering policy post on their websites with regards to mobility scooters. So everything else regarding the tour buses, shuttle and steep hill mean nothing as RCCL probably will not allow OP on the tender with the mobility scooter anyway. Not negative rather fact.

OP has the following choices.

1. Keep their RCCL booking with the full understanding that there is a high probability that the mobility scooter will not be allowed on the tender. If allowed than consider it to be bonus.
   
2. Cancel RCCL and book on HAL that has roll-on tenders. Even at that the water conditions in Bar Harbour often prohibit HAL from using the roll-tender.
   
3. If able to walk up/down a few steps than also bring a folding collapsible wheelchair to use for Bar Harbour as RCCL does not provide wheelchairs other than on embarkation and debarkation days.
   
4. Rebook an entirely different cruise that does not have any tendered ports on the itinerary
   
5. Rent a Travelscooter as previously suggested.
   

I too do proper planning and have book itinerary knowing full well the cruise lines policy regarding tendering with a mobility scooter even to Bar Harbour. BTW am doing the same cruise for the 3rd time this coming fall and still have no issues with not getting off in Bar Harbour nor am I negative about it. With that said, believe that the cruise lines could all do a better job to improve services for the Disabled particularly in reference to port access. However the disabled traveler also needs to do the necessary due diligence in properly researching the cruise itinerary and have a clear understanding of what the cruise line's policy is regarding tendering with mobility equipment before actually booking. The responsibility does not solely fall on the cruise lines.

Oh, dear, XXO,

And there I was, thinking that we were on the brink of a violent agreement. You buy options 3 and 5 without problem. Option 1 is just common sense, although a bit of pro-activity beforehand would improve the situation no end.

And to put it into context, if you say to the tour booking desk on board, "I'd like to spend some of my money but it would mean you lending me a wheelchair to get off the ship and as far as the coach, maybe with a tiny bit of help" then surprise, surprise, the chances are very good. If you don't believe me, cast your eye around next time you are queueing for tender tickets and play a little game of "spot the ship's chairs". We make new friends on board and I've had complete strangers offer to push me along the jetty. But as I said before, maybe I'm lucky; it certainly can't be anything to do with personality.

But book a different cruise or even a different line. Really? You don't have to be with HAL to get off with a scooter in Bar Harbor. I've seen it done. And to put the tin hat on it, we then go off on a little meander into the land of nonsense to argue against things never suggested or implied. No-one suggests it is entirely on the cruise lines. Quite the opposite, actually.

Here's how I see it. The OP asked for some guidance. I offered some words of caution, followed by an encouragement to go and see what's available. We don't know if she can step on to a tender. We don't know if she can climb 2 steps on to a coach.

We do know that a small scooter breaks down into pieces small enough to be lifted easily on a tender and plenty here will have seen it done. Maybe RCCL have some global prohibilition on doing this - if so they are in a minority, but I would of course, yield to your wisdom. That is, of course if you have actually asked the question on board and been rebuffed. If not, then you are raising obstacles that may not exist.

The response to my suggestion was utterly negative, as was the follow-up. For heaven's sake, offer something POSSIBLE, not a list of ever more convoluted reasons to just stay on board and stare at the shore. Or worst of all, not even go.

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Oh, dear, XXO,

 

 

That is, of course if you have actually asked the question on board and been rebuffed. If not, then you are raising obstacles that may not exist.

 

 

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• Actually I use a Pride GoGo that easily breaks down on all my cruises
  
• Actually have gone up the chain of command only to still be refused directly by the Captain's Office while on RCCL at Bar Harbour regardless of the fact that my Pride GoGo breaks down into 4 pieces. Will again do the same this coming fall or any other tendered port.
  
• Actually have sat on my portable scooter by the gangway exit watching to see if others in mobility scooters and or electric scooters (regardless of model type) were allowed on the tender as would than play the card Why them and not me? Only to see that others were also refused by RCCL.
  

Playing the I need a wheelchair card with the Shore Excursions department card is not an option for me. Though I am able to walk up/down a few steps, MS has impacted my arms that I'm unable to operate a manual wheelchair for longer than a few minutes at time. Mobility Scooter is my best option. Traveling solo is my preferred option and do not require and companion/aid. If unable to tender , I certainly don't stress over it as have traveled extensively and have been to Bar Harbor before becoming disabled.

Hope the OP is able to take their scooter onto the tender or at the very least have the use of a collapsible wheelchair for the day. However the OP needs to understand that it may not happen and that's not meant to be negative only realistic.

Have a good week!