Cruising with Hoveround Power Chair Questions

I've found a lot of information on these boards and am thankful for that, however I do still have some questions that I'm just not quite clear on regarding the ports of call.

We cruise on the Carnival Legend in October of this year. Our ports are Roatan, Cozumel, Belize, and Grand Cayman. I know that Cozumel and Roatan are not tender ports and we shouldn't have any problems getting around the port area with my chair. Not sure about finding HC accessible vans or private tours. Can anyone who's been to these ports advise?

Also--the tender ports of Belize and Grand Cayman....I've read both that there are tender boats that have handicapped ramps/lifts to allow me to go ashore. Does anyone know for a fact that this is even a possibility for me in either port?

One more question--In reading reviews I've seen that some private charter boats actually pick you up at the ship. Does anyone have any information about this?

Thanks in advance for any advice or help you can provide.

Linda

Also--the tender ports of Belize and Grand Cayman....I've read both that there are tender boats that have handicapped ramps/lifts to allow me to go ashore. Does anyone know for a fact that this is even a possibility for me in either port?

 

Linda

I didn't know the Carnival Legend had tenders with lifts. I have been on several different Carnival ships and the tenders were down an outdoor staircase and had no lifts. My mom uses a scooter and was not allowed on the tenders. It would have been near impossible to carry mom's scooter down those stairs. Our most recent cruise was on the Carnival Conquest in December and the tenders had no lifts. I would double check where you read this information.

Generally, if you can walk on the tender on your own and your wheelchair/scooter is not very heavy so the crew can carry it on they will let you tender. If the waters are calm. However, if there are high waves they will not allow this. I have been on a tender in heavy seas and you are tossed around like a cork on the water. It is just too dangerous.

I will tell you the shopping area at the port area in Belize is very accessible. There are ramps and curb cut outs everywhere. However, if you go out side the shopping area into Belize city it is very handicapped unfriendly. No ramps, no curb cut outs and very uneven broken up pavement. Also, traffic is a night mare. The last time I was in Grand Cayman was a few years ago and it was not very handicapped friendly. There were some curb cut outs but mostly not and the curbs were very high. Again traffic was bad right by the port area.

Good luck and I wish you a wonderful cruise.

I use a power wheelchair fulltime and I was in Belize City just last month. And they do have at least one tender boat that you can drive right onto, no problem. At least I did. I was on a Royal Caribbean ship, Mariner Of The Seas and the sea was calm that day. The reservation agent had told me that you would need to be able to walk onto the tender boat so I had made no plans for a shore excursion and I only found out that morning that I could even get ashore. But yes, the shopping area at the dock is very accessible. If I can figure out how to do it, I will put up a post with some pictures of it.

I would call the Special Needs desk at Carnival and ask if they have an accessible tender. I thought only Royal and HAL had those. I have never been refused access to the tender (I primarily sail Princess) but I can still walk just a bit and my travelscoot scooter only weighs 35 lbs. I transfer separately from the scooter. How much does your hover round weigh? It's weight plus your weight will surely be over the 50 lbs. that many lines say is the maximum their employees can lift.

I also have not seen an accessible tender on a Carnival ship, yet, but their info site says no large power chairs or scooters for the tender. The other ports of call will have a mix of accessibility issues. Newer retail and/or hotel developments will be much more accessible than the older areas of the towns but it may be difficult to find an accessible restroom. As far as excursions go there are some web sites that specialize in accessible shore excursions.

ChipQ http://luv2cruise.blogspot.com

My mother uses a power wheelchair, but we always take a manual chair too for use on shore excursions. So many ports have minimal curb cuts or ramps, and we can bump up a curb or even a couple of steps with a manual chair...never with a power chair. She just has to have me and our friends help with pushing her. We used to be able to transfer into a cab and put the wheelchair in the trunk this way too (no more) but that gives you many more options when ashore.

My understanding is that the tenders in Belieze are provided by the shore facilities, not the cruise ships, so that may make the difference there, but most cruise lines no longer allow you on the tenders if you cannot stand and walk onto the tender under your own power.

My mother uses a power wheelchair, but we always take a manual chair too for use on shore excursions. So many ports have minimal curb cuts or ramps, and we can bump up a curb or even a couple of steps with a manual chair...never with a power chair. She just has to have me and our friends help with pushing her. We used to be able to transfer into a cab and put the wheelchair in the trunk this way too (no more) but that gives you many more options when ashore.

 

My understanding is that the tenders in Belieze are provided by the shore facilities, not the cruise ships, so that may make the difference there, but most cruise lines no longer allow you on the tenders if you cannot stand and walk onto the tender under your own power.

Royal Carribean does. I have been on every tender port that they have. I use a manual wheelchair, but cannot walk on. They are always amazing.

Thanks so much for all the information. It is very helpful to me in my planning. I do have a manual wheelchair but I honestly don't think I'll take it with me. I may just stay on the ship in the tender ports and find something to do there.

Happy Cruising! :)

Linda

Anyone seeking some great info on how to cruise with a disability using a Hoveround power wheelchair, should go to the Hoveround website and read their articles.

Every cruise line is different. Some ships allow guests to bring their own mobility equipment on board and won't permit motorized wheelchairs.

Therefore, every wheelchair traveler interested in taking a cruise should conduct a ton of research before setting sail.

1. Cruise line websites often include information on the specific accommodations they provide to disabled passengers.

2. A travel agent who is an accessible cruise specialist is another good resource. This kind of agent focuses on cruise lines with facilities for special needs travel, including anyone with limited mobility who has to use a power wheelchair.

Hope this helps!

My wife has polio and we will be travelling on a cruise in April. From what I was told by my travel agent and the cruise line, the tenders are a private company or companies that the lines employ to take passengers ashore. Some have lifts on them and some dont. Even the ones with lifts may not be bringing that particular tender to your' ship that day. It is just a shot in the dark as to if a lift equipped tender will be there when you are. So have a folding wheelchair as a back-up if you are able to take a few steps. Jeff

Every cruise line is different. Some ships allow guests to bring their own mobility equipment on board and won't permit motorized wheelchairs.

Conduct a ton of research before setting sail.

1. Cruise line websites often include information on the specific accommodations they provide to disabled passengers.

2. A travel agent who is an accessible cruise specialist is another good resource. This kind of agent focuses on cruise lines with facilities for special needs travel, including anyone with limited mobility who has to use a power wheelchair.