Just Returned from Accessible cabin R303 on CB

Just returned from CB accessible cabin R303.

First of all my DH is in a power chair, he can walk a few feet. We flew on Continental, DH rode chair to door of plane, crew carried chair down to belly of plane. Brought it back up when we landed.

At Ft. Lauderdale airport we went to taxi stand and they called up a cab/van with a lift. It took maybe five minutes for cab to arrive. Ten minute drive to ship from airport, cost between $12 and $13 dollars each way.

At ship terminal we joined the short line and then someone came an got us and brought us into the terminal and to our ticket agent for our deck. Three people in line ahead of us. From airport to cabin took thirty minutes.

Our cabin was R303, we were very surprised at its size, plenty of room to move around in the chair with ramp to balcony, ramp to bathroom, large bathroom with plenty of shower space. The cabin had plenty of storage space, refrigerator, two chairs and room to store luggage. Balcony was small but still large enough for two chairs and a table with room for wheelchair.

All clubs and theaters are wheelchair accessible. Princess theater is only accessible from deck 7, but never a problem to find a place to park chair.

Both St. Thomas and St. Maarten are accessible by wheelchair. We took the accessible tour of the island. Our driver Lt. Patrick was wonderful, the "Happy Bus" had a lift to accomodate the chairs, and the tour was really nice with stops for pictures.

At St. Maartin we only wanted to shop. Not much at the pier but a twenty minute walk takes you to the downtown shopping area. Nice path all the way, turn left at the Marina, (see sign with arrow pointing left "shopping".

Along the waterfront there are many many shops and restuarants.

We were very surprised and delighted that we could go to Princess Cays, when asked about the wheelchair on the tender they said no problem. They just picked it up and put it on the tender and away we went. At princess Cays they have a nice wide tiled walkway that leads to the shops, food serving area and rest rooms. Beautiful place. If you go left from the tender all the way down to the food court you will find shaded areas, covered picnic table and plenty of lounge chairs.

My biggest suggestion is to go to the elevator closes to your cabin from any public floor. Hallways are not wide enough to pass service carts on the passenger floors.

Neptune's pool does have a lift at the pool.

For Disembarkment we were told to go to the Island Dinning Room at 8:30am.

We were then escorted off the ship to the luggage area, porters there helped with luggage and took us to the Taxi stand and found us a Handicap van with a lift to take us back to the airport and sadly we were heading home.

Although there were 3200 passengers and 1200 crew, the ship never seemed overly crowded. The biggest congestion was were they displayed the pictures. The ramps at the public doors were rough to cross. My DH said it was like riding a bucking bronco. No problem at elevators, everyone was very courteous.

Enjoy your trip. If I can answer any questions just ask.

Did you make your reservations for the accessible tour on the ship? We did last February and there were 3 wheelchairs signed up to go but Princess cancelled the tour. I want to be sure to do the tour Feb 06.

Cindy

Is the accessible tour at St. Thomas an airconditioned bus or a trolley with open sides?

Also, did you ask about the beach wheelchair at Princess Cays?

Also, when you disembarked, were only the disabled folks at the Island dining room and were you disembarked first or a few at a time or what?

I know from being on the Star at Port Everglades that you will get a letter in your stateroom a couple of days before disembarkation asking if you need assistance. Then you will meet in the dining room and once they have word that the luggage is off and the ship has cleared customs you can leave with or without assistance.

Hello Gramsk,

Thank you for posting about your cruise. Even though we haven't sailed Princess yet, all of your information helps us for the future! It's also great to hear that the airline handled your wheelchair so well. Will be flying with a scooter for the first time soon.

Much appreciation!

Did you make your reservations for the accessible tour on the ship? We did last February and there were 3 wheelchairs signed up to go but Princess cancelled the tour. I want to be sure to do the tour Feb 06.

 

Cindy

We pre registered on line with Caribbean princess for the accessible tour and then sent an e-mail to Accessible tours to confirm our date. There were three people in wheelchairs or scooters and 5 or 6 people with walking difficutlies.

Is the accessible tour at St. Thomas an airconditioned bus or a trolley with open sides?

 

Also, did you ask about the beach wheelchair at Princess Cays?

We were on a bus called the "Happy Bus" with open sides. It was raining the day of our tour and they had the plastic curtains down and it was getting hot on the bus, so after requesting the driver rolled up the flaps. Then it was very comfortable and we didn't get wet.

I didn't think to ask about beach wheelchairs, I didn't notice any but we didn't go down by the water.

Also, when you disembarked, were only the disabled folks at the Island dining room and were you disembarked first or a few at a time or what?

Only the handicapped and their group were in the Island Dinning room. Everyone that were in a wheelchair or scooter were dismissed first, and when we got to security they let us break into the line and go through. The biggest hang up was waiting for the elevators down to the luggage area, it only held one wheelchair at a time. But that wasn't real bad. We were still one of the first off the ship.

Also, when you disembarked, were only the disabled folks at the Island dining room and were you disembarked first or a few at a time or what?

Only the handicapped and their group were in the Island Dinning room. Everyone that were in a wheelchair or scooter were dismissed first, and when we got to security they let us break into the line and go through. The biggest hang up was waiting for the elevators down to the luggage area, it only held one wheelchair at a time. But that wasn't real bad. We were still one of the first off the ship.

Also, when you disembarked, were only the disabled folks at the Island dining room and were you disembarked first or a few at a time or what?

Only the handicapped and their group were in the Island Dinning room. Everyone that were in a wheelchair or scooter were dismissed first, and when we got to security they let us break into the line and go through. The biggest hang up was waiting for the elevators down to the luggage area, it only held one wheelchair at a time. But that wasn't real bad. We were still one of the first off the ship.