DISABLED cruising

[gaechann]

Hi all

 

There isn't much information on these Australian & NZ boards about Disabled cruising.

 

I'm wondering how far in advance it's necessary to book disabled cabins? For instance, when I booked back in February for the cruise we're taking on Radiance of the Seas next month, the only accessible cabins still available were Oceanview or Interior.

 

We booked an OV but it's way up towards the front of the ship on Level 4 so we're not too sure how we'll go in a cabin that far forward.

 

The next 2 cruises I have booked for Mum to obtain a balcony had to be booked at least 12 months in advance meaning you can get the cabin you want so long as you're prepared to pay top $$$'s for it!

 

With our restricted Terms and Conditions here, if we want to take advantage of a lower price later advertised we have to cancel our original booking, risk losing our deposit, our selected cabin and any On Board Credit we may have obtained. The Travel Agent also usually wants to charge a Cancel/Re-book fee.

 

What are your experiences in booking accessible cabins? :confused:

 

Gae

[tillydog]

I'm a wheelchair user and for our first cruise we missed out on an accessible cabin, so had to squeeze into a regular OV. Luckily it was only for 3 nights. Mainly it was the bathroom that we had a challenge with as it was a tight squeeze because my hubby had to help me over the step and then had to help me with showering.

For our last cruise, we booked almost a year ahead to get an accessible cabin. The only complaint I have with Voyager of the Seas is that they only have 1 accessible PR cabin. It was already booked when we were looking at cabins. We got a nice accessible balcony cabin instead.

For our next cruise, we also booked almost a year ahead (actually while we were still on the last cruise!) and this time we managed to get the 1 and only accessible PR cabin (yes Voyager again!) Looking forward to people watching from the window onto the Promenade.

 

Hope that helps.

[Aus Traveller]

It would depend on how many accessible cabins there are on the ship you are interested in sailing on. I know P&O and Princess ships have quite a few accessible cabins so it wouldn't be necessary to book way ahead. If they are not required, then people who have booked a guarantee are allocated these cabins.

[aussie57]

We don't usually book much further out than about 3 months so can take advantage of "last minute" specials. If there's no accessible cabins left, then we don't go. But then we're happy to travel in inside cabins & have never had a balcony. on at least 2 occasions we've been told that we'd booked the last available accessible cabinon onboadr, & both times it was an inside cabind There are usually more inside & OV accessible cabins than accessible balconies on most ships.

 

If you really want a balcony, or a particular ship/itinerary, then I guess you would need to book a lot further in advance.

[3littlepigs]

You are quite safe booking HAL well in advance as they now honour price drops until final payment date in the samE way as they do in the US.

[Aus Traveller]

You are quite safe booking HAL well in advance as they now honour price drops until final payment date in the samE way as they do in the US.

Princess do also. :) However, sometimes 'specials' become available after the final payment date.