Hard of Hearing

[skoeper]

Shari

 

I'm curious how it went using CART on your last cruise? I have a cruise coming up in June and I would LOVE to have CART to use for shows, etc.

 

Hi stmrocket! I'll give you a pretty detailed "report" :D

 

First of all, having CART just made the cruise! First time I've been able to keep up in the evening shows and the entertainment like the Newlywed Game.

 

How it worked for us, was that the CART writer contacted me via email first and we exchanged cell #'s for texting. She then texted me when we boarded the ship. She asked where we wanted her services, but since we couldn't see the Dailies ahead of time, we told her to plan on writing all the shows in the evening. She was given the Dailies a day ahead of everyone else, so after the shows, we would go over it and see if we wanted to change anything.

 

For the evening shows, two front rows at the left side of the theater were reserved for us. There was a large monitor/tv screen set up on the floor under the stage and the writer sat at the last seat of the first row to type. It did require a lot of head movement between the screen and the center stage, but if you can read fairly fast, it worked. It was soooo much better than having nothing at all!

 

We requested CART for the Newlywed Game which was in the Reflections Lounge where there was no stage, just a dance floor. THAT was a bit more complicated. She asked everyone to bring their Ipads to view the words, but no one had one. She had one that we used and then others watched her laptop. It involved a lot of crowding around the tiny table and since we were off to the side, we couldn't use our lipreading skills very well. I wouldn't do that again.....

 

It was very easy to request CART through the Special Needs Dept. They knew what we needed and made sure we got it. Next cruise, we will ask for a CART typist with more qualifications. We have gotten spoiled with a very, very skilled writer for our group at home and are used to being given written cues during a show. For instance, in one comedy show, they played the Lone Ranger Theme and I'm sure if we would have known the song was playing, it would have made the joke A LOT funnier. But she didn't not type cues like that. Also, there were complete sentences not typed. When people can hear some, but not understand speech, you feel "paused" when you hear a voice but there's no words on the screen. A good CART writer does not decide what we need to know, she will type ALL of it, everything she hears.

 

So, definitely ask for CART! Your cruise will be so much nicer and fuller because of it :) I am going to ask for it on every single cruise I take in the future, and I hope that other cruiselines other than Celebrity will provide it, too.

 

Come back and let me know how you liked it!!!!

[Caribbean Chris]

Thank you, Shari, for this great update. I loved CART when I saw it used at a Hearing a Loss Assoc of America convention a few years ago. I travel now with a Hearing Dog on ships and it is working out well, but I must admit I usually skip the shows.

[stmrocket]

Thank you for the update! CART on a cruise sounds GREAT!! I will definitely be requesting it for my Liberty cruise in May.

 

I was wondering how they handled scheduling shows and actually displaying the words so your post helped a LOT! It sounds like they are willing to provide captioning for pretty much anything which is great! I have been on many previous trips and I can't wait to finally be able to understand the entertainment and keep up!

 

I was hoping to use CART for several events in smaller venues - hopefully it will work OK since it is just two of us on this trip.

 

I, too am spoiled by very good writers here too! I can't imagine not getting cues regarding the performance and audience! And I agree, missing parts of the speech really do leave you feeling "paused". I want everything to be typed - not for the writer to decide what is important! One of the writers I use here even types what I speak in a meeting...

 

How are you planning to ask for someone better qualified? I might just have to borrow your language!

 

I really look forward to having CART on my next cruise! It will be so nice to finally enjoy what everybody else does without struggling to keep up!

 

I will definitely post back with a report after the trip!

[jpcello]

Try the cruise line apps for a flat rate. Ncl was $10 for the entire week. The app also listed show times and other things happening onboard.

 

On NCL it's called iConcierge. Everyone using it must download the app. Once you're onboard you can activate it. My sister and I used it on our Breakaway cruise in August. It was a great way to keep in touch when we weren't together (neither of us are Deaf, but my sister is an interpreter). We paid $7 or $8 per person to use for the entire one-week cruise.

[skoeper]

On NCL it's called iConcierge. Everyone using it must download the app. Once you're onboard you can activate it. My sister and I used it on our Breakaway cruise in August. It was a great way to keep in touch when we weren't together (neither of us are Deaf, but my sister is an interpreter). We paid $7 or $8 per person to use for the entire one-week cruise.

 

THAT, right there, gives me a great reason to try NCL :) Celebrity does not offer that service (I asked). I've never sailed on NCL, so that might be my next cruise :) Being able to text while on a ship means so much, especially for people who can't use the stateroom phones.

 

Does it work in ports too? I imagine it's only on the ship, right?

[skoeper]

Thank you for the update! CART on a cruise sounds GREAT!! I will definitely be requesting it for my Liberty cruise in May.

 

I was wondering how they handled scheduling shows and actually displaying the words so your post helped a LOT! It sounds like they are willing to provide captioning for pretty much anything which is great! I have been on many previous trips and I can't wait to finally be able to understand the entertainment and keep up!

 

I was hoping to use CART for several events in smaller venues - hopefully it will work OK since it is just two of us on this trip.

 

I, too am spoiled by very good writers here too! I can't imagine not getting cues regarding the performance and audience! And I agree, missing parts of the speech really do leave you feeling "paused". I want everything to be typed - not for the writer to decide what is important! One of the writers I use here even types what I speak in a meeting...

 

How are you planning to ask for someone better qualified? I might just have to borrow your language!

 

I really look forward to having CART on my next cruise! It will be so nice to finally enjoy what everybody else does without struggling to keep up!

 

I will definitely post back with a report after the trip!

 

stmrocket - I hope you will love CART on the ship! That was my first experience with it while cruising, so I'm not sure how the other cruiselines will handle it. They may put you in a different spot in the theater, for instance. I'm thinking that each ship is different, not just the cruiseline. If you happen to be the first ever to use it on that ship though, you at least know how one other ship did it and can offer those suggestions to see if they'd work :)

 

LOL, I actually have NO IDEA how I will word the request for a qualified writer! After our cruise was over, Celebrity sent out online surveys. I did mention in the survey how important it is to have a qualified writer when passengers request CART. Hopefully someone read that and will remember it the next time they get a request for CART. Also, each cruiseline might do it a little different as far as how the writer is paid. Our writer got a free cruise. She was not allowed to drink alcohol while on the ship and she could not go into the casino. But for a couple hours work every day, she got a free cruise. The other cruiselines might offer a salary in addition, or maybe pay for each hour that is written. That might entice more qualified writers??? I do realize it costs the cruiselines to provide the service to us, so I try not to be too radical :) I was still very, very happy to enjoy the shows once again!

 

Keep me posted on what happens with your cruise!

[jpcello]

THAT, right there, gives me a great reason to try NCL :) Celebrity does not offer that service (I asked). I've never sailed on NCL, so that might be my next cruise :) Being able to text while on a ship means so much, especially for people who can't use the stateroom phones.

 

Does it work in ports too? I imagine it's only on the ship, right?

 

You are correct -- it only works on the ship. In port you would have to use your phone. Suggest checking with your cellphone carrier about international rates for texting.

[Taters]

Thank you for the update! CART on a cruise sounds GREAT!! I will definitely be requesting it for my Liberty cruise in May.

 

I was hoping to use CART for several events in smaller venues - hopefully it will work OK since it is just two of us on this trip.

 

I really look forward to having CART on my next cruise! It will be so nice to finally enjoy what everybody else does without struggling to keep up!

 

I am just seeing this thread. I cruise on Carnival Miracle for 13 nights beginning January 31, 2016. Just 2 1/2 weeks away!

 

Is your upcoming cruise on the Carnival Liberty? Have you requested the CART services for this cruise?

 

I suffered sudden sensorineural hearing loss just over three years ago, at the age of 49. It was like a light switch and *POOF* 100% of my hearing was gone in a split second. I have bilatreal CIs and love that I have my life back, however, it is not perfect and I could definitely benefit by having CART services for the show lounge, comedy club and during trivia.

 

I have been in touch with the special needs desk at Carnival, but at no time were CART services offered. Please let me know if you've had success in booking this.

 

Thanks so much!

[stmrocket]

Taters, I am going on the Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas so not Carnival. I was talking to a friend about being able to request CART on RCL and she said that Carnival wouldn't provide it for her - only an interpreter. Not sure if you will have different luck so it might be worth asking!

 

I hope you have a WONDERFUL cruise!

[stmrocket]

Shari

 

Sorry for the late reply - It's been BUSY the last couple weeks! CART will be great for the cruise! I agree that it is helpful to know what worked on other ships even though it may not be the same! Since Royal Caribbean and Celebrity are the same company, I imagine it will be a similar setup.

 

I'll probably just casually mention that I am requesting a Certified CART Provider when I make the request. I agree that I don't want anything too radical as it is just wonderful to have such a service available! If I have to fill in a few blanks it is still a HUGE improvement over previous cruises...

 

I had wondered how the line handled compensating the writer. Not too bad of requirements for a free week-long cruise!

 

Thanks again and I will keep you posted on how it all works out!

[Taters]

Taters, I am going on the Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas so not Carnival. I was talking to a friend about being able to request CART on RCL and she said that Carnival wouldn't provide it for her - only an interpreter. Not sure if you will have different luck so it might be worth asking!

 

I hope you have a WONDERFUL cruise!

 

Ok - Thanks so much for the clarification. After I posted here this afternoon, I wrote to Carnival's special needs desk again and asked about CART. I am waiting for their response, but I am not keeping my hopes up.

 

I have another Carnival cruise booked for May. Perhaps if I beg really nicely something can change between now and then.

 

All my best to you and yours.

[stmrocket]

Ok - Thanks so much for the clarification. After I posted here this afternoon, I wrote to Carnival's special needs desk again and asked about CART. I am waiting for their response, but I am not keeping my hopes up.

 

I have another Carnival cruise booked for May. Perhaps if I beg really nicely something can change between now and then.

 

All my best to you and yours.

 

Just curious if you ever got a response from Carnival? I had a friend ask me if they would provide CART as well.

[Taters]

I did get a response a few days later that they do not provide CART services.

 

I received a survey today asking how I thought the customer service was regarding the email I sent them. I mentioned that the customer service was fine, but that the lack of accommodations for the hearing impaired was not.

 

I also touched on the need for ship announcements to be available on monitors around the ship and on the cabin televisions, how frustrating it is to ask others around me, "What are they saying?" at muster and during announcements, such as when they were changing our itinerary due to weather on my Hawaii cruise last year.

 

I mentioned that 20% of the population has some degree of hearing loss and that I think Carnival could do a better job.

 

Sigh... I hope they take note and make some changes.

[skoeper]

I did get a response a few days later that they do not provide CART services.

 

I received a survey today asking how I thought the customer service was regarding the email I sent them. I mentioned that the customer service was fine, but that the lack of accommodations for the hearing impaired was not.

 

I also touched on the need for ship announcements to be available on monitors around the ship and on the cabin televisions, how frustrating it is to ask others around me, "What are they saying?" at muster and during announcements, such as when they were changing our itinerary due to weather on my Hawaii cruise last year.

 

I mentioned that 20% of the population has some degree of hearing loss and that I think Carnival could do a better job.

 

Sigh... I hope they take note and make some changes.

 

That is really sad :( Celebrity was great at providing CART for the shows after I contacted the Special Needs Dept. We are going again in November and will again have CART. They also provided all 4 of our cabins with a flashing/vibrating door flasher, and a TTY.

 

I suppose since it's not covered under the ADA since it's really Maritime law, they don't HAVE to do it. But if they want to provide a great experience to those who can't hear (and it's now up 30% of the population that has a hearing loss), they will need to up their game. Maybe we should all patronize the cruiselines that do provide for us. It makes the cruise experience so much richer!

[penaddict]

I asked Celebrity if they have open captions for their outdoor movie and was told no. ☹️

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[skoeper]

I asked Celebrity if they have open captions for their outdoor movie and was told no. ☹️

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

I imagine that would have been hard to do. The only way I can think of that it would work is if they had hired a CART typist to sit out there with you and type and you view it on her laptop. Lots of looking up and down, and probably kind of hard to follow along with.

 

Since we worked directly with the typist, we told her which shows we wanted her services. She was at the Muster drill, the shows every evening, the Newlywed game, and I think that was it. But if we wanted her for anything else, we just needed to tell her.

[penaddict]

If it's a movie already on DVD, it would already have captioning included. I don't think they play a movie that's still in theaters.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[skoeper]

I'm not technical at all, but I think there are some ways of projecting (or something) that the captions can't be shown. Or maybe it's just an excuse, lol. I'm sure there would be SOME passenger complaining about the words on the screen (a hearing one, of course).