Handicap boarding procedures

[gigem_aggies]

We are traveling on the Breeze in a few weeks with our entire family. We've had it planned for quite a while now to celebrate my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary. A couple of months ago, my grandfather fell and broke his hip, resulting in a partial replacement. He is also diabetic and has poor circulation in his feet, thus causing him to kind of shuffle his feet when walking. He can be stubborn and will only use his cane as needed.

 

Is there a special boarding procedure for folks who have a hard time walking/standing for long periods of time? I just want to make sure we've done whatever we can to make sure he's well taken care of--after all, he's put up with my grandma for SIXTY YEARS! :D

[PattBenatar]

There is wheel chairs to help with boarding, they can not be used while on board, but once you get to port ask for one(Miami had a bunch at drop off). They allow you to use them to get on board. He has family to help him board it should be no problem.

 

If his health determinates you should consider a manual wheel chair for him for ports and such.

[Elaine5715]

Crew will push guests who are in a wheelchair up the ramp since it can be very steep.

[rtfnl]

When my dad was living he was stubborn as well. He wasn't able to walk distances and would tire easily. We always took a rolling walker with a seat, wheelchair, and a scooter. We divided these up to store in 3 cabins. He always stated he didn't need a scooter but he knew regardless we would rent one. I would take a rolling walker with a seat at the very least for him to use on the ship and onshore. We used handicap assistance for my dad and mom.

 

Also, if he had walked somewhere and didn't feel like walking we would have him sit on the rolling walker and pull him.

[deborahjo]

If you do rent a scooter for him please know it MUST fit in your cabin. Cannot be left in hallway.

 

My DH used a walker with the seat and had trouble getting by the same 2 cabins up and down the hall because they refused to follow the safety rules and insisted they stay in the hallway.

 

Carnival will help you at the Special Needs Department. You might want to call them.

 

 

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[SadieN]

The Disabled Cruising board has lots of info.

 

Be careful if you use a seated rollator. They're not made to be pushed while someone is seated. Friend tumbled her mother onto a concrete convention center floor. Ended up with a concussion, not the right type of souvenir to bring home.

 

Will he need a handicapped cabin? Can he lift his feet up the 6" step into the bathroom?

[Boozebabe]

Another consideration is type of cabin. Someone else mentioned the step to get into the bathroom. If he is in an ocean suite (which is roomier and works well with a scooter) they have a bathtub. I have mobility issues and it is horrible trying to get into the tub to use the shower. I would NEVER RISK that with a newly "fixed" hip.

 

Our best friends who cruise with us had a mobility issue this past january. Husband has a very hard time walking . He's also very stubborn about accepting any form of help. She rented a scooter for him and didn't tell him. It was in his cabin upon arrival. He used it and was grateful for it. He was able to keep up with everyone and it made everyone elses trip a pleasure too. Just a thought for you. You might remind him the Breeze is about 1000 feet long. Could he walk 1/5 of a mile?

[easyboy]

After informing the Special Needs Department, he would be assisted by a staff at the terminal on embarkation and given priority check-in and boarding.

 

 

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[gigem_aggies]

Thank you. I will contact the special needs department. When I contacted my PVP, she told me to just get him FTTF. :/ I'm more concerned with crowds of people bumping into him, which could cause him to lose his balance. He is able to lift his foot over the doorway I am sure because he was able to start driving again last week. We are going to insist that he take his cane and possibly his walker that he can sit in as a "just in case".

[GUT2407]

Ask for a wheelchair, they will often wiz you through the boarding process.

[SadieN]

Could rent a wheelchair JIC. Open it won't fit thru a regular cabin door but might help him get around if he gets too tired to walk.

 

 

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[GUT2407]

Could rent a wheelchair JIC. Open it won't fit thru a regular cabin door but might help him get around if he gets too tired to walk.

 

 

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Yep hiring a chair is a great idea.

[BallFour4]

If you do rent a scooter for him please know it MUST fit in your cabin. Cannot be left in hallway.

 

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This isn't enforced.

 

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[StolidCruiser]

This isn't enforced.

 

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It is when you go to guest services and report the SOLAS violation. I saw a dozen lined up in hallways blocking passengers (able-bodied and not) and crew but after a brief mention at GS and a follow up with security - poof - they were gone.

[deborahjo]

It is when you go to guest services and report the SOLAS violation. I saw a dozen lined up in hallways blocking passengers (able-bodied and not) and crew but after a brief mention at GS and a follow up with security - poof - they were gone.

 

 

Yes. We actually ask the people to remove their scooters but were blown off. My husbands safety matters also. Guest Services will get it enforced.

 

Yes it is a law because it stopped guest from walking down a hallway safely.

 

 

 

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[Seashoregal]

If he has a manual wheelchair be sure to bring it.

There is a lot of walking on ships.

I was wishing I had one last year.

 

Home Depot, Walgreens, Walmart, sell wheelchairs on line, or he might be eligible for one thru Medicare.

 

 

 

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[Elaine5715]

It is when you go to guest services and report the SOLAS violation. I saw a dozen lined up in hallways blocking passengers (able-bodied and not) and crew but after a brief mention at GS and a follow up with security - poof - they were gone.

This is correct. The stewards can not report the scooters in the hall even though it makes their job much harder.

[Reckless]

You can rent a wheelchair from Carnival. My sister did this on one of our cruises.

 

 

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[Seashoregal]

From Carnival's web site:

 

We have a limited supply of wheelchairs onboard each of our ships that are used for emergencies and time-to-time usage and are unable to confirm the exclusivity of a wheelchair for the entire duration of the cruise. Additionally, wheelchairs from the ship cannot be taken off shore in ports-of-call.

 

If you require the regular use of a wheelchair during your cruise, you will need to bring your own or rent one from a service provider. For your convenience, we have listed two wheelchair rental companies below:

 

Scootaround 1.888.441.7575

Website: http://www.scootaround.com/cruise-rentals

 

Special Needs at Sea 1.800.513.4515

Website: http://www.specialneedsatsea.com

 

 

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[SadieN]

The rental places in the above post will have the wheelchair in your cabin. At the end of your cruise just leave it in your cabin.

[summersigh]

After informing the Special Needs Dertment, he would be assisted by a staff at the terminal on embarkation and given priority check-in and boarding.

My DH has mobility issues. We notify Special Needs but when we get to the terminal we let the first CCL employee we see know he needs boarding wheelchair assistance. A staff member will assist with a wheelchair belonging to the cruise line. They will take he and I to a table for check-in and then to an area to wait our turn for assisted boarding. We've found it not to be any faster to board than unassisted. There are normally a limited number of wheelchairs and staff from the ship as pushers ... BUT ... we don't complain because without the help boarding and disembarking he wouldn't be able to cruise.:) Tip your pusher :D

[GUT2407]

My DH has mobility issues. We notify Special Needs but when we get to the terminal we let the first CCL employee we see know he needs boarding wheelchair assistance. A staff member will assist with a wheelchair belonging to the cruise line. They will take he and I to a table for check-in and then to an area to wait our turn for assisted boarding. We've found it not to be any faster to board than unassisted. There are normally a limited number of wheelchairs and staff from the ship as pushers ... BUT ... we don't complain because without the help boarding and disembarking he wouldn't be able to cruise.:) Tip your pusher :D

 

 

Pretty much our experience, sometimes your in a chair and onboard in minutes, other times there is a fair wait.

[virginiab]

At check-in, I've seen port staff pulling folks out of the regular line if they have a cane or crutches or a walker. They are escorted to the special checkin area and get assisted boarding as quickly as wheelchairs become available.

[Sparky2]

Crew will push guests who are in a wheelchair up the ramp since it can be very steep.

 

And for the OP, if you have wheelchair assistance for grandpa, they probably will only let one more person go with him. Maybe 2 people, if one if grandma. Just wanted to let you know that your entire party will most likely not be allowed to board with grandpa if he has special assistance.

[vbecky]

Was everyone in your party able to board the ship when the person with the wheelchair did? Curious how that works never traveled with someone with wheelchair until this upcoming cruise? Thanks