Need advice as to what to expect as disabled travelers (husband) arriving at Port of Canaveral for cruise check-in

[btc1951]

My husband uses a motorized wheelchair and we were wondering how this will affect the check-in process at the port.

[Corby114]

After arriving at the terminal drop off your luggage and have your husband exit your vehicle. Have him wait while you park your car in the garage. Walk back to the terminal, meet up with your husband and enter the building to check in. After check in advise a worker that you require assistance getting on the ship . You most likely will be escorted to a location where you will wait for a crew member to help get you on the ship. As for waiting for assistance, it all depends how many handicapped passengers are waiting ahead of you and how many crew members are assigned to handicapped assistance.

[Ken]

My experience in this area is pre-Covid, but my son has always been treated as well as, or better than, the other passengers. He does have to undergo a search of the bags that are attached to the chair, causing a small bottleneck.

[momof3cruisers]

Assuming you have a handicapped placard, your husband can either get out of your vehicle at the curb when you drop off your luggage or stay in the car and both get out in the parking lot. For me, as the disabled person, I would rather wait and get out in the lot so I can take my time and get situated. That’s less stressful to me.

 

As for assistance, that will depend on what your husband needs. If he is always in a motorized w/c he can most likely just board whenever your boarding group is called. The only reason you would need anything different is if he needs someone to push him other than you. My sister had to use a wheelchair on one cruise and we just pushed her onto the ship. Another time, I was just using a cane but couldn’t do the incline on the boarding ramp so we did get assistance from port/ship personnel. 

[iuki]

I’ve never sailed NCL, but on RC, we were always taken out of the line and escorted to a separate area and an elevator.