Accessible cabin process - RCI

[AgenderArin]

Hello,

 

I was hoping to get some clarity for the process on getting an accessible cabin on Royal. I currently use a cane, walker, or wheelchair for mobility depending on how I'm doing. Whether I bring all three or leave one behind will depend on what my mobility is closer to the cruise (ex. I currently have a should injury and can't use the chair). When we first booked the cruise, my mobility limitations weren't as severe as they are now and we did not think to try for an accessible room. 

 

I would now like to change to an accessible room to have the option of bringing the chair, but not sure how. I completed the online accessibility form a couple of weeks ago and haven't received any follow-up. Is there anything else I need to do?

 

Thanks for your help,

Arin

[dappledumpling]

Call RCI customer service if you booked direct or ask your travel agent to facility the change. The trouble normally is there are very limited accessible cabins.  We used regular balconies with a folding wheelchair for years, but when I  purchased a electic power chair we needed the extra room.  Another option for added space are junior suites but the problem there is the bathtub can be difficult to get in and out of....

 

Hope that helps

Rick

[Leelou270]

5 hours ago, AgenderArin said:

Hello,

 

I was hoping to get some clarity for the process on getting an accessible cabin on Royal. I currently use a cane, walker, or wheelchair for mobility depending on how I'm doing. Whether I bring all three or leave one behind will depend on what my mobility is closer to the cruise (ex. I currently have a should injury and can't use the chair). When we first booked the cruise, my mobility limitations weren't as severe as they are now and we did not think to try for an accessible room. 

 

I would now like to change to an accessible room to have the option of bringing the chair, but not sure how. I completed the online accessibility form a couple of weeks ago and haven't received any follow-up. Is there anything else I need to do?

 

Thanks for your help,

Arin

Hi, from my experience do organise an accessible stateroom with your travel agent explaining your situation and take all pieces of equipment with you and consider hiring from a specialist agent. Mobility at Sea are specialists serving Southampton and UK departure ports. Be prepared is the moto. 

[AgenderArin]

6 hours ago, dappledumpling said:

 We used regular balconies with a folding wheelchair for years, but when I  purchased a electic power chair we needed the extra room.

Thanks, Rick, that's good to know. I'll try to call this week to see if there are any available, but I do think our current room (a balcony) would probably be manageable. The shower is my one concern there; my last cruise I requested a shower seat, which they provided, but it didn't actually fit in the shower, and that was difficult, so I was looking forward to the larger + no barrier shower in the accessible room.

 

 

24 minutes ago, Leelou270 said:

Hi, from my experience do organise an accessible stateroom with your travel agent explaining your situation and take all pieces of equipment with you and consider hiring from a specialist agent.

Thanks, but we don't use travel agents. I'll bring as many aids as I can but also have to plan for transporting them in addition to luggage and think about what will actually be helpful for the trip.

[shepherdqueen]

It seems you need the accessibility provided by these cabins.

 

We have booked accessible cabins for years with me just using a cane as I was unable to make the step up into a traditional bathroom and I need the grab bars.  It turns out I have had MS for years without a proper dx, but I have had a handicap parking permit throughout this time.  We book over a year in advance to get a handicap cabin.  Now that we are sailing on larger ships, I am bringing my scooter with me so we definitely need the room.  We always use a travel agent when we book.    

 

[lenquixote66]

I am disabled and can only be in an Accessible cabin .However,I must book the first day a cruise becomes available because cruise lines allow anyone to book this kind of cabin.They do not check for disability.

I found a wonderful RCI person when trying to book my most recent cruise .He said he would check every day to see if there was a cancellation.Six months later he called to tell us there was one.

 

[TRadle]

While my husband was able to transfer from a chair to a wheelchair or scooter regular rooms worked out okay.  We did book suites for more space, but there a lots of people who have scooters in regular state rooms.  Now that he is in a full size power chair we have to have the accessible room.  

 

Call Special Needs at Sea and tell them your situation.  The can provide things in your current room, if another isn't available, to make the cruise work for you.