In a handicap cabin, but dont need it.

[latitude 22]

4 hours ago, rbtan said:

I would keep it. This happened with us on Cunard in 2012. The cabin was nearly 400 sq. ft. compared to 260 sq ft. If they need it you will be moved.

 

Not true.

 

As someone who is disabled, I have begged Oceania to confirm if people need it

and they have told me they won’t do it.  

 

Oceania does not care about accessibility for all, they just want occupancy. 

 

and there are the able bodied passenger who do not need the cabin

and will DELIBERATELY book for extra space. which is such bad Karma.

 

Because every one of you are just one illness or accident away from being disabled

and still wanting to find ways to remaining traveling throughout the world. 

 

To the OP ….thank you for your kindness and desire for inclusivity. 

 

 

[latitude 22]

53 minutes ago, bob brown said:

I am in an HC cabin on the Insignia ATW, for the second time.  Both times, it was the only ‘G’ category available when I booked it.  I told ‘O’ that I didn’t need it, but they weren’t concerned.

I also told them I would be happy to be “bumped” to another if someone later needed it, but that never happened.

On other cruise lines, they explicitly state that you must have need to book those, and hold them until maybe 30 days prior to sailing, and even then tell you you will be moved, if someone with need books later.

 

On the ‘R’ class ships, the HC  ‘G’ category cabins are about 50% larger than standard, to allow manoevering space for wheelchairs, and do have roll-in showers, with a curtain instead of a door to separate from the toilet and sink.

They have a larger, and lower sink, and a tilting mirror behind sink.  Wheelchair users can thus get close to sink.  As a result, there is no storage shelves below sink, nor a storage behind mirror, so we hang a shoe bag on the inside of the bathroom door to hold toiletries.

 

The shower also has a fold down seat. The shower area does have a drain surrounding it, but a lot of water splashes out over the entire bathroom floor, unless you are very careful. You still need to wipe the floor after showering.

There is an emergency call pull cord, as well as an extension phone on the wall.

 

Other deficiencies are only a single chair  instead of a sofa (plus a stool under desk/vanity), 

a smaller television, and poorly designed closet sliding doors that easily jam up.

 

On the plus side, the location (of cabin 4034) is ideal…dead center of the ship, close to everything.

 

 

You said it’s a deficiency?  It’s called accessibility and you were in cabin that wasn’t designed for an able bodied cruiser in mind. 

 

and for the record Oceania doesn’t move guests out of those cabins who are able bodied, even if you offer that is not their policy. 

 

I know this because I have begged Oceania over and over to see if the passenger is truly disabled. Not even a wheelchair user, just disabled and Oceania says 1st come 1st serve 

we don’t care if they are disabled or not.

 

On 3 different occasions

When I’ve still booked on the ship and had to struggle through a able bodied cabin, I actually

met my neighbors in the accessible cabin who were able bodied. 

They told me they told Oceania if someone needed it they would move, but Oceania said not to worry about it. 

One cruise, the couple privately went to  guest services and asked if we could switch cabins

and guest services said why would you want to move out of a bigger cabin?  

 

That is the REALITY that disabled cruisers live with….

 

 

 

Edited April 30, 2023 by latitude 22

[latitude 22]

12 hours ago, jonthomas said:

Our O rep, got the last B5, French Balcony cabin for us on the Vista sailing for May 1, 2025.

 

We dont need a handicap cabin and feel guilty having one. I am watching the B5 category to see if another french balcony becomes available, but that cat and the one above it B4 is waitlisted, so not likely to come up. 

 

Any thoughts?

 

Dear OP

 

As a disabled person who sailed with Oceania quite bit before I became disabled I have fought

over and over with them for inclusivity, 

 

Ive begged them to ask qualifying questions or keep those cabins out of the inventory and only sell them when verification is presented. People don’t need to be in wheelchair or walker to need a disabled, just as long as they are disabled and their doctor verifies accommodations are needed, 

Which is easy because when you are disabled you spend more time interacting with your medical team than your friends!

 

Thank you very much for your integrity, your kindness, your empathyand your desire to allow inclusivity. 

The incredible human that you are, gives people like me the power to have a life that is thriving not just surviving.

 

 

[pinotlover]

As a consideration, if one is disabled perhaps they would do better to book cruises upon release letting their professional TA clearly understand the extent of their disabilities. I believe Oceania will attempt to facilitate them in obtaining an HC cabin. 

 

I don’t believe it’s logical to expect Oceania to keep any cabins unbooked indefinitely and open just in case someone needs that class of cabin. This is particularly the case now with the cruise lines wallowing in debt. 
 

When one understands the “ pre-booking “ drill of the TAs, prior to cruise release, they’ll understand the opportunities for customers needs to be addressed.
 

 

 

 

Edited April 30, 2023 by pinotlover

[latitude 22]

16 minutes ago, pinotlover said:

As a consideration, if one is disabled perhaps they would do better to book cruises upon release letting their professional TA clearly understand the extent of their disabilities. I believe Oceania will attempt to facilitate them in obtaining an HC cabin. 

 

I don’t believe it’s logical to expect Oceania to keep any cabins unbooked indefinitely and open just in case someone needs that class of cabin. This is particularly the case now with the cruise lines wallowing in debt. 
 

 

 

 

 

I do book upon release. 

 

Because I want the random 1 of a kind itineraries

 

Have you counted how many actual accesible cabins there are TOTAL on each ship? 

 

Not to mention Oceania R ship accesible cabins have bathtubs? 

 

Then factor in the able bodied people who want bigger cabins, so I have to book upon release to even have a chance for a cabin and then I still don’t get it. 

 

My former background involved working as a corporate travel agent, sales rep under Larry Pimental, and the Marriott Management Program 

 

I don’t need a travel agent, 

 

I need accessibility,  I wasn’t born disabled I went to bed one night and woke up temporarily paralyzed from a severe case of sudden onset Rheumatiod Arthritis which then decided to have

 a close friendship  with Fibromyalgia.

 

And yes I know I’m particularly pissy and lacking graciousness right now. 

I leave on a cruise next week and just went down with a bad flare so they are pumping me

full of high dose prednisone….so roid rage is a real thing. 

 

Im going to go exhale, maybe delete a few things 

Edited April 30, 2023 by latitude 22

[jonthomas]

B5 cabins are highly sought after. There are very few accessible cabins. 

It is unbelievable that O would give a cabin like this to someone who does not want or need it.

Not sure what it is in my power to do. 

I have written to my O rep and to my TA.

Bottom line, I will NOT occupy a cabin that others may need.

Edited April 30, 2023 by jonthomas

[LHT28]

1 minute ago, latitude 22 said:

Not to mention Oceania R ship accesible cabins have bathtubs? 

 

 

I believe all the H/C cabins on the R ships  have been renovated  & the  bathtubs were removed

[pinotlover]

What latitude 22 demonstrated is that she certainly needs an experienced Oceania TA. Since she doesn’t seem to understand the pre booking options the professional TAs have, regardless of her Marriott experience, she is undoubtedly missing opportunities.

[jonthomas]

When I booked this cruise, if only an HC was available, I should have been placed on a wait list. I would have had a regular cabin now and someone who needs an HC would be accommodated.

At time of booking I did not know it was an HC. 

I am hopeful that with the amount of time till sailing, this can be resolved.

[latitude 22]

wrong reply area

Edited April 30, 2023 by latitude 22

[latitude 22]

8 minutes ago, pinotlover said:

What latitude 22 demonstrated is that she certainly needs an experienced Oceania TA. Since she doesn’t seem to understand the pre booking options the professional TAs have, regardless of her Marriott experience, she is undoubtedly missing opportunities.

 

Um no.

 

You missed the other part I was a corporate travel agent and worked sales under Larry Pimentel

I know what I’m doing.

I’m well aware of my options, 

 

Im also well aware that able bodied people should really say less and listen more

[latitude 22]

6 minutes ago, jonthomas said:

When I booked this cruise, if only an HC was available, I should have been placed on a wait list. I would have had a regular cabin now and someone who needs an HC would be accommodated.

At time of booking I did not know it was an HC. 

I am hopeful that with the amount of time till sailing, this can be resolved.

 

 

Im actually in that cabin  in November  from Barcelona to Miami. 

I literally booked it the day it was released and they said it was the last one. 

Im super excited because we can move the couch in front of the window and I can be laying 

down with a gorgeous view in front of me! 

[latitude 22]

TO LHT28…..(quote thingy didn’t work)

 

We were on the Regatta in 2019 and it was still a bathtub.

 

I hope it has changed. I love the R ships

 

Azamara did a good job with accessibility for R ships 

 

We are booked on Marina/Riviera for our next 3 cruises 

I was able to get 2 accessible cabins….3rd is South America in 2025

and Oceania refuses to call the occupant to verify needs. 

 

Edited April 30, 2023 by latitude 22

[jonthomas]

I am glad you are able to enjoy this cabin.

I will do all I can so someone else can enjoy it May 1, 2025.

[LHT28]

29 minutes ago, latitude 22 said:

TO LHT28…..(quote thingy didn’t work)

 

We were on the Regatta in 2019 and it was still a bathtub.

 

I hope it has changed. I love the R ships

 

 

Not sure  when Regatta  went for her makeover   maybe someone  who has been on her recently & in the H/C  cabins will comment

 As Bob Brown poster  the Insignia  has the  roll in shower  just guess the other  R ships would be the same

 

[latitude 22]

14 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

Not sure  when Regatta  went for her makeover   maybe someone  who has been on her recently & in the H/C  cabins will comment

 As Bob Brown poster  the Insignia  has the  roll in shower  just guess the other  R ships would be the same

 

 

What Ive learned since becoming disabled with no cure (Ive got the whole placard thing, ADA accommodations allowedand a ton of meds that make it easier for me to travel, except to Asia, Dubai, Emirates etc where i will be arrested)  

 

Nothing can ever been assumed or trusted by multiple sources with cruise lines and hotels

and compliance with the ADA is rarely followed with hotels and cruise ships.

 

You must always request pictures.

 

Oceania and I have had multiple lengthy conversations and they claim the R ship inside cabins are accessible because the door is wide enough to enter with a wheelchair. 

However an accessible shower is not necessary for the cabin, a bathtub is just fine for disabled passengers.

It’s also unfortunate that many so called experienced travel agents have no clue how to book accessibility nor do they want to and experienced cruiseline  res agents don’t want to be bothered because it’s more attention detail and it ruins their call stats. 

Many Able bodied people just assume there is common sense or a designated expert 

and that isn’t the case.

 

It’s a fine line how much I can advocate because I don’t want to be banned.

I’ve always loved Oceania, it’s just this aspect is where they fail miserably,  

[SSCAF001]

I have been assigned one of these accessible cabins as well because it was the last available in that category. I booked it 2 years ago and told Oceania that I would be happy to move to another one should a person in need of an accessible cabin wants to take it but so far, nothing has moved. I will see what happens when boarding. But I would be very upset at Oceania if I prevent a person in need to sail in good conditions.

[tvmovielover]

We were booked into an accessible cabin we did not want long before the cruise was full and said we would be happy to move (past Feb cruise).  We eventually decided to wait until boarding to see about a move and no move was available.  It was upsetting to think of someone else needing it and being told none available.

[bob brown]

7 hours ago, latitude 22 said:

Nothing can ever been assumed or trusted by multiple sources with cruise lines and hotels

and compliance with the ADA is rarely followed with hotels and cruise ships.

 

You must always request pictures.

 

Oceania and I have had multiple lengthy conversations and they claim the R ship inside cabins are accessible because the door is wide enough to enter with a wheelchair. 

However an accessible shower is not necessary for the cabin, a bathtub is just fine for disabled passengers.

Insignia has been this way, since dry-docking in December 2018.

 

[bob brown]

10 hours ago, latitude 22 said:

You said it’s a deficiency?  It’s called accessibility and you were in cabin that wasn’t designed for an able bodied cruiser in mind. 

It  is a deficiency for an able bodied cruiser, and my point is just that… there is no valid reason for an able bodied cruiser to choose one of those cabins, if they can get a standard cabin, instead.

 

[latitude 22]

Maybe because you are able bodied you don’t realize how rude it is to use the work deficient

 

We already know how society treats us as less than, as deficient, 

We feel it, we don’t need to read it too. 

 

Cruise lines and hotels let us know..

We don’t deserve to use a retreat or sun deck. we don’t deserve to have a table to sit at 

in bar/restaurant area because they are all trendy cocktail tables.  we don’t deserve an upgrade 

because because they are so few cabins/rooms.  we have to settle for the lousy location for accessible room in a hotel because for some reason architects considere those rooms as an after thought and an obligation under the ADA.

We don’t get to use our hotel status 

on the hotel concierge level because there are no accessible rooms. 

 

Using the word deficient to describe something a disabled person desperately needs and has to settle on having compared to all the options an able bodied person  received. 

is just driving home the point that society has that disabled people are deficient 

in some way. 

It might not be your intent, but it does. 

 

and in case your didn’t see this in another post of mine…..

 

I usually find gracious ways to communicate on this topic that is so frustrating,

and just constantly re enforced over and over especially when trying to travel 

but I’m leaving on a cruise next week and last week I developed a massive RA flare.

the intense pain feels like every joint in my body is breaking, 
So my doctors have pumped me up with high levels of prednisone 

and one of the side effects is  no sensor. 

 

So, I’m going to respond with the reality of how your words come across to 

a disabled person instead of smiling sweetly and saying to myself let it go 

they probably dont mean for it to be rude. blah blah blah

 

Do better…. don’t use the word deficient.

You seem  like the kinda person who would want to do that. 

especially since you posted the picture.  

 

Thank you! 

 

 

 

Edited April 30, 2023 by latitude 22

[jonthomas]

I will do all I can to make sure we do not occupy a handicap cabin. We booked this when the itin first came up, now prices are higher for other categories. 

Everyone should boycott a HC cabin if they don't need it. Unfortunately we were assigned this cabin without realizing it's a HC .

Anyone think I should write to someone with the power to make change happen. Give me the info.

This will be our 15th O cruise.

[LHT28]

13 minutes ago, jonthomas said:

I will do all I can to make sure we do not occupy a handicap cabin. We booked this when the itin first came up, now prices are higher for other categories. 

Everyone should boycott a HC cabin if they don't need it. Unfortunately we were assigned this cabin without realizing it's a HC .

Anyone think I should write to someone with the power to make change happen. Give me the info.

This will be our 15th O cruise.

Write to the CEO

 

[jonthomas]

It's outrageous that O does not save these few cabins for those who need it.

I don't know how anyone can be it that cabin with a clear conscience that they don't need it but someone else may.

Edited April 30, 2023 by jonthomas

[latitude 22]

26 minutes ago, jonthomas said:

I will do all I can to make sure we do not occupy a handicap cabin. We booked this when the itin first came up, now prices are higher for other categories. 

Everyone should boycott a HC cabin if they don't need it. Unfortunately we were assigned this cabin without realizing it's a HC .

Anyone think I should write to someone with the power to make change happen. Give me the info.

This will be our 15th O cruise.

 

Thank you for being such an ally and being willing to advocate, 

 

So many people think it’s not their concern in life right now, 

but the fact is anyone at any age can become disabled 

from an freak accident to a sudden onset health diagnosis like me. 

 

I came home from 18 days on the Marina in 2013 cruising around the South Pacific. We were upgrade to a PH2

 

It was the most magical, relaxing, breathtaking, romantic experience. 

 

3 days after we got back I was in the hospital with every board certified specialist looking at me going WTH? 

As I started to improve a Doctor asked me what I wanted for my future. 

 

I said please don’t take away travel. 

 

Thank you so much for being such a wonderful human being.