New England cruise with ACL

[Ski Mom]

Hello! I’m in the early stages of planning a New England cruise with ACL. I’m looking at the Grand New England or the Cape Codder. I was wondering if anyone else has taken this cruise. My question is do you know what ports in New England require a tender? I have looked through all the itineraries on the east coast and none of them state that a tender is required but I have heard that several ports up near Maine require them. I would really like to visit Martha’s Vineyard and Acadia national park. I have MS and travel with a wheelchair and require assistance disembarking. This is my second cruise with ACL. My first one was on the Columbia Snake River and it was fantastic and the crew were very helpful with my needs but none of the ports we visited required tenders. I guess my question is do they allow wheelchairs on tenders? If not I guess I should look at itineraries that don’t require them but like I said from what I’ve read it’s not clear which ports require them. I originally posted this on the ACL forum but thought I would post this question here as well. Thank you in advance for any information or advice that you can provide.

Thank you! 

MaryBeth

[Essiesmom]

I believe the itinerary from the cruise line should tell you if a port requires tendering.  I don’t know how active the ACL board is here, but maybe someone there could tell you if there are any tender ports.  EM

[Ski Mom]

1 hour ago, Essiesmom said:

I believe the itinerary from the cruise line should tell you if a port requires tendering.  I don’t know how active the ACL board is here, but maybe someone there could tell you if there are any tender ports.  EM

Thank you for your response.? I did read the itinerary and I did not see any mention of tenders but when I called the cruise line for information the representative said that some of the ports require a tender but when I questioned why it wasn’t stated on the itinerary I was told that the trip I was interested in would have a new ship that required a tender. I picked another itinerary and called again and was given different information so now I am very confused and was just wondering if anyone else had any information about this trip. 

[shadow 123]

1 hour ago, Ski Mom said:

Thank you for your response.? I did read the itinerary and I did not see any mention of tenders but when I called the cruise line for information the representative said that some of the ports require a tender but when I questioned why it wasn’t stated on the itinerary I was told that the trip I was interested in would have a new ship that required a tender. I picked another itinerary and called again and was given different information so now I am very confused and was just wondering if anyone else had any information about this trip. 

I know Bar Harbor is a tender port.

[Ski Mom]

13 hours ago, shadow 123 said:

I know Bar Harbor is a tender port.

Thanks for your response! I figured that but when I looked at the itinerary it didn’t mention a tender port and I called the cruise line directly and received two different answers. Very confusing.

[Essiesmom]

What we need is a phone number for the visitors bureau (or whatever it’s called) and someone to call and ask if the small coastal cruise ships dock or tender.  And do that for all of the ports in question.  It’s too bad there is no directory of members by locality so we could ask them for info.  EM

[cropping cruiser]

To my knowledge, Bar Harbor and Martha’s Vineyard are both tender ports. But MV does have a ferry dock so I would double check. I sail on larger cruise ships. I did find this thread on CC. I shared as a photo but you find the forum in Ports of Call, Canada/Bew England

 

[Ski Mom]

7 hours ago, cropping cruiser said:

To my knowledge, Bar Harbor and Martha’s Vineyard are both tender ports. But MV does have a ferry dock so I would double check. I sail on larger cruise ships. I did find this thread on CC. I shared as a photo but you find the forum in Ports of Call, Canada/Bew England

 

Thank you so much for your response. I did call my travel agent on Friday but she is out of town till Monday. Maybe she can get some more information about the tender ports. The information you gave me makes a lot of sense I just don’t know why it’s not stated on the website itinerary. Maybe a New England cruise would not work for me. Every time I call the cruise line I get a different person and I different answer and they still want me to sign up and give it deposit to hold my reservation. I really appreciate your feedback and I will definitely report back on any information I find. 

[cropping cruiser]

On 5/11/2024 at 8:35 AM, Ski Mom said:

Thank you so much for your response. I did call my travel agent on Friday but she is out of town till Monday. Maybe she can get some more information about the tender ports. The information you gave me makes a lot of sense I just don’t know why it’s not stated on the website itinerary. Maybe a New England cruise would not work for me. Every time I call the cruise line I get a different person and I different answer and they still want me to sign up and give it deposit to hold my reservation. I really appreciate your feedback and I will definitely report back on any information I find. 

I was at MV today on Celebrity Eclipse. We did tender using ships lifeboats. I was able to take my folding scooter with me but you must be able to transfer. It was quite interesting. This time we had to walk down a full set of steps. Then across a small platform and then step into the lifeboat. It was fairly wide step. Getting off at MV, you had to take a fairly wide step out of the tender to dock. My husband reassembled the scooter and I was able to drive it onto the gangway to exit. Not too bad. 
coming back was quite an adventure. I had to step onto a wooden box which was at least 12 inches high maybe more and then down into the tender. Step out of the tender onto the platform at ship and climb back of the staircase. The crew was really wonderful and helpful. But it took maybe 6 crew members, my husband and friend to help me. And I was exhausted. Also, the platform and steps coming back were wet and slippery. The staircases were doable but going up was really difficult. 

[cropping cruiser]

Ski Mom, 

more info: the tender ay BH was definitely easier b/c it was a different ship with no steps down to tender. Plus my mobility is worse and for me the steps are realty hard especially when the step height is higher than usual. My suggestion would be to get in writing just how much the cruise will assist you and things like how steps etc. Then factor in the fact that you may need to take a wide and/or high step in and out of tender. IMO, both MV and BH were worth the effort. By the OAk Bluff Dick the streets were pretty much flat and there were cutouts etc. I loved Bar Harbor but it is very hilly and if you want to go to Acadia do a lot of research and get in writing what the tour company will provide in terms of assistance

I’m really glad I got off today but I’m sore as hell.  Thankfully, tomorrow is a sea day so I can recoup and get a massage. 
Good luck !

[Ski Mom]

1 hour ago, cropping cruiser said:

I was at MV today on Celebrity Eclipse. We did tender using ships lifeboats. I was able to take my folding scooter with me but you must be able to transfer. It was quite interesting. This time we had to walk down a full set of steps. Then across a small platform and then step into the lifeboat. It was fairly wide step. Getting off at MV, you had to take a fairly wide step out of the tender to dock. My husband reassembled the scooter and I was able to drive it onto the gangway to exit. Not too bad. 
coming back was quite an adventure. I had to step onto a wooden box which was at least 12 inches high maybe more and then down into the tender. Step out of the tender onto the platform at ship and climb back of the staircase. The crew was really wonderful and helpful. But it took maybe 6 crew members, my husband and friend to help me. And I was exhausted. Also, the platform and steps coming back were wet and slippery. The staircases were doable but going up was really difficult. Oh my! That sounds like quite an ordeal and I applaud you for doing that! I am really disappointed to hear that because I don’t think I could do that! Thank you for sharing! It’s definitely the information I needed to hear even though it is disappointing the information gives me a much better understanding of what to expect!

[Ski Mom]

14 hours ago, Ski Mom said:

16 hours ago, cropping cruiser said:

I was at MV today on Celebrity Eclipse. We did tender using ships lifeboats. I was able to take my folding scooter with me but you must be able to transfer. It was quite interesting. This time we had to walk down a full set of steps. Then across a small platform and then step into the lifeboat. It was fairly wide step. Getting off at MV, you had to take a fairly wide step out of the tender to dock. My husband reassembled the scooter and I was able to drive it onto the gangway to exit. Not too bad. 
coming back was quite an adventure. I had to step onto a wooden box which was at least 12 inches high maybe more and then down into the tender. Step out of the tender onto the platform at ship and climb back of the staircase. The crew was really wonderful and helpful. But it took maybe 6 crew members, my husband and friend to help me. And I was exhausted. Also, the platform and steps coming back were wet and slippery. The staircases were doable but going up was really difficult. Oh my! That sounds like quite an ordeal and I applaud you for doing that! I am really disappointed to hear that because I don’t think I could do that! Thank you for sharing! It’s definitely the information I needed to hear even though it is disappointing the information gives me a much better understanding of what to expect!

Oh my! That sounds like quite an ordeal and I applaud you for doing that! I am really disappointed to hear that because I don’t think I could do that! Thank you for sharing! It’s definitely the information I needed to hear even though it is disappointing the information gives me a much better understanding of what to expect!

[Ski Mom]

16 hours ago, cropping cruiser said:

Ski Mom, 

more info: the tender ay BH was definitely easier b/c it was a different ship with no steps down to tender. Plus my mobility is worse and for me the steps are realty hard especially when the step height is higher than usual. My suggestion would be to get in writing just how much the cruise will assist you and things like how steps etc. Then factor in the fact that you may need to take a wide and/or high step in and out of tender. IMO, both MV and BH were worth the effort. By the OAk Bluff Dick the streets were pretty much flat and there were cutouts etc. I loved Bar Harbor but it is very hilly and if you want to go to Acadia do a lot of research and get in writing what the tour company will provide in terms of assistance

I’m really glad I got off today but I’m sore as hell.  Thankfully, tomorrow is a sea day so I can recoup and get a massage. 
Good luck !

That’s a great tip about getting things in writing! Nothing is worse than being told one thing and getting a disappointing surprise when you get there! I’m glad to hear the tender went better in BH. I got a hold of my travel agent today and she is going to investigate this for me but you have also given me some great advice that I will use when booking what ever itinerary I decide on! You are an inspiration to me to try to make this work! Enjoy the rest of your trip! 

[cropping cruiser]

7 hours ago, Ski Mom said:

That’s a great tip about getting things in writing! Nothing is worse than being told one thing and getting a disappointing surprise when you get there! I’m glad to hear the tender went better in BH. I got a hold of my travel agent today and she is going to investigate this for me but you have also given me some great advice that I will use when booking what ever itinerary I decide on! You are an inspiration to me to try to make this work! Enjoy the rest of your trip! 

It really depends upon how the ship you will be on does their tender process. Some are definitely easier than others. 
Thank you ! The Celebrity crew was fabulous! 
I do try to challenge myself when I really want to do something. Plus we have 2 tender ports on a Greenland cruise that has the same process as the Eclipse. This really gave me a chance to see if I could even do it. Now I can make a more informed decision about whether to tender or not in those ports. 
Check out the accessibility for Acadia. It’s beautiful there. A lot of National Parks have made accessibility improvements. 
Good luck ! Let me know how you make out. 

[Ski Mom]

8 hours ago, cropping cruiser said:

It really depends upon how the ship you will be on does their tender process. Some are definitely easier than others. 
Thank you ! The Celebrity crew was fabulous! 
I do try to challenge myself when I really want to do something. Plus we have 2 tender ports on a Greenland cruise that has the same process as the Eclipse. This really gave me a chance to see if I could even do it. Now I can make a more informed decision about whether to tender or not in those ports. 
Check out the accessibility for Acadia. It’s beautiful there. A lot of National Parks have made accessibility improvements. 
Good luck ! Let me know how you make out. 

Hi! I just wanted to let you know that I did get a hold of my TA and she called me representative that they work with from the cruise line. They use their own tenders and because they’re a small ship there are no stairs required. I can take an elevator to the platform and roll right on. I will have to transfer and then fold the wheelchair but I can do that. I was told that the staff would assist me in the process and I know from cruising with this line before that they go above and beyond to help. It’s more expensive but will my physical challenges we have found small ahips easier for me to travel on but I have heard great stories about the Celebrity cruise line and look forward to traveling with them in the future. We traveled with Princess to Alaska and their crew was outstanding in helping us get on and off at ports and I also found the whole ship very user friendly to people with disabilities. I plan on booking the trip for September of 2025 but promise to report back with details on how it goes! Thanks again to you and everyone who responded to my question!

[cropping cruiser]

12 hours ago, Ski Mom said:

Hi! I just wanted to let you know that I did get a hold of my TA and she called me representative that they work with from the cruise line. They use their own tenders and because they’re a small ship there are no stairs required. I can take an elevator to the platform and roll right on. I will have to transfer and then fold the wheelchair but I can do that. I was told that the staff would assist me in the process and I know from cruising with this line before that they go above and beyond to help. It’s more expensive but will my physical challenges we have found small ahips easier for me to travel on but I have heard great stories about the Celebrity cruise line and look forward to traveling with them in the future. We traveled with Princess to Alaska and their crew was outstanding in helping us get on and off at ports and I also found the whole ship very user friendly to people with disabilities. I plan on booking the trip for September of 2025 but promise to report back with details on how it goes! Thanks again to you and everyone who responded to my question!

 

[cropping cruiser]

14 hours ago, Ski Mom said:

Hi! I just wanted to let you know that I did get a hold of my TA and she called me representative that they work with from the cruise line. They use their own tenders and because they’re a small ship there are no stairs required. I can take an elevator to the platform and roll right on. I will have to transfer and then fold the wheelchair but I can do that. I was told that the staff would assist me in the process and I know from cruising with this line before that they go above and beyond to help. It’s more expensive but will my physical challenges we have found small ahips easier for me to travel on but I have heard great stories about the Celebrity cruise line and look forward to traveling with them in the future. We traveled with Princess to Alaska and their crew was outstanding in helping us get on and off at ports and I also found the whole ship very user friendly to people with disabilities. I plan on booking the trip for September of 2025 but promise to report back with details on how it goes! Thanks again to you and everyone who responded to my question!

So glad it’s working out for you. Definitely let us know after the cruise how things went for you.