Help!!!!!!!!!

[Number1BloomFan]

I am about to go outside of my mind! I am trying to plan a vacation for me and my father who has MS, hence the stress. I need to rent a patient lift,and have it transported to the ship as we are going from the airport to the ship without any detours,and I need to know which airline is the best at working with people in wheelchairs. Please help!:confused:

[ndsumfun]

Hello, I believe American Airlines may be your best bet. My husband is paraplegic and we flew with them a couple of years ago. They put us in 1st class so he wouldnt have to struggle getting in & out of the seats in the back of the plane. Even Delta didn't do that.

 

We have also had good experiences with Southwest depending on where you are......

[Splinter]

Where are you cruising from? What ship?

 

I travel with my parents. My mother has MS, and we have been on over 15 cruises together.

 

All the US airlines are pretty much the same in my experience...some good experiences, some bad. Try if at all possible to book direct or non-stop flights. Notify the airlines ahead of time (but don't be surprised if the gate agent is clueless you are coming). You can take his wheelchair right to the plane door and gate check it. Tell the gate agent you will need the aisle chair and two strong "lifters". They will lift him onto the aisle chair, and then into his seat. Be sure you have a plan for bladder management on the plane as there is no way you will get anyone to lift him to the aisle chair or into the bathroom in-flight. About 30 minutes out of your destination, tell the cabin attendant you need 1) his wheelchair at the door, 2) 2 lifters, 3) the aisle chair, and 4) someone to escort you and push the wheelchair to to luggage claim (this way you can take care of the carry-ons). Ask the cabin attendant to grab his wheelchair as soon as it is brought up and keep an eye on it for you so it doesn't "disappear". Keep in mind that medical equipment and supplies incur no extra baggage charge on the airlines, but don't leave anything on his chair that can be broken or lost (backpack, wheelchair cushion, power wheelchair control box, etc. etc.). You can take that stuff into the cabin with you.

 

When you get to the ship, you should have expedited registration, and a ship's employee will assist you to your cabin (push the wheelchair if you want).

 

If you don't have a travel lift, you can rent one. Most people recommend using a company like http://www.carevacations.com because they can deliver it right to your cabin, and you can just leave it there when you disembark. Generally they will only have Hoyer or Invacare lifts. We have a travel lift we take ourself, as well as our own shower/commode chair.

 

I assume you have booked an accessible cabin?

 

Don't stress. It can be done! Have a good time. We love cruising and the extra effort is well worth it.

[Reggae Mon]

Check with Care Vacations at www.carevacations.com or 877-478-7827. I'm not sure if they rent lifts but if they do they will have it in your cabin when you board & you leave it there when you leave the ship. They're great to deal with. I've rented power wheelchairs from them & have 1 booked for Nov. I've had good luck with Delta airlines. Just make sure yuor travel agent lets any airline you need WC assistance.

:) Happy Cruising:)

[rfbdorf]

Care Vacations do rent patient lifts - a Hoyer-Partner lift is going to cost us on the order of $280 for a week. Not cheap, but I'll pay that for not having to hassle with bringing ours. You'll need to supply your own sling.

- Richard