RCL wheelchair cruise pics, information and opinions needed

[Jen_MN]

The close dolphin encounter is operated by Dolphin Encounters (www.dolphinencounters.com). We booked it through RC, where we made arrangements with the special needs office over the phone (because we were getting really close to our sailing date) and then paid once we got on the cruise. The close dolphin encounter typically fills up fast, so book it right away.

 

One thing to note about the special needs office is they are hard to get a hold of and it takes them awhile to return calls. We just kept calling them daily and finally got the answers we needed.

[JSR]

Dear Jen,

We do not seem to get Boo's Mom to get that booking an accessible room when you are able-bodied is wrong. I did notify RCL of the issue so hopefully they can explain the situation to her.

When we you say the special needs officer-- are you speaking of the people you book your room with or with the excursion people. Could you post the number please.

Thank you

Jean

[Jen_MN]

I think the special needs office handles any issues/questions people with disabilities may have. I booked my room through the normal RC booking number and then went through the special needs office to get information about excursions. Try calling them at 305-982-2066.

 

People booking HC rooms without a real need for it is like people parking in a HC spot just because they think they can. :mad:

[Umbarger]

Hey guys,

 

I'm so glad I found this thread. I am really hot about this issue and hoping you guys might have some ideas.

 

My mother is handicapped from a stroke. We had to change our cruise date 3 times to find a handicapped cabin that was available.

 

Question: How do we get cruiselines to require proof of a disability before they give people handicapped cabins. Most cruiselines do not require any kind of proof. I saw one post say that she booked the handicapped cabin because she saw in the ship layout that the cabin was much larger. Both were able bodied and had NO handicapp. How is she able to do this? Didnt bother her that she was being selfish and taking a handicapped cabin from someone who truly needed it. Able bodied people are booking these cabins because they are nice and roomy and want a free upgrade. I wish they could spend 1 hour in my mom's chair.

 

Any ideas?

 

Linda

[JSR]

Linda,

I could not agree more.

 

Here is one of the problems and a couple of ways we can help. Unfortunatly my experience is limited to RCl and Celebrity so those of you with other experience and your thoughts.

 

1) One of the things that happens is if one of us makes a reservation for an Accessible Cabin and then cancels it through the main reservation number instead of the accessibility specialist number then the cabin is put back into the general inventory. If you cancel with the accessibility desk then put the cabin back into accessibility inventory which has greater controls on who books.

 

2) If you hear of a cabin either on the internet or see it listed on a web site as available call the accessibility desk of the cruise line and let them know so they can put it back into restricted inventory.

 

3) I have no problem with people who ask at the pier if there is an empty accessible cabin and then switches from their own but not before then.

 

4) Maybe we should all write the cruise lines and suggest that they tighten up thier rules and require proof from a doctor.

 

5) whenever I make a reservation and the cabin I want is not available I ask them to check the cabin and make sure the person who has it needs it. If they do not then they will move them out and put me in. If they do then I pick another cabin or cruise.

 

RCCL and Celebrity Accessibility Desk 1800-722-5472 x34492

 

Jean

[Jen_MN]

Maybe they should do what the local arena does for HC season ticketholders. They have to show proof of a HC parking permit or something like that.

 

On a side note, our HC room was not much bigger than the regular rooms. Plus, how much time are you going to spend in your room on a cruise to make the size of your room that big of a deal, if you are not HC? All we did was sleep, shower and get dressed in ours.

[Queenie2]

Although I agree there is abuse, I also think you have to look at the other side of the issue. For example I know a lot of people who are disabled, yet are not under doctors care, so requiring them to get medical certification would be a hardship ( trip/expense to doctor and even an invasion of privacy. Plus requiring "medical certification" of a disability is illegal.

 

Think about it, how would you like it if you were required to provide medical certification of your disability every time you booked a hotel room?

 

Basically if somebody self-identifies themselves as having a disability, the cruise lines have to take their word for it. Yes, I know some people lie, but they lie about their disability (as do their doctors) to get parking placards too, so I just don't see "medical certification" as a solution. The whole placard situation is a mess because everyone and their brother has one (heck, you can even buy them on e-bay).

 

No mater what certification you require, people will find a way around it, and in the end the people you really hurt are those you are trying to protect.

 

I think the only solution is education. We have to educate the general public of *why* some people *need* accessible cabins. A lot of ABs think PWDs get "better cabins" and "special treatment", and of course when the cruise lines (or travel agents) tell folks that accessible cabins are "perks", well that doesn't help the situation any.

 

BTW, who is Boo's mom and why is she booking an accessible cabin if she's not disabled?

 

Candy

[MszKitty]

Maybe they should do what the local arena does for HC season ticketholders. They have to show proof of a HC parking permit or something like that.

 

On a side note, our HC room was not much bigger than the regular rooms. Plus, how much time are you going to spend in your room on a cruise to make the size of your room that big of a deal, if you are not HC? All we did was sleep, shower and get dressed in ours.

 

My brother is a leg amputee and uses a motorized chair. He can use his crutches once inside the room. He had to book a handicap room not so much for the size of the room, but for the size of the door so he could fit his wheelchair thru it.

[MszKitty]

Although I agree there is abuse, I also think you have to look at the other side of the issue. For example I know a lot of people who are disabled, yet are not under doctors care, so requiring them to get medical certification would be a hardship ( trip/expense to doctor and even an invasion of privacy. Plus requiring "medical certification" of a disability is illegal.

 

Think about it, how would you like it if you were required to provide medical certification of your disability every time you booked a hotel room?

 

Basically if somebody self-identifies themselves as having a disability, the cruise lines have to take their word for it. Yes, I know some people lie, but they lie about their disability (as do their doctors) to get parking placards too, so I just don't see "medical certification" as a solution. The whole placard situation is a mess because everyone and their brother has one (heck, you can even buy them on e-bay).

 

No mater what certification you require, people will find a way around it, and in the end the people you really hurt are those you are trying to protect.

 

I think the only solution is education. We have to educate the general public of *why* some people *need* accessible cabins. A lot of ABs think PWDs get "better cabins" and "special treatment", and of course when the cruise lines (or travel agents) tell folks that accessible cabins are "perks", well that doesn't help the situation any.

 

BTW, who is Boo's mom and why is she booking an accessible cabin if she's not disabled?

 

Candy

 

Really?...you can buy them on ebay? That should be illegal.

 

My 84 yr old mother has a handicap placard, but whenever I drive her somewhere, if its at all posssible, I will drop her off at the entrance then I will go park in regular spot. I just can't justify parking in a handicap spot when I can drop her off and pick her up.

 

On the other hand, I have seen parking spaces for "parents with children" or "parents with strollers"...or something to that effect. THAT just kills me....just because they have children or a stroller, they get better parking spot? I don't think so! Next time I come across that, I'm parking there...LOL

[Queenie2]

Yes, MsKitty, you *can* buy placards on e-Bay. and yes, it is illegeal, but truth be told e-Bay doesn't police it much and by the time somebody complains, they are sold.

 

i also did a story about this guy in Texas who was printing his own and selling them. In really fine print it said something like "novelty use only". They looked real and you really couldn't tell the difference (note this upstanding individual also sold "I'm a wife beater" t-shirts). In any case, I suggested in my article that the DOT could get him on copyright issues (he used a logo) and viola, that was the key. They went after him and put him behind bars. But I expect when he gets out he will do something like that again. It's just the way those kind of people are.

 

I have to admit I've parked in a preggers space before -- I thought "how are they going to prove I'm not pregnant?". I feel if you are pregnant and you have a disability because of it, get a placard.

 

 

Candy

[Umbarger]

Boo's mom is going on a RCI cruise. 2 cabins, one for her, one for her kids. She already has her cabin assignment but doesnt like that her children are 3 cabins down from her so she found the handicapped cabin is closer to her cabin so she switched her two kids to the handicapped room. They are all AB. The cruise is five weeks out. It was quite a thread, which has now been closed because it was getting very heated. Half the people found nothing wrong with her booking a handicapped cabin and the other half think she shouldnt have. One poster had the gall to say she books a handicapped cabin because her husband is 6'5". Gosh, my husband is 6' 4" and I was surprised to hear he is handicapped. I never knew ;-) Linda

[Queenie2]

Sorry I never saw the thread.

 

But if you give me real names/sailing dates (via private e-mail) I will make sure they all get to the access director on the ship. And it may turn out that Boo's mom has to make some changes of her own:)

 

Candy@Emergingorizons.com

 

Really, it will make a great editorial!!

 

 

Candy

[MszKitty]

Yes, MsKitty, you *can* buy placards on e-Bay. and yes, it is illegeal, but truth be told e-Bay doesn't police it much and by the time somebody complains, they are sold.

 

i also did a story about this guy in Texas who was printing his own and selling them. In really fine print it said something like "novelty use only". They looked real and you really couldn't tell the difference (note this upstanding individual also sold "I'm a wife beater" t-shirts). In any case, I suggested in my article that the DOT could get him on copyright issues (he used a logo) and viola, that was the key. They went after him and put him behind bars. But I expect when he gets out he will do something like that again. It's just the way those kind of people are.

 

I have to admit I've parked in a preggers space before -- I thought "how are they going to prove I'm not pregnant?". I feel if you are pregnant and you have a disability because of it, get a placard.

 

 

Candy

 

 

Geez...they didn't have preggers space when *I* was pregnant. I was always under the impression that being pregnant wasn't a "disability". When I was pregnant you dealt with it. Done....whatever...LOL

 

AHHH...how things have changed.

[Judie]

We just returned from southern caribbean on Adventure of the Seas. We were in a non-accessible cabin, category JS (formerly Cat C) on Deck 10. The doorway measured 35 inches. Our friends in an accessible category JS cabin had a doorway at least as wide as ours.