Wheelchair boarding ... early?

[trvlqueen]

My mother broke both of her legs and will still be confined to a wheelchair (one was shattered) when we cruise in October (7 weeks from now, but she just had surgery and due to her osteoporosis and age, they want her in the wheelchair longer than 'normal').

 

We did call and get her 'upgraded' to a wheelchair friendly cabin (upgraded is very subjective ... she had outside cabin, is now inside, but on a higher deck and didn't have to pay for it, so overall it's ok). They said we could have assistance getting her boarded, but I'm wondering if they have patients in wheelchairs board ahead of the crowd. I'm envisioning our last cruise out of Miami, that steep ramp, and all the people excited to get onboard the ship being held up by Mom in her wheelchair. My oldest daughter is sharing a cabin with her, and if even the two of them got on just enough ahead of the rush to get clear space on an elevator and maneuver to a chair-friendly table on the Lido deck, life would be so much easier.

 

Anyone have experience with this? I'm assuming if it was that easy to board early, everyone would pull the Disney line-jumping trick of renting a wheelchair ... she's bringing her own chair and we've changed from flying to driving because she's at reduced risk of DVT and clots due to her immobility and surgeries. Just trying to make sure I know the scoop so I can prepare her.

[Mekamax]

You will automatically get VIP boarding. Just go to the first Carnival rep you find when you get in to the check area and they will get a Carnival rep to escort you and your family to the front of the Xray line and then on to a short VIP line to check in with a lower counter for those in a wheelchair. We had to bring my father in law on in a wheel chair and they were very very nice. We got there early and I would recommend this since later it will be more lines even VIP. Also deffinately bring your own chair and if you need assistance boarding be prepared to wait if boarding later (after 10-10:30am) because many of the reps are excorting and you have to wait for the next one - this is if you need someone to help push the chair. Usually it is not easy - my hubby did it for Dad but the ramps can be steep. Also you may want to consider renting a scooter. There are companies that will have the scooter on board for your use and we would have done this the next time if Dad had gone again as then he would be able to use the chair more himself and not have to have someone push. Debbie

[trvlqueen]

Thanks so much for the reply. Guest Access was very helpful, but not too clear about the boarding process. Just told us to find someone when we get there.

 

We usually do arrive early, so we'll plan to do that for this trip as well. I've been talking to her about maybe getting a scooter, but not sure she wants that ... I know there are services that will deliver them to the room ahead of time (Carnival gave us the numbers).

 

Glad to hear they can help. When we were on Destiny in May, we had to help a very frail elderly man get his wife up the ramp in a chair ... my guess, after talking to Carnival, is that he denied their offer of assistance, but was still concerned after seeing that happen that we could end up in a crowd.

 

I keep telling her that breaking her legs to get free parking and help onboard the ship was going to extremes! :) Next time, I told her, she should forego the $65,000 hospital bills and just buy the biggest suite she could find onboard the ship! (can you imagine how many cruises you could buy with that kind of $$$?)

[bleuiz]

Hubby had his 2nd hip replacement 3 1/4 months before our cruise....although he could walk fine, he is tentative on stairs, so we notified the pursors desk and he was taken to the elevator during muster....

As we prepared to disembark a week later, we received a note that we were allowed to leave with the handicap passengers....we reported to a separate section and after the self-disembarkation, we were off the ship (finding our luggage was another deal....)

:cool:

[SailBolt]

My MIL cruised with us on the Spirit Hawaii-Vancouver in April of 2007 and brought her own scooter.

She first got the scooter 5-6 years ago and at first, although I think she felt conspicuous using it, she now realizes the freedom it truly affords her. She (and her scooter) will be accompanying us on the Valor in late September. She is looking forward to going on the cruise and will happily "scoot" to everything she wants to do. She takes it all over the ship, brings it to the main dining room and parks it in front of the penny slots in the casino (being the good Baptist that she is)!!!

The staff on the Spirit was extremely helpful to her and the waiter used to compete to see who would be able to drive it over to her after she finished her meals.

I would encourage you to investigate renting one for Mom. I think it would make the cruise more fun and less burdensome for all concerned.

[LBC77]

We have cruised 4 times with my adult son who is in a wheelchair due to a motorcycle accident. I don't remember getting any perks upon boarding because he was in the chair. Of course, we always travel in a large group, so there is plenty of help for him from family members or friends. We have never been sent to VIP boarding or the front of any lines. On the other hand, we have NEVER had any trouble boarding the ship. I don't even remember any of the other passengers behaving in anything other than a pleasant and accomodating manner whenever Adam was in their way. We always try to board early (by 11) because we are in a hurry to start our vacation. We have always been able to leave the ship in one of the 1st wave of people debarking because of the chair, but who is in such a hurry to get back to the realities of everyday life? lol

[Mekamax]

Also - the cabin stewardess couldn't have been more nice to Dad and they have all kinds of necessary things that we wouldn't think off. So if there is anything that your Mom needs don't hesitate to ask.

 

I called Dad when we got on our next cruise after him and told him how much we missed being able to cut in line and sure wished he was with us!! LOL He loved being missed... Actually by that time we were VIP Platinum but we didn't say that and it wasn't the point - we missed him... :( We still do as he is gone now... :( Debbie