Cozumel Port and RC Independence of the Sea Accessibility

I am so excited to be with my significant other on his first cruise! I have cruised before so I am very comfortable with it, however, my S.O. had a stroke 10 years ago at the age of 52. He is paralyzed on his left side. He is able to walk short distances with a cane and uses a 4-wheeled Pride electric scooter for long distances.

We can't find much information about accessibility. The only port we will be visiting on this maiden voyage is Cozumel. We just booked our Royal Caribbean cruise for March 2018 and got one of the last handicap accessible state rooms to we are set there. There is only one accessible excursion and I'm not sure if we will be able to do that. Sounds like you need a collapsible wheelchair for that so the scooter won't work.

Does anyone out there have any experience cruising with a mobility challenge like he has and have any suggestions?

I am so excited to be with my significant other on his first cruise! I have cruised before so I am very comfortable with it, however, my S.O. had a stroke 10 years ago at the age of 52. He is paralyzed on his left side. He is able to walk short distances with a cane and uses a 4-wheeled Pride electric scooter for long distances.

 

We can't find much information about accessibility. The only port we will be visiting on this maiden voyage is Cozumel. We just booked our Royal Caribbean cruise for March 2018 and got one of the last handicap accessible state rooms to we are set there. There is only one accessible excursion and I'm not sure if we will be able to do that. Sounds like you need a collapsible wheelchair for that so the scooter won't work.

 

Does anyone out there have any experience cruising with a mobility challenge like he has and have any suggestions?

Excursions - Did you contact RCCL's Special Needs Dept. as any accessible excursions are not published on it's website ? If you want excursions that can accommodate a mobility scooter you have to specifically request if there are any Level 2 excursions available. If there are they will be expensive.

Check out this link for excursions http://www.accessiblecaribbeanvacations.com/cozumel-accessible-shore-excursions

Check out this link for overall accessibility : http://www.accessiblecaribbeanvacations.com/cozumel-disabled-access

General information

• Wheelchair ramps can be steeper than ramps in the USA.
  
• Stores/Restaurants in the shopping area just outside the pier and in town may have an entry step. Some will have ramps.
  
• Once outside the direct pier area you may have to go further down the street to find a driveway or curb cut to cross.
  
• Only 2 accessible taxis on the island so there might be a long wait if your need one.
  
  • If a person can transfer to the seat of a van most drivers will work with you to accommodate the scooter or wheelchair if non collapsible.
    
  • If the Wheelchair folds or the scooter breakdowns than drivers will place it in the trunk of most standard vehicles.
    

  [*]Be aware of mopeds, motorcycles and bicycles. They’re prevalent and drivers won’t always yield to pedestrians.

I am so excited to be with my significant other on his first cruise! I have cruised before so I am very comfortable with it, however, my S.O. had a stroke 10 years ago at the age of 52. He is paralyzed on his left side. He is able to walk short distances with a cane and uses a 4-wheeled Pride electric scooter for long distances.

 

We can't find much information about accessibility. The only port we will be visiting on this maiden voyage is Cozumel. We just booked our Royal Caribbean cruise for March 2018 and got one of the last handicap accessible state rooms to we are set there. There is only one accessible excursion and I'm not sure if we will be able to do that. Sounds like you need a collapsible wheelchair for that so the scooter won't work.

 

Does anyone out there have any experience cruising with a mobility challenge like he has and have any suggestions?

Coz has a very long pier, easy for the scooter, but long for you :)

If you are interested in doing something on your own, there are a few accessible taxis on the island. If you go to the taxi stand, they will be able to get one for you (there may be a wait, depending on where they are at the time).

This last January we stopped at Cozumel. My friends hubby and I both use scooters. We had decided to go to a place that had a swimming pool and yummy food etc. We just went to the taxi stand and told the man guy out there and he told us it would take 15-20 minutes but someone will come with a van lift. We waited, he came and voila he took the 4 of us to our destination. He came back and picked us up at precisely when we said we wanted to return. All for about $6 per person each way.....and the scooters too.

I am so excited to be with my significant other on his first cruise! I have cruised before so I am very comfortable with it, however, my S.O. had a stroke 10 years ago at the age of 52. He is paralyzed on his left side. He is able to walk short distances with a cane and uses a 4-wheeled Pride electric scooter for long distances.

 

We can't find much information about accessibility. The only port we will be visiting on this maiden voyage is Cozumel. We just booked our Royal Caribbean cruise for March 2018 and got one of the last handicap accessible state rooms to we are set there. There is only one accessible excursion and I'm not sure if we will be able to do that. Sounds like you need a collapsible wheelchair for that so the scooter won't work.

 

Does anyone out there have any experience cruising with a mobility challenge like he has and have any suggestions?

Go over to Disabled Cruising and search for Cozumel:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=190

Take a look at this article, they talk about Cozumel in a wheelchair:

https://cruiseveryday.com/cruising-disabled/

Take a look at this page. When I went to Cozumel the first time we were able to get a wheelchair accesible taxi (van) and did a private island tour. It was great our driver was willing to take us wherever we wanted to go.

https://book.thisiscozumel.com/en/packagedetails/cozumel-wheelchair-accessible-tours

Royal usually ports at the International Pier in Cozumel. The pier's not too bad for pushing and there are lots of shops in the area along with a few bars. Almost right at the pier is a bar called Pedro's and it is wheelchair accessible (they have a ramp). Few cabs will be able to take the scooter (though you can call for an accessible cab).

I would also check with Royal Caribbean if your cabin's bathroom has the grab bars on the right or left side. If they are on the left, you could check to see if they could switch your cabin.

My mother had a stroke on her right side and the grab bars are one of the biggest issues we have. On our upcoming Princess cruise I've found that there is only one accessible cabin for 3 on the ship and the bathroom has the grab bars on the right.

One other hint if you SO is driving his scooter around the ship - there is an accessible bathroom in the casino that he can drive his scooter right in. It's one of the best accessible washrooms on the ship. If he needs any kind of help in the washroom, it's the best place for the two of your to go in (other than your stateroom).