dmccue

Has anyone taken a wheelchair taxi from Melbourne (Australia) cruise terminal? Are they in the rank or do you need to pre-book them.

We (Australian Passport) are cruising from Tahiti to Melbourne via some of the pacific islands on Norwegian in December and then a port call at Brisbane before we get to Melbourne.

Do we clear customs and immigration in Brisbane as our 1st entry point or in Melbourne?

We did the Dubai to Athens cruise this year (2023) and like you read we needed a visa (Aust Passport) so I applied and got it online. Turns out we didn't need to as the cruise ship organised one onboard anyway and I could have saved my money as they took no notice of the online one I arranged.😑

Has anyone done the Noumea/Vanuatu combination 8 nights ex Brisbane lately that can comment on the drink package price as all RCL will quote is USD89 to USD114 per day (which is the most I have every paid for a drink package anyways) .This could be the difference between me booking or not as at the USD114 that is more than the cost of the cabin per day.

On 6/14/2023 at 10:27 AM, Waynetor said:

Can anyone provide info on Airport to ship transportation for passenger confined to wheelchair, eith cruise-line bus transfer or taxi at airport?

 

Thanks'

Local taxis are available. We went from Las Ramblas area hotel to the cruise terminal for EUR 20 and from Las Ramblas to the airport for EUR 50 earlier this year.

We did this cruise in the opposite direction on Celebrity Solstice. As with most cruise lines there is little or nothing available that is prefectly accessible. We did a hire car and drove around the Island in Papette, My wife stayed on board in Moorea and Bora Bora as they are tender ports and she cant walk or step into the tender boat. Auckland was fine but we had been there before so we just walked to where we wanted to visit. Bay of Islands is also a tender port so we both stayed onboard. Hope this helps and I wouldnt be concerned with the warnings you have mentioned.

We visited in March 2023 on NCL and they had nothing to offer so we used this company and Eli (Elly) was fantastic. He assisted in all aspects so my wife could stay in her manual wheelchair during the drive to/from Ashdod. We visited Jeruselum and Bethlehem and whilst it was accessible some section were sloping that required a strong person (me) holding and pushing as we went down/up some of the walkways. https://www.israel4all.com/

Does anyone know what the current AUD price per day is for cruises ex Brisbane on Royal Caribbean for the drink packages?

We were just there in April this year (2023) and everywhere was very accessible (my wife is a permanent wheelchair user). Footpaths are smooth, curbs have cuts, wheelchair taxis available, metro and buses are accessible. We went to La Sagrida, Park Guell, Casa Gaudi, Barcelonetta beachfront, Las Ramlas market,Ciutadella park plus many other places and most sections are accessible (some in each place are not). It is a great place to visit.

We recently cruised on MSC Grandiosa in an accessible cabin 9115 so I thought I would share some photos.

Great cabin but we had the following issues

1. No-one offered to push my wife in her manual wheelchair on/off the ship in any of the stopover ports.

I was able to push her but normally the staff assist with the sloped ramps.

2. No designated place for eating in the buffet (Marketplace) and with 6300 pax this is one very crowded facility.

3. Cabin was a long way from the elevator.

4. No wheelchair buses (or ship organised tours) in ports to take you into town for those who cant do steps (except Civitevecchia).

You need to arrange your own transport via taxi or tour operator.

We recently cruised Dubai to Athens in accessible cabin 9648 on Norwegian Jade so I thought I would share some cabin photos. All was good except the inability to get legs under the hand basin in the bathroom.

We are on a MSC cruise and have the day in CV but we didnt want to go to Rome as I am going there seperatley.

I dont want to do a tour as my wife is in a wheelchair and most are not accessible as they are on buses but she can get in a normal car.

1. Has anyone any recommendations on getting a cab from CV to Lake Bracciano, have a bit of look and then go for lunch and return to the ship.

2. Would the cabbie wait around or do we just do 2 x one way trips

3. Would there be cabs at the port that would just offer this as a walk up service if we didnt pre-book

Looking for help with thanks

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

If you have a wifi texting application (like Apple iMessage or those mentioned above). iMessage may work connected to the ship's wifi, but not logged on. 

 

Wifi calling may require an upgrade to the basic wifi package included for free. 

Make sure if using iMessage that you have flight mode turned on otherwise your cell provider might charge you for the message.

51 minutes ago, phillygwm said:

I was wondering this.  If I have the Unlimited (basic) Internet, will WhatsApp work?

Whatsapp works anywhere you have internet. I have been looking at SIM Cards and for Middle East almost no-one covers calls or text but they do give you wifi - That is when I can use WhatsApp - plus on the ship if I want to contact my wife I will use Whatsapp using the ship wifi package I have.

6 minutes ago, SuzieQ521 said:

 

Thank you. Our cellphone provider (Verizon) said we can use wifi texting/calling so I assume that will work just as well? (of course, our phones will be in airplane mode so we do not incur any data charges!).

You cellphone provider may also charge you I would imagine but these app's are free to use. I am finding many tour operators and independant accomodation providers like on booking.com and Air BnB etc are using Whatsapp or Signal all over the world for communicating.

Before you travel get Whatsapp or Signal (which are free to download and use) and then when onboard when you have internet access use that to message each other on the ship.You can also make calls.

I was looking at something similar and found on google maps that you can train from Genoa to Santa Margherita (which is close to Portifino) and then maybe just cab it to Portifino.

We are on Jade ex Dubai to Athens 13 Feb departing @ 2359 - Does anyone know what time boarding starts for this?

We recently travelled ex Brisbane on Coral Princess and I thought I would share some pics of the wheelchair assigned cabin that we had. Excellent space and bathroom was very suited for my wife who is a long term permanent wheelchair user.

I know there hasn't been many cruises lately but has anyone used "Luxor Private Tour" company recently for a day trip Luxor tour from Safaga.

They have good reviews on trip advisor and are helpful with answering my questions by email.

Anyone know when the bookings normally open for Panama Canal cruises- I am looking for either a LAX- Miami/FLL or reverse direction for 2024?

The tour I am looking at will take us down in a golf buggy and we can strap the wheelchair to the back of the buggy. As it said it is not cheap - pickup from ship - USD579 each - but at least it is a possibility for a non walking wheelchair user

I have been researching the same and found this

https://jitours.com/en/

I sent them a message and they came back quickly with a tailor made tour. Not cheap but at least they can do it

Anyone know when 2020 Alaska Cruise season will be available for booking as my wife is in a wheelchair and I need to get in on release date as many WCHR cabins sell out so fast I keep missing out

Interested in X, RCCI & HAL

Anyone know when 2020 Alaska Cruise season will be available for booking as my wife is in a wheelchair and I need to get in on release date as many WCHR cabins sell out so fast I keep missing out