Mamluk

As a disabled person of 64, who has received news that adds to my disability, I still thank my lucky stars that, albeit not very far I can get by on my legs. Yes I need grab rails in the shower but don't most of us as we get older. I am really saddened by this post.

I apologize for my unintended choice of words and for making you feel saddened.

Hi Mamluk

 

I believe that if you have never taken a cruise before, I would agree with Satchimosmom.

 

I don't know your situation. How do you manage in an airport? Figure the walking and standing getting to your typical flight...now this would be everyday on your cruise. How were you planning on getting around when you arrive at ports? Just getting off a ship and out of a port area could involve a 1/2 mile walk.

 

If your wife is able to help you, I would suggest a folding wheelchair. If she is not able then I would strongly suggest a mobility scooter. If you do not own one, or normally travel with one, there are a few rental companies that will deliver one to your cabin (waiting when you arrive) and you just leave it there at the end of the cruise.

 

Now if you do go the "mobility scooter" route, you will NEED to book an accessible cabin, because the scooters will not fit through all cabin doors and you will need to bring it into your cabin to recharge at night. While you would not necessarily need an accessible cabin if you only had a folding wheelchair, I would also suggest that even if your wife can help you around in a wheelchair, that you should consider bringing both. The mobility scooter will give you complete independence, while on the ship. Even though you are able to drive them off the ship (except if there is a tender), getting around in most ports becomes a challenge with the mobility scooter. That is where if your wife is able to help you (and since you are mobile), a folding wheelchair will allow you to get around almost everywhere (and on some organized excursions), and if you want to go someplace on your own, you can just put it in the trunk of a taxi without any issues.

 

Think carefully about these options and since you are somewhat new to this site, take the time to look at the "port of call" threads for each of your cruise stops to see what you might be able to do in a chair. There is a lot of information there, and I am sure it will be helpful.

 

good luck

have a great cruise

Thank you, Nic, for your detailed advice and feedback. I really appreciate the time you took to explain things to me.

I believe this -" My question is: how can I use my disability to get a better deal, better cabin etc." was the offending line. IF this sentence hadn't been included, this thread would have taken a different direction.

 

Thankfully, I don't have a "titled" medical issue, but time has taken it's toll, and my "pep in my step" has slowed greatly. Between the bad ankles, knees, hips and back.....stairs and long distances are looking more and more less doable. Yes, I would LOVE consideration for being offered a chair, cart, and someone hold the elevator door for me and I have been told that I don't look over 40 (some smarty pants Marine Recruiter told me I could still sign up). I would NEVER take any accessible room or seat for any reason, because I know someone will come along who could really need it.

Yes, I've used the wrong words to convey what I meant and I've apologized for it.

There is a lot of walking involved on ships. If you don’t want to rent a wheelchair, or a motorized scooter, which can be pricey, may I suggest a rollator walker. They are relative inexpensive to purchase, give you support while walking, and provide a seat when you’ve been on your feet too long and need to

 

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Thank you, Elaine. Much appreciated.

The cruise line will wheel you on board and at disembarkation, as explained earlier, but that is all the assistance you will get.

 

You need to study the deck plans very carefully when you book your cabin. The corridors are very long and there are usually only two banks of elevators. Elevators are marked on the deck plans.

 

When you get off the ship in port you are on your own. Some of the piers that the ships dock at are very long. It can be a long walk, especially in the heat, open sun of the Caribbean. Very rarely do you see a golf cart/trolley taking people to the end of the pier.

 

Much will also depend on the ship you choose and size. For example, you may find dining rooms at one end of the ship, and entertainment at the opposite end. Again, can be a long walk. For example, Royal Caribbean 's Oasis of the Seas is 1187 feet long or 362 meters. Perhaps those numbers will help.

 

Really sounds like you need to rent a wheelchair or scooter for your personal use on and off the ship.

GRANDMA DAZZLES, Thanks so much for your very informative and helpful advice. I'm beginning to review my whole way of what cruising would mean to me(and my wife). As I mentioned before, I've never been on a cruise before and don't know what to expect, especially vis a vis my disability. Thanks to kind people like you I feel I'm becoming more realistic about a cruise and its pitfalls.

My mom has the same problem... she walks with a cane or walker/rollator but walks slow and cannot walk long distances. At land-based hotels we ask for a room near the elevator. Once, I forgot to verify this and were given a room at the end of a very long hallway. We went back to the front desk and only had to wait a little bit for an available room.

 

OP you can choose/book a cabin near a elevator and mark your booking "no upgrade."

Thank you DOBIEMOM for your helpful comment. That's exactly what I've been struggling with throughout my adult life. I always had to make sure I get a room next to the elevator/lift in hotels, and on ground floors in places without a lift. The same applies to when we fly and there is too much walking to the gate. My wife is already used to it and always makes sure I don't put too much strain on my limited body, especially when I get 'adventurous' at times and downplay my mobility issues.

Thank you very much MOM SAYS, for your detailed and helpful advice. Luckily I'll be travelling with my wife who is fit and can help me whenever it'll necessary. I'll be slightly wiser after the first cruise, I think.

My wife boarded using a cane once. They directed us to a special check in line and they talked her into a wheel chair assist (the ramp boarding the Pride is steep). I don't recall that we were taken onboard before anyone else. When it was time for muster we were directed to a designated area inside so she could sit down for the muster drill.

Thank you SPARK , much appreciated!

You would need to have another person travelling with you to look after your needs onboard or you must be self sufficient

 

Embarkation day the cruise line will assist you getting onboard in a wheelchair but they will not ferry you around the ship the rest of the time

 

take a wheelchair or scooter of your own or rent one

 

the cruise lines have a company you can contact to have these delivered to the ship for a fee contact the cruise line in advance

 

There are many people using walkers wheelchairs etc.. on cruises

Thank you, LHT28. I really appreciate your comment.

Thank you, satchimosmom! Perhaps the controversy is partly because English is not my first language and sometimes I struggle to find the right words with the right nuances that express my intention with more clarity.

Ok, I may have given the wrong impression and chosen the wrong words when starting this thread. All I wanted to know if there was Special Assistance on cruises in the same way there are offered by airlines. I cannot stand in line for too long and I can't walk a long way to get to my cabin because of my polio. For the above reasons I have a disabled car.

I'm not there to get special favours, just some assistance to facilitate my moving about.

I apologise if you misunderstood my original intention.

Have a nice day!

If you have a genuine disability, you may be able to get priority boarding...usually just behind those in suites...

I believe you need to use some kind of mobility device, in order to get that.

Thank you, Bob Brown. I'm disabled having contracted polio in my childhood. I use a cane to facilitate my walking but even with that I can't walk for too long before needing to rest.

It wouldn't even cross my mind to start this thread if I didn't have a mobility issue.

Accessible cabins are for anyone with mobility problems not just those in wheelchairs. Others also need grab bars in shower, by toilet and sink, and shower seat.

Thank you, NM LADY!

You are not likely to get any special discounts. Actually, I am sorry that you take advantage of the airlines. There are many people who are wheelchair bound, amputees, blind, etc. that need that airline seat much more than you.

 

You could try booking a handicapped cabin, but it is no cheaper. Handicapped cabins are larger in order to accommodate a wheelchair. You have to prove your need for one. You can sometimes book, especially closer to sailing date, but even then it's because the cabin has not been booked by a handicapped person. You also might be lucky to get one and asked to move because you don't need it. Doesn't matter anyway as the price is the same as a standard cabin.

 

Suggest looking at sales, which happen all the time. Also perhaps working with a travel agent to find the cheapest cruise. Don't forget the price you get isn't your final price. Cruises are not totally all inclusive. Prices quoted often do not include port tax, insurance, gratuities, alcoholic drinks, etc.

I'm NOT taking advantage of any airline. It's with their full consent, conditional upon there not being anyone else who needs that seat more than I do. I voluntarily offer my seat to anyone who needs it more than I do.

Stop patronizing people you don't even know!

On RCCL I was able to book a very large inside handicap accessible cabin for my aunt for the same price that I paid for my inside cabin. Better cabin for the same price seems like a deal to me.

 

 

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Thank you!

I'm not joking. When I fly I always get a priority aisle seat as close as possible to an exit at no extra cost. I was hoping I could have something similar on a cruise.

Hi there,

I'm a man of 66 and is considering my very first cruise with my wife. I have mobility issues but I don't need a wheelchair. I've learnt in life that every negative can be turned into a positive with a little bit of imagination.

My question is: how can I use my disability to get a better deal, better cabin etc. whilst

staying on a tight budget?

Your knowledge and experience will be much appreciated.

Isaac