Chip and Dale

So sorry about your accident and hopefully you are healing.

 

The advice Special Needs gave you is pretty standard. The rental agencies will take good care of you.

 

RC would need a fleet of wheelchairs and scooters for all the people that need them. It would not work - rental agencies can provide a chair/scooter that incorporates what you need - need your weight, size, etc. to provide correct equipment.

 

Assuming you will have crutches or something similar - again very much tailored to the individual. A young, fairly active person can probably handle crutches, for example, better than an older, inactive, perhaps overweight individual.

 

Have you thought about shower, bathroom, getting around the cabin; not much room and doubtful handicapped cabin available so close to sail date. Wheelchairs/scooters have to be able to fit through cabin door (rental agencies know this) and cannot be left in hallways.

 

I am truly sorry but you need to understand that a flight for a few hours is totally different than 7 plus days on a ship.

 

Assume your doctor has cleared you to travel and that you have insurance (thinking medical not just trip insurance) in case you need ship's doctor.

 

Keep in mind that many times cruise lines, as well as other daily necessities, are governed by insurance and other regulations. People are very quick to sue/find fault with everything and hence promise very little.

Thanks so much for the info. I'm an insurance broker and deal with this all of the time. Yes indeed I was not only cleared for travel, but many other issues.

We are flying Rouge Air Canada so indeed a 3.5 hour flight is a huge issue if someone decides to recline their seat . air Canada has been very helpful and not once was I told that this is "MY PROBLEM".

Many people use these companies to rent equipment:

 

www.specialneedsatsea.com

 

www.carevacations.com

 

They specialize on delivery and pick-up to/from cruise ships.

Thanks,

Those are the two companies that we were referred to.

Dee

OP indicated he had already contacted Special Needs and was told about rentals and was not impressed. I think he is venting!

SHE is a little annoyed to be told by Special Needs "Well that is YOUR Problem!!!"

As an insurance broker, I deal with all types of tragedies on a large and small scale.

I was told that had I been traveling on Celebrity, they do wheel chair rentals!

Dee

You will have to rent equipment from some other providers, if you need it.It's a well-known circumstance.

 

If you need a disabled cabin because of a wheelchair, you will have to book pretty far in advance to get one...there aren't many.

Thanks! No I don't believe that a disabled cabin is necessary. My greatest concern is that it is an aft cabin and I was hoping that there is someone (crew member) who specializes in dealing with people who have disabilities.

Thanks,

Dee

Sorry about your injury. RCCL does not provide wheelchairs during the cruise. Call Special Needs again and they will give you the name of 2 companies that rent wheelchairs and scooters. We have used both---very reliable.

Also, have you thought about whether or not you can navigate the cabin and bathroom with your broken leg? There are handicapped cabins but none available at such short notice..

 

If you rent, the company delivers the chair to your cabin

Good Luck

Thanks so much. It's good to know that you have dealt with them. I was provided the names of the two companies. Sadly, I did expect more from Royal. We are very disappointed the attitude during both calls.

I'm not actually too concerned about mobility in the cabin, it is just getting around the ship and potentially on and off that concerned me. Still some planning left to determine if this is doable.

Thanks so much for your input!

Dee

Hi Everyone

I broke my knee cap a week ago. We are supposed to sail on Serenade of the Seas out of FLL on January 2nd. We contacted Air Canada and they were wonderful, so the flights are taken care of.

HOWEVER, I contacted RCI Special Needs and was told that they DO NOT loan/rent wheel chairs (we have an aft cabin) but they will assist getting me on and off the ship. The first darling gentleman recommended that I bring my own wheelchair. Special!!!!! They wind up looking like a pretzel after a flight!!!! Then he told me, and quite rudely, I might add, to contact two rental companies.

Next up, I contacted C and A and was told basically the same thing by an equally unfeeling, uncaring gentleman. I asked both Special Needs and C and A what is available to assist someone who is disabled while onboard and they said NOTHING! Colour me completely disillusioned and disgusted by the lack of caring for someone who has become disabled. What happens to those who are dealing with permanent disabilities????? How incredibly sad.

I'm hoping that someone who has been in a similar situation can offer some suggestions. This cruise was to celebrate our 40th Wedding Anniversary with a group of friends and I would hate to have to cancel.

Any suggestions would be most welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Dee

Can anyone tell me what is the largest size suitcase that will fit thru the carry-on scanner at Port of Miami?

We used to always carry on our middle size bag. It would always go through the scanners and we made sure that it had anything we would need when we boarded and had all of our lotions and potions/makeup/shaving stuff etc. This ended when we were going to do the same thing a few years ago at Cape Liberty Cruise Port where a very not-nice lady told us flatly that we had to check the bag and we did. Ever since then we take only the carry ons that the airlines would allow as carry on.

The mid-size bag will fit through the scanner, however, you may be denied bringing it through. I'm sure that the reasoning is that it is difficult to see everything in a larger bag.

Dee

Hi

 

Hope I can ask this on here. Soon I will be travelling to Orlando, from the UK, and will be visiting Magic Kingdom. I have booked a 2 day ticket with fast pass, and got the confirmation sent by email which I will have to take to a 'Will Call' centre, which is at Mk just after after security. ( i know there are other Will Call places but this is where I will go).

 

The Will Call place opens at 8am and the park opens at 9am. I am visiting on a Thursday In early August.

 

Does anyone please know what time the queue starts to get big for this place? If I turn up at 7.30am should I be ok?

 

Then onto Miami for a week, then hop onto the Oasis. thanks

The times for waits can vary, it hinges on how busy the park is at any given time. When you arrive if you drive, then you will be close enough to the entrance to walk which is great. If you are going to the Magic Kingdom then you will need to take either the ferry or the tram and it takes a bit of time to que and get on the tram. We always got there around 8ish and it was already busy. You need to have anything that you carry searched by security which takes some time once you arrive at the gates. You are only there for 2 days, so if you are prepared to be early I say go for it. There is a gift shop at the entrance that always appeared to be open along with washrooms. So if you are super early, you can do the Will Call, do a washroom stop and shop a bit and then head right into the park. We loooooooooove Disney World!!!!!

You can pick up a park map and schedule for the day's shows when you are waiting to get in. You can peruse this while you wait if you are early.

We always have a plan before hand, knowing which attractions are the busiest and that we will want to go to first. We walk as quickly as we can through main street and go directly to Pirates of the Caribbean, or the jungle cruise, or the Haunted Mansion etc. and do those first when there are few people in line or no line. It is a system that has worked very well for us. Then if we get on something that we have a fast pass for later, then we can do it twice if we want to.

Have a fabulous time!!!! If you have never been it is completely magical and I think it is even more fun as an adult:D

I will try to check back later to see if you have any more questions.

Dee

On our last cruise I found a dirty wash rag hanging from the shower rod over the

shower curtain upon check in to our cabin. :(

 

Now....about those shower curtains.....worst yuck ever, and the darn things

just love to "reach out and touch you" when you are showering. :eek:

Shower curtain problem solved. I always bring button magnets with me to hang things including the daily compass and invitations on the wall out of the way. On our last cruise I put a few along the edge of one side of the curtain and added some to the other side when we would get in to take a shower. Worked great!!!! They are available at the $ store in various sizes. Love my magnets!

We recently booked our cruise for next year whilst onboard our recent cruise. As we are from the UK, I wasn't sure when Spring break was in 2017 but enquired with the person onboard the ship booking our cruise. Basically we were given the wrong information and now find ourselves on a back to back 5 night & 9 night cruise on Navigator departing 12th March 2017 which I've just found out is the week when the Florida university are on Spring break. I know the 9 night cruise will not be a problem due to the length of time but how bad do you think the 5 night will be?

My husband and I are in our 40's and although still enjoy a relatively lively environment we wouldn't want hoards of young adults partying 24 hours a day and being incredibly rowdy.

Flights and work holiday now booked so dates difficult to change without additional cost but if the cruise is going to be that bad then may need to consider it.

Your help much appreciated.

Debbie

Hi Debbie

We did a 5 nighter on Brilliance out of Tampa on March 12th this year. It was full of very entitled special spring breakers. The lounges weren't very busy at the beginning of the week but got a little busier towards the end. The MDR was loud most nights with the last night being the loudest. We spent a lot of time on our balcony so they really didn't bother us that much. They were all on their own, no parents in sight.

You will most likely be fine on the longer cruise since the spring breakers seem to go for the shorter cruises. I would cruise again during spring break if that was the time we had for vacation. I would always make sure we had a balcony to escape to.

Dee

Just wondering what everyone's choice is for not having to carry around a lot of cash? Do you still use traveller's checks? I haven't used them in a while and usually bring cash and stash in cabin's safe and just take out what I need.

 

This time, I don't want to do that and wondering what is best thing to do these days.

 

Thanks

We have used travelers cheques for years. We are Canadian, therefore, some things are different with our banks and credit cards. We do whatever costs us nothing to use. We get free US travelers cheques at the bank and CAA. We cash cheques as required on the ship and carry some with us when we go on excursions. We have had maybe up to 5 businesses say that they would not accept them over the years, but that is about 5 out of hundreds who did accept them. We often stay in hotels prior to cruises that do not have a safe and therefore, we need to carry the cash with us. We feel better carrying smaller amounts and not having to worry whether or not we can get what we need from an ATM.

Personal preference. We always cash travelers cheques to pay for our ship board account at the end of each cruise.

Dee

I broke my elbow really bad back on 5/4, had surgery on 5/9. I am on the 5/15 Freedom sailing for 7 nights. How helpful are people with helping me board since I will have only one good arm? Will I need to bring my own bags for icing it down? Am I SOL with help at breakfast if I do Windjammer instead of MDR? My hubs will be with me but he can only carry so much.

I completely destroyed my arm on a Thursday, had surgery (I am literally put together with glue and popsicle sticks!!!!) on Saturday a.m., went to the Dr. on Monday and flew out on Tuesday and boarded Brilliance on Wednesday.

I don't do well with anesthetic, so I was quite tired. I carried my purse and DH carried our carryon. When I went to see my Dr. on the Monday, he approved me going on the cruise and said that it would be good for me, HOWEVER, he gave me some cautions which I followed. He told me that not everyone would be respectful of the fact that I had just had surgery and had a very bum arm, therefore, I was to keep the sling on my arm with it close to my body whenever I was around people. One day they delivered my lunch in the MDR while DH was up at the tutti salad bar. The people at the table did nothing, but a very sweet officer came over and cut my meat for me:). I was not allowed to use my arm or even my fingers AT ALL! I look back and think how funny that I was able to flat iron my hair and put on makeup with one arm. Trust me the mascara was not the best job ever! :D I am fortunate to be ambidextrous so I was able to do most things with my left hand.

The WJ was the most difficult. Be vigilant, because not everyone cares that you are slightly disabled. I was pushed and shoved many times and heeded what my Dr. told me about keeping my sling on in public for protection. RCI did not seem to care in the least that I was in a cast, perhaps because I was mobile. The worst was that they ignored it when we were disembarking. I wasn't supposed to be standing for a long period of time, but the line for immigration was quite long and we stood and waited over 2 hours! You may find that some pax are very kind and helpful while others are not, and the crew can at times be the same.

When we sailed a couple of months later, I was in a splint (cast was off) and I brought numerous zip loc bags with me to ice it. I would ask the cabin steward or the bartenders on the ship and they were great getting me ice. The fridges on the ship are really not cold enough to freeze the prepared bags, but there is lots of ice onboard, so not to worry. I would wrap the bag of ice in a small towel and it worked great.

You can do this, I promise. Follow Dr's orders and don't over do it. The Loyalty Ambassador told me I looked awful when we boarded, but was telling me how much better I looked the night before we left the ship. The Dr. was right, it was very good for me! Be careful with tenders!!!!!! We had one tender and DH held me on the broken arm side and a crew member helped me on the other side. Be vigilant if you have a tender at any port. They can move unexpectedly and you can get jolted or fall, so be vigilant and if in doubt I would recommend that you don't do a tender.

Hope that this helps. I will check back later today to see if you post any questions.

Dee

Look through some insurance policies. I don't think I have ever seen one that covers 'complications of pregnancy'. Even a third-party 'cancel for any reason' policy will only reimburse 50-75% of non-refundable expenses.

 

She is asking for special treatment. It would be nice if she got it, but I don't think it is wrong if she doesn't.

This is not a complication of pregnancy it is a warning issued by the CDC! Why do you think Royal sent out emails warning of the potential for exposure.

We don't have cancel for any reason travel insurance in Canada. I think any pregnant woman submitting proof of pregnancy with appropriate documentation should be given the choice of a FCC or a refund.

I have 20 booked in the next two years.

I'm guessing you are not pregnant!

'Lack of compassion' would be to say, 'sorry, you cancelled, not our problem'. Instead they gave back her refundable amounts, and also gave her a FCC good for 2 years (usually it is 1 year, I think).

 

What do you mean by, "No one knows what will happen within the 2 year time limit if they receive a FCC." What happens to people who have to use their FCC in one year?

 

There are a lot of times that people have to cancel and lose money. It happens all the time. If RC doesn't want to compensate every person in the name of compassion, I don't think they are evil. And I am far from a Royal apologist.

No one has a crystal ball to know whether or not it will be possible to take a cruise within the 2 year, or yes even the 1 year time limit. Why exactly do you think companies use future credits rather than refunds! Statistically it is always in favour of the company issuing the credit. They often go unused for many reasons including people forgetting about them.

I don't think that this is the same as many other situations that are discussed on these boards. This is a warning issued by the CDC. I firmly believe that that should be taken into account. She was responsible and did have insurance.

I am in a very different position than most on this thread. I am in the insurance industry in Canada and at the present time I have a child who is newly pregnant. I have received numerous notices from Insurers over the past year stating emphatically that anyone who is pregnant OR believes that they will become pregnant in the near future SHOULD NOT travel to specific countries where the Zika virus is known to exist. When I sell travel insurance one of the first questions that I ask is whether or not a female is pregnant, or is considering a pregnancy in the near future. In the event that the answer is yes, then I strongly urge the client NOT to travel to areas where the Zika virus has been documented. It simply is not worth the risk!

We frequently purchase cruises/trips for our adult children as Christmas gifts or wedding gifts. When the gift is given it belongs to whichever child we have given it to. Due to the Zika warning we have been adamant with our children about NOT traveling to areas where the virus has been documented. In the event that one of them had become pregnant we would have wanted the refund to go to our child quite gladly since it was a gift and we were going to receive the gift of a grandchild!

The parents, by what I saw in the video, gave the family a trip at Christmas time, so I am assuming it was a Christmas gift. The video also said that they had Royal's cruise insurance, however, it did not cover pregnancy. Therefore, the insurance would not pay out. The Zika virus is an unprecedented situation and possibly so was the lady's pregnancy. This is not a pregnancy cancellation, this is a health warning cancellation and she has been instructed by a physician.

If this was my child, I would definitely want her to receive a refund after documentation from her physician is submitted to prove the pregnancy and the reason being the risk of the Zika virus for cancellation of the cruise. No one knows what will happen within the 2 year time limit if they receive a FCC. I believe that RCI should refund the price of the cruise, whether to the original credit card or the lady in question, but definitely they should be providing a refund.

I am quite disappointed in RCI's lack of compassion and poor handling of this situation. I don't believe she is a whiner, I do believe that she has a legitimate claim.

Dee

I've gone on a few cruises, but I keep forgetting to bring a whiteboard for the door! My next cruise will be on the Harmony next year... Any idea if the Oasis class ships have magnetic cabin doors? I was on the Allure a few years ago, but can't remember...

 

Edited to add: LOL-> I meant to say, are the doors metal, so that magnets can stick to them :)

I'm from Canada as well. I bought little button magnets in various sizes from Dollarama along with a white board and some extra whiteboard markers. I bought a magnet ribbon with the Canadian flag and put the whiteboard and Canada magnet on our door on every cruise. It's pretty funny at times to see what other pax write or draw.

No one has stolen the whiteboard but a Canadian flag was taken one time at which point we wrote a note on the whiteboard saying we had installed security cameras to watch the door and the new flag. Our group had a pretty good time with the whole security thing. The whiteboard was only about $2 so no worries if it is taken.

We put a schedule, cruise compass, invitations, or any paperwork that doesn't go in the safe on the wall beside the vanity/shelving area using the button magnets. The button magnets are great for the shower curtain to keep it in place as well. We put a couple of hooks near the door to hang jackets and the umbrella

We bring magnetic decorations for Christmas or Halloween as well. The button magnets are great for putting up decorations as well.

We are due on oasis in just over five weeks. Today my injured knee and is on crutches. We have paid the final payment. If she can't go will they let us transfer to another sailing. We would make a decision are least two weeks before.

What does your Mum want to do? I would ask her first whether or not she would like to go on the cruise and then put everything in place to accomplish that task IF and only IF her Dr. agrees with the decision.

I had a fall and destroyed my arm on a Thursday night in 2014 and we were to leave the following Tuesday for Florida to board a cruise the next day. It required major surgery. I still cannot believe that I went on that cruise, but I did with the blessing of my Dr. (he thought I needed to get away) and very clear instructions on do's and don'ts. It was paramount to protect my arm and not to be knocked around. I followed his instructions, rested a lot and was very well taken care of by some of the crew and especially my DH. I was in my 50's and very mobile. So not the same as an 80 year old with a knee injury.

You need to be aware that with an injury some of the passengers are not very kind. I was almost knocked over in the Windjammer by overly enthusiastic pax who desperately needed FOOD!!!!:eek: You would need to be vigilant and protective. It is still possible to have a great time.

I was the caretaker for my parents when they were in their 80's. It is a challenge when injuries occur, sometimes things heal quickly and other times not. It requires a great deal of patience. It is possible to still go on the cruise if Mum and her Dr. agree.

I hope that you have the best possible outcome and that people on here are kind and helpful!

Dee

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone have pictures of Serenade Aft 9658 inside cabin and the balcony would be great!

Thanks in advance,

Dee

Is it possible to bring bottles of Braggs cider vinegar aboard? Or do you think I can request a cup of natural cider vinegar from the kitchen/room service every day? I don't know how to walk a bottle of vinegar into the ship from Venice. :p

I have brought the plastic bottles of Eden Organics Cider Vinegar many many times in my checked luggage. Never had a problem. I wrap it in press n seal first and then put it in a ziploc freezer bag. I have never been sent to the naughty room. They are lighter than the glass bottles and smaller. I use up one bottle and then toss it in recycling.

Hope this helps!

Dee

We were on the cruise with you, I'm the one who did all the surprises for my wife because of our anniversary. We had a table for two surrounded by large tables but they were not spring breakers. We were by a window and a few tables away but could see and hear them.

Sorry to hear about your issues during the cruise. For once, we had none, and the surprises all arrived on time. Our balcony view was fantastic, no WJ waterfall. We had hot showers every day. In fact, your choice was hot or hotter.

We are D+ also and I read here on CC that the CL was not very friendly or helpful. Her name is Charmaigne. On the other hand the DL Concierge Rafael was the opposite. We talked with him on several occasions. The DL was clean and never crowded when we went ( 7-8pm), so maybe it was just a bad time.

Our stateroom attendant made us 3 towel animals including lovebirds on our anniversary. It was the best cruise for us in many years from start to finish. It just goes to show how with so many people onboard how different the outcome can be.

I am so very happy for you that everything went so well on your cruise!!!!!:) I know how much planning you put into everything!

Our stateroom attendant Janet was very sweet and did a great job. The only thing she missed was washcloths a couple of times, but I could peer into some of the rooms she needed to clean as we went by and WOW do some people make a mess!!!! Not a problem.

Yes Charmaigne was the CL Concierge and quite useless, although at times chatty. When we went into the DL the last night the waiter was very upset about something someone had said to him and spent about half an hour ranting to one of the guests and not doing anything else.

We had 2.5 great days :p. Fortunately we had had such an amazing time going to games and the hotels took great care of us. But we were really glad to exit Brilliance which is sad. Oh well, time to do more land vacations. This is why I get so frustrated when people are attacked on these boards when they post a negative experience. Here we have 2 couples on the same ship with two entirely different experiences. Attitude had nothing to do with cold showers (they really sucked!!!! Charmaigne told the other couple that the cold showers were due to it being hot outside) or idiots dumping water on me on the balcony. Our attitude was fine, we kind of do our own thing and can figure out how to have fun no matter what. We were fortunate that our table was by a window as well, nice people around us after we were moved.

Dee

the title in your post is pure B.S. plain and simple......If you think for one second I believe one word of your post, I have some swamp land in Florida to sell you!.......DEMAND is not the word to use. Asked, stressed the 10 score, yes sure. As you know by now from posters (or maybe you don"t) anything less than 10 might as well be a zero. That's what the crew is trying to impress on cruisers not in the know. Your post is misleading.....:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Just maybe you haven't had it happen to you, I know just where the OP is coming from and do not think the post was B.S or misleading!

The OP's post is quite accurate. We have had this happen numerous times. On our Snowbird Cruise it was not only the waiter, the head waiter joined in. They were DEMANDING! The service was bad! The assistant waiter was out to lunch and although we repeatedly mentioned that we received rolls after our main course many nights, no coffee, water half way through our meal and no refills, she was no where in sight etc. etc., nothing was done! The waiter did her best to keep up, but she wasn't that great either and the head waiter should have assisted where required and did not.

On our Brilliance cruise Mar 12th the dining room manager did a speech requesting 10's while standing on the steps with the waiters behind him. It was over the top and offensive! He did not demand, it was more of a pack your bags you're going on a guilt trip! RCI really needs to rethink the practice of assembling the crew for a bow on the steps. It wastes time in the dining room when pax are finishing their dinner (ours was delayed due to the speeches) and delays spending the rest of your holiday doing something you enjoy on the ship or packing to put your bags out.

Dee

My husband and I were on this cruise as well and had a similar dining room experience. Surrounded by spring breakers, some of whom were long gone. We became worried, but the rest of the cruise, they were nowhere to be found (in the dining room). We enjoyed our trip. It was my DH's first cruise. Food was just ok, not fantastic. We ate at Chops on the last night, and it was fantastic.

The spring breakers were to our right and they were there every single night. We were almost sequestered, it was like being put in the corner :p but in a good way! The waiter brought out many trays loaded with glasses of wine, numerous times. The beer chugging was kind of funny. We have 3 kids who are now married and all attended university to obtain multiple degrees. Mommy and Daddy are very glad we were not present for some of their "parties" :rolleyes:.

We enjoyed the food the first 2 nights, but it went downhill from there.

We've heard the evaluation speech before. We usually give them 10s, but on our Snowbird Migration, I was so disgusted w/ our Asst Waiter, I mentioned her by name and needless to say she didn't get a 10. Every time I give a ten, I think I'm giving it to them, not like they earned it.

 

If management wants only 10s, they should change the form from a likert scale to a true of false model.

DITTO!!!!! We were on the Snowbird Migration and we actually told the waiter and Head Waiter repeatedly that our Assistant Waiter appeared to be shopping for a husband and was the worst Asst Waiter we had ever had. I wonder if you had our Assistant Waiter.

In all our cruises including 19 with Royal, we've never heard that version of the 'speech' at the end of the cruise so I don't think it's rampant or a trend. It's always been 'If you enjoyed the service I provided I would appreciate your highest rating' or something similar. I've never received a demand.

We got off of Brilliance on March 17th. On this cruise they did the annoying joining on the steps and singing and then the speech given by the dining room manager requested 10's for everyone. We just shook our heads.

We have been asked many many times by waiters in the dining room for 10's. Every time we have been asked, they really did not deserve a 10 due to poor service. A few of them have been very vocal!

Sadly we receive the same coaching from the salesman that we buy our vehicles from. Ford sends out customer surveys and when you pick up your vehicle the sales manager seems to appear and explain how crucial the top mark on the survey is.