hebeast

Darcie, how did you find out if people were handicapped or not in these cabins? I know if you would come up and ask me, I would certainly tell you it is none of your business.

 

I often book handicap cabins, yet I do not use any handicap devices. I have a balance problem which is worse first thing in morning and during the night, so I need the accessible bathroom. We also book it because my husband is diabetic and I know if I leave him in the cabin alone, he could always call someone if a problem arises. All he has to do is push a button. So, handicap doesn't always mean visible signs, there are a lot of people who have medical issues that cannot be seen by everyone.

Your comments shows what my post directly above is trying to make people aware. Special needs can support needs on your cruise without taking up a wheelchair accessable room. Shower stools can be ordered for a standard room which allows a person to sit down while showering. Portable grab bars can be used. In fact, for balance problems, being able to touch walls and support objects are better than trying to walk open spaces. I not sure how pulling a string is more effective than picking up the phone and explaining the emergency directly to someone who immedicately can respond with proper equipment. Pulling the string only brings security not medical. I agree not all medical issue can be seen BUT the are called wheelchair assessable for a reason. Please allow those rooms for people that need the space to be able to get in the door, get in bed and get into a bathroom.

I think what people fail to realize is that anyone can request a shower seat to be placed into a regular room. They think that they need to have an accessible cabin. Anyone can submit a special needs form. For example, people hearing impaired can get light assistance in a regular room. People who travel in a wheelchair cannot cruise unless they have the assessable rooms. As someone whose husband is completely wheelchair bound, we have been blocked out of cruises because of no rooms.

Sometimes people with disablilites use their disability to justify a room with more space. I remember once someone on our rollcall telling me that I had the accessable room that they wanted (one of the aft cabins). When I acquired about the need -- I was told that the mans wife had inpaired vision which is a disablilty. While this may be considered a disablity, I not sure it is one that needs more space. Also, I will point out this women had no problem going anywhere on the ship alone. On another cruise, we were on a ship with only 8 accessable cabins. After meeting people on cruise critic, I noticed one couple had the cabin for a B2B (four weeks). When I stated that I was surprised that they were in accessable cabin, she told me that they asked for it. Then proceeded to tell me her husband was disabled because he had flat feet