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When you have chosen an itinerary and ship and then find no handicapped cabins are available, do you book a regular cabin, suite or just give up?

Not sure if I understand your question...........If you can stay in a regular cabin or suite why would you need to take a handicapped cabin?? If there are no handicapped cabins available on the trip I want to take then I have to find another ship that has a suitable cabin.

Hi

 

Where was your muster drill. On the open decks or in a lounge? Sailing 02/06 and it has been quite cool here in Myrtle Beach so do I need a jacket.

 

Muster drill depends on which muster station you draw. Some are in interior areas and some are in exterior locations. Bring that jacket you may be stuck out on the Lido for quite a while.

Water temp is a pretty personal thing. Those from the north will have no problem taking a dip. Those from the southern areas will think its too cold. I suggest sticking a toe in and deciding for yourself.

I sail the Fantasy somewhat regularly and have stayed in all 4 handicapped cabins that she offers. Out of those two choices definitely take U243. There is a pretty strong mechanical drone that comes from the dead area around M298 & R298. It is a strong continuous noise that may annoy you.

Sorry but I didn't take ant pictures on the Fantasy but in my mind all of the handicapped cabins were pretty much identical. I am in a large powerchair and had adequate room to enter and maneuver in the room. Also had enough space in the bath to roll in and take care of business. The auto opener on the doors was a big help.

The Fantasy is my favorite handicapped transport vehicle. The crew and especially the passengers have always gone out of their way to make my trip an enjoyable one. The passengers who sail out of Charleston have always been very nice to me and I cant think of any bad experiences associated with lines, shows, or elevators. The crazies who sail out of NYC.....now they're another story.

Here's a link to a short review of my Last Fantasy trip in a powerchair http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1883959

I'm definitely in the minority here............We always will drive from central VA to Baltimore, Charleston, New York, or Jacksonville the morning of the cruise with a noon arrival. Never a problem.

If something bad happens we'll deal with it, I'm in a wheelchair.......I deal with adversity on a daily basis.

I am in a power chair & have cannot even stand much less take a step. My last visit to HMC aboard the Fantasy I was able to ride in the chair across the ramp right onto the tender. Had a nice time at HMC.....first time in the water in quite a few years.

I've sailed the Fantasy a few times and the only time that we had a hair dryer was in a Veranda Suite, I would assume that the grand suite would also have a hair dryer.

The times we stayer inside or oceanview we got a dryer from the steward.

Can't speak about Belize specifically but I had a great experience on the Fantasy in August when I got to tender into HMC. I am unable to stand or walk and travel in a 300 lb. power chair so I figured my chances of getting on the tender were slim. I just went up to the front of the line and told them that I wanted to go ashore.......each crew member along the way had to call a superior for guidance but in the end I was allowed to roll the chair across the ramp and on to the tender. Good luck....be insistent that you want to go and they will make it happen.

I can't give you an actual temp. number but I have been to Nassau @ Christmas and the water was warm enough. You should have no worries with either date

There are no activities for the handicapped on HMC. There are a number of beach wheelchairs available behind the information desk that are available for use. My last trip there I was able to roll onto the tender in my power chair, once on the island I was able to transfer to one of the beach chairs and my wife wheeled me to the waters edge and dumped me in. I floated about for a couple of hours and had a nice time. Once they got me out of the water I got back into the power chair and spent the rest of the day at the bar in the paved area.

My only recommendation would be to get one of the beach chairs and take her out to the beach with you. Sorry I know that's not much help

How about after market wheels, casters, shocks, etc. Any suggestions/ experiences etc. would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks!

For outdoor use over rough terrain you are going to need wider tires. Not sure what size casters you currently have but you need something wider and taller so that the wheels can get over the cracks & ruts easier. The same goes for the rear wheels a wider tire will go over rough terrain easier.

My chair has the small 3" casters up front and it is great on nice smooth indoor surfaces but it sucks outdoors once I get off of the pavement. Those little wheels just sink into the earth. The wider tires will be no problem indoors & will provide somewhat better performance outdoors. Good luck

I've been to Nassau a number of times in a wheelchair and you will find things much tougher in Nassau than in Key West. The sidewalks are rough with very few cuts and most stores have steps to enter. I am not aware of any accessible transportation in Nassau. If you have a folding chair and can walk just a little bit then you can use a public taxi. If you have a scooter, power chair, or rigid chair then you are out of luck. I just generally stay on the ship in Nassau or perhaps venture to the straw market. You may certainly take a taxi to Atlantis & look around without purchasing an excursion, however you are very limited in what you can see. They sell passes at the resort so that you may tour the grounds in their entirety.

Check out the Bahamas thread in the Ports of Call section. Lots of good info there.

I have experience in this area...........Went on the Fantasy back in August in a power wheelchair and one of the stops was HMC. I was allowed to use the tender to HMC. The staff seemed a bit confused that I wanted to go ashore and each crewmember that I encountered had to call for guidance from superiors but in the end I was allowed to power myself onto the tender. The ramp was a bit tricky in the large power chair but I did it. You should have no problems if you are using crutches.

Once ashore there were about 6 beach chairs available over by the info desk. Out of the 6 chairs only a couple were serviceable. By the time we got ashore I had to take one that wanted to go sideways but my wife was able to get me down to the waters edge and dump me in. I did need assistance from some nice passengers to get the chair back from the waters edge but we did manage.

With the exception of the weather there should be no reason not to go ashore at HMC