P&O Wheelchairs & Tenders

Hi,

Just wondered if anyone can help. I'm trying to find out when P&O first implemented the rule that you can only board a tender if you can step unaided over 18 inches and also step up/down 8 inches unaided.

I booked a cruise last year for 2019 with P&O. I have only just been made aware that my husband who is disabled and a full-time wheelchair user will not be able to access the tender ports. The whole point in going was to return to Croatia.

Their site states "In order to board the tender, please note that you will be required to use steps (up to 20cm/8 inches high) and navigate the gap between the platform and the tender (of up to 45cm/18 inches).

In the interests of safety, we require all guests wishing to use the tenders to have sufficient independent mobility to negotiate steps and traverse a gap of up to 45 cm/18 inches."

Our travel company omitted to tell us this when booking.

I have been told that the deposit of nearly £900 cannot be transferred unless we book a cruise of to at least the same value.

Many thanks in advance, <|3

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

Come on over to the portion of Cruise Critic devoted to P&O, located here:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=38

You will find far more expertise there.

Oh,how disappointing for you. I think this rule applies to many ships- you will go through a door in the side of the ship, down some metal steps and on to a metal dock, where the tender ship will be bobbing around- a bit like joining a ship fastened to a pier without a gangway. You have to cross that small gap, with your arms take by crew members. I've always been aware that this is not allowed for people who cannot manage to stand, and have met people staying on board because of this, on P&O.

Looking in the brochure for 2019, for eg Oceana's fortnightly trips round Croatia, there is the anchor sign for tender next to several ports, and also the symbol for: "ship usually berthed alongside, but there is a possibility we may be required to land guests by tender". I've always noticed this when we've been with P&O to Dubrovnik with P&O, but the captain has usually announced that he has a berth. Perhaps your TA didn't tell you about the symbols?

Most cruise lines have the same rule for the tenders

Did you have tender ports before where he did not have to be able to stand to board the tender??

Oh,how disappointing for you. I think this rule applies to many ships- you will go through a door in the side of the ship, down some metal steps and on to a metal dock, where the tender ship will be bobbing around- a bit like joining a ship fastened to a pier without a gangway. You have to cross that small gap, with your arms take by crew members. I've always been aware that this is not allowed for people who cannot manage to stand, and have met people staying on board because of this, on P&O.

Looking in the brochure for 2019, for eg Oceana's fortnightly trips round Croatia, there is the anchor sign for tender next to several ports, and also the symbol for: "ship usually berthed alongside, but there is a possibility we may be required to land guests by tender". I've always noticed this when we've been with P&O to Dubrovnik with P&O, but the captain has usually announced that he has a berth. Perhaps your TA didn't tell you about the symbols?

Hi Jo,

It is dissapointing. We've been on 2 cruises since he had the stroke and not had any problem with the tender.

I booked over the phone with a company we have used for years. It's only because I wanted to start booking private tours that I came across this.

Fortunately I've managed to get on Celebity later on in 2019 with no tender ports.

Lesley

Most cruise lines have the same rule for the tenders

 

 

Did you have tender ports before where he did not have to be able to stand to board the tender??

Yes he has been on several tenders albeit not with P&O. He has the most amazing powerchair so doesn't generally need help per se to board a tender.

Obviously P&O tenders must be designed differently. Would have been useful if the cruise specialist travel company had told me before I paid.

Most cruise lines won't permit power chairs on a tender. Its a safety concern due to the ramps to get on/off them.

I would be very interested to know which ships allowed a full time (unable to walk) wheelchair user to board their tenders.

It's true...you do need to be able to walk, even a bit,and even with assistance on most tenders. Too dangerous otherwise.

Yes he has been on several tenders albeit not with P&O. He has the most amazing powerchair so doesn't generally need help per se to board a tender.

 

Obviously P&O tenders must be designed differently. Would have been useful if the cruise specialist travel company had told me before I paid.

It isn’t the design of the tender, it is the nature of a tender alongside a ship that is the issue. The tender moves relative to the ship, there is the likelihood of a horizontal as well as a vertical difference between the two - which are continually in flux. I have a hard time visualizing a power chair capable of accommodating the transition — or any cruise line permitting power chair-bound passengers to attempt it.

Your "cruise contract" does not take effect until the moment you set foot on the ship. About the only thing that is honored at booking time is the price. A perfect example is happening at this moment. People going for a Caribbean cruise were surprised. Ships left the harbors but made a left turn headed for Canada. In this case the reason was safety, but no reason has to be given.

I would be very interested to know which ships allowed a full time (unable to walk) wheelchair user to board their tenders.

The last was RC Navigator OTS at Villefranche. I was amazed and hadn't expected to be able to go ashore but RC guest services assured me it would be ok, and it was.

My only gripe is that my specialist cruise compamny should have advised that we would be unable to go ashore in Croatia as I only booked that cruise because we wanted to return to Croatia post stroke.

As I stated, there is no "contract" between you and the cruise line, booking and paying for the ticket does not qualify. Your cruise line could have changed their policy the day after you made the booking or the day before you discovered the change. I suggest you (and everyone else) take 15 minutes and read the passenger contract that you can find on the cruise lines web site. I'm afraid you will discover pax have very few "rights"

Hi

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

I have heard of situations where cruise lines have managed to allow a motorized mobility device onto a tender, but this is not the norm and not being allowed to board a tender is what all cruise lines (that I am aware of) state as their rules.

I think your issue is not with P & O, but with your T.A.

I believe your only recourse is to try and work with them. Try to speak with a supervisor that might be more flexible. If all else fails, you have paid for a vacation. Take one that you will be able to enjoy and try to put this issue behind you.

good luck