Guilty conscience about accessible room

You are wrong. I posted the actual letter and form NCL sends above. I book accessible cabins on every cruise and I get the email every time. If you booked an accessible cabin and did NOT receive the letter and form to complete than I would check your spam or junk folder - or perhaps you deleted it accidentally.

I am not wrong. I booked one of these cabins. I sailed. I never got a letter or anything like that at all. Nobody asked me one thing about being handicapped. No comment. I got on my cruise and I cruised,no questions asked. Before I get flamed, the cruise was booked 3 weeks before sailing by my TA who said it was the only balcony left in my category. Right or wrong, that's how it shook down.

So here is my situtation:

 

I booked a balcony BC cabin from an online TA whom I always use.

When booking, the regular person I deal with wasn't available so I called their

1 800 number. They had a group rate on BC balcony and there were only 3 left,

all on the same side of the ship and fairly close together so I told the TA it didn't

matter which cabin he gave me.

A couple of weeks later, he forwards me a form from NCL asking about acessibiliy requirement.

I logged into NCL and discovered the TA had booked me into an accessible cabin.

At that point, there were no more BC cabins available (they were actually all gone the next day) and the lowest price on any balcony was $1000 more than I had paid.

I responded to the TA telling him that I did not require an accessible cabin and

that he or NCL should feel free to move me.

There was no way I was paying an extra $1000 to move and so far they haven't moved me and I said in 34 days.

What would you do in that situation?

Nothing. You can't be legally required to "prove" a handicap to a private business. That's your private business. You'll stay in the cabin. Nothing will happen.

So may authorities, so little knowledge!

FACT = I have stayed in a handicapped room by accident (assigned) and intentionally (requested) In the requested

the booking that neither party was handicapped and would certainly give the space up if needed.

It was subsequently not requested.

FACT = In neither situation was any documentation sent that was needed to be filled out.

FACT - Most sailings have more handicapped rooms available than are actually needed.

FACT - The cruise line will want to have every room available occupied, regardless of the FACT that some of the handicapped rooms will invariably be occupied by non handicapped folks.

FACT - The cruise line will want to have every room available occupied, regardless of the FACT that some of the handicapped rooms will invariably be occupied by non handicapped folks.

Different people have had different experiences. There have been cases where people who are non-HC but somehow are in a HC stateroom have been moved to a non-HC stateroom because NCL (or other line) decided that another guest required that HC stateroom.

The OP has already moved. It's no longer an issue.

So may authorities, so little knowledge!

FACT = I have stayed in a handicapped room by accident (assigned) and intentionally (requested) In the requested aspect, I stated during

the booking that neither party was handicapped and would certainly give the space up if needed.

It was subsequently not requested.

FACT = In neither situation was any documentation sent that was needed to be filled out.

FACT - Most sailings have more handicapped rooms available than are actually needed.

FACT - The cruise line will want to have every room available occupied, regardless of the FACT that some of the handicapped rooms will invariably be occupied by non handicapped folks.

None of these are FACTS. I sail 6-8 times every year exclusively in accessible cabins across NCL, Celebrity & Royal Caribbean. Accessible need documentation is requested by EVERY line. If you choose to ignore it, or miss the email, that doesn't mean it wasn't sent to you. I have also be unable to book MANY cruises that I wanted to book due to the unavailability of accessible cabins. In fact, I just received an awesome casino offer in the mail with DOZENS of complementary sailings from Royal Caribbean between now and December and couldn't take advantage of even ONE of them due to lack of available accessible cabins. So please, do tell of all these sailings with excess accessible cabins!

I have also posted in this thread about how issues with my cabin(s) necessitated that able-bodied folks were MOVED during their cruise from their assigned/booked accessible cabin. So, while it may not have happened to YOU, it DOES happen and people should be aware of that possibility.

Different people have had different experiences. There have been cases where people who are non-HC but somehow are in a HC stateroom have been moved to a non-HC stateroom because NCL (or other line) decided that another guest required that HC stateroom.

 

The OP has already moved. It's no longer an issue.

Point taken! My positions remain. I will reserve again under the stated position I made in the original post.

So may authorities, so little knowledge!

FACT = I have stayed in a handicapped room by accident (assigned) and intentionally (requested) In the requested

 

aspect, I stated during

the booking that neither party was handicapped and would certainly give the space up if needed.

It was subsequently not requested.

FACT = In neither situation was any documentation sent that was needed to be filled out.

FACT - Most sailings have more handicapped rooms available than are actually needed.

FACT - The cruise line will want to have every room available occupied, regardless of the FACT that some of the handicapped rooms will invariably be occupied by non handicapped folks.

If what you say is true, then I recommend that every single person who qualifies for an accessible cabin (when none are available) call the cruise line and request that those who don't need a accessible cabin be moved. And make them prove that they need a room with a doctors note.

As I stated, I have a friend with MS who cannot cruise without an accessible cabin and on several occasions there have been no cabins, months if not a year in advance, in any category. So, I don't think it is FACT that there are more cabins than are needed or used. I don't know what cruise line you are traveling on, but on the several cruises I have been on, there are so many wheelchairs and walkers, it is unbelievable.

Some people are just not pushy and once they see no accessible cabins, they think that honest people have taken them and would never request someone to be moved ..............but after reading this, I think everyone should call the cruise line and request that every person booked in accessible cabins provide proof that it is needed. Maybe if enough people get moved this practice of booking accessible cabins without needing one will stop. (Meaning, not being placed there by cruise line or booking accidentally).

None of these are FACTS. I sail 6-8 times every year exclusively in accessible cabins across NCL, Celebrity & Royal Caribbean. Accessible need documentation is requested by EVERY line. If you choose to ignore it, or miss the email, that doesn't mean it wasn't sent to you. I have also be unable to book MANY cruises that I wanted to book due to the unavailability of accessible cabins. In fact, I just received an awesome casino offer in the mail with DOZENS of complementary sailings from Royal Caribbean between now and December and couldn't take advantage of even ONE of them due to lack of available accessible cabins. So please, do tell of all these sailings with excess accessible cabins!

 

I have also posted in this thread about how issues with my cabin(s) necessitated that able-bodied folks were MOVED during their cruise from their assigned/booked accessible cabin. So, while it may not have happened to YOU, it DOES happen and people should be aware of that possibility.

I poster earier in this thread. I cruised in an accessible cabin on one of the other lines you mentioned when they held them until the bitter end and one could 'upgrade' into one. It was not reuired for us to fill out a form, they knew we were a last minute cabin change due to the availability.

I do think though that it should be required that guests satisfy certain requirements to ensure that they are legit to be in one until the final release to all other guests.

None of these are FACTS. I sail 6-8 times every year exclusively in accessible cabins across NCL, Celebrity & Royal Caribbean. Accessible need documentation is requested by EVERY line. If you choose to ignore it, or miss the email, that doesn't mean it wasn't sent to you. I have also be unable to book MANY cruises that I wanted to book due to the unavailability of accessible cabins. In fact, I just received an awesome casino offer in the mail with DOZENS of complementary sailings from Royal Caribbean between now and December and couldn't take advantage of even ONE of them due to lack of available accessible cabins. So please, do tell of all these sailings with excess accessible cabins!

 

I have also posted in this thread about how issues with my cabin(s) necessitated that able-bodied folks were MOVED during their cruise from their assigned/booked accessible cabin. So, while it may not have happened to YOU, it DOES happen and people should be aware of that possibility.

The Europe sailings are the prices I watch. Seems like on those sailings a flood of accessible rooms come up at the last minute. The sf and aft ms accessible staterooms seems to show in the general booking pool , likely because there’s so few in the category to start with. Even though the sf and aft ms accessible show in general pool way out, they seem to sell long after the non handicap sf’s and aft mini suites. I don’t usually see any other category accessible rooms in the general pool till the end. I keep an eye on just because it’s a great way to figure out when a category is about to sell out. Once accessible rooms are in the general pool you know the category is down to the last few rooms available.

I’m guessing that if someone actually requested an accessible room that they would ask for forms filled out. If someone is just booking a last minute cruise and the accessible rooms were released to general booking then I don’t get why they’d want you to fill out forms if not handicapped. At that point it’s a matter of trying to fill the last few rooms. I think they still keep some accessible back in case someone calls and needs thus the reason for being assigned one on a gt rate. Again this is just from what I experienced with Europe sailings.

Epic med right now has some great rates for the upcoming sailings. Accessible staterooms are the ONLY staterooms available in bd category on the 7/22 sailing. The other day ALL of the bd accessible rooms available and nothing else left for BD category. Since it’s highly likely they are the only bd left at this point, they probably getting booked by non handicap people. Perhaps trying for the Europe sailings and you may have much better luck?

My brother is in a wheel chair. Thank you for being so thoughtful and considerate.

We booked at the last mi minute on the Pearl a few years ago and were assigned a handicap room. I hated it. Yes it was bigger mostly the bathroom but the shower was open with no doors and water went everywhere. I let them know when they assigned our room that we weren’t handicapped but they said that was what was available.

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Perhaps trying for the Europe sailings and you may have much better luck?

I would LOVE to do Europe! (and Alaska!) Unfortunately, due to my disability, I cannot get medical clearance to fly that distance. :( I need to sail out of New York or Cape Liberty when travelling alone, so that also severely restricts my options. If I have family members traveling with me, they can drive us to Miami or Fort Lauderdale but that has to be worked around their schedules and isn't always possible (especially on short notice.)

I am a disabled Vietnam Vet who has, in the past tried to book a accessible room. There are very few of these on each ship and some of us can not travel on a cruise without booking this type of room. I must use a scooter because of a back problem. So by taking this room when you don't need it you are preventing someone like me from taking this cruise. Hope you can live with that.

I am a disabled Vietnam Vet who has, in the past tried to book a accessible room. There are very few of these on each ship and some of us can not travel on a cruise without booking this type of room. I must use a scooter because of a back problem. So by taking this room when you don't need it you are preventing someone like me from taking this cruise. Hope you can live with that.

How far out do you normally book that the category cabin you want is not available? I am wondering how quickly they are sold.

Thank you for doing the right thing :-)

From someone who needs HA cabin..

The cabins have more floor space but not usable space. There is no couch, only one straight back chair. The bathroom is set up like a hospital with no frills.

If I had the choice I would cruise in comfortable room.

The balcony is bigger which is nice.

Happy sailing

See the pictures NCL sent me of my Sun accessible room. This is exact room I will have on our cruise on April 19th

See the pictures NCL sent me of my Sun accessible room. This is exact room I will have on our cruise on April 19th

Bon voyage and thank you very much for your service! :D(y)

Ok, so its still unclear to me about NCL's mangement of these cabins, I recognize that alot of people are sort of attacking others to some extent, but what exactly is the management protocol of these cabins?

I have explained in an earlier post what another cruise lines management is of these cabin attributes is, and I think the other lines approach to holding and releasing is a fair approach.

What is this line's approach? Can anyone share that information to give a well rounded overview?

This was the only email regarding accessibility I got.

http://

I hope that all of us can get together at the meet up. FYI, I booked my room in December I think and it was the last accessible room on the ship. I use a mobility scooter mostly for walking long distances but on this small of a vessel I probably won't need it on board.

We require an accessible room. I think there is a fair amount of misinformation in this thread. NCL revenue management is pretty bad about holding back the rooms -- they make most of them available in many markets on opening day. Sometimes they require a call, but I've seen it on the internet too. For certain high demand cruises, they are gone very fast. To test it, I decided to go to the cruise booking desk on board recently, and ask about a large number of sailings (I used Alaska) and they had dozens of non handicapped balconies available on three different ships about 14 months out, but only 3 rooms for an entire month on the three ships in July.

There appear to be a few markets where they do hold back accessible cabins where they are also selling guarantee because they know they can use them if they are undersold or not demanded.

As far as I can tell, the idea that they would move anyone with a reserved cabin who did not have a disability for someone who did is a myth. This happens on other lines on rare occasions, with a few exceptions of lines that police it heavily.

We book very early. It's really the only way to make it work with NCL unless you get lucky.

As far as I can tell, the idea that they would move anyone with a reserved cabin who did not have a disability for someone who did is a myth.

Not a myth since they have done this twice for me. Once on the Dawn and once on the Gem. I have posted about it upthread. As I mentioned, not sure where they moved the able-bodied folks. On one cruise I do know it was two nurses that were moved - I sent them chocolate-covered strawberries via the Access Officer because I felt bad for them (even though they weren't moved at my request. All I did was report a broken balcony door, but NCL couldn't fix it and deemed it unsafe so I had to move. My (new) room steward told me he didn't think there was a balcony cabin left and said he believed they were moved to an Oceanview. He said they were very nice ladies and they weren't mad, but still I felt bad.)

This was the only email regarding accessibility I got.

http://

I am not sure why you received a different letter than I normally do, but perhaps because your booking was made online and I book my via phone (where the rep would already know I am disabled and my issues are discussed before the letter is even sent?) And, as others have posted - I don't know the rhyme or reason why or when NCL makes some accessible cabins available to book online.

With Royal and Celebrity, all their accessible cabins can be booked online - you can even search based on that criteria. I wish NCL did that! If you do book an accessible cabin, you have to fill out their online disability form within 48 hours of booking to outline/confirm your need.

Not a myth since they have done this twice for me. Once on the Dawn and once on the Gem. I have posted about it upthread. As I mentioned, not sure where they moved the able-bodied folks. On one cruise I do know it was two nurses that were moved - I sent them chocolate-covered strawberries via the Access Officer because I felt bad for them (even though they weren't moved at my request. All I did was report a broken balcony door, but NCL couldn't fix it and deemed it unsafe so I had to move. My (new) room steward told me he didn't think there was a balcony cabin left and said he believed they were moved to an Oceanview. He said they were very nice ladies and they weren't mad, but still I felt bad.)

We've had very different experiences. I wonder if it had to do with status? We were basically scoffed at when we asked, and this was 14 months in advance.

With Royal and Celebrity, all their accessible cabins can be booked online - you can even search based on that criteria. I wish NCL did that! If you do book an accessible cabin, you have to fill out their online disability form within 48 hours of booking to outline/confirm your need.

This may be different by market. We booked on Royal Caribbean a few months ago, and I was offered a large choice of accessible cabins by phone that were not showing online.