HC cabin frustration

we are booked on the Gem for April 8th cruise. We booked it about 6 months ago. I asked for a HC cabin and was told there were none available but to keep trying back. I was kind of lax in trying because my back was feeling ok not great but ok. The last two cruises I rented a scooter because we had a garden villa and space was not an issue. Luckily for me I had it both times. On the Gem last April the morning of the cruise I had a very bad episode and could barely walk. When I got to the ship I was actually crying from so much pain. The cruise I had on the Jade last December I fell at harvest caye and luckily I had my scooter both times. It saved my cruises more than I can express.

I have been checking every week if any HC cabins became available nope nope nope every phone call. Well low and behold two weeks before my next cruise my back is fully blown out (don't ask there are many things wrong with my back). So now I'm in panic mode about not having a scooter. Called the access desk and they said they would check every HC reservation to see if they are really neede. Answer none available. I find it very hard to believe that every single HC cabin I see being used by someone in a wheelchair or scooter. Shame on those people. I know for a fact people just take them for the extra space (no I have never done it but know people who have). Worse comes to worse my friend will have to wheel me around in a wheelchair when it's to painful to walk but sure would be nice to have a HC cabin. I asked if I got one could I leave it some place near by to charge st night of course the answer I received was no.

Well just needed to vent a little and tell people if you really don't need a HC cabin have some compassion for people who really do.

Some handicaps are less visible than others, and a wheel chair or scooter is not required. Some people need it because of the grab bars in the bathroom, or the seat in the shower. I have a sibling who has MS and can walk, but has some major difficulty with maintaining balance at times and regularly has issues with weakness in the extremities when an exacerbation is in progress. People make rude comments about the handicapped placard, because my sibling isn't as visibly handicapped as someone with a wheelchair or walker.

I'm sorry that the room you needed isn't available, and I would hope that able bodied people wouldn't take one.

I'm sorry that all the cabin type you need are fully booked and I empathise with your situation but just because someone doesn't use a scooter doesn't mean they don't need a HC room. We were once given an HC room from a guarantee and we immediately gave it back insisting they give it to someone that needs it. Maybe you should consider renting a scooter that you can get your travelling companion to leave plugged in at the lift area and bring it to the cabin for you when you're ready to leave the cabin. We've seen lots of people do this.

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I'm sorry that all the cabin type you need are fully booked and I empathise with your situation but just because someone doesn't use a scooter doesn't mean they don't need a HC room. We were once given an HC room from a guarantee and we immediately gave it back insisting they give it to someone that needs it. Maybe you should consider renting a scooter that you can get your travelling companion to leave plugged in at the lift area and bring it to the cabin for you when you're ready to leave the cabin. We've seen lots of people do this.

 

 

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I completely understand about handicaps not being visible. I am a prime example of that. I have a placecard in my car but don't use a wheel chair and it's just hard for me to walk far distances. And actually the hardest for me personally is to stand stationary like on line at the store or someplace your required to wait on line it's torture if I don't have a wagon to lean on hence handicap is invisible for the most part. However I do know ncl does give out HC cabins to freely. Would it be to much trouble to show a handicap card (which I have in my wallet). Like I said I do know able bodied people who do take HC cabins for space not grab bars or mobility equipment. My sister also has MS so I get it.

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Maybe you should consider renting a scooter that you can get your travelling companion to leave plugged in at the lift area and bring it to the cabin for you when you're ready to leave the cabin. We've seen lots of people do this.

 

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From NCL's website: All scooters and wheelchairs MUST be stored in the stateroom. Due to the safety and escape way requirements established by SOLAS regulations, they cannot be stored in the hallways, stairways, or any other public area.

Feeling sorry for OP but NCL has one goal; making a profit.

With the HC cabins it's a fine line between when it's appropriate to sell them as GTY or regular.. and with NCL being a commercial business a HC cabin is not something you can claim or have a guarantee it will be unused like a HC parking spot.

Hoping this will not be lost in translation as I genuinely feel sorry for OP!

From NCL's website: All scooters and wheelchairs MUST be stored in the stateroom. Due to the safety and escape way requirements established by SOLAS regulations, they cannot be stored in the hallways, stairways, or any other public area.

I knew that. That's why it's not an option for me.

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Geri

We were with my sil and had similar issue -- no handicapped cabins available and she absolutely needed scooter. We had regular balcony, and of course, scooter inside made it impossible to walk. Takes to special needs desk -- The steward took the scooter away every night, charged it, and returned it when we called in morning. And sometimes we were in casino til 3-4 am, and they still came and got it when we called for recharging. Worked fine.

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Is upgrading to a larger stateroom an option this time OP?

Feeling sorry for OP but NCL has one goal; making a profit.

 

 

 

With the HC cabins it's a fine line between when it's appropriate to sell them as GTY or regular.. and with NCL being a commercial business a HC cabin is not something you can claim or have a guarantee it will be unused like a HC parking spot.

 

 

 

Hoping this will not be lost in translation as I genuinely feel sorry for OP!

I have no problem if right before sailing even a month out they are sold to anyone. But again I state I have seen people on here gloat at how great it was to have extra room and I personally know people who requested them and don't need them. That's why showing a handicap card isn't a bad idea. If u ask for one when you show up to the pier you would have to show your card or you're out of luck to get on the ship and have your cabin. Unless this was one of the last cabins sold then there should be something documented that says just that and a handicap card is not necessary

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I have an aunt with mobility issues and I understand your frustration. It was actually my aunt and grandparents who introduced me to cruising when I was a child (Cunard).

There have been many posts here on CC where people have asked about getting a HC stateroom just for the extra space. I'm one of those people who tells others about not booking a HC stateroom when it isn't needed.

Sadly, I agree with you that it is likely that at least one HC stateroom is going to be occupied by someone who doesn't need it.

Is upgrading to a larger stateroom an option this time OP?

I do have a bid in for a suite

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Geri

 

We were with my sil and had similar issue -- no handicapped cabins available and she absolutely needed scooter. We had regular balcony, and of course, scooter inside made it impossible to walk. Takes to special needs desk -- The steward took the scooter away every night, charged it, and returned it when we called in morning. And sometimes we were in casino til 3-4 am, and they still came and got it when we called for recharging. Worked fine.

 

 

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Terry thanks so much great idea did u talk to them prior to cruising or once on board?

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Is it not possible to have a scooter in a non-HC room? With the amount of scooters I have seen on some cruises, I can't imagine they are all in HC rooms.

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Is it not possible to have a scooter in a non-HC room? With the amount of scooters I have seen on some cruises, I can't imagine they are all in HC rooms.

 

 

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It would be to crowded. No where to walk

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I will tell you that NCL does call and verify to see if your travel needs can be met without a HC cabin. I would suggest always book a HC cabin as your health situation is unpredictable. If NCL calls and the HC cabin is needed by someone with greater needs you can trade for a traditional cabin. We had my MIL on an Alaska cruise and was walker dependent....(85 years old). NCL called me as I am the one who booked and paid for the cruise to see if she could manage in a regular balcony room. The answer was NO, she needed the grab bars and a place to sit in the shower. They really tried to coax me into changing into a regular room and I declined, but they did try.

It would be to crowded. No where to walk

 

 

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There are some scooters that are "collapsible"....and CAN fit thru the doorway of a "non-suite" or HC cabin.....perhaps you could rent something like that, since you CAN walk a few steps. It could make all the difference for you!

One other thought...

If you need an accessible room, but are told that none are available, you can have the cruise lines (or TA) have them check the manafest to be sure that all accessible rooms are indeed booked for an handicaped guest. My DW cannot walk due to a stroke, so it has changed how we book cruises. We now need to book far in advance to be sure we get the assessible rooms that we need.

We were desperate on our last cruise for an accessible room. Luckily one of our cabins on our roll call switched with us. It ended up being an easy switch but it was nerve wracking trying to get it all done. I wish you luck

I have had to use a scooter for 3 cruises. I had no trouble driving it into the cabin (the first couple of times I kind of bounced off of the door frame) but I quickly got the hang of it and knew when to start turning into the cabin. The scooter in the cabin was crowded, but we were able to find a place to park it without tripping all over it. If I were the OP I would just go for it in a regular cabin if a HC cabin can't be found.

Terry thanks so much great idea did u talk to them prior to cruising or once on board?

 

 

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We spoke to the special needs desk before trip. First they told us the scooter would fit in room. Then we explained that she has severe balance problems and trying to navigate around it in the room was going to be an issue. They said they would address the situation and we should contact them once on board. We had no idea how they were going to address it and were concerned they were going to try to squeeze it In Room, and with the two beds separated there wouldn't be any way to get around it. But when we got onboard, they told us simply to call when we were in for the night etc. was on breakaway. The caveat is that we know someone else who was in same situation, and the solution for them was to move couch out of room. But they were ok with that.

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As someone who is able to walk and is not HC (knock on wood), I can't imagine dealing with this! We've stayed in HC rooms in hotels when that was all that was available and didn't like it - the room seemed awkwardly big (lots of floor space). We particularly prefer a normal room/cabin layout.

If I were on your cruise and had a HC room, I would trade with you in a second! I hope you get the room you need. If not, I hope what other people posted about the crew helping you with a scooter works out.

It would be to crowded. No where to walk

 

 

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Crowded...yes, but I'm sure people do it if they need to.

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With the amount of scooters onboard, I'm guessing there are way more HC people on the ship than accessible cabins. We need two connecting cabins, which are also limited, so we need to book way ahead of time to get the cabins we desire.

Geri,

Just to let you know, there were 2 HC minisuites available at the 90 day mark. The odds of them being booked for actual need at that point in time are slim in my mind. Perhaps NCL could check (I think it was) 11652 and 11654 or maybe it was 11152 or 11154...it's worth a shot...but I know they were aft and next to us.