Boarding question

[buglver066]

I hadn't thought about this until I was reading a review the other day and it was mentioned. Before I ask I am not expecting this, just simply asking if someone has experienced it.

 

My Dad is traveling with us (38 days but who's counting!) and he needs a knee replacement that he has not gotten yet. He wears a huge brace and walks with a cane. I saw in a review that security saw someone walking with a cane and moved them along in the line----I almost want to say to VIP but I'm not sure. We are trying to get to the port super early so we will not have to deal with the long lines but has anyone had experience with something like this?

[jjwelsh]

My MIL is cruising with us (32 days here) and she needs a double knee replacement getting it in October but anyhow we looked into renting a wheelchair for the week it's about 75 for a 7 day cruise and the place drops it off at the port and picks it up that way we don't have to worry about anyone being rude or pushy and she don't have to feel rushed or put more strain on her knees. Not sure that helps you but another option you can think about. Good Luck!

[FlipFlopCruiser]

yes, they will offer help to your dad and get him on the ship easily

[cruisermomo]

I think you can request a wheel chair from CCL.....they will have it waiting there as you board....will be able to get on quicker & not have to stand in long lines....call CCL & see what they say.....

[serene56]

a ship is HUGE- especially when walking to and from food 2/3times a day.

getting help to get onboard is the least of the problem.

 

Hoping you call vacation care and rent him a wheel chair. Do not depend on getting a chair during the week for him

[GRTKJ]

I would call CCL in advance, but I have seen handicapped, or those in wheelchairs etc moved to VIP boardng....shouldnt be a problem, but to be safe call in advance. Happy cruising! :)

[GPoll189]

People who need a wheelchair or have a wheelchair do get special treatment. However, they aren't grouped with the VIP passengers. The VIP passengers are either platinum level or have suites onboard. There is another section where boarding takes place where people who need extra help boarding wait. It is just like boarding an airplane. They will board people who need help and also VIP passengers around the same time.

[FlipFlopCruiser]

My mom uses a cane. She has been approached by someone EVERY time we walk into the building (in NY) and asked if she would like assistance. They take her and anyone in her cabin around to the other side and get them immediately checked in and then they go to the line to have the picture taken for the S&S card and onto the ship. The whole process only takes a few minutes.

[serene56]

and if sailing as a group- they only took one other person with my mom. (WHICH doesnt work if you want a group photo when boarding)

[dst]

When you book your cruise (or even go online) You can have special requirements (i.e. wheelchair, diet) and click on that. Then call Carnival and let them know that you will be coming with someone who will need assistance at check in; my mom can not walk long distances and we have done this several times.

 

When you get to the pier, someone will ask you to step aside and wait, an agent will come back with a wheelchair take you to where you need to go for your documents (if you are VIP, you will go to the lounge area, if not you will go to the normal line) Once you have your documents they will have you wait until after boarding the wedding and VIP guests. The agent will bring you all the way onto the ship and even take you up to the Lido or your cabin (depending on arrival time)

 

I would recommend renting a wheelchair for the week, you don't have to use it but it will be kept in your cabin in case you do need it. They really do not keep extra wheelchairs on the ship due to lack of proper space for storage so if you are traveling and have the need for it, you could be out of luck

 

Have a great cruise

[Lefty Writer]

I hadn't thought about this until I was reading a review the other day and it was mentioned. Before I ask I am not expecting this, just simply asking if someone has experienced it.

 

My Dad is traveling with us (38 days but who's counting!) and he needs a knee replacement that he has not gotten yet. He wears a huge brace and walks with a cane. I saw in a review that security saw someone walking with a cane and moved them along in the line----I almost want to say to VIP but I'm not sure. We are trying to get to the port super early so we will not have to deal with the long lines but has anyone had experience with something like this?

 

I had almost the same situation in 2009. I had knee surgery to fix a torn quadriceps muscle and was still in a knee brace and using a cane when we had our cruise. None of our party were VIP, but as we entered the terminal in Galveston, one of the agents directed us to the empty VIP line.

I tried to tell them we weren't VIP, and tha I could walk just fine (albeit slowly), but they insisted that we (DW and I) proceed through this short line and within minutes we were through the entire process and ready to board the Conquest. The other members of our party had to go through the regular lines, so we were wayyyy ahead of them.

We often joke now about how I should always wear the knee brace when boarding so we can zip through the lines.

:D

[slk09]

When we were on the Dream in June my nephew that is handicapped was

with us (was in his own wheelchair) after we got through ticketing they

took us through a seperate line that was empty (maybe the VIP line??)

but there were a couple other people with wheelchairs in it. But we

got to go as a group (there were 10) they didn't split us up when going

through the lines. So we got our group photo when we boarded all

together. And yes, they were very helpful to him and letting us know

where to go.

[fkfad]

We cruised on the Elation last November with my dad who had just had hip replacement surgery and was walking with a cane. When we arrived at the terminal (early), a long line had already formed... I asked the first staff member I saw if there was a way around the long line for my dad and she immediately escorted us into a separate line into security (with no wait)... We did not ask for a wheelchair, however, we should have, as the walk up the ramps to board the ship was quite difficult for my dad! We did ask for a wheelchair for disembarkation, which was very helpful for my dad (setting aside his pride that he could do it on his own) :-)