kenb Posted September 11, 2011 #1 Share Posted September 11, 2011 It has been 4 years since my wife and I have been on a cruise. This time my wife will being using a scooter on our NCL Sun cruise in November. My question is how do they handle people on scooters during the lifeboat drill? If I remember correctly, you cannot use the elevators to get to your assigned lifeboat station. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted September 11, 2011 #2 Share Posted September 11, 2011 You can get there BEFORE the drill is called...so you won't need to ask for assistance. When you board, find out what time the drill will be and where your station is, so you can navigate your way to the proper deck WITH the scooter! Doing it that way, you won't have to worry about elevators! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjboothman Posted September 11, 2011 #3 Share Posted September 11, 2011 I've only sailed Princess and Carnival, and yes, able bodied people are not allowed to use the elevators during a drill. However, the staff stationed at the elevators always has allowed people with disabilities to use them, my husband travels with a scooter and hasn't had a problem --except that after the drill the elevators are open to all and he doesn't have a chance fighting the swarm of able bodied people who don't want to use the steps if they don't have to. So normally he finds a place to relax and I walk back up the steps to return our life jackets to the room and join him back downstairs later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PBC29 Posted September 11, 2011 #4 Share Posted September 11, 2011 I usually go early as the drill time is usually listed in the activities sheets and announced over the speakers. I've heard some lines allow you to watch it on tv but I'd rather see it live. Also gives the crew notice I'm supposed to be with them and they see how many chairs scooters they really have to deal with incase of emergency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windham depot Posted September 12, 2011 #5 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Hi We just got back from a Carnival Cruise but, we've also cruised RC and Celebrity and they've all done the same thing. Yes as previously stated they allow special needs and anyone with them to use the elevator. As a Special needs person you should attend the drill like everyone else. They will send you and anyone accompanying you to a place on the ship with other special needs(last cruise we all gathered in the ships Library). Don't worry there will be plenty of ships people along the way to tell you where to go. Basically you just wait there until the drill is over. Actually they let you leave before the drill is over to give you a head start before everyone else. I am sure in a real emergency the ships people will tell us exactly where to go and what to do. You really should attend the drill so you know where to go if you have special needs. The ships people are really good about dealing with special needs. A hint about the elevators, it is not always easy to get on with a scooter or wheelchair, be patient and try just grabbing the first elevator no matter its direction. You will get where you are going. Lots of people use the elevator who could easily use the stairs, just breath and remember you are on vacation and have a good time. Rhonda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dayenu Posted September 13, 2011 #6 Share Posted September 13, 2011 I have mobility issues, and I don't remember ever taking stairs to the drill. Getting off the ship at ports, on some of them, we had to wait till somebody took us down on the assigned elevator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooterpopsnana Posted September 13, 2011 #7 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Our last cruise was with Carnival. I use a scooter. We went to our muster station early. We were not required to have our life jacket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellmicron Posted September 17, 2011 #8 Share Posted September 17, 2011 It has been 4 years since my wife and I have been on a cruise. This time my wife will being using a scooter on our NCL Sun cruise in November. My question is how do they handle people on scooters during the lifeboat drill? If I remember correctly, you cannot use the elevators to get to your assigned lifeboat station. Some cruise lines hold the drill at the muster stations and others have passengers congregate in public areas such as the theater. Plan on attending the drill, with your life jacket, unless advised otherwise by a crew member. Crew members take roll and they will seek you out in your cabin if you aren't in attendance. Crew members are stationed at the elevators and they permit wheelchair users and a companion to use the lifts. As with any event or activity where there are large numbers of passengers, the elevators will be packed afterward. This is something we must patiently deal with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slitelyused Posted October 2, 2011 #9 Share Posted October 2, 2011 We last sailed Carnival Conquest,,,they told us to just stay in our stateroom and turn the TV on,,we got muster instructions on the TV,,,, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinknock50 Posted August 7, 2013 #10 Share Posted August 7, 2013 It has been 4 years since my wife and I have been on a cruise. This time my wife will being using a scooter on our NCL Sun cruise in November. My question is how do they handle people on scooters during the lifeboat drill? If I remember correctly, you cannot use the elevators to get to your assigned lifeboat station. I know this is an old post, but which cabin were you in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DisneyKidsDad Posted August 7, 2013 #11 Share Posted August 7, 2013 My family and I just came off the Disney Wonder last month. My daughter is in a wheelchair. We were not required to wear our lifejackets. We went down to our muster station early. The crew let us leave a few minutes early to grab an elevator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvlprof Posted August 8, 2013 #12 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Were on DCL Fantasy in Dec. We mustered in theater. CM spoke to us personally about lifeboat issues/needs and put notes in her notebook. Sometimes we've mustered on deck, sometimes in public areas, sometimes with everyone else, sometimes with other HC people and their companions. We always arrive a few minutes early, and they've always dismissed us a few minutes early so we could get elevator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrierjohn Posted August 8, 2013 #13 Share Posted August 8, 2013 (edited) My family and I just came off the Disney Wonder last month. My daughter is in a wheelchair. We were not required to wear our lifejackets. We went down to our muster station early. The crew let us leave a few minutes early to grab an elevator. Now that is one great idea that should be rolled out across all cruise lines. Edited August 8, 2013 by terrierjohn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxoocruiser Posted August 8, 2013 #14 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Now that is one great idea that should be rolled out across all cruise lines. Any of the RCCL ships I've been on have always asked if I wanted to leave early to get an elevator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acordant Posted August 8, 2013 #15 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Now that is one great idea that should be rolled out across all cruise lines. Most of the time, we were gathered into the Library or the theater and dismissed early to get a head start on the elevators. I have also, once, been told to just stay in the cabin and watch the TV. I've never been stopped from using the elevators while the drill was going on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glojo Posted November 8, 2013 #16 Share Posted November 8, 2013 If we go early or sit in our room, then how do we know how to get to our emegency station when there might not be any power? I am a big chap, tall and slim but still 16 stone and am in a wheelchair. I just feel that when I do an emergency drill it will be in my besyt interest to look, learn and listen. Hopefully if things ever do go wrong, I will at least have had the experience of what is required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Splinter Posted November 9, 2013 #17 Share Posted November 9, 2013 The reality is if you are in your cabin in a true emergency, with no power, you are not going to be able to get anywhere on an elevator if you cannot walk and take the stairs. Most cruise lines say they would have crew available to carry you up/down stairs in the case of a necessary evacuation, and that they know which cabins have passengers who cannot walk. I would bet in an emergency such as that of the Costa Concordia that would not be possible. I have wondered how many of those who died in that disaster where mobility impaired. We always just went early to the station indicated for us, and also planned to stay on that deck for some time after the drill, as it is impossible to get an elevator when every passenger on the ship is trying to get on them at the same time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccruisequeen Posted November 11, 2013 #18 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Most ships I've been on with my walker have lists of the disabled persons in their station. They tell us to wait in the muster station while they escort the able bodied to the boats. But you must contact guest services in advance. They will note the size of your scooter/chair, how mobile you are, and what you need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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