General Questions for wheelchair travel

[SnowBird Cruzer]

HI Anyone and Everyone.

 

The DW and I are trying to get her parents to come on a cruise with us. They are interested in a 5 day and I've picked out a couple of RCCL cruises to the Western Caribbean. Nothing definite booked yet.

 

My FIL has use of only one arm. He walks okay, but would use a wheelchair for most getting around on a cruise.

 

We noticed several people in wheelchairs on our last cruise and we started asking some questions. But I'm always looking for more info on boarding, getting around, disembarking at ports and back at home port.

 

We've also checked out the info from RCCL on Handicapped accessible rooms and that was very helpful and useful.

 

Do they always have staff available to help assist with the wheelchair at boarding, at ports, at disembarkation.

 

Does the cruise line provide any wheelchairs? If they did, he wouldn't have to bring his own. Plus, I'm not sure how one travels with a wheelchair. We've never traveled with him when he used his wheelchair, so it's all new to me.

 

How is it on the ship in a wheelchair/scooter? I'm sorry to be so naive (or stupid) but I've encountered some rough weather which made me catch myself. I'm not sure how that is while in a wheelchair.

 

I'm just trying to anticipate their concerns/questions. I'd appreciate any and all advice for cruising in a wheelchair.

[katisdale]

Are you going to be flying to your cruise? Have you checked to see how many if any of the ports are tendered? I fly with my own scooter and can still walk a bit. You can rent a scooter from "Special Needs at Sea" or "Care Vacations" or from the vendor of your choice at home. I think the above two agencies are approved to deliver so the chair is in the room. That said, I prefer to use my own scooter. Then you have the chair available to use in the airport if you choose. I tend to do that if I have a long layover. I keep the scooter and gate check it at the plane door. If I have short layovers I check the scooter through and use the airport wheelchair and their pushers. Getting on and off the ship at embark and debark have never been a problem whether I use my own scooter or the ship's chairs. I mainly cruise Princess and have found them very accessible once you figure out the layout. There are wheelchairs for embark and debark but not for everyday use on the ship. The ship's chairs are reserved for unforseen use - like someone falls and sprains their ankle. Also the chairs are heavy and not always in good repair. In other words either rent or bring your own.

Tender ports can also be a problem. I have never been refused a tender ride but I can still walk a little. Most tenders require you to go down a step or two to enter and exit the small boat. If your chair weighs over 50 lbs it won't be transferred usually. Also if the seas are rough all individuals with mobility problems will be denied boarding for safety reasons.

Cruising is fabulous for people with mobility problems. The staff are so caring (I've only met one person who was less than stellar) and helpful. There are accessible restrooms and some of the doors to the outdoor areas are automatic. Some ships (not all) have cabin doors which open when you insert your key card. I think you would be pleased.

Depending where you go you may or may not find accessible transportation. Other than in US ports it can be difficult to find lift equipped transport. I can transfer to cars and vans so I tend to use private excursions. I hope you have fun.

[kitty9]

You will have help at embarking and disembarking, and they will help you get the wheelchair off the gangway. Bring your own wheelchair or scooter, it's just all around better.

 

I would not recommend taking an itinerary with tender ports. It's tough sometimes for able bodied persons if the tenders are bumpy.

[wwater]

We had similar experience on RCCL. The staff was very helpful and often took over pushing the wheelchair for me, particulaly in the dining room. They have wheelchairs for embarking and disembarking,so you would need to bring or rent your own to use while on the ship and on excursions.

 

If you are traveling on a plane to get to the cruise you can use the wheelchair up until you enter the plane, the airline will gatecheck it and have it waiting when you arrive at your destination.

 

Have fun on the cruise!

[george2000]

DH uses a wheelchair full-time. Cruising is the only way we travel anymore. We have cruised Carnival, NCL and RCCL. The crew on all of these lines have all been extremely helpful and always push his chair up and down the gangways. If we are in a tender port, hubby stays on the boat. We haven't flown for a while, but always took his chair when we did. FIL will be the first to board the plane and the last to get off if he needs assistance in boarding. If you have to change planes, give yourself plenty of time to get to the next gate. As others have said, it is best to take your own equipment with you. If he has to have an accessible room, you will need to book early. They go fast, especially balconies. Although we were able to book a ocean view on our last cruise just 75 days out.

[george2000]

Also, I see you're looking at 5 day Western Caribbean on RCCL. We just completed the Jewel of the Seas out of Tampa and it was our best cruise ever. The crew on that ship is wonderful and the handicapped cabins have the automatic door openers. And Tampa is a great port to go in and out of. Very easy.

[xxoocruiser]

HI Anyone and Everyone.

 

The DW and I are trying to get her parents to come on a cruise with us. They are interested in a 5 day and I've picked out a couple of RCCL cruises to the Western Caribbean. Nothing definite booked yet.

 

My FIL has use of only one arm. He walks okay, but would use a wheelchair for most getting around on a cruise.

 

We noticed several people in wheelchairs on our last cruise and we started asking some questions. But I'm always looking for more info on boarding, getting around, disembarking at ports and back at home port.

 

We've also checked out the info from RCCL on Handicapped accessible rooms and that was very helpful and useful.

 

Do they always have staff available to help assist with the wheelchair at boarding, at ports, at disembarkation. Yes staff will assist during embarkation and disembarkation .Also at each port. But they will not assist in pushing your FIL around the ship. You if there are any ports that require the use of a Tender, your FIL must be able to walk a few steps and have a folding chair wheelchair otherwise boarding can be denied. Boarding a tender is always at the descretion of the Captian and Crew. Therefore it would be best to choose an intinerary with no tendered ports.

 

Does the cruise line provide any wheelchairs? If they did, he wouldn't have to bring his own. Plus, I'm not sure how one travels with a wheelchair. We've never traveled with him when he used his wheelchair, so it's all new to me. It's posted on the cruiseline websites that you must provide your own wheelchair. You can either bring your own or rent one through the cruiseline's approved vendor.

 

How is it on the ship in a wheelchair/scooter? I'm sorry to be so naive (or stupid) but I've encountered some rough weather which made me catch myself. I'm not sure how that is while in a wheelchair. Depending on how rough the weather, it can be difficult to use a wheelchair. Just as during real rough weather it can also be difficult for an able body person to walk around the ship. However generally this is not the norm and also the captain does his/hers best to skirt around the worst of it.

 

The wheel chair may be more stabled than a scooter as the center of gravitiy is different . Though a scooter would give your FIL more independence , the fact that he has use of only one arm could make it very difficult for him to manuever a scooter. Unless he's used a scooter before and you know he can handle it, a cruise would not be the recommended time to first try. Also a scooter will further limit your FIL's chances of being able to board a tender if the port requires it.

 

I'm just trying to anticipate their concerns/questions. I'd appreciate any and all advice for cruising in a wheelchair.

 

Hope this helps you.

[SnowBird Cruzer]

Thanks to all of you for the great information and feedback.

Especially george2000: "cruising is the only way we travel anymore"!

That's just the type of encouragement the inlaw's need.

 

The 5 day cruises (3 of them) I've picked out all have docking.

So no tendering issues.

 

I know FIL has a folding wheelchair. I'll probably let them handle that transport, but I'll pass along the comments and advice here too.

 

I appreciate it very much.

[WellShoneMoon]

I'll add my $.02 here. My husband has been confined to a wheelchair for the past 2 1/2 years, and since then we have cruised twice on Freedom of the Seas (Eastern Caribbean and then Western Caribbean) and once on Jewel of the Seas (Western Caribbean). He uses a manual wheelchair, not a scooter or power chair, and although at home he gets himself around very well, when we're out (such as on board ship) I'm the pusher. We've found that Freedom is much more wheelchair-accessible than Jewel, although Freedom is a much larger ship, so there's more distance for me to push!

 

Fully accessible staterooms are wonderful -- very spaceous, with a very large roll-in shower, grab bars, hand-held shower head, etc. We like a room with a balcony, which is also accessible by means of a small ramp on both sides of the balcony door.

 

The RCCL employees are very helpful about helping us embark and disembark, but other than the dining room staff pushing my husband to his table for a meal, they don't push. Nor do they supply wheelchairs for passengers' use -- so you have to bring your own. I don't recommend using a scooter or a power chair for the first time on board ship -- you need to know what you're doing with those things in confined spaces.

 

As for the shore excursions, on our first Freedom cruise we did sign up for one excursion in St. Thomas that was nominally wheelchair-accessible. What that meant was, the tour took place in a bus that my husband was wheeled into and then his chair was fastened down safely for the tour. So the bus was accessible, but none of the stops on the tour was accessible. He ended up staying on the bus the whole time, while I would get out and go see the sights. It was a complete waste of money and time for him.

 

Since that experience, we now have a new policy. We don't get off the ship. When the ship is in port, and most of the passengers are in port as well, the ship is a lovely place to be (sort of like school, when I was teaching, when the students were on vacation!). They still serve meals but the buffet is not crowded, you can easily find a spot near the pool, and the casino is closed so you're not tempted to "just try one more quarter." And we're not the only ones wo like to stay on the ship -- there are other passengers who like the relative calm and peacefulness.

 

For us, cruising is the best way to travel. We're already booked on another Freedom cruise in October. What's the itinerary? Who cares?

[pbrock]

Could you elaborate on taking your scooter with you on the plane?

 

I have never done this. I didn't know that you could check it at the gate.

How much does this cost?

 

Like you, I can walk a little, but definitely not the long distances in an airport.

 

When you get off of the plane, do you pick it up in baggage or do they bring it back to the plane.

 

Thanks for the information.

[katisdale]

Gate checking mobility or other health equipment is without charge as is checking it as baggage. If you gate check it you ride it to the door of the plane. You will be one of the first people to board. The equipment is then taken down to the baggage compartment. When you arrive at your destination (or layover point) you will be last off the plane. The equipment is bought up from the hold and you get it as you exit the plane. Have it well labeled as it has been reported here that sometimes other flyers think it is for them to use. When we gate check my husband leaves before me and claims the scooter when it arrives and then we have it as we leave the airport or go to the next gate.

When I have a short layover point I tend to check my chair through (I put the scooter taken apart in a hard sided golf bag if I do that) as I am afraid I won't make the next gate if the airport is large. I have not been charged for my scooter on any American carrier nor on Iberia, British Airways, Malev nor Brussels Air.

[Jenjer]

Thank You guys for your advice.

Very helpful.

 

I just fell and broke my foot. Our cruise is 7 weeks out and I its doutful I will be fully moble by then.

[ILoveScotland]

My turn for comments.

 

On our first cruise DH was already using a walker and did pretty well; however when we were embarking the cruise line staff saw us and brought a wheelchair to him. They helped us embark and later disembark.

 

His mobility issues progressed, and he was in a wheelchair for his last three cruises before his health declined to the point he couldn't travel. We went to the Eastern Mediterranean, the Southern Caribbean and Alaska.

 

We took his own full size wheelchair (it folded but was not a travel or transport chair) and rented a scooter for him to use on the ship. We

gate checked the wheelchair at the airport.

 

He loved the freedom of having the scooter, and I loved the freedom of going off on my own from time to time.

 

The cruise staff were great from helping in the dining room to chatting with him at other times, asking if he needed anything, etc.

 

Cruising is a great way to continue to travel with mobility problems.

[SnowBird Cruzer]

It looks like we are inching closer to getting all involved to commit to a cruise. Since the DW and I are the experienced cruisers, we have selected a couple of 5 day cruises from RCCL, and 2 are on the Liberty of the Seas. As I recall that is a sister ship to Freedom of the Seas mentioned above. (And I think the 3rd is on Jewel of the Seas). So thank you, WellShoneMoon, for the info those ships.

 

I have looked at some of the excursions, and recalled some of my own earlier ones. A tour of Falmouth, for example would be fine. But he wouldn't be getting out too often. Perhaps we book our own tour with a private company instead?

 

All different options to check out.

Thank you again, all of you, for the info.

[CaptData]

Hi I have used canes, wheelchairs and scooters due to MS. All are free in the USA and Canada (no cost for flight). You do however have to notify the airline ahead of time. Also ask for wheelchair assitance at this time. You will be first on last off. Do ensure that you have at least 1 1/2 hours between flight if there is a connector flight.

 

Also contact Special Services for your cruise and inform them if he requires anything else ie salt free diet, allergies ect. Tell them he needs an accessible stateroom and fill out the paperwork. If anyone needs meds for anything bring origals containers for it.

[mdvlprof]

I'll put in my 0.02, too.

 

It's soooo much easier to take DS on a cruise rather than a land vacation. Staff has always been very accomodating.

 

The only land vacation we've been to that is really accessible is WDW.

[Jenjer]

I have a broken foot and will be able to put some weight on it by the time we travel. As long as I don't need surgery...keeping my fingers crossed.

 

The airline will allow me to gate check my knee scooter right? I will need my cane to get to my seat, I can bring that onboard right?

 

We are flying Southwest if it makes any diffrence.

 

Would putting a luggage tag on my scooter be enough to lable it as mine.

 

My Ortho told me to have a wheelchair for onboard the ship and I reserved one from Special Needs at Sea. Sure it cost a lot more than if I rented it from home but I plan on using my knee scooter too and we could not manage bringing both. Would they let DH go to our stateroom early and get it?

[xxoocruiser]

I have a broken foot and will be able to put some weight on it by the time we travel. As long as I don't need surgery...keeping my fingers crossed.

 

The airline will allow me to gate check my knee scooter right? Yes . Make certain you have it tagged with your personal information . Also when you arrive at the gate go to the agent and request a "Gate Check tag. I will need my cane to get to my seat, I can bring that onboard right? Yes. It will than need to be stowed in the overhead compartment.

 

We are flying Southwest if it makes any diffrence. Yes only because of there open boardingl. When you go to the gate agent for the Gate check for your knee roller also request Pre - boarding. You will be given a Blue Sleeve for your boarding pass and instructed where to wait. If you do not do this than you will not be able to preboard and will have to be seated in order of the number on your boarding pass.

 

Would putting a luggage tag on my scooter be enough to lable it as mine. Yes. I also take the pre-printed return address labels that I have and place them in several areas of my walker just in case the luggage tag falls off. Remember it will also have a "gate check tag" from Southwest with your name on it but no other identifying information such as address or phone. The chances of it getting lost are minimal. You will be able to go right up to the door of the place. Leave the knee roller on the jet way. When you arrive at you destination , you will be requested to remain in your seat and the flight attendant will notify when the knee roller has been dleivered to the door of the plane.

 

My Ortho told me to have a wheelchair for onboard the ship and I reserved one from Special Needs at Sea. Sure it cost a lot more than if I rented it from home but I plan on using my knee scooter too and we could not manage bringing both. Would they let DH go to our stateroom early and get it?

Your contract from Special Needs at Seas states that the it will be deliverd by 2:00PM. Mobility equipment is generally the last to be loaded on the ship so it depends. what time you will be boarding. If boarding prior to noon it's a good chance it won't be in the cabin yet. You can always ask. Sometimes I'm allowed and sometimes I'm not to check for my scooter rental. Instead of asking just go to try to get to your cabin , if stopped than just deal with it rather than asking.

[sanspike]

I have a broken foot and will be able to put some weight on it by the time we travel. As long as I don't need surgery...keeping my fingers crossed.

 

The airline will allow me to gate check my knee scooter right? I will need my cane to get to my seat, I can bring that onboard right?

 

We are flying Southwest if it makes any diffrence.

 

Would putting a luggage tag on my scooter be enough to lable it as mine.

 

My Ortho told me to have a wheelchair for onboard the ship and I reserved one from Special Needs at Sea. Sure it cost a lot more than if I rented it from home but I plan on using my knee scooter too and we could not manage bringing both. Would they let DH go to our stateroom early and get it?

 

Airline will tag it at the gate. Also if you do bulkhead on Southwest they do not have the tables the fold out. I try to take the second row because I like something for my drinks and books.

[SnowBird Cruzer]

Thanks again to everyone for their input. It has helped convince MIL and FIL to cruise. Whether BIL and SIL come along or not. It's kind of exciting. And scary. Now I have to come up with $$$ for a 2nd cruise in 2013. I didn't know I was such a jet setter.

 

Looks like we will do Liberty of the Seas out of Ft. Lauderdale. Still deciding on itinerary. Leaning know towards Labadee and Falmouth over Cozumel and Belize.

 

Also, they would like to drive from WI to FLL. DW and MIL don't really like to fly. MIL/FIL want to bring their own wheelchair. I'm up for a 25 hour road trip. :eek:

 

Any thoughts on either of those itineraries? I looked at Labadee excursions. We can rent a bungaloo for the day. Perhaps he could also do Discover Haiti Coastal Cruise.

Thought in Jamaica to travel over to Montego Bay and visit Ricks and other scenic sights. Lots of time for that though.

[Peemagg]

When the cruise line says that it has to be a folding chair for tendering, does that mean that it has to fold up from side to side or can it qualify if the back folds down. I use a manual chair that doesn't fold from side to side, but the back folds down and the wheels come off. Would I have trouble tendering with this type of chair?