Have to take wheelchair need help fast!

[needabreakcanada]

We cruise tommorrow and my fibromyalgia has thrown me a wrench - both knee's. Am hoping to be able to be out of the chair more than in.

Found a place to rent locally to take on cruise $65 for 11days.

 

My questions:

 

How do you get 2 large luggage 2 carry on and a folding wheelchair in a cab? Can they do that or do I have to make alternate arrangements of some type?

 

How does one wheel the chair and pull luggage between two people? At the point we are moving all this I will probably be able to walk a bit, but definately need it if there are line ups anywhere.

 

All help appreciated!

[firefly333]

I saw a wheelchair for sale at Kroger and the drug store for only $99 .. I would just buy one.

 

The one we have folds up and fits easily in the trunk.. your luggage should fit too, the trunks are pretty large.

 

I would not think you will have a problem .. but Id just buy one to have at home in case you need it

 

worse comes to worse.. they can put luggage up front if you sit in the back.. or squeeze in a carry on with you in the back seat.. I could do it ...Im used to handling wheelchairs or walkers.

[needabreakcanada]

The only other time I have had to use one was Disney - even then I was in and out. I am try to stay as active as I can.

 

The physio/chiro warned me about standing in the lines under my current conditions. So purchasing would probably not be worth it at this point. In Canada they are alot more expensive to buy.

 

But thanks for the tip on the cabs - thats a relief!

[RWolver672]

We cruise tommorrow and my fibromyalgia has thrown me a wrench - both knee's. Am hoping to be able to be out of the chair more than in.

Found a place to rent locally to take on cruise $65 for 11days.

 

My questions:

 

How do you get 2 large luggage 2 carry on and a folding wheelchair in a cab? Can they do that or do I have to make alternate arrangements of some type?

 

How does one wheel the chair and pull luggage between two people? At the point we are moving all this I will probably be able to walk a bit, but definately need it if there are line ups anywhere.

 

All help appreciated!

 

The luggage and wheelchair will fit in the cab with no problem. The cab driver will drop you off right by the porters who will take your luggage from the driver and put them in a bin. You can then get in the wheelchair and go through the process of checking in. They will escort you and one other person onboard before any other passengers. The next time you see your luggage, it will be in your cabin.

[grannycroozer]

I think the wheelchair can fit in the trunk. You may have to put luggage in the back seat and have someone sit in front passenger seat. Once you get to the port, the porter should be able to assist you and your luggage. You will probably get escorted to the front of the line because of your wheelchair. You might want to call the Guest Access department of Carnival for the rest of the cruise.

[kimmimom]

broke her ankle before our cruise. She didn't rent a wheelchair for recovery, but wanted it on the cruise for transport. As I recall, Carnival let her use theirs for the week. If you can make it to port without one, maybe check with Carnival to make sure they have one you could use.

[ccladdict]

my daughter is in a wheelchair and I have the luggage/pushing down pat, I have a strap that that I attach to piggy back the luggage and pull it with one hand (spinner style luggage is the best) and push the chair with the other hand, you will be able to get a taxi van or SUV at the airport, when you arrive at the port a porter will take your luggage and a rep from Carnival will guide you to to the VIP entry so you will not have to wait in any lines for secuirty or check in.

 

enjoy your cruise.

 

Lynda

[ccruisequeen]

When you order the taxi, request a sedan and tell them you will be using a chair. The taxi service will know how to handle it.

 

Contact special needs department at Carnival and alert them of your disability.

 

Take a small carry on for medications, cameras, etc and let the baggage handlers take care of the rest. As you check in, they will provide a chair to take you from the desk to the ship unless you provide your own to use on board. Special needs will give you info on where to rent a chair.

[TerReuv]

broke her ankle before our cruise. She didn't rent a wheelchair for recovery, but wanted it on the cruise for transport. As I recall, Carnival let her use theirs for the week. If you can make it to port without one, maybe check with Carnival to make sure they have one you could use.

 

When we went on our cruise my mother forgot her wheelchair (what with all the luggage) and we did not notice until we were halfway to FL! Carnival will not guarantee there will be a wheelchair for you so do not count on that. We called a company that had one waiting for her in her stateroom. Unfortunately, that one broke mid way through cruise! Carnival did have one, but they are very, very heavy chairs and made to withstand heavy people obviously. The chair weighed more than my mother and it was excruciating to push her around Nassau!

 

Point being, do not rely on Carnival wheelchairs and best for the pusher not to use one!

[katiel53]

I totally agree with terReuv regarding expecting Carnival to have a wheelchair for your use. They do have them at the port to board and debark, but that's all. The ones they have onboard are for medical use as determined by the medical staff. My dad fell on a ship and Carnival did provide a wheelchair for him for the rest of the trip, but it's because he got hurt on the ship.

 

One time though, DH needed to use a scooter as he was having a TKR when we returned. We rented the scooter and knew we weren't to take it off the ship. I called guest services and asked if they had a wheelchair we could rent for one day so he could go ashore. I was told there was a $50 deposit on a chair and we took it for a few hours. When we returned it, a credit was issued of $50 to our SeaPass. As mentioned, the chair was quite large and heavy and in St Maarten where we used it, I almost lost control of it when we went through security as there is a decline and once that chair started going, it was going fast enough that I almost was running behind it.

 

We were told that we were fortunate that normally there are no chairs to be used because of people with medical emergencies needing them. So, as I started this post, I wouldn't count on Carnival to have a wheelchair available.

 

One other thing, and this has nothing to do with the OP, but when my dad had rented the scooter, he was NOT allowed to go to the cabin early to get it. He was wheeled on by a Carnival employee and once onboard, the employee took the wheelchair back with him. We asked if we could go get the scooter and were told that we could not. Fortunately, my dad could walk some, so we ended up going to the Lido deck and sitting there until the cabins were available.

 

Although this was difficult for us, I do understand why he couldn't go to the cabin early with all the cleaning supplies etc. in the hallway, it probably would have made maneuvering the scooter difficult.

[needabreakcanada]

Just rented a chair for $65. To buy it is $269 and it is the basic transport chair - very pricey in Canada indeed.

 

thanks all

[ShipShape2012]

Needabreak... if you need to purchase in Toronto area (for the future), you can purchase a used one. Just google used wheelchairs or used medical devices Mississauga, and there are at least a couple in your area. Got one for about $100 (large wheel for self wheeling).

[CruisefromNY]

Please make sure you contact Carnival special needs department. Specialneeds@carnival.com

 

They have been very accomodating. I am currently aboard the Carnival Magic, temporarily using a wheelchair.

If you are renting, usually it will be waiting in your cabin. You will need a

WC to get on the ship. Carnival will see to all your needs.

 

They have been terrific!

[mek]

DH uses a transport chair because of a bad knee. In advance, we arrange for assistance at the airport and someone pushes him while I pull two the two carry-on bags we don't check in.

 

Yes, if there are only two of you, a chair and your bags will fit in a cab, although some of the bags or the chair may have to ride with the person in the back seat.

 

As others have mentioned, once you arrive at the ship, they will make arrangements for wheelchair assistance and on the day of disembarkation, there is a designated area for those in wheelchairs.

 

Pay the porters to take care of you bags and they will get you to a cab.

 

It's really very easy to manage. Good luck.

[mistycruiser]

Just be sure that all of your meds and documents, passports etc. stay with you and your carryone items. Don't send them with your luggage to the porters.

[Waynetor]

If you are taking a airport limo to the airport in Toronto it can be difficult to get the wheelchair and lugggage all in depending on just how large the biggest suitcases are. If you reserve a limo ask the company for a van - they are the same cost. At the airport when you check in ask for assistance. There are people at the airport that can help you get through security and customs much faster if you are in a wheelchair.

[Honeybear]

I called my PVP and she gave me 2 different numbers that I could call to rent a WC for about $35.00 for seven days. The WC company will have your chair in your room when you arrive. You can take the rented one on the ports also. Then when you leave, you leave it in your room and they will pick it up. CCL will meet you at the terminal to take you to your room and will pick you up to take you off of the ship the last day.

So, I suggest you just call your PVP.

We are going on the CONQUEST in April, my SIL and I both need WCs for long distances. Our daughters are going on our cruise so they can push the WC (not the main reason they are coming!) LOL.

I own a WC but I feel it's much easier to use theirs and rent one for the cruise. If you tell them at the airport they also will provide a WC and pusher. They will meet you at the door and take you to your plane. Been there, done that.

Have a safe and happy cruise! Leave your cares at home. You'll be fine.