Broke my foot have a couple of questions

[DeepWaterMariner]

I don't have any first hand knowledge of using any mobility assistance -- but will report what I saw.

 

A wheelchair had to be helped off the ship in a Caribbean port -- and it was QUITE a process -- 2 porters were required to manhandle the passenger and wheelchair across the gangway. I never saw a wheelchair being used at a tender port.

 

IMHO some of the above posts made it seem that getting off the ship in a wheelchair at the port stops isn't that 'big a deal' --- and it certainly looked like a "big deal" when it happens.

 

It depends on the port, pier, tides...all the things that might cause the gangway to be inclined at a steeper than normal angle. Most times it isn't an issue and there will be assistance to get you up or down the gangway. The worst I've seen was in Colon with a two story incline but most of the time the gangway is almost level with the pier. At Half Moom Cay you can roll on and off the tenders. They are not the ship's tenders, but larger boats with ramps from the top deck down to the main deck. Rough sea condition could make that a challenge but those tenders are generally able to handle wheelchairs.

[BJane]

Be careful about those "folding cane seats" that were referred to a few posts back. When I was shopping for something to help me on my cruises I went to my local medical supply store that has been in business for many years. They do not recommend this seat and told me that it is too unstable. I have two rollators; one for every day use and one with stronger brakes that I took on cruises as I could control it better on steep gangways.

[NYteacher]

I also want to add something about the ignorance of people and the use of wheelchairs. Because I have had trouble walking long distances, I have recently used a wheelchair at airports and at embarkation.

 

Boarding the Statendam at Canada Place this past August a woman in a suite grew quite angry that they boarded the "needs assistance" people at the same time as the suite passengers. Then, at the ship when I got out of the chair she sarcastically commented to her family "oh, of course, now she can walk."

 

Although I am not usually at a loss for words, I simply could not think of anything appropriate to say.

[startwin]

You need to arrange wheelchair assistance ahead of time, through your TA or direct with HAL, for embarkation, or:

If you rent a wheelchair (or scooter), use one of the providers such as Special Needs at Sea, in Fort Lauderdale you will pick up the wheelchair (or scooter) at the terminal. They have a kiosk there. Very helpful people.

You will get assistance either way, for boarding.

HAL does not have wheelchairs for embarking or disembarking in ports. (They used to have a few, but I understand these are strictly for emergencies now.)

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[itzmered]

I contacted my TA and she is going to set up for the wheelchair assistance. I am going to contact one of the sites listed for renting a chair too. I am trying to figure out what to do about walking on the beach to a lounger with out getting sand in the boot. Think I will have to bring some large bags with to wrap over the boot. That should look comical but I am not giving up sitting on the beach :p

[NMLady]

I have had mobility issues due to a severely arthritic knee on my last couple of cruises. You do not have to prearrange the airport and embarkation wheelchair assistance. You will have to rent one for your on board needs as others have said.

 

It is surprising how long the ship "gets" when mobility becomes an issue.

 

We have always had to pre-arrange for a wheelchair & escort at airports. We do that with the airline when making our reservation. The one time that we forgot to do it, there was no wheelchair & escort available when we got off the plane.

 

Also, for HAL you do have to prearrange wheelchair assistance at embarkation. We didn't know that, so didn't do it, and my husband, who walks with a cane and can't stand for long periods of time, was going to have to wait in a long embarkation line in Seattle. There wasn't even a separate line for those with mobility problems, just for those in wheelchairs/scooters. So I found a seat for him in the terminal and had him wait there until I was at check-in desk. Then he joined me.

 

I would strongly recommend that OP pre-arrange for wheelchair & escort.

[outoftowner]

I fractured my foot a week before a recent trip. We rented a contraption called a knee walker. Saved my sanity...no crutches the whole time. Even used it with the walking cast. Took it on the plane, stores, through airports... You might consider it.

[hpf]

Do they have wheel chairs to use to help get on and off the ship at ports? Or do I have to have my own even for that?

:)

 

When my GD broke her knee she was able to borrow crutches from Blue Cross, and i believe that she also had a wheelchair to be able to get around at school as she couldn't use the stairs. A friend also had borrowed a

wheelchair and that was in Ontario. :)

Helen

[sdschwrt]

 

A wheelchair had to be helped off the ship in a Caribbean port -- and it was QUITE a process -- 2 porters were required to manhandle the passenger and wheelchair across the gangway. I never saw a wheelchair being used at a tender port.

 

IMHO some of the above posts made it seem that getting off the ship in a wheelchair at the port stops isn't that 'big a deal' --- and it certainly looked like a "big deal" when it happens.

 

My wife uses a transport chair with large back wheels and we have gotten off the ship in just about every port (approximately 12 cruises, 90 days). It has never been a big deal. Depending on how steep the gangway is, one or two people guide the chair down, never manhandling. I guess looks can be deceptive! As to tender ports, we have gotten off at many tender ports but more often, we stay on the ship, especially private islands as they hold no interest for us. Have always tendered to Belize where we actually go outside the port fence, find it pleasant to walk around the port even though portions of the sidewalk are difficult to navigate.