FTTF for disabled passengers?

[Need-a-vacation]

I've read a couple comments about people needing to buy FTTF to address the needs of disabled passengers in their party. Do they not provide any accommodation for disabled passengers? It was years ago, but when I cruised with several in my family, including my grandpa with a scooter, they brought him and part of our group (not us unfortunately!!) up to the front and had them board sooner as soon as people were allowed to board. Same with the security screening. They were settled in easily an hour or more before we boarded.

 

Are passengers with disabilities on their own for embarkation and disembarkation?

[okgirl]

I've read a couple comments about people needing to buy FTTF to address the needs of disabled passengers in their party. Do they not provide any accommodation for disabled passengers? It was years ago, but when I cruised with several in my family, including my grandpa with a scooter, they brought him and part of our group (not us unfortunately!!) up to the front and had them board sooner as soon as people were allowed to board. Same with the security screening. They were settled in easily an hour or more before we boarded.

 

Are passengers with disabilities on their own for embarkation and disembarkation?

 

What I've observed lately in both NOLA and Galveston is that the disabled passengers are the last to board after Weddings/Diamond/Platinum and FTTF.

 

If they don't purchase FTTF usually only 1 person can board with the disabled person. If they do purchase FTTF only the people booked in that cabin can check in via the FTTF line and get early cabin access.

[GatorGirl57]

Disabled passengers will be assisted when they arrive if regular boarding has already started, especially if you ask. They will take them with 1-2 other people through all of the lines. The differences with FTTF is it is part of priority boarding with diamond and platinum guests. They will board early and before disabled passengers, unless the disabled passenger also gets FTTF.

[luvtrips]

On our last cruise, out of Long Beach, I had knee problems and was wearing a brace. I went to the customer support desk, bypassed the whole line of general passengers, and they accommodated me right away. I didn't stand in any line at all, and I got right on. The letter I received from Carnival, when I sent them an email to ask for help, stated that I should try to board early, between 10:30 and 11, and that would be the quickest.

It went very well, and an employee even asked if I would like a wheelchair to cross onto the ship. I didn't need it, but I was very well taken care of.

[prattmom]

Don't need fttf. You can get wheelchair assistance and board right after priority.

 

 

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[Need-a-vacation]

I don't need it, I was just a bit dismayed to think that someone would have to buy fttf for a disabled passenger to minimize standing in line. Especially if there is some embarkation snafu like we had in Galveston where we stood in the boarding line for nearly 2 hours.

 

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[crusing_guy]

I agree that people with disabilities and one traveling companion should be allowed to cut the line in you will.......However I was just on the Carnival Dream on the 4/20 sailing and while getting back on the ship in one of the ports was standing in line and a lady using a walker with a back brace on was escorted to the front of the line to board. Her and her husband actually got right in front of us because we were next in line to go through security on the ship. We did not mind at all.....What really bothered me was later that night in the main show theater we saw the same woman trying to find a seat for the show.....She was going up an down the stairs/aisles to find her seat. Her husband was no where near her and believe it or not, she was not using her walker.....

[GatorGirl57]

I don't need it, I was just a bit dismayed to think that someone would have to buy fttf for a disabled passenger to minimize standing in line.

 

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As long as you arrive when regular boarding starts, not priority boarding, you will not wait in line as a handicapped passenger.

[LibbyJanesMommy]

I think it depends on the disabled circumstances... I have a special needs child... We have talked to carnival about the special needs pass and they put us on their list, but we also booked fttf for the availability to get to our room quicker. Walking around for hours with our luggage while dealing with our child's needs just didn't seem like the ideal way to start our vacay..

[prattmom]

I don't need it, I was just a bit dismayed to think that someone would have to buy fttf for a disabled passenger to minimize standing in line. Especially if there is some embarkation snafu like we had in Galveston where we stood in the boarding line for nearly 2 hours.

 

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You shouldn't have to stand in the long line if you let them know you need assistance. You will be escorted through the line quickly and then allowed to sit until boarding begins. You will then board right after priority.

 

 

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[mbet]

Don't need fttf. You can get wheelchair assistance and board right after priority.

 

 

 

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It depends on the disabililty. Many people don't have wheelchairs or other visible signs of a problem, and look healthy enough. But there are medical situations that make it impossible to stand for a long time. We twice booked a suite because of this. FTTF is a tremendous help now, and saves significant $. Thank you, Carnival.

[shredie]

Do disabled people get priority when boarding the tenders, too? Do they need FTTF for that?

[Need-a-vacation]

You shouldn't have to stand in the long line if you let them know you need assistance. You will be escorted through the line quickly and then allowed to sit until boarding begins. You will then board right after priority.

 

 

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And that is exactly what happened in our case. My Grandpa, his cabinmate, and my aunt/uncle that were helping them went straight to the front and boarded as soon as they could. My mom and I who had no special needs besides heat exhaustion got to stand in the line forever. :) Whatever was going on, it was so late when they started boarding anyone that the cabins were ready.

[4104ever]

I agree that people with disabilities and one traveling companion should be allowed to cut the line in you will.......However I was just on the Carnival Dream on the 4/20 sailing and while getting back on the ship in one of the ports was standing in line and a lady using a walker with a back brace on was escorted to the front of the line to board. Her and her husband actually got right in front of us because we were next in line to go through security on the ship. We did not mind at all.....What really bothered me was later that night in the main show theater we saw the same woman trying to find a seat for the show.....She was going up an down the stairs/aisles to find her seat. Her husband was no where near her and believe it or not, she was not using her walker.....

 

 

 

I use a walker but thankfully do not need it for every step I take. For instance I use it on the ship to go to most places. When going to the dining room I will leave it parked at the front because it is too hard to manuvuer through all the tables and chairs. I also walk to the theater with it and park it at the top and then go to a seat . I always talk my walker off the ship because I cannot walk very far without it..keep in mind that we do not know the capabilities of others.

[SadieN]

Do disabled people get priority when boarding the tenders, too? Do they need FTTF for that?

 

 

No priority but they will be taken down the elevator at their appropriate time.

 

Just know that not all can be accommodated on the tenders. Scooters usually aren't allowed. Many times the pax has to be able to walk on and off the tender (with help). To get into most tenders there are steps to negotiate.

 

Princess and HAL have some ships with roll-on tenders.

[SATXLady]

My Mom uses a walker and in the past, we've been able to board early. But, I buy FTTF since it became available so we can go right to the cabin to drop our carry on things off before we go for lunch. Also, we can go back to the cabin after we eat, even if the cabins aren't open yet for general boarding. It's a lot easier on Mom than the massive hoards on the lido deck before the rooms open.

[TerReuv]

I use a walker but thankfully do not need it for every step I take. For instance I use it on the ship to go to most places. When going to the dining room I will leave it parked at the front because it is too hard to manuvuer through all the tables and chairs. I also walk to the theater with it and park it at the top and then go to a seat . I always talk my walker off the ship because I cannot walk very far without it..keep in mind that we do not know the capabilities of others.

 

So glad you said that. My DM has MS and she has some good days and some bad days. She sometimes uses a wheelchair for long distances and sometimes uses her cane and sometimes uses nothing. Just depends on the day. Believe me, she would much rather stand in line and have nothing wrong with her than the limitations MS places on her. For all practical purposes my mother looks like a very young and healthy individual when in actuality she is a 73 year old with MS.

[JeanieTheMom]

I am platinum. My sister is not platinum and did not purchase FTTF, but she used wheelchair assist. We got to the port to check in at NOLA together. My dh and I went straight to our room to drop off stuff. It was ready for us. My sister was pushed down the hall in a wheelchair pushed by a Carnival person. We met them in the hallway when we were leaving the room. So the time for getting on the ship wasn't that different. But their room was not ready. So a disabled person may get on the ship without too much of a wait, but if it's important to get in the cabin right away, I would say either purchase FTTF or wait until late in the day to board.