Wheelchair Embarking/disembarking Question

[Drama(mine) Queen]

I know RCL offers wheelchair assistance boarding and leaving the ship (EOS - Bayonne) for the disabled. Is it necessary to make arrangements with RCI in advance? Where does the wheelchair assistance begin and cease? Are any fees/gratuities involved (if so, how much)?

 

Thanks,

Gloria

[Guest maddycat]

I know RCL offers wheelchair assistance boarding and leaving the ship (EOS - Bayonne) for the disabled. Is it necessary to make arrangements with RCI in advance? Where does the wheelchair assistance begin and cease? Are any fees/gratuities involved (if so, how much)?

 

Thanks,

Gloria

 

You should contact RCI's special needs department. I don't think that there are any fees involved, but I would definitely tip whoever assists you. You might want to read/post on the cruise critic disabled cruise travel board. The link is below.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=190

Edited September 22, 2014 by maddycat

[kassimer1]

you dont have to call ahead, right after you sign in they have an area for you to sit in until another wheelchair is available and then they will wisk you onto the ship. as soon as you are on they drop you off. if you think you may need a chair during your cruise you will have to rent one to be deliviered before the cruise starts, there are a few companies like special needs at sea and care vacations. Once on the ship royal will not let you use the wheelchair. ( unless you like break your leg during the cruise)

[karen s]

I sailed with my 91 yr old grandmother last October on Brilliance out of Boston. I prearranged with Special Needs for assistance for embarkation. She rented the wheelchair from home so that she would have it throughout the trip and airport travels. Since it was "ours" she could use it onboard throughout the cruise. We were also able to have a bath chair delivered to the room prior to arrival through the Special Needs department. There is no additional fee for any special needs requirements that we ever encountered.

 

RCI is very accommodating -- they had a team of folks at embarkation and debarkation waiting to assist, I'm sure whether you made pre-arrangements or not. We tipped them each time. Your tip amount is totally up to you.

 

As far as when...when going up down the gangways...other than that, we could handle it on our own. But they were ready to assist as long as we needed.

 

Have a fantastic cruise!!

Edited September 22, 2014 by karen s

[Mouse's Shadow]

My son is in a wheelchair. We travel with boxes and boxes of enteral supplies and other medical supplies. Contact RCI's Special Needs Dept. They were wonderful in helping us get everything on the ship. They can't help with transfers in and out of the chair, but they were great at making our embarkation a breeze. Have a great cruise.