Breakaway handicapped disembark

[Synchronaut]

Hi,

My DH has recently become semi disabled. He can stand for only a short time, but he can walk with his cane for medium distances. I have arranged with NCL to have a wheelchair to take him from the car to the ship (just on the dock) upon embarkation, and also for disembarking, again just on the dock. He does not want a wheelchair on the ship.

Our question is: When do the disabled disembark the ship? Before everyone or after? We're concerned because he needs to sit while waiting.

Thank you for your help!

[ncc1701]

My DH has similar mobility issues and we have sailed on both the Breakaway and Gem. I would highly suggest renting a scooter from Special Needs at Sea. The Breakaway is a very big ship and it is difficult to get from one end to the other with walking issues. The only problem is that you need an accessible cabin to accomodate the scooter.

 

As far as disembarking - people choose when they wish to get off - they select the color tags the day before. There is an accessibility desk on the ship - contact guest relations and let them know that you need wheelchair assisted disembarkation. There is a lounge set aside for this - wait there (lounge has seats) and you will be escorted off the ship first come first serve.

 

With embarkation - we didn't get the wheelchair from the car to the ship. On the Breakaway, we were dropped off by taxi and walked to the elevator. Then we waited in an area set aside for assisted embarkation and were escorted to the ship. Once you get the chair, it is fast because you skip the lines and go to check in immediately. We rented a scooter which was in our cabin.

 

On the Gem, DH knew he couldnt make it to the elevator etc. so we took a wheelchair from home, wheeled him to the elevator and to the accessible waiting area. There, we got someone from the ship to wheel him in our chair to the ship. We also rented a scooter so he could be more independent. It was in our cabin.

 

Good luck. Enjoy your cruise!

[mking8288]

OP, do you have the assigned cabin and is it an accessible cabin? Have you contacted NCL Special Needs Desk (toll-free # on their website) ahead of sailing, if not already.

 

Depending on your stateroom location, access via the (approved rental) motorized scooter onboard can be a challenge, as some of the corridors and passage in the hallways can be rather narrow, with the crew/steward's service carts, etc. in the area while they are working, especially morning around breakfast time & evenings during the turndown service.

 

Allow plenty of time to disembark especially with the mega ship, search here on CC and you will find a # of not-so-nice experience from others with mobility issues with promised assistance, recently. Turnaround days are always hectic for passengers and crews alike, and resources are sometimes over-stretched. If you don't need to rush off the ship to get home, relax & enjoy - passengers with special mobility needs CAN begin to disembark after the Express Self Walkoff (with all their own luggages in tow) and when color-coded luggage tags are called ... in other words, when the masses are now rushing to get off the ship.

 

Generally speaking, this is starting around 8 to 8:30 AM, sometimes later but many factors at play (ship arrived early or late docking due to fog/weather or issues on the pier/terminal, etc.) Passengers are asked to vacate their staterooms by 8:30 AM for the crew to clean & prepare for new passengers ... sit/wait in the designated area (as above) and/or one of the public area, i.e. near the casinos, relax & let/watch the mass exodus get underway.

 

We have priority disembarkation and have seen crew members escorting or help taking passengers onto the gangways (2 of them used, FWD & AFT - via deck 7) about the same time. If you don't mind, sit and wait till past 9 or 9:30 AM and you should find it easier to get help getting off the ship - you don't need to be the last group off at 10 AM, but it will just be more relaxing and as the morning progress - more and more seating will be available everywhere in the public area, elevators would be less crowded (i.e. if you wait upstairs in the buffet/open deck - weather permitting)

 

Sit-down breakfast is served in the MDR's (Savor & Taste) till 8:30 or 9 AM on that morning (deck 6) - enjoy and take your time, and by the time you are finished, there will be plenty of chairs & sofa just outside the dining area to "hang out" and wait - then, make your way one deck up to #7 - and find the gangway. Odds of finding a crew member available with a wheelchair, in case DH changed his mind & needed to use one, would/should be easier & better with the crowds beginning to thin out - assuming ship is on time & running things on schedule. If NCL special needs desk have specific instructions, keep the email and details handy, and stay flexible on your timing.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Hi,

My DH has recently become semi disabled. He can stand for only a short time, but he can walk with his cane for medium distances. I have arranged with NCL to have a wheelchair to take him from the car to the ship (just on the dock) upon embarkation, and also for disembarking, again just on the dock. He does not want a wheelchair on the ship.

Our question is: When do the disabled disembark the ship? Before everyone or after? We're concerned because he needs to sit while waiting.

Thank you for your help!

 

I have taken a wheelchair off the ship. If it's the breakaway all u need to do is go to the theater there will be someone there with a clipboard. Give her your name and u will be called when a wheelchair is available and usher to tske u off. Easy breezy.

[Synchronaut]

Thank you so much for the information. We have been on the BA before and saw the entertainments (which we enjoyed). Now we are booked in a balcony cabin very near the elevators and we kind of like to eat in the buffet, so we're good.

Again, thank you.

[Synchronaut]

Great information, thank you. Yes, we have been in touch with the special needs desk and they told me to immediately go to Guest Services and ask them when we will disembark so I can call our car service to tell them a time. Sounds good, but as you mentioned lots of variables are possible.

I might be overthinking the whole thing :-).