Wheelchair assistance at Red Hook

[calikak]

My family and I will be sailing from Red Hook in August and I'm wondering about whether wheelchair assistance is available. I have incurable cancer, and standing for long periods of time is hard for me due to fatigue from my treatments. I'll be able to handle walking around the ship, since I can rest as needed, but long lines at check in would be difficult for me. Is wheelchair assistance something I need to arrange in advance, or is it readily available at the pier?

[david,Mississauga]

My family and I will be sailing from Red Hook in August and I'm wondering about whether wheelchair assistance is available. I have incurable cancer, and standing for long periods of time is hard for me due to fatigue from my treatments. I'll be able to handle walking around the ship, since I can rest as needed, but long lines at check in would be difficult for me. Is wheelchair assistance something I need to arrange in advance, or is it readily available at the pier?

 

It should be booked in advance to ensure you won' t be waiting for an attendant and chair. The people I have spoken with who needed assistance requested it in advance. I am not saying you won't get the required assistance without requesting it in advance, but there could be a delay if the available staff and chairs are assisting those who requested it.

 

Assistance is also provided at disembarkation, of course. I have seen quite a few shore staff with wheelchairs gather near the Chart Room after docking at Southampton.

[jimmybean]

Hi Beth,

 

Good for you taking this voyage. Have a lovely time with your family on the ship. You all will have a wonderful time together.

 

Jimmybean

[Underwatr]

We were offered wheelchair assistance immediately upon arrival but the guy caught a bit of heat from a supervisor for not waiting to be assigned to someone who possibly had arranged for a wheelchair in advance.

[eatsallinsects]

When my daughter, son and I (with a cane) came in the door at Red Hook last October, a man immediately came over to us with a wheelchair and offered help.

We accepted and he "loaded" me up and the 4 of us went to use the elevator to the upstairs area.

My daughter and I are Diamond, which may have helped but we were through the check-in line in record time and he took us all the way to our cabin.

He had a wonderful personality and he was tipped generously for his help.

My cane had disappeared in the confusion but another staff member returned it to me a day later after I reported the missing cane to the purser's desk.

Love Cunard!

Edited April 25, 2016 by eatsallinsects
title with incorrect spelling

[eatsallinsects]

When my daughter, son and I (with a cane) came in the door at Red Hook last October, a man immediately came over to us with a wheelchair and offered help.

We accepted and he "loaded" me up and the 4 of us went to use the elevator to the upstairs area.

My daughter and I are Diamond, which may have helped but we were through the check-in line in record time and he took us all the way to our cabin.

He had a wonderful personality and he was tipped generously for his help.

My cane had disappeared in the confusion but another staff member returned it to me a day later after I reported the missing cane to the purser's desk.

Love Cunard!

[Salacia]

Please see https://ask.cunard.com/help/cunard/before-you-sail/Emergency_Assistance_Disabled