Embarkation Tampa on Oosterdam

[mrscopper]

First let me say we love the Oosterdam. This was our third trip on her. Other trips have been out of Ft. Lauderdale. Our problem was with embarkation in Tampa. I am an oxygen user and cannot walk very far. When we arrived at port we could not get wheelchair to get us up to check-in, even though we were signed up to receive assistance. My daughter and husband finally got me up to the beginning of line to inside of Port building. We waited 1 hour for wheelchair, then escorted to waiting area to check-in and waited another hour. They only had two workers checking in people. I was told they could not bring wheelchairs down to street level, that did not make sense since, we had no difficulty with debarcation. They took us right to downstairs curb. Explain to me HAL.

[raindropsalways]

After a problem with that “terminal”, I would not be so ready to blame the problem on Hal. In our case, the passenger elevator was broke and we all had to use a freight elevator. There was a delay in accessing the freight elevator and all the handicap waited mostly outside. Ruth and I had our own scooters and I toted my POC, thus we did not have the struggles you experienced. Regardless, I did notice others on foot that appeared to be struggling. I'm sure it was a challenge for them.

Betty

[ProfessorEFFE]

mrscopper,

 

I don't think it's HAL I think it's Tampa. We took 2 cruises from Tampa and the ships were docked @ both the RCCL mooring and the HAL mooring. Both times at either terminal it was as disorganized as duck race in mud in June in the rain. It seems as if the folks in charge of the buildings haven't a clue. I am not so sure the cruise lines have too much choice here. It's possible there are some rules that if you are debarking it's ok to wheel you to the outside but If you're outside you can't. There are some crazy rules. So Unfortunately for those kinds of issues I think you need to rent a Wheel Chair and go on your own. :(

[ozscotart]

I was really interested to read this thread, we embarked Oosterdam in November in Tampa, we had been on her before and loved our previous cruise. On this one, our first from a US port, we waited a very long time in the sun before getting through security, with no assistance at all from Hal. The port officials appeared completely unprepared for this. I hadn't booked assistance as on all our previous cruises, mainly in Europe, there had never been any kind of problem, there are always seats inside and you can wait until boarding dies down a bit. I was somewhat affected by the heat and stress, but others appeared to be in a worse state. it took us over an hour in the queue to get inside the terminal (I didn't queue, I sat on the ground next to a seat, in the shade, as there was no alternative) , we waited another 40 minutes or so inside the terminal until I felt up to boarding. I heard that some people fainted, there were certainly some older ladies struggling to board with no assistance at all from Hal staff. A really poor situation. When we got to our cabin finally we were harangued by our steward immediately to go to the boat drill. DH is refusing to sail again with Hal or from Tampa.

Anyway, we are booked again from Miami on the Norwegian Jade for later this year, I am wondering if I should book assistance and /or bring a chair (I could hire one I guess) ??

Thanks for your help.

 

 

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[raindropsalways]

I was really interested to read this thread, we embarked Oosterdam in November in Tampa, we had been on her before and loved our previous cruise. On this one, our first from a US port, we waited a very long time in the sun before getting through security, with no assistance at all from Hal. The port officials appeared completely unprepared for this. I hadn't booked assistance as on all our previous cruises, mainly in Europe, there had never been any kind of problem, there are always seats inside and you can wait until boarding dies down a bit. I was somewhat affected by the heat and stress, but others appeared to be in a worse state. it took us over an hour in the queue to get inside the terminal (I didn't queue, I sat on the ground next to a seat, in the shade, as there was no alternative) , we waited another 40 minutes or so inside the terminal until I felt up to boarding. I heard that some people fainted, there were certainly some older ladies struggling to board with no assistance at all from Hal staff. A really poor situation. When we got to our cabin finally we were harangued by our steward immediately to go to the boat drill. DH is refusing to sail again with Hal or from Tampa.

Anyway, we are booked again from Miami on the Norwegian Jade for later this year, I am wondering if I should book assistance and /or bring a chair (I could hire one I guess) ??

Thanks for your help.

 

 

 

First ofall, I have my own scooter, thus do not know exactly what accommodations are available for those seeking assistance. At Terminal B (NCL's in Miami), last month I got there before the doors opened, along with a number of other people. Those of us on scooters, plus the “elite” were admitted in the terminal before it officially opened. A man came up and mentioned that his wife needed assistance and they (the man and his wife) were also admitted immediately. I would highly recommend that you do advise the cruiseline in advance that you require assistance.

 

To my knowledge, Tampa terminal has never been handicap friendly. Does not matter which cruise line you are sailing on.

 

Have a wonderful cruise.

Betty

[ozscotart]

Betty thanks very much for your reply, very reassuring.

 

 

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