HARMONY OF THE SEAS - Wheel Chairs, Pools & Suite Sun Deck... ARG! Never again.

[Sam.Seattle]

Hi all,

 

My DW and I are new to her being disabled and I sure have a new appreciation and understanding how challenging travel can be.

 

Our experience at the Airport was excellent both in Seattle and Fort Lauderdale. No problems! Staff meeting us at check in and again when the plane arrives. RCL can learn something here.

 

April 14, 2018 Sailing...

 

We don't usually take the red eye and arrive early at the ship, so this was a new experience. All was going well as took a Uber to ship. Arriving early we needed to wait outside the building. The Handicap seating was being used by able body folks and kids. We did find a bench a little further down. Walking in excess of 30-steps is tough for DW. I found a lady who said to sit tight and she would get a wheel chair. We waited 30-minutes and she came back and said there were no chairs. She asked us to move over to the handicap seating and wait there. The able body mom with the 4-teen aged kids were really put out when I pointed at the handicap sign over the seat and asked them to move. Another RCL port employee looked for a wheel chair and could not find one.

 

An hour or more has passed and the doors were opened so we thought we could give it a try. Well, once in the building, there was no movement and boarding was halted as the ship was still clearing departing passengers. I got lucky and found a folding chair for DW to sit in while we waited in line another 30-minutes until boarding resumed.

 

Now we clear the metal detector and are now at the suite counter checking in. I am asking for a wheel chair again! And, told again sorry we don't have any and that I should go back out to the outside and check with them. REALLY? Okay, just over to left side of the check in are a bunch of wheel chairs that people have reserved. We were refused to even just sit in them for a few minutes to allow my DW some relief.

 

Yes, I did rent a wheel chair for DW which was being delivered directly to our room. I never thought it would be so difficult to have assistance boarding. And, yes our reservation noted we needed assistance.

 

Now we are upstairs in the holding area. DW is in tears and I go on the hunt for a wheelchair. Being D+ and a suite guest provided no special service.... I tell my story to 2-different RCL staff members with no luck. Okay, now I find a man with some stripes on his shoulder and he finds us a wheel chair.

 

Getting off the ship was almost a disaster, but thanks to the concierge escort off the ship, he took care of us.

 

Now for the pools....

 

On the Harmony there is not a single pool with walk in access. And, the Atrium area only has hot tubs. So, if you have limited mobility and cant manage a ladder, choose another ship. No, we did not use the portable chair lift either. DW's pride got in the way.

 

Okay, so we write off the idea of being in Caribbean and using the pool. Next idea, let's head up to the Suite Sun Deck. Day 1 I note there is no elevator. Umm... Day 2 I ask the bar tender on the Suite Pool Deck if there was an elevator. I was told no. Day 3 I am at the Suite Sun Deck without DW. I was bummed and sharing my story about my DW not being able to use the pool and now not having access to the Sun Deck. This time I told there is a service elevator and I just need to find a pool attendant to provide access through the unmarked door and we could use the deck. I shared this with DW and took a wheel chair ride over and she opted out. Too embarrassing and too much trouble.

 

Celebrity... Here we come or maybe the smaller RCL ships which have better pool access, but less suite perks.

 

I do need to end this rant with very positive reviews of the staff on board! We did have a nice pool less cruise.

Edited April 29, 2018 by Sam.Seattle
Added Sailing Date

[Merion_Mom]

I am sorry that you encountered so many difficulties at boarding.

 

I just wanted to comment about the "crew elevator" thing. That's really not uncommon, and is not just for the needs of the differently abled. For example, on Radiance class ships, they have turned the original Seaview Café locations into fee-based restaurants. You must walk across open deck to get there. There are no restrooms right near there. If it is raining, a crew member will escort you via a crew elevator to the deck where there ARE restrooms. Please understand that any stigma is in YOUR mind; sometimes the situation is what the situation is.

[Sam.Seattle]

I am sorry that you encountered so many difficulties at boarding.

 

I just wanted to comment about the "crew elevator" thing. That's really not uncommon, and is not just for the needs of the differently abled. For example, on Radiance class ships, they have turned the original Seaview Café locations into fee-based restaurants. You must walk across open deck to get there. There are no restrooms right near there. If it is raining, a crew member will escort you via a crew elevator to the deck where there ARE restrooms. Please understand that any stigma is in YOUR mind; sometimes the situation is what the situation is.

 

I assume you are an able body person? I am too and it was not till this past cruise that I better understand and feel empathy for our fellow human beings that are not as fortunate as me to be mobile.

 

There are so many little things us able body folks simply don't think about. I had to move the hand sanitizer stand in front of the Suite Lounge and Coastal Kitchen that was in the center of the walk way. The button to open the door could not be operated from the wheel chair because it was too close to the door. The button to exit the lounge is too high for a person in a wheel chair to reach.

 

I am a little offended about your "Stigma comment". It really is not a "Stigma" in MY mind. The ADA act was passed in 1990. The cruise lines have had 28-years to comply if they wanted to. A person with limited mobility should be able to access all public areas without having to find staff to assist.

 

I don't believe the elevator to the suite SUNDECK lounge was ADA compliant either.

 

FROM:

 

https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/buildings-and-sites/about-the-ada-standards/background/adaag#4.10

 

4.10 Elevators.

4.10.1 General. Accessible elevators shall be on an accessible route and shall comply with 4.10 and with the ASME A17.1-1990, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators. Freight elevators shall not be considered as meeting the requirements of this section unless the only elevators provided are used as combination passenger and freight elevators for the public and employees.

4.10.2 Automatic Operation. Elevator operation shall be automatic. Each car shall be equipped with a self-leveling feature that will automatically bring the car to floor landings within a tolerance of 1/2 in (13 mm) under rated loading to zero loading conditions. This self-leveling feature shall be automatic and independent of the operating device and shall correct the overtravel or undertravel.

4.10.3 Hall Call Buttons. Call buttons in elevator lobbies and halls shall be centered at 42 in (1065 mm) above the floor. Such call buttons shall have visual signals to indicate when each call is registered and when each call is answered. Call buttons shall be a minimum of 3/4 in (19 mm) in the smallest dimension. The button designating the up direction shall be on top. (See Fig. 20.) Buttons shall be raised or flush. Objects mounted beneath hall call buttons shall not project into the elevator lobby more than 4 in (100 mm).

[Merion_Mom]

I assume you are an able body person? I am too and it was not till this past cruise that I better understand and feel empathy for our fellow human beings that are not as fortunate as me to be mobile.

 

There are so many little things us able body folks simply don't think about. I had to move the hand sanitizer stand in front of the Suite Lounge and Coastal Kitchen that was in the center of the walk way. The button to open the door could not be operated from the wheel chair because it was too close to the door. The button to exit the lounge is too high for a person in a wheel chair to reach.

 

I am a little offended about your "Stigma comment". It really is not a "Stigma" in MY mind. The ADA act was passed in 1990. The cruise lines have had 28-years to comply if they wanted to. A person with limited mobility should be able to access all public areas without having to find staff to assist.

 

I don't believe the elevator to the suite lounge was ADA compliant either.

 

FROM:

 

https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/buildings-and-sites/about-the-ada-standards/background/adaag#4.10

 

4.10 Elevators.

4.10.1 General. Accessible elevators shall be on an accessible route and shall comply with 4.10 and with the ASME A17.1-1990, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators. Freight elevators shall not be considered as meeting the requirements of this section unless the only elevators provided are used as combination passenger and freight elevators for the public and employees.

4.10.2 Automatic Operation. Elevator operation shall be automatic. Each car shall be equipped with a self-leveling feature that will automatically bring the car to floor landings within a tolerance of 1/2 in (13 mm) under rated loading to zero loading conditions. This self-leveling feature shall be automatic and independent of the operating device and shall correct the overtravel or undertravel.

4.10.3 Hall Call Buttons. Call buttons in elevator lobbies and halls shall be centered at 42 in (1065 mm) above the floor. Such call buttons shall have visual signals to indicate when each call is registered and when each call is answered. Call buttons shall be a minimum of 3/4 in (19 mm) in the smallest dimension. The button designating the up direction shall be on top. (See Fig. 20.) Buttons shall be raised or flush. Objects mounted beneath hall call buttons shall not project into the elevator lobby more than 4 in (100 mm).

 

Sam, my intent was not to offend, and I debated whether to use the word "stigma", but my explanation remains the same. I and others in my party (and I assume lots of other people over time) use the crew elevator in the situation I described. It's not a punishment, it's just the way it is. There are no restrooms on that part of the pool deck. It doesn't matter how mobile or not mobile you are. That's my meaning. Sometimes you have to see that there are compromises in life.

 

I was not addressing any other obstacles that the two of you encountered.

[Sam.Seattle]

Sam, my intent was not to offend, and I debated whether to use the word "stigma", but my explanation remains the same. I and others in my party (and I assume lots of other people over time) use the crew elevator in the situation I described. It's not a punishment, it's just the way it is. There are no restrooms on that part of the pool deck. It doesn't matter how mobile or not mobile you are. That's my meaning. Sometimes you have to see that there are compromises in life.

 

I was not addressing any other obstacles that the two of you encountered.

 

 

:):)Thanks for the clarification.

[Rjh8842]

It seems to me that your vacation would have been better if you had done research before hand. You could have found out about the pool, hot tub, and elevator before cruising. As someone that plans vacations for someone wheelchair bound I can not imagine starting my vacation without first knowing what will be inaccessible. Maybe consider this a lesson learned and be more prepared next time.

[Cruise a holic]

Sorry you had so many obstacles to endure. Unfortunately the ships aren’t registered in the US so perhaps the ada criteria doesn’t apply. I agree with other poster that in the future ask a question on cruise critic as to which ships are handicapped compliant

[Sam.Seattle]

Sorry you had so many obstacles to endure. Unfortunately the ships aren’t registered in the US so perhaps the ada criteria doesn’t apply. I agree with other poster that in the future ask a question on cruise critic as to which ships are handicapped compliant

 

I did.....

 

I called and was assured that a wheel chair could be obtained easily at the Handicap stop in front of the terminal. Well, that did not work out. Shame....

 

Look at my posting history and you will see where I did inquire about the Sundeck and the pools. No one really provided a complete answer. Yea, I probably know the pool situation would be a challenge, but not as severe as it was. After being on the Oasis and Allure, I kind of expected a similar experience. Shame on me....

 

My reason for posting is to share with others and not really to be lectured or hear back from the Monday Morning Quarterbacks.

[Nanarrow]

I can see the frustration in your words, and I am sorry that you had trouble.

I know the feeling your wife dealt with- as I felt it as a 24 year old when I broke my back in a riding accident. I had a several year recovery,and although I became very ambulatory-to a degree you would never know I have limitations —now that I am older the injury is reering it’s ugly head. Traveling with limitations is tough, but gets easier! Tell her to learn not to feel embarrassed, or like she’s a bother, we ALL need help at some time in our lives. This is her time.

 

Your post is an important one, because it will help others. especially the part about the suite deck and elevator.

 

Your travels will get easier the more you do them. Don’t give up on RCI/ remember yiuvare your wife’s advocate. Find the issues, work around them, get them fixed (find the guy with the stripes!)

 

Blessings to you both.

[SarcasmSpasm]

Thank you for sharing your experience.

 

I cannot imagine how frustrating that must have been for you and your wife. It's a shame that these massive, innovative ships aren't designed with more thought for those who may need wheelchair assistance. I'm upset FOR you.

[reallyitsmema]

Sorry you had such a hard time boarding. I had family on that Harmony sailing and disembarking from the prior cruise and boarding of your cruise was delayed because of a problem with one of the gangways. That terminal is awesome when both gangways are working, not so much when they can only use one.

 

As far as traveling with your DW, you might want to consider purchasing a transport chair or a wheelchair for your DW. I know it is hard to accept at first, but it will make both of your lives less stressful as she will be comfortable and you won't be stressing over her safety. My family member did not want to travel this way at first, but found it was so much easier and less tiring for all involved in the long run.:)

[DaniDanielle]

A roll call friend needed a wheelchair on checkin and was helped right away, from checkin onto ship. Sometimes you have to, unfortunately, ask about ten people before someone helps you.

 

 

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[textbookcase]

Everything you experienced is appalling. It sounds like you had issues everywhere you went. I must have a bigger mouth than you because by Day 2, I would have asked to speak with the Hotel Director. You have every right to be upset.

[CatLadyFemme]

I also had a heck of a time as a disabled person trying to board Enchantment out of Miami in February. Waited almost on hour to get a chair, no luck. Finally just walked on and then took a bunch of apin management meds. Disembarkation, I opted to wait for a chair. Despite filling out the special needs forms when I booked and confirming 45 days out, they were missing my name...and about 24 others. It took 3 hours to get a chair to get off.

 

I also had only been on RCCL ships with walk in pools previously, and was heartbroken to find that none of them had that option. Moreover, the tenders at CocoCay ONLY had stairs up or down. I was told if I wanted to go to the island, I had to do steep stairs, which are excruciating for me.

 

Royal has been SO good about disability stuff for me in the past, I was shocked, and had my fair share of tears. So much empathy for your wife, and thank you for showing such good allyship as a non-disabled person. My partner has learned a lot from being together over the past decade, not realizing how ableist a lot of things are until I am physically unable to get places, or am doubled over in pain.

 

I have a PhD and my focus is ableism. There is absolutely still incredible rates of stigma facing our community, and as disabled person being told that you see stigma where it isn't (and it truly is there) is microaggressive. I hope Royal does better in the future; we have 3 cruises booked, but am willing to cancel the latter two if our Explorer trip turns out to be similarly inaccessible (and yes, I already sent in my forms twice and checked out the pool situation).

 

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[Big_G]

Sorry you faced those issues Sam and thanks for posting.

[SamTimeDining]

I don't believe the elevator to the suite SUNDECK lounge was ADA compliant either.

 

It's often forgotten than ADA means very little here as the ship is not American flagged.

[maria1122]

Sorry you had such problems. You have to reserve a wheel chair in advance before boarding. Just email special needs and one will be waiting for you. The sun deck....At the back of the seaplex is an elevator. No need to get anyone special you run it yourself. There is then a door which is operated with your room key to enter the sun deck. I am also disabled and have sailed on the Anthem 19 times because it is such a disabled friendly ship. Always plan ahead with “Special Needs” and there will be no problems. Good luck on your next cruise

[Buckeyefan1985]

Just to clarify maria1122 about reserving a wheelchair from RCL special needs. I travel with my 80 year old mother that has physical limitations. I have requested various items through special needs. One thing I didn’t know about was requesting a wheelchair for her use while aboard the ship. Is the wheelchair for her to use the entire cruise? Can we keep it in the cabin?

 

 

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[psupa]

Hi all,

 

My DW and I are new to her being disabled and I sure have a new appreciation and understanding how challenging travel can be.

 

Our experience at the Airport was excellent both in Seattle and Fort Lauderdale. No problems! Staff meeting us at check in and again when the plane arrives. RCL can learn something here.

 

April 14, 2018 Sailing...

 

We don't usually take the red eye and arrive early at the ship, so this was a new experience. All was going well as took a Uber to ship. Arriving early we needed to wait outside the building. The Handicap seating was being used by able body folks and kids. We did find a bench a little further down. Walking in excess of 30-steps is tough for DW. I found a lady who said to sit tight and she would get a wheel chair. We waited 30-minutes and she came back and said there were no chairs. She asked us to move over to the handicap seating and wait there. The able body mom with the 4-teen aged kids were really put out when I pointed at the handicap sign over the seat and asked them to move. Another RCL port employee looked for a wheel chair and could not find one.

 

An hour or more has passed and the doors were opened so we thought we could give it a try. Well, once in the building, there was no movement and boarding was halted as the ship was still clearing departing passengers. I got lucky and found a folding chair for DW to sit in while we waited in line another 30-minutes until boarding resumed.

 

Yes, I did rent a wheel chair for DW which was being delivered directly to our room. I never thought it would be so difficult to have assistance boarding. And, yes our reservation noted we needed assistance.

 

Getting off the ship was almost a disaster, but thanks to the concierge escort off the ship, he took care of us.

 

I do need to end this rant with very positive reviews of the staff on board! We did have a nice pool less cruise.

 

So sorry you had all these issues and we feel your pain. My husband has very limited mobility and for that reason we don't fly and only cruise from New Jersey, New York or Baltimore. We have a rollator walker with a seat and it works very well when there are long lines and he can sit. I am surprised there were no wheelchairs available. Usually there is an area to wait for wheelchair assistance onto the ship. As for debarkation we have experienced long waiting times upwards of 2 hours depending on how many people require wheelchair assistance off the ship. I don't know your wife's limitations but you can also rent a scooter. Maybe a transporter wheelchair would work for you and it folds very easy.

[setsail]

Just to clarify maria1122 about reserving a wheelchair from RCL special needs. I travel with my 80 year old mother that has physical limitations. I have requested various items through special needs. One thing I didn’t know about was requesting a wheelchair for her use while aboard the ship. Is the wheelchair for her to use the entire cruise? Can we keep it in the cabin?

 

 

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https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/wheelchair-motor-vehicle-guest-assistance

[Sam.Seattle]

Just to clarify maria1122 about reserving a wheelchair from RCL special needs. I travel with my 80 year old mother that has physical limitations. I have requested various items through special needs. One thing I didn’t know about was requesting a wheelchair for her use while aboard the ship. Is the wheelchair for her to use the entire cruise? Can we keep it in the cabin?

 

 

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The wheel chair we had on the ship was rented from "scootaround". $110.00 for the week and the chair was waiting for us in our cabin.

 

https://www.scootaround.com/mobility-rentals/book-a-rental/rent-online

[molsonschooner]

Sorry to hear about your struggles. I am wondering what time you were at the pier to embark. Last year we cruised on Harmony. Got to the pier just before 11. I had contacted special needs as my DW has mobility issues, can't walk very far, can't stand very long, so I requested assistance for her during the boarding process. We were told where to go to get assistance. Once we found the place we were told to sit for a couple minutes while they got a wheel chair. Waited about 5 minutes then some one came and started getting us through the process. We were on board about the same time as star class passengers(DS and his family were in a star class suite and we got on as they were being escorted on by their genie). To disembark, I went to GS to request early assistance and also told them that we needed to get off as early as possible. She gave me luggage tags #1, told what time to be at the On Air Club. We were taken off the ship where, the person assisting us got a porter for us who got us through customs and outside. From the time we left On Air to being outside it took about 10 minutes. So, we had excellent assistance getting on and off the ship. Did you make arrangements in advance or did you just show up hoping someone would be there ready to help.

[toyman55]

Sorry you had so many obstacles to endure. Unfortunately the ships aren’t registered in the US so perhaps the ada criteria doesn’t apply. I agree with other poster that in the future ask a question on cruise critic as to which ships are handicapped compliant

 

Minimum wage doesn't apply so I would imagine most of the other US laws don't necessarily apply either. Most cruise ships are registered in other countries, however one ship is registered in the US and that is NCL's Pride of America.

[STEVE-O]

The wheel chair we had on the ship was rented from "scootaround". $110.00 for the week and the chair was waiting for us in our cabin.

 

https://www.scootaround.com/mobility-rentals/book-a-rental/rent-online

FWIW: Wal-Mart sells manual wheelchairs for around $100. 2nd hand stores usually have them for less. US airlines will gate-check them for no charge. Better option than renting

[maria1122]

Sorry you had such problems. You have to reserve a wheel chair in advance before boarding. Just email special needs and one will be waiting for you. The sun deck....At the back of the seaplex is an elevator. No need to get anyone special you run it yourself. There is then a door which is operated with your room key to enter the sun deck. I am also disabled and have sailed on the Anthem 19 times because it is such a disabled friendly ship. Always plan ahead with “Special Needs” and there will be no problems. Good luck on your next cruise

 

No they are not for use for the whole cruise, they will meet you before checking in and bring you anywhere you want to go. However I have seen people being pushed in them during the cruise so they may have an arrangement where you do get to use them for the whole cruise. You would have to check with special needs. I had injured a knee while on a tour and I was allowed to keep it until the end of the cruise.