Which cruise line better for disabled travellers- Celebrity or Royal Carib? Oceania R ships OK?

[Petoonya]

I'm a regular on Oceania and particularly like their R ships (the 650 passenger ones) but I'm not disabled. I have recommended these ships to a patient of mine who struggles with a cane and will definitely need a scooter. Since I've always seen so many scooters onboard O's R ships, I've just assumed they are disabled friendly. NOT!

 

My O board says definitely not. Since they are 20+ years these ships weren't designed for disabled needs. Cabins too small, thresholds too wide. Nor is the staff much help on a cruise line that is divine on service. This man moves very slowly and according to his wife this was true even before his stroke- he will need lots of patience and help boarding a tender.

 

The gentleman had a severe stroke 6 months ago and still struggles with a cane. He may well improve considerably by August when the cruise departs but that's an unknown. They are first in line for a waitlist on an Iberian peninsula cruise. More likely than not they will clear the waitlist.

 

They do not like large ships but finding one that has a capacity of under 1000 passengers and that does the Iberian Peninsula is rough. Found two of them- one on Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas, and one on Celebrity Infinity. Unfortunately they are looking for the demographic, activities and quiet that O is known for. But do you think RCI and Celebrity might be a better fit for them? They won't get a handicapped cabin on O but might on Royal Carib or Celebrity. How is the service on each line for disabled passengers?

 

Anyone with experience on Royal Caribbean Jewel or Celebrity Infinity? BTW, my TA who is an Oceania specialist (been selling them since they were Renaissance) says she thinks the smaller O ships will be fine.

 

Nancy

 

 

Edited December 24, 2019 by Petoonya

[Algebralovr]

You might want to ask on the Celebrity board about the Infinity, and if anyone with mobility issues can chime in.

While a larger ship, the S-Class ships are VERY accessible.  

[Petoonya]

51 minutes ago, Algebralovr said:

You might want to ask on the Celebrity board about the Infinity, and if anyone with mobility issues can chime in.

While a larger ship, the S-Class ships are VERY accessible.  

Thanks Algebralovr- I'll do that.

[spookwife]

Celebrity is the quieter more refined option.  On board  the two lines are more alike than not WRT accessibility 

[JSR]

I am a paraplegic and have traveled extensively on Celebrity and RCCL. They are both owned by parent company RCI. They both have a can do attitude towards disabled passengers and go out of there way to make things work for them. You can not go wrong with either one. 

i would go with the Infinity. 

[Petoonya]

19 hours ago, JSR said:

i would go with the Infinity. 

Thanks very much.

While I recommended Oceania Sirena because I like prefer O to Celebrity,  just assumed Oceania would be better based on their tastes. But may have to present Infinity as an option to them and let them decide. Your experience helps a lot! Thanks.

[Algebralovr]

I would imagine that a longer trip on a Celebrity ship would be Ok.  I would skip any of the 7 night cruises that will likely have many children.  We took a Celebrity cruise that was 7 nights in the Med a few years ago and had over 700 children on board.  I never see many children on 10-14 night cruises anywhere.  
 

The Celebrity M class ships are not as accessible as the S class ships are, but the S class ships are a little bit larger.  I had no issues at all on a S class ship in a wheelchair.  I’ve not been on a M class in a WC yet though.  

[kitty9]

Petoonya, I read your posts on Oceania, but I wanted to give you an idea for your friend.  I cruised for the first time to the Med on Oceania, and I know from experience that their shore excursions are NOT disabled friendly.  Actually, I've not found any cruise line that has truly accessible tours, with the exception of Crystal, who tries everything to get their tours to accommodate the disabled.

 

I found a company that will provide cruises and tours for the disabled, and they do a really great job.  They book entire cruises on ships that they feel are the best, accessible-wise. I'm using them again when we cruise the North Cape.  They will also find you transportation to and from airports and they will book hotels that are totally accessible.  The owner of the company is paraplegic and has developed these tours by himself.  They are called Sage Tours and they are on the internet.  

 

I see that your friends are interested in Iberia, and I just wanted to let you know that the BEST accessible taxis and tours are in Barcelona.  Their accessible taxis and vans are clean, safe and very accommodating.

[JSR]

Just a follow up on the Infinity. We cruise Celebrity a lot and rarely find  many children. That being said children are not a bother for us though I recognize that they are for others. If they want a cruise within a cruise I suggest they book an accessible sky suite which will give them a suite only dinning room and a suite only bar.  You might even consider one of the luxury lines newer ships, and an accessible cabin. 

 

Accessible tours can not be discovered in many places. The more portable the mobility device the more options, ie a folding wheelchair is easy to fold into a trunk whereas a power chair requires an accessible van.   European cities like Barcelona that hosted the Olympics and Paraolympics will have greater built in accessibility,. 

 

[Splinter]

Check out HAL too. Crystal is great, but has very few accessible cabins on each of their two ships.

[urlaub]

On 12/24/2019 at 10:15 PM, Petoonya said:

I'm a regular on Oceania and particularly like their R ships (the 650 passenger ones) but I'm not disabled. I have recommended these ships to a patient of mine who struggles with a cane and will definitely need a scooter. Since I've always seen so many scooters onboard O's R ships, I've just assumed they are disabled friendly. NOT!

 

My O board says definitely not. Since they are 20+ years these ships weren't designed for disabled needs. Cabins too small, thresholds too wide. Nor is the staff much help on a cruise line that is divine on service. This man moves very slowly and according to his wife this was true even before his stroke- he will need lots of patience and help boarding a tender.

 

The gentleman had a severe stroke 6 months ago and still struggles with a cane. He may well improve considerably by August when the cruise departs but that's an unknown. They are first in line for a waitlist on an Iberian peninsula cruise. More likely than not they will clear the waitlist.

 

They do not like large ships but finding one that has a capacity of under 1000 passengers and that does the Iberian Peninsula is rough. Found two of them- one on Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas, and one on Celebrity Infinity. Unfortunately they are looking for the demographic, activities and quiet that O is known for. But do you think RCI and Celebrity might be a better fit for them? They won't get a handicapped cabin on O but might on Royal Carib or Celebrity. How is the service on each line for disabled passengers?

 

Anyone with experience on Royal Caribbean Jewel or Celebrity Infinity? BTW, my TA who is an Oceania specialist (been selling them since they were Renaissance) says she thinks the smaller O ships will be fine.

 

Nancy

 

 

Hello Nancy,

I don't know if the question is still open.

I know each of this cruise lines ( more than 40 cruises). My husband is paraplegic and confined in a wheelchair.

You cannot compare RCCL and Celebrity with the small R Ships of Oceania. Not only the size but also service and food.

The Oceania small ships  offer only accessible inside cabins. Only Sirena has 2 outside. But no balconies.

If you try Oceania you have also the option for the 2 O ships ( Marina and Riviera) They are bigger ( 1250 passengers about) , newer, so they have also balcony cabins. The doors to the outside decks are mostly automatic, not so on the small ships. 

Remember also that the Jewel is older. Infinity has about 2000 passengers. It is very noisy and on seadays also hard to find a table for breakfast or dinner at the buffet restaurant. Oceania normally has enough space. If you like to have assistance with carrying plates from the buffet there are always waiter who will assist you with a smile. On the Celebrity and RCCL it is hard to find this assistance because everything is crowded.

The rooms on the bigger and newer ships are also bigger than on the smaller Oceania ships.

I think it is also a question of the costs. Normally Oceania is more expensive.

 

I would recommend Oceanias Riviera and Marina as the most comfortable ships for handicapped persons. They have a lot to do on board. The cabins and their bathrooms are really good for a wheelchair. There service is really nice and will know you after the first days. They also know the best tables in the Grand Dining rooms.

 

If you need more information let me know

 

Gaby

 

 

[Petoonya]

Thanks Gaby,

Unfortunately the wife of the gentleman in question booked an Azamara ship which as you know is essentially R ship. Not only is it not a good match for him but he seems to be getting weaker and less able even with a cane. Too proud for a walker. I'm a regular on the R ships and see how difficult it is for disabled passengers in wheelchairs to board and disembark. Fortunately it is an Iberian peninsula cruise and there are no tender stops. The gentleman is rather irritable and becomes disgruntled over small things so I'm somewhat dismayed his wife is going through with it. She's is also planning to drag a wheelchair, 2 pieces of luggage and him through Spain. It's frightening.

 

I tried to give them the best advice I could and reminded the wife that the man is getting worse rather than better but she is plowing ahead. I think they should wait but it's not my money. Insurance does them no good with pre-existing.

 

I thank you for your input. The O ships would have been a much better choice for them as you say but people do what they want to do! Thanks and best wishes.

[mlbcruiser]

Even on Royal Caribbean, and pretty much every cruise line,  so much has to do with the actual ship one is sailing on. The newer the ship, the more likely it can accommodate wheelchairs and scooters. 

 

I recently read 2 different travel articles which mentioned that Barcelona is one of the most accessible cities in Europe, so hopefully it will be on their itinerary.  I’ve seen mention of that before as well in regard to having  public transportation that can accommodate accessible equipment. I’ve been there several times but it was before I had to pay attention to accessibility as I do now for my own husband.

 

 With regard to your  friends going ahead with their trip, despite some deterioration on the husbands part, the doctor may have advised the wife that it was good for her husband to get out and attempt to do this. My husband’s neurologists and even a doctor that treated him for a recent broken arm, have all been of that opinion. However, I guarantee it is going to be lots more work for the wife. I hope she is able to enjoy the trip!

Edited January 31, 2020 by mlbcruiser

[Going Coastal]

While this is an old thread, I do have some specific info from sailing on all of these.

First, Azamara does have two accessible balcony cabins on each ship which are excellent. They have recently been redubbed Club Suites, which added a butler and some other perks.

They are excellent and accommodate a wheelchair or scooter easily.

Secondly, if someone prefers the Oceania brand, they will adore Regent, which has accessible cabins in all categories.

Thirdly, Celebrity M class ships, such as Infinity, have accessible cabins which are very spacious and well appointed.

I love them all and have used them with wheelchair, scooter, and rollator.

If someone reads this far, I am happy to answer any specific questions you have.

 

 

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[GUT2407]

I sailed on Pacific Princess a few times. Another R class found it fine.

 

been on both Celebrity and RCCL, personally I’d give Celebrity a slight edge, because 

 

1. The service was fantastic with crew going out of the way to help

 

2. I found the accessible cabins to be more accessible, located in spots where there was more room to turn into your cabin