Tip $ Recommendations for Check-In / Embarkation Wheel-Chair Escort

[Von & John]

I recently have had back surgery & am not able to stand still for more than a couple of minutes, nor re-built my stamina for walking distance yet.

Therefore, I am concerned with the check-in/embarkation process.

We are looking forward to our first cruise, since the Pandemic, on the Connie & embark in a little over a week.

I spoke with the Accessibility desk & they will provide a wheel-chair escort for my  check-in process & embarkation.

Having never utilized this service before - any recommendations for tip value for the escort?

Thanks  --  Von

[5waldos]

I’d probably tip about $10. And enjoy your trip- back surgery is not fun. How is your walking? Can you use a scooter on board and on (some) excursions? 

[Jim_Iain]

I would tip in the $5 - 10 range depending on how attentive the attendant is and the amount of time he spends escorting you aboard.

[omeinv]

I think the above recommendations are right on for the dollar amount.  However, usually the people performing this service are either public area or crew area cleaning staff, who are under the housekeeping department.  Since they're not stateroom attendants, they seldom get recognized for their hard work.  Assuming you're happy with the service (I'm certain you will be), it would be very nice, and very appreciated, if you left a note at Guest Relations addressed to the Chief Housekeeper, mentioning them by name.  Often these folks are in line for promotion, and there's no more critical factor than satisfied guests.

 

Harris

Denver, CO

Edited March 8, 2022 by omeinv

[Ferry_Watcher]

FYI, in Seattle, shoreside staff are not allowed to accept tips, including wheelchair attendants.

 

However, if it is a ship crew member pushing your wheelchair, then a tip in the range of $5-$10 would be appropriate.

[HS2BS]

My wife has used this service for years and found that the “pusher” in the terminal is not always a Celebrity employee and has to hand off after getting to the elevator at boarding staging area. Then a staff person will push you up the boarding ramp and to what ever destination you want. Use your judgment based on how steep the ramps are and if you have to tip one or more “pushers”.
Make sure you have made arrangements with Celebrity to have a wheelchair waiting for you in our cabin(or make arrangements for a scooter). Consider your wife’s capabilities to be your pusher and how much you will be able to use your arms. - not easy on a ship’s carpet and other obstacles.

 

Hal

[Arizona Wildcat]

They are wonderful!  Some years ago I pulled my hamstring the morning we boarded.  Walking was OK, barely.  Standing pure hell.  Staff shoreside got me a wheelchair and whisked us on board in minutes.  They refused a tip.

Celebrity staff got me to our cabin and brought us lunch!

[Von & John]

Thanks All  --  for the wonderful suggestions!!!

I will prepare for the potential of receiving assistance from multiple people!!!

Still contemplating whether to rent a scooter.

The greatest challenge is standing still - after about a minute, it becomes painful & difficult...
I hope to build up my stamina while walking on the ship...

Great news is I can stop anywhere along the way & take a break, if needed 🙂
I don't plan to get off the ship - looking forward to sun, warmth & relaxation...

We plan to enjoy our first ever aft-facing balcony!!!

 

Thanks Again  --  Von

Edited March 8, 2022 by Von & John

[chemmo]

Agree with all the points already mentioned.
 

I have cruised twice whilst recovering from surgery and found the solarium pool fantastic. Each day one of the pool staff would lower me in using the ‘ducking stool’. Just walking up and down in the water was very strengthening. The pool staff were fantastic also in arranging an end sun bed for me as I couldn’t safely get on/off where beds were close together. I also found fellow guests very supportive with my needs too. We were on an S class ship, not certain if Connie has a ducking chair, perhaps someone can confirm…The chair is useful even if you could manage the steps but are concerned about slipping, twisting…

 

I am small but my husband did find pushing the wheelchair hard on his back, especially on carpeting. If we were to do another cruise where a wheelchair was necessary I think we would look at booking a scooter. However, if you can manage short distances you may be fine simply doing a bar crawl! As you say, there is plenty of seating.

 

Just a final point, you may find some chairs are more comfortable than others, for example, I found the Tuscan chair uncomfortable. Again, don’t be reluctant to ask for help, staff will find cushions for you or alternative chairs if necessary.

 

Sincere best wishes for a speedy recovery and a fantastic cruise!

[Von & John]

Thanks @chemmo 

I should be OK getting in & out of the T-Pool...

Truly looking forward to it!!!

I have the rest of this week to increase my walking distance/time & then we head to Tampa. 

My greatest concerns are standing still & long inclines...  

I currently navigate our stairs OK @ home - even if it’s only one flight.  

One change I will have to make will be use of the elevator...

Usually we strive for stairs 3 floors up or 5 floors down...

[Redtravel]

If you are flying in, notify airline in advance that you will need wheelchair.  Some airports are better than others. Tipping is your call. $5 is good for most times. If you are in a situation where the attendant is with you for a long time, tip more.  

[HS2BS]

All airlines have an accessible department just call and ask for an seat that is on the aisle to make it easier to be seated.

 

Hal

[Algebralovr]

I did a cruise post-surgery in Feb 2019.  I had been 7 weeks non-weight bearing on my left leg, and was given the OK to START putting weight on that leg 5 days before we boarded the ship.  

The ship was PERFECT to recover and start walking.   We were on Silhouette.

 

I had a wheelchair of my own that we brought with us.  We were NOT in an accessible room, we couldn't get into one for the cruise.  The wheelchair didn't fit through the doorway of the room without being folded some.  So, to get in and out,  I walked through with a partly collapsed chair, then opened it and sat down in it.  It was obviously my personal chair, cherry red frame with green plaid seat and back.  🙂  It was also not as wide as the ship chairs (and most rentals).

 

I had been pushing myself with my arms for nearly 2 months at that point, so I was usually OK on the carpet.  Sometimes, help from husband was of great assistance though.

 

When I was practicing walking, I was glad to have the grab bars through the halls.

We rented Alcoves a number of days, made a great place to rest for the day, and to do small amounts of walking to the aft restrooms.  

I found that when I went to the buffet for any meal, I would roll in, and an asst waitress would instantly jump to assist, carrying a plate for me as we went from station to station, and when I wanted to eat lunch in the Alcove, was happy to carry it up there as well.  They got a small tip plus a mention in the survey.

 

For tips, $5 is typical for the short time pushers.  If you have them do more, then tip more.  

[HS2BS]

Which ship are you on and when?

 

Hal

[MarKay525]

59 minutes ago, HS2BS said:

Which ship are you on and when?

 

Hal

 

59 minutes ago, HS2BS said:

Which ship are you on and when?

 

Hal

Connie in a little over a week.

[kokopelli-az]

20 hours ago, Von & John said:

I recently have had back surgery & am not able to stand still for more than a couple of minutes, nor re-built my stamina for walking distance yet.

Therefore, I am concerned with the check-in/embarkation process.

 

I spoke with the Accessibility desk & they will provide a wheel-chair escort for my  check-in process & embarkation.

Having never utilized this service before - any recommendations for tip value for the escort?

Thanks  --  Von

You mention "wheel chair escort".   Are you bringing your own wheelchair?    Because the escort is a person who will push the wheelchair (either Celebrity's or your own) from check-in to your final destination on the ship (stateroom, restaurant, etc).    If it is you own wheelchair, one of the port personnel will push you from where you give your luggage to the porters near the curb to as far as they are allowed, at which point a Celebrity employee will take over the pushing.   If it is Celebrity's wheelchair, I believe the pusher will take it after they drop you off (these wheelchairs are for use for embarking and debarking only).  Celebrity used to to have a limited number of wheelchairs they would loan to passengers to actually use during the cruise on a first-come first-served basis.   However, I haven't heard of them doing this for some time.   

 

If you don't have your own wheelchair and need one during the cruise (assuming Celebrity no longer loans them out) contact one of the oft-mentioned rental companies (specialneedsatsea.com or scootaround.com) to have one delivered to your stateroom.   

You actually might think about having a wheelchair (rented if you do not bring your own) on your cruise.  Ships are huge and of course you're always at the opposite end of the ship from where you want to go.  You want to be able to enjoy your cruise.  

 

Here is a link regading Celebrity's wheelchair assistance: 

 https://www.celebritycruises.com/special-needs/accessibility

 

And this board is very helpful for people with special needs:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/114-disabled-cruise-travel/

 

We typically give $5 to the wheelchair pusher on the ship (also to the airport pushers).   Take extra folding bills with you.  

 

 

 

 

[cinderellen]

This will be our first time cruising (APEX) since my husband became disabled. We will be bringing his rollator/transport chair and of course, his cane. We've arranged for a scooter to be delivered to the ship. My only real concern is him being able to disembark at ports. We booked a cabana for Grand Cayman because I know it's a tender port and we've been there many times. I recently watched a video on You Tube of a lady, Sylvia Longmire, who shares tips as a disabled traveler. She showed how easy it is to get on the Magic Carpet with a scooter/wheelchair. My questions is, will he be able to ride his scooter down the ramp when we are docked? Anyone have any experience with that? 

[kokopelli-az]

3 minutes ago, cinderellen said:

This will be our first time cruising (APEX) since my husband became disabled. We will be bringing his rollator/transport chair and of course, his cane. We've arranged for a scooter to be delivered to the ship. My only real concern is him being able to disembark at ports. We booked a cabana for Grand Cayman because I know it's a tender port and we've been there many times. I recently watched a video on You Tube of a lady, Sylvia Longmire, who shares tips as a disabled traveler. She showed how easy it is to get on the Magic Carpet with a scooter/wheelchair. My questions is, will he be able to ride his scooter down the ramp when we are docked? Anyone have any experience with that? 

Yes, you can take your scooter on the Magic Carpet and up and down the ramp at ports.  However, at the ports, the ship employees will assist both up and down the ramp.   Don't try to use the ramp without assistance from the employees.   And they will be there asap to assist (if they're not already standing there).    Just wait until someone from the ship helps.   

 

Grand Cayman is a tender port and more than likely you will not be able to take the scooter on the tender so be prepared to take the rollator or transport chair to get off at Grand Cayman.

 

From Celebrity's website:

Many ports provide easy access for wheelchairs and scooters, however due to various conditions: steepness of the gangway, tendering, weather, tidal and sea conditions, and shore-side facilities, guests using assistive devices may be precluded from getting on or off the ship. We will make reasonable efforts to assist our guests, but for safety reasons, our staff is not permitted to lift guests or equipment. Assistance with manual wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc. will be provided.

 

Also take a look at the disabled board.  Folks with lots of personal experience with mobility are on this board:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/114-disabled-cruise-travel/

[cinderellen]

31 minutes ago, kokopelli-az said:

Yes, you can take your scooter on the Magic Carpet and up and down the ramp at ports.  However, at the ports, the ship employees will assist both up and down the ramp.   Don't try to use the ramp without assistance from the employees.   And they will be there asap to assist (if they're not already standing there).    Just wait until someone from the ship helps.   

 

Grand Cayman is a tender port and more than likely you will not be able to take the scooter on the tender so be prepared to take the rollator or transport chair to get off at Grand Cayman.

 

From Celebrity's website:

Many ports provide easy access for wheelchairs and scooters, however due to various conditions: steepness of the gangway, tendering, weather, tidal and sea conditions, and shore-side facilities, guests using assistive devices may be precluded from getting on or off the ship. We will make reasonable efforts to assist our guests, but for safety reasons, our staff is not permitted to lift guests or equipment. Assistance with manual wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc. will be provided.

 

Also take a look at the disabled board.  Folks with lots of personal experience with mobility are on this board:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/114-disabled-cruise-travel/

Thank you so much!

[Von & John]

Thanks - @ this time just looking for assistance w/ check-in & embarkation...
My greatest concerns are inability to stand still & long distance inclines...
I believe I will be OK once on the ship 🤞

I contacted the Accessibility Desk 2 weeks ago & I am on the list for assistance for check-in & embarkation & a few other things which will make me more comfortable in our cabin...

I did contact the scooter rentals - and I have to decide by Friday - my thought now is most likely will not rent the scooter.
 

For stamina & distance I have 3 goals
1) Between now & Saturday - I am attempting to increase my walking distance every day
(outdoors w/ icebugs on...)

2)  Tampa - Monday - Thurs of next week - work on stamina/distance again in a much nicer climate 😎

3)  On the ship - increase stamina/distance every day & enjoy the sun, warmth & relaxation...

 

1 hour ago, kokopelli-az said:

You mention "wheel chair escort".   Are you bringing your own wheelchair?    Because the escort is a person who will push the wheelchair (either Celebrity's or your own) from check-in to your final destination on the ship (stateroom, restaurant, etc).    If it is you own wheelchair, one of the port personnel will push you from where you give your luggage to the porters near the curb to as far as they are allowed, at which point a Celebrity employee will take over the pushing.   If it is Celebrity's wheelchair, I believe the pusher will take it after they drop you off (these wheelchairs are for use for embarking and debarking only).  Celebrity used to to have a limited number of wheelchairs they would loan to passengers to actually use during the cruise on a first-come first-served basis.   However, I haven't heard of them doing this for some time.   

 

If you don't have your own wheelchair and need one during the cruise (assuming Celebrity no longer loans them out) contact one of the oft-mentioned rental companies (specialneedsatsea.com or scootaround.com) to have one delivered to your stateroom.   

You actually might think about having a wheelchair (rented if you do not bring your own) on your cruise.  Ships are huge and of course you're always at the opposite end of the ship from where you want to go.  You want to be able to enjoy your cruise.  

 

Here is a link regading Celebrity's wheelchair assistance: 

 https://www.celebritycruises.com/special-needs/accessibility

 

And this board is very helpful for people with special needs:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/114-disabled-cruise-travel/

 

We typically give $5 to the wheelchair pusher on the ship (also to the airport pushers).   Take extra folding bills with you.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Connie - 03/18/22 - Tampa

 

4 hours ago, HS2BS said:

Which ship are you on and when?

 

Hal

 

[awhfy]

16 hours ago, Von & John said:

Thanks All  --  for the wonderful suggestions!!!

I will prepare for the potential of receiving assistance from multiple people!!!

Still contemplating whether to rent a scooter.

The greatest challenge is standing still - after about a minute, it becomes painful & difficult...
I hope to build up my stamina while walking on the ship...

Great news is I can stop anywhere along the way & take a break, if needed 🙂
I don't plan to get off the ship - looking forward to sun, warmth & relaxation...

We plan to enjoy our first ever aft-facing balcony!!!

 

Thanks Again  --  Von

Rent the scooter, especially with an aft cabin. If you’re not comfortable doing that get one of the standup walkers (you want to be upright, not bent over the walker). Even if you don’t get off the ship, being able to get yourself around is huge

[kearney]

My husband had a detached quad and the surgery was only partially successful.. So we now rent scooters. A few thoughts

1) the person who wheels you through the terminal is not the same person who takes you onto the ship.. so we tip both. About $5 for the crew and $10 for port person... particularly upon departure..they spend more time with you... at airports I have tipped $15 for the long distance to baggage claim.

2) when you arrive at port..that is the weakness in the system... sometime you have to hunt for a wheelchair. I would tell the porter taking your bags that you need assistance..they can help..they all know each other...or send someone ahead to locate a chair for you.

3) If you do get a scooter... Connie is an older ship...and the cabins are a touch smaller than S class. I have not tried to get a scooter in one of those cabins (we have not sailed on M class)..but studying the deck plan..it appears beds are by the bathroom..making parking inside the cabin difficult..assuming you can get on in the the door of regular non accessible cabin. So if you do rent one..the room steward will have to take it at night to recharge. 

4) We were able to periodically borrow a wheel chair from guest services...so if walking should prove more difficult that you expect...ask the steward for a chair.

5) Candidly we are still trying to figure out excursions...some ports have golf carts to get you off the pier..others do not... sometime we borrow a chair and just go into the port shops... once we took it to the bus for an excursion and left the chair behind security and found it or one like it when we got back. But I worried about whether or not one would be there for us upon our return. My husband tends to stay onboard... When we take one I try to get ones with minivans vs busses and if a bus I ask if a front seat can be reserved for my husband... which they have done.

On FB there is a group called "Royal Caribbean Accessible Cruising".. where people with health and mobility issues share information... 

 

[kokopelli-az]

Von & John said:  I contacted the Accessibility Desk 2 weeks ago & I am on the list for assistance for check-in & embarkation & a few other things which will make me more comfortable in our cabin...

 

When you board, for the ship's pushers don't be surprised if you have to wait in an area for the pusher to come get you.    You will probably be there along with many others who are also waiting for a pusher.  They only have so many pushers.  

 

And if you use a ship's pusher for debarkation, there should be notification in your daily newsletter about when and where to meet for your pusher (if you don't see the notification, ask at Guest Services).   See attached newsletter under "Wheelchair Assistance", bottom left (from the Reflection in November).  If you have an early flight you might have to debark earlier than the pushers are available.   However, if you are in a suite, go to Michael's Club/Retreat Lounge for disembarkation and advise them you need a wheelchair pusher and they will get someone for you right away.   

[5waldos]

18 hours ago, cinderellen said:

This will be our first time cruising (APEX) since my husband became disabled. We will be bringing his rollator/transport chair and of course, his cane. We've arranged for a scooter to be delivered to the ship. My only real concern is him being able to disembark at ports. We booked a cabana for Grand Cayman because I know it's a tender port and we've been there many times. I recently watched a video on You Tube of a lady, Sylvia Longmire, who shares tips as a disabled traveler. She showed how easy it is to get on the Magic Carpet with a scooter/wheelchair. My questions is, will he be able to ride his scooter down the ramp when we are docked? Anyone have any experience with that? 

My friend had a scooter on our last Alaska trip. In many cases she was able to ride the scooter down. It depended on the tide and how steep the ramp was- some she needed help. But (even though they are't required to) there were always a fair number of strong men around to help her get up and down. 

[5waldos]

This is for ocean journeys- river trips are another thing entirely and are not recommended for many of those with mobility issues. River ships often dock several across so that to get to shore you have to cross one or several other ships. This is usually impossible in wheelchairs or scooters and difficult enough for those without mobility problems.