New rules for wheelchair users

[david63]

5 minutes ago, GOLDSURFER said:

So the theatre is full, live lounge is full how do they implement evacuation chairs. PO have not thought this through it is no no situation for them.

The way that I understand it from what I have read is that the evac chairs are with the "helpers" and not in the passenger cabins and that the helpers will find a passenger who requires an evac chair.

 

Whether this will work or not is another question but I suspect that we all know the answer!

Edited October 9 by david63

[GOLDSURFER]

NO IT WILL NOT WORK HOW DO THE HELPERS KNOW WHERE I AM.

Its a question that cannot be answered and PO has no procedures listed anywhere on there paperwork for such procedures.

[terrierjohn]

43 minutes ago, GOLDSURFER said:

Convert lower deck cabins for disabled passengers on next refit so evacuation chairs are not necessary.

Not really possible to convert standard cabins to accessible ones which are normally 50% wider, and would need the bathrooms and balconies adjusting to be step free.

In addition when the emergency happens disabled passengers could be anywhere on the ship, not just in their cabin

 

[S1971]

This is simply a policy which I would assume is to satisfy the powers that be, whoever they might be.

 

The reality is, god forbid there is a real emergency evacuation, it would be chaos and with all the best intentions the evacuation plan would go out if the window.

 

The whole policy is utter nonsense, only Cunard and P&O are implementing it, they've had the opportunity on TV to explain but wouldn't, so that suggests there is a lot more to this than meets the eye.

[GOLDSURFER]

I agree with that how they are going to implement it. Seeing it’s only P.O plus Cunard other cruises haven’t said anything yet. Theatre full Live Lounge full the evacuation chair assigned to my cabin and me I’m in Brodies.

[Selbourne]

4 hours ago, GOLDSURFER said:

Convert lower deck cabins for disabled passengers on next refit so evacuation chairs are not necessary.

In addition to the numerous reasons that others have mentioned as to why this wouldn’t be practical, it’s worth noting that wheelchair users staying on the lowest passenger deck still require evacuation chairs. As with tender disembarkations, the point of exit from the ship in an emergency can be a few decks below the lowest passenger deck.

[cruising.mark.uk]

24 minutes ago, GOLDSURFER said:

I agree with that how they are going to implement it. Seeing it’s only P.O plus Cunard other cruises haven’t said anything yet. Theatre full Live Lounge full the evacuation chair assigned to my cabin and me I’m in Brodies.

What leads you to believe that a cruise line with a less restrictive policy on the number of guests requiring mobility assistance that they carry than P&O / Cunard would look after you better in an emergency situation in the scenario that you describe?

 

It seems to me that P&O / Cunard are in a no-win situation.  They are at least trying to minimise the likely chaos in such a scenario by limiting the number of guests with declared needs for mobility assistance to a number for which they have the staff and equipment to manage safely.  That will not avoid the problems caused by passengers who require the assistance but have failed to declare that need, but should at least allow P&O / Cunard to prioritise the wellbeing of those who have been honest enough to declare their requirement.

 

I don't for one minute believe that other lines that seem to take a more laissez-faire approach to meeting their responsibilities to guests with mobility problems have sufficient additional staff to handle a limitless number of guests with such needs who travel and that will inevitably lead, in the event of an emergency, to increased risk for guests requiring assistance, all the other guests on the ship and the crew.

[Harry Peterson]

Doesn’t all of this stem from a review of profit centres, and a conclusion that taking these steps will lead to increased overall profitability? It does sound remarkably like a high level policy decision that younger more able passengers (and let’s face it there are far more now than there used to be) are more profitable than older less able passengers.

[Selbourne]

4 hours ago, GOLDSURFER said:

I’m sorry to say the only way to book a cruise for a disabled passenger, whatever the problem is, is face to face with a P.O. Loyalty onboard.

That’s not correct. Our excellent cruise specialist has full access to the P&O booking system and is able to check on the availability of evacuation chairs and accessible cabins.

[david63]

6 minutes ago, Harry Peterson said:

younger more able passengers (and let’s face it there are far more now than there used to be) are more profitable than older less able passengers.

Not sure that that is necessarily true. For example the less able passenger could be more likely to stay onboard when the ship is in port and buy a drink or three whist the more able bodied passengers goes ashore to buy his drinks.

 

I keep coming back to the change in passenger demographic that P&O are aiming for and at the same time reducing costs by employing less crew.

[GOLDSURFER]

I stand corrected Selbourne, heard so many complaints about contacting agents so you have a one to one in there shop.

[Selbourne]

2 minutes ago, Harry Peterson said:

Doesn’t all of this stem from a review of profit centres, and a conclusion that taking these steps will lead to increased overall profitability? It does sound remarkably like a high level policy decision that younger more able passengers (and let’s face it there are far more now than there used to be) are more profitable than older less able passengers.

It’s certainly the case that there is more profit to be made by having less accessible cabins, as 2 accessible cabins take up the space of 3 regular cabins. However, the ships are already built and I don’t believe that there are any plans to reduce the number of accessible cabins. 
 

The interesting thing will be to watch new builds. Given the number of suites on Iona and Arvia, I was surprised to see that they only have one accessible suite each. That’s a trend that is out of line with shore based hotels, so you may well be on to something! Either way, it’s a fact that it’s going to be a lot harder for those of us who simply cannot cruise without an accessible cabin to secure one which, by default, will mean that we will end up cruising less. 

[Selbourne]

2 minutes ago, GOLDSURFER said:

I stand corrected Selbourne, heard so many complaints about contacting agents so you have a one to one in there shop.

There are definitely some poor travel agents out there, but many of us regulars on here use the same specialist cruise agent. They place more business with P&O than any other agent and their service is absolutely superb.
 

There are 3 main advantages of using them versus booking direct with P&O. During launches, they have first pick of the cabins for their customers even prior to those who book direct (seems daft, but it’s true). If you need to discuss absolutely anything about your booking (or make changes or requests) you can get through to them by phone almost immediately. By contrast, many people have reported substantial difficulty in getting through to P&O directly. Finally we get a discount over and above what we’d get if we booked direct with P&O. We used to book direct with P&O, but having taken the plunge there’s no way we’d go back to doing so.
 

It is even possible to book onboard (and take advantage of any special offers) and then have the booking transferred to the agent, thus getting the best of both worlds!

[Harry Peterson]

22 minutes ago, david63 said:

Not sure that that is necessarily true. For example the less able passenger could be more likely to stay onboard when the ship is in port and buy a drink or three whist the more able bodied passengers goes ashore to buy his drinks.

 

I keep coming back to the change in passenger demographic that P&O are aiming for and at the same time reducing costs by employing less crew.

I have no idea of the economics, but Carnival accountants certainly will. Both the young and the old are perfectly capable of very free spending onboard cruise ships, but I think what’s changed in the last few years is the acceptance by younger people of cruising as a holiday choice as the ships have changed.

 

In the past companies were very reliant on passengers with disabilities - in many ways it’s the perfect holiday. Far less so now, and younger people are now far more inclined to spend on ‘experiences’ than they used to be - maybe because the prospect of owning a house has vanished for so many. There is also the point that fewer staff are required to look after younger able passengers than older less able passengers. 

[GOLDSURFER]

Have you any examples of booking and getting better prices.

My booking 14 days to Tenerife 9th November with flights solo passenger in a disability cabin with Mobility Scooter. £2510 with £470 onboard credit.

[Selbourne]

9 minutes ago, GOLDSURFER said:

Have you any examples of booking and getting better prices.

My booking 14 days to Tenerife 9th November with flights solo passenger in a disability cabin with Mobility Scooter. £2510 with £470 onboard credit.

The rules of this site forbid us from discussing specific agents or discounts, but I get a % discount off the quoted P&O prices, plus all the other benefits are identical (on board credit, parking etc). It’s a straight cash discount, so always cheaper than booking direct. 

[GOLDSURFER]

Where on this site.

[terrierjohn]

1 hour ago, GOLDSURFER said:

I agree with that how they are going to implement it. Seeing it’s only P.O plus Cunard other cruises haven’t said anything yet. Theatre full Live Lounge full the evacuation chair assigned to my cabin and me I’m in Brodies.

I assume that all the evacuation chairs will be in one location and a designated members of staff will collect one to take to their designated guests location, should they need it to get to their muster station.

[GOLDSURFER]

CRUISE CRITIC an a American site.

[Harry Peterson]

4 minutes ago, GOLDSURFER said:

Where on this site.

It’s just an inviolable rule. But the agent I’m pretty sure Selbourne is referring to will negotiate a discount for regular customers, and is infinitely better in every possible way than booking direct.

[zap99]

1 hour ago, S1971 said:

This is simply a policy which I would assume is to satisfy the powers that be, whoever they might be.

 

The reality is, god forbid there is a real emergency evacuation, it would be chaos and with all the best intentions the evacuation plan would go out if the window.

 

The whole policy is utter nonsense, only Cunard and P&O are implementing it, they've had the opportunity on TV to explain but wouldn't, so that suggests there is a lot more to this than meets the eye.

How right you are. Old uncle Albert would be fine hobbling down 6 flights of stairs with 4 000 people rushing down behind him. The crew won't leave the sinking ship until the find all the evac people.

[zap99]

1 minute ago, terrierjohn said:

I assume that all the evacuation chairs will be in one location and a designated members of staff will collect one to take to their designated guests location, should they need it to get to their muster station.

Will they know where each guest is ?.

[GOLDSURFER]

No one can prove it, we all think we are getting a better deal wherever we book.

[Harry Peterson]

Just now, GOLDSURFER said:

No one can prove it, we all think we are getting a better deal wherever we book.

The actual price for a specific suite or cabin on a particular cruise on a particular booking date is unlikely to vary. Likewise the OBC on that date.

 

What will vary is the discount negotiable from that base point.

[Megabear2]

32 minutes ago, Harry Peterson said:

Far less so now, and younger people are now far more inclined to spend on ‘experiences’ than they used to be

That is certainly being reflected in the type of excursions now on offer.  Far more "thrill" and high speed offerings on both P&O and Cunard.  This of course is reflected in them being "Recommended" and highlighted with pictures of younger people grinning while taking part.