RCI casino question...

[CruisinOnWheels]

This is our 2nd ever cruise, 9/23 on the Freedom OTS...

 

We noticed on our first cruise, only a small number of casino game tables are lowered to be accessible by passengers who use a wheelchair...

 

The sad thing was, not once were any seats available at the supposed "accessible game tables" and the "pit boss" did not seem willing to assist us.

 

We were told by RCI access dep't that the Freedom has many more accessible tables...but no policy exists regarding keeping seats open for wheelchair users, or limiting the time AB's can sit at the tables....if they are needed by a wheelchair customer.

 

Any thoughts on this?? Is it withing my rights, under ADA to ask RCI to adopt a policy regarding this problem??

[Splinter]

I assume you know that while the Supreme Court has ruled that the ADA applies to cruise ships that have a USA port, that the Access Board has still (after 3 years) failed to publish the regulations for cruise ships, so there are currently no ADA standards.

 

We never go to the casinos due to the horrible smoke in those areas. Until they are no-smoking, we will avoid them. We don't go to Las Vegas for the same reason.

[Amy from Delaware]

This is just my opinion...there's a difference between "accessible to" and "reserved for". I would imagine the tables would be considered "accessible to", thereby allowing someone in a wheelchair to gamble at them. I don't imagine they are "reserved for" people in wheelchairs, so if the table is full, you'll have to wait, just like any able-bodied person would have to wait if the table is full.

[Ken]

My son, who uses a power chair, enjoys playing blackjack. Our previous two cruises have been on the Mariner, and they only have one table that he can get to in his chair. If that table is full, we just wait or come back later.

[Hebe]

I agree that you will need to wait just as an AB person would. You may also try to use the casino at times that are not considered peak time. Normally a casino is packed just after dinner. Sometimes before dinner or 3:00PM to 4:30PM are empty.