wheelchair at the pier

[Pittsburgh Steelers Fan]

does anyone know about how to do this? Specifically Bayonne, NJ. :D

[katisdale]

I am not sure what you are asking. Do you need assistance to board? Do you want to bring your own wheelchair onboard? Or do you want to rent a wheelchair?

[Splinter]

If you need a wheelchair to board, you need one on board too, as well as for shore excursions, in the airport, etc. etc.

 

Bring your own. That way you know what you are getting, and it is always available when you need it. They will assist you in boarding and disembarkation.

[138east]

I always have my 89 year old mom use a wheelchair to board - it's for her own safety and protection in the chaos of the terminal. She can't afford to get knocked over by an inattentive person. Although she walked everywhere on the ship, she did sometimes use a portable walker with a seat for the same safety reasons.

 

Bayonne is very easy, but there are a few tricks. When you drop off, be sure to tell the guy who is directing folks that you have a handicapped drop off. There is a long tent beside the terminal and the main doors are by the flags in the center. This is where you can find the RCL folks who will get you a wheelchair and attendent. It's easier if you can find a space there to pull in. The porters will take the luggage. The attendent will take the person in the wheelchair. Be sure they have the travel documents they need so that they can go directly through the security check. By the time you park your car (assuming you are driving there) and get back, you can go directly to security.

 

With a wheelchair, you should go into the priority boarding line. The attendent will put the wheelchair on the bus, but he will stay at the terminal. Another attendent will help you off the bus and onto the ship - either to the Windjammer Cafe or your stateroom, depending on the time.

 

If you are parking, plan to arrive by 11 am if you can. The parking is the first right at the end of the tent and you pre-pay - credit cards are accepted. If you have a handiapped plate or placard, there are a bunch of spaces right there. They are so close that when you disembark, it is possible to get the porters and attendent to take the wheelchair and luggage directly to the car.

[kitty9]

You need to inform the cruise line that you'll need pier assistance for embarking and disembarking. We always do this for my mom. On board, we rent a wheelchair from CareVacations. She doesn't always need the WC, but we have it on hand just in case.

 

BTW, I'm a fellow Steelers fan and looking forward to the Penguins this afternoon taking the Flyers.