Wheelchair transportation from MIA airport to area Hotel & Port of Miami

[djmcwilliams106]

I will be traveling with my mom (taking electronic wheelchair), husband and 3 children. Any suggestions on transportation options in Miami? We are arriving in MIA Nov. 1 and cruise Nov. 2. I tried calling super shuttle but the people answer the phone seem annoyed that I called trying to get information. They keep telling me to go to the desk when I arrive at the airport. I'm trying to get a gauge on availability of accessible transport as well as prices. I work for AIG and while we booked and paid for this trip months ago, now with the current situation we are trying to be conservative with our spending as the fate of my job situation is unclear at this point. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[eandj]

In January, we saw two people in that kind of wheelchair using public cabs leaving the ship. The person steering people into cabs, just let someone know to send the cab van forward to accomodate the chair. There wasn't a problem for anyone. When you arrive at the airport, just go to the cab pickup area and I'm sure someone will call a taxi van that will accomodate your mom. And you'll pay per ride, not per person as on a shuttle service.

 

You might ride with your mom and all the luggage and let your husband ride in a reg. cab with the children.

[djmcwilliams106]

In January, we saw two people in that kind of wheelchair using public cabs leaving the ship. The person steering people into cabs, just let someone know to send the cab van forward to accomodate the chair. There wasn't a problem for anyone. When you arrive at the airport, just go to the cab pickup area and I'm sure someone will call a taxi van that will accomodate your mom. And you'll pay per ride, not per person as on a shuttle service.

 

You might ride with your mom and all the luggage and let your husband ride in a reg. cab with the children.

 

eandj - Thank you so much this was such a concern for us as to the point that my mom was going to try to travel without her chair which I know would be a huge problem as she is recovering from double total knee replacement (about a 1.5 yrs now but one knew never passed 45 degrees) and sever neuropathy (not sure if spelling correctly) in both feet and really bad spine problems. I will check it out. Thanks,

[george2000]

Can your mom get out of her wheelchair to transfer to a regular vehicle? If so, a regular cab is probably fine, but does the power chair come apart or fold up to fit in the trunk?

 

My husband cannot transfer from his wheelchair so we always call ahead to get accessible transportation. And then I double check again as the trip gets nearer to make sure everything is confirmed. I would not count on there being a wheelchair accessible cab available unless you have a prior reservation. To be honest, we have had some great experiences with handicapped transportation and some horrible experiences. If your hotel provides shuttle transportation, the hotel is required by law to also provide accessible transportation. If their shuttle is not accessible, they have to provide a shuttle that is at no charge. You may have to pay first and get reimbursed. If the front desk can't help you with this, ask to speak to the manager. There is a disabled forum on this board that is great for resources, tips, etc. Most of all, tell your mom to take her power wheelchair so she is comfortable and to have a great cruise!

[eandj]

Can your mom get out of her wheelchair to transfer to a regular vehicle? If so, a regular cab is probably fine, but does the power chair come apart or fold up to fit in the trunk?

 

My husband cannot transfer from his wheelchair so we always call ahead to get accessible transportation. And then I double check again as the trip gets nearer to make sure everything is confirmed. I would not count on there being a wheelchair accessible cab available unless you have a prior reservation. To be honest, we have had some great experiences with handicapped transportation and some horrible experiences. If your hotel provides shuttle transportation, the hotel is required by law to also provide accessible transportation. If their shuttle is not accessible, they have to provide a shuttle that is at no charge. You may have to pay first and get reimbursed. If the front desk can't help you with this, ask to speak to the manager. There is a disabled forum on this board that is great for resources, tips, etc. Most of all, tell your mom to take her power wheelchair so she is comfortable and to have a great cruise!

 

 

Miami has plenty of vans that will accomodate wheelchairs. Some carry ramps with them. Saw some with electrical lifts too.

Florida is a big time vacation area and thousands of people that use wheelchairs visit or own vacation homes there.

 

I can see in less traveled cities, it might be more of a problem and you gave good info.

[djmcwilliams106]

Thanks for all of the great advice. Mom can transfer herself but power wheelchair does not come apart so we would need transportation with a lift or at least a ramp. I called a few of the taxi companies and they told me that they do have quite a few accessible taxis and that we need only let the dispatcher at taxi stand know that we need one. I will definitely keep notes and report back for others.