Beware of wheelchair issues on Rhapsody

[vegasres]

I used wheelchair assistance in San Juan this past April, because after having parts of both lungs removed from cancer, I can no longer walk any long distances. When I got on the ship I had rented a scooter, so was able to go on about having a very good time on AOS. However, getting on and off the ship is difficult. (The scooter and/or wheelchair are delivered to your cabin, so I had to first get to the cabin to get the chair). I could very easily buy a wheelchair, but who is there to push me around? Noone. I travel with my sister who is 81 years old, and there's no way she's able to push a wheelchair. So, with wheelchair assistance for boarding and leaving the ship, there are no problems. Believe me, I would gladly trade my position with any person who is physically able to walk and stand in lines. Some days you just have be grateful that you're able to do that. That would be my greatest pleasure. So, before you judge and think we all are doing this to get on board faster, please remember - this is not done by choice!!

[spanner14]

6 years ago, I needed a wheelchair. I got my own. Took care of myself. Did not sit back and wait for others to care for me. Sorry. This mentality of someone else needs to help me makes me nuts. I walk with a limp today, always will, but do not expect anyone to make way for me, for give me any slack.

 

I am responsible for me, period!

 

Maybe we need a bailout program for wheelchairs too!

 

Well, you're lucky that you could take care of yourself, not everybody can. I wouldn't be able to propel myself in a wheelchair up a ramp onto the ship, and I doubt the crew would let anyone do that in case I rolled backwards or whatever.

 

And my husband can't push me up the ramp AND carry bags AND make sure our daughter is OK.

 

I'm happy to provide my own wheelchair and will help myself as much as possible but not everybody is so lucky. If the crew or staff at the Port are able to help us a little bit I'll accept gratefully.

[pcur]

Well, you're lucky that you could take care of yourself, not everybody can. I wouldn't be able to propel myself in a wheelchair up a ramp onto the ship, and I doubt the crew would let anyone do that in case I rolled backwards or whatever.

 

And my husband can't push me up the ramp AND carry bags AND make sure our daughter is OK.

 

I'm happy to provide my own wheelchair and will help myself as much as possible but not everybody is so lucky. If the crew or staff at the Port are able to help us a little bit I'll accept gratefully.

 

I think Texasmunk was referring to the "take your own wheelchair" part, and not the "need assistance" part. You will always find a staff member willing to help push you.

[Slowboat2]

Just curious...if you need the wheelchairs for boarding, why don't you need them when you get off the ship?

 

If you knew any thing about handicapped people :confused:, you would know it is easier to walk down a ramp than up a ramp. My wife has COPD, and its very hard for her to go up ramps and stairs.

 

To get priority boarding?

 

Just hope in your life time, you never need to use that as a reason to get something

[Clarkk W Griswald]

If you knew any thing about handicapped people :confused:, you would know it is easier to walk down a ramp than up a ramp. My wife has COPD, and its very hard for her to go up ramps and stairs.

 

Well, since I'm not a doctor, I don't know much about handicapped people. How would I? I don't know everything about everything, hence the reason for my question.

[ChipLondon]

We all need to show more sympathy to any person in a wheelchair, yes occasionally we all know that some people will abuse a wheelchair facility to gain priority boarding, but they are only a few. On many cruises I have seen a person being chaired on, and enjoyed watching them dance around all week, before being chaired off again, good luck to them, life is to short to worry about it.

I would rather push a person around in a wheelchair for the rest of my life, than be the person sitting in one.

However, a person in a chair only needs ONE person to escort them, so why is it that as soon as a person is in a chair we see so many of their party also marching to the front of a queue. This kind of action does frustrate others.

[tyler6597]

For a cruise on 9-27-09 we are buying my dad a mobility/transport chair. He can push it or sit in it while someone pushes it. They fold up very nicely. Cost is about $150.00. He walks very slow so we convinced him that this would be needed on a ship the size of the MOS. Buying one resolves and need for one from the ship.:D

[kyriecat]

However, a person in a chair only needs ONE person to escort them, so why is it that as soon as a person is in a chair we see so many of their party also marching to the front of a queue. This kind of action does frustrate others.

RC policy a couple of years ago was only the people in the disabled person's cabin were allowed priority boarding. The first time I sailed with my mom (who is in a wheelchair because she HAS to be and has not walked nor danced in MANY years), my parents were allowed priority boarding but others in the party were not. There were 6 of us traveling together in 3 cabins. My folks gave the rest of us their bags and my dad pushed mom's chair onboard. We met up with them in the Centrum about 15 minutes later when the lowly non-suite people were allowed on.

 

A couple years later when we sailed together again, hubby and I booked a JS. It might have looked like we were hanging onto their coat tails because we had their luggage, but back then JS cabins were given priority boarding. I think RC changed it so JS doesn't have priority boarding anymore, but now I'm a diamond C&A and have it anyway (until RC changes that too).

[Slowboat2]

To get priority boarding?

 

That's what I was thinking.

 

If you didn't know, then why did you agree with SeaUs. So please don't be so quick to judge until you know the whole truth.You are always going to get abuses of any policy, that doesn't mean every one does it.

 

Like I stated earlier with my wife, you would never know she has a problem, until she starts up stairs or any incline and she gets snide remarks about being slow.

[travelteam]

My wife is disabled and before we went on our honeymoon cruise back in 2001 we invested about $400.00 of our wedding gift money and bought a travel wheelchair. I highly recommend it. In fact on our cruise out of Baltimore next year, we have a HC room and we're covering all basis. Taking both the scooter and the wheelchair.

 

we rent a scooter which is in our stateroom waiting for us when we board. But we also always take our own manual chair for the boarding and when we leave the ship. We also have staff assit us when we come and when we leave, not for our comfort but for the safety of all including fellow passengers. Believe me we would trade our need for the chair for health and the ability to walk. Please don't judge - be grateful it's not you in the chair getting special boarding. We'd give it up in a split second.

 

We also see people who milk the situation........but, age gives us wisdom and we just avoid them like the plague. Be careful what you pretend, one never knows what the future holds. Also, say hello to that person in the chair - they are still here enjoying life the best way they can.

[djandnic]

If you didn't know, then why did you agree with SeaUs. So please don't be so quick to judge until you know the whole truth.You are always going to get abuses of any policy, that doesn't mean every one does it.

 

Like I stated earlier with my wife, you would never know she has a problem, until she starts up stairs or any incline and she gets snide remarks about being slow.

 

One of the biggest problems is the people that abuse the need for assistance, or special needs for the PD. You see it every day in the people using the reserved parking and then running into the store. Or boarding an airplane to get the best seats, but running off the plane when it lands.

 

I think the comments about priority boarding were in reference to the disgusting people that abuse the system and take away from the people that truely needs the special assistance, such as wheel chairs etc. It these people that take advantage of the system because they are lazy or have no morals, or both, and their actions cause people that don't abuse the system to question everyone that does.

 

It's unfortunate situation, and one I try to gaurd against making judgements about, but we should all be disgusted and upset with those that abuse or defraud the system designed to help the people that truely need the assistance.

[TEXASMUNK]

I am not talking about getting assistance going up a ramp or tendering. I mean provide for yourself, rent a wheelchair, buy a transport chair...Do not expect others to provide.

I am not talking about providing able bodied assistance!

[Clarkk W Griswald]

I'd be willing to bet that if they made those needing wheelchair assistance board last on ships and airplanes, there would be a lot less people needing it. Those truly needing it wouldn't mind, and those that don't wouldn't want to wait.

 

Reminds me of sights I see almost everytime I board an airplane. They make the call for those needing assistance to board first. When the plane lands, they announce that those needing assistance wait until everyone else gets off. Well, there must be something special in the cabin air up there, because some of the people no longer need assistance when the plane lands. Must be a miracle, I've seen it with my own eyes.

 

I know not everyone is abusing this system, and some truly need it. But, I've seen plenty that don't. And that's a shame.

[djandnic]

I'd be willing to bet that if they made those needing wheelchair assistance board last on ships and airplanes, there would be a lot less people needing it. Those truly needing it wouldn't mind, and those that don't wouldn't want to wait.

 

Reminds me of sights I see almost everytime I board an airplane. They make the call for those needing assistance to board first. When the plane lands, they announce that those needing assistance wait until everyone else gets off. Well, there must be something special in the cabin air up there, because some of the people no longer need assistance when the plane lands. Must be a miracle, I've seen it with my own eyes.

 

I know not everyone is abusing this system, and some truly need it. But, I've seen plenty that don't. And that's a shame.

 

That and the opening of a buffet line........

[spanner14]

I am not talking about getting assistance going up a ramp or tendering. I mean provide for yourself, rent a wheelchair, buy a transport chair...Do not expect others to provide.

I am not talking about providing able bodied assistance!

 

Oh, Ok. Sorry, I was confused by what you meant.

 

I had considered renting a w/c from somewhere like Care Vacations which would have been delivered to the cabin; in which case I would have needed a RCI wheelchair for boarding and disembarkation. I've heard that there are other places to rent a wheelchair so that you already have it for boarding, but being from the UK, that's a bit complicated!

 

Anyway, I have my own chair now, so problem solved! :)

[spanner14]

.....Also, say hello to that person in the chair - they are still here enjoying life the best way they can.

 

Thank you for saying that, I totally agree. I've only just turned 40 and have had to walk with a cane and use a wheelchair for about a year and a half.

 

People absolutely STARE at someone of my age using a walking stick, and when I use a wheelchair a lot of people talk over my head or simply ignore me.

 

We're still people, we just happen to have mobility problems! :)

[travelteam]

Thank you for saying that, I totally agree. I've only just turned 40 and have had to walk with a cane and use a wheelchair for about a year and a half.

 

People absolutely STARE at someone of my age using a walking stick, and when I use a wheelchair a lot of people talk over my head or simply ignore me.

 

We're still people, we just happen to have mobility problems! :)

 

happens all the time to my DH........after 25 years of being disabled he and I either ignore the uninformed person, or if it's in a resturant and they ask me what he wants for dinner, I just say, ask him, he's sitting right here! The best way I think to overcome these situations is to just ignore these poor soles, and continue to have a good time..........

 

On our TA in 2007, a woman asked me why I even bring him on a cruise since he is so disabled. I just looked at her, and walked away. Sometimes people can be very cruel, knowing that, we just continue on enjoying life because one never knows when things change.

 

Keep cruising Spanner and do everything to enjoy yourself.........that's the best response.

[luckyprincess]

happens all the time to my DH........after 25 years of being disabled he and I either ignore the uninformed person, or if it's in a resturant and they ask me what he wants for dinner, I just say, ask him, he's sitting right here! The best way I think to overcome these situations is to just ignore these poor soles, and continue to have a good time..........

 

On our TA in 2007, a woman asked me why I even bring him on a cruise since he is so disabled. I just looked at her, and walked away. Sometimes people can be very cruel, knowing that, we just continue on enjoying life because one never knows when things change.

 

Keep cruising Spanner and do everything to enjoy yourself.........that's the best response.

Wow - just wow. I can't believe how rude some people are!! So sorry you had to deal with any of that. If it were me I know I couldn't maintain the level of class you had.....I would have lost it!:o

[spanner14]

happens all the time to my DH........after 25 years of being disabled he and I either ignore the uninformed person, or if it's in a resturant and they ask me what he wants for dinner, I just say, ask him, he's sitting right here! The best way I think to overcome these situations is to just ignore these poor soles, and continue to have a good time..........

 

On our TA in 2007, a woman asked me why I even bring him on a cruise since he is so disabled. I just looked at her, and walked away. Sometimes people can be very cruel, knowing that, we just continue on enjoying life because one never knows when things change.

 

Keep cruising Spanner and do everything to enjoy yourself.........that's the best response.

 

Thanks Travelteam - hope you have a wonderful cruise x

[jdh]

People who need wheelchairs should take them on when they board. RCCL does not have enough chairs to cater to everyone and they will tell you if you simply ask what you need to do when someone in the party needs a WC. Why do so many people feel like the cruisline should provide everything for them. My hubby is handicapped and we would never presume to travel without his chair or scooter. Why would we expect someone else to take care of us? Never ceases to amaze me.

[megr1125]

I still do not understand why people are so nasty on this thread.

 

I rent a chair for my mom...........it is ON the ship....RCCL OFFERS a SERVICE to ASSIST pax to board...with RCCL wheelchairs.....:rolleyes: THUS...I would PRESUME that if they OFFER a SERVICE, we can use said service.

 

And if I could actually get someone at a healthcare supply company in my area to HELP me....we will get one of our own.(i have NO idea how to go about it...can't get simple answers to questions)....but unfortunately, the attitudes of the people who work in my local med equipment store are almost as bad as the ones of some of the posters on CC.:mad:

[cruisinfanatic]

I still do not understand why people are so nasty on this thread.

 

I rent a chair for my mom...........it is ON the ship....RCCL OFFERS a SERVICE to ASSIST pax to board...with RCCL wheelchairs.....:rolleyes: THUS...I would PRESUME that if they OFFER a SERVICE, we can use said service.

 

And if I could actually get someone at a healthcare supply company in my area to HELP me....we will get one of our own.(i have NO idea how to go about it...can't get simple answers to questions)....but unfortunately, the attitudes of the people who work in my local med equipment store are almost as bad as the ones of some of the posters on CC.:mad:

You'll pay to rent but won't pay to buy?

[uppitycats]

I still do not understand why people are so nasty on this thread.

 

I rent a chair for my mom...........it is ON the ship....RCCL OFFERS a SERVICE to ASSIST pax to board...with RCCL wheelchairs.....:rolleyes: THUS...I would PRESUME that if they OFFER a SERVICE, we can use said service.

 

And if I could actually get someone at a healthcare supply company in my area to HELP me....we will get one of our own.(i have NO idea how to go about it...can't get simple answers to questions)....but unfortunately, the attitudes of the people who work in my local med equipment store are almost as bad as the ones of some of the posters on CC.:mad:

 

Buying a manual wheelchair isn't difficult. You buy one. Pay cash, or put it on your credit card. Job done. You can look in your local shopper and find one cheap, if all you need it for is to get on/off the ship, or to get through airports, or whatever.

 

I fully understand that some people only need limited assistance -- getting on/off the ship (and to their cabin where a rental chair is available), or through the airport, or whatever. Those of us who use wheelchairs full time (I do), do understand that.

 

But a cruise ship is not a medical facility. They can't expect to have wheelchairs for EVERYONE who might need one. They have a limited number, and when they're used, they're used.

 

What kinds of basic questions do you have that your medical supply store isn't answering? Again..a manual chair or a transport chair purchase isn't rocket science. Buy one.

[PEGLEG]

I'd be willing to bet that if they made those needing wheelchair assistance board last on ships and airplanes, there would be a lot less people needing it. Those truly needing it wouldn't mind, and those that don't wouldn't want to wait.

 

Reminds me of sights I see almost everytime I board an airplane. They make the call for those needing assistance to board first. When the plane lands, they announce that those needing assistance wait until everyone else gets off. Well, there must be something special in the cabin air up there, because some of the people no longer need assistance when the plane lands. Must be a miracle, I've seen it with my own eyes.

 

I know not everyone is abusing this system, and some truly need it. But, I've seen plenty that don't. And that's a shame.

 

COULDN'T AGREE WITH YOU MORE ! ! !

 

I have seen people, in an airport, pushed in a wheelchair, by skycap, to a waiting area. Then the people get up out of their wheelchairs and walk 1000 (yes, thousand) feet, and back, to get a hamburger and a drink. On a recent cruise, we observed a person running to be first in line on several excursions. Much to our surprise, we saw the same guy in the airport, being pushed in a wheelchair, by a skycap. Should have confronted the guy. If I only had taken more pictures, I could have shown them to the skycap.

[TEXASMUNK]

Wanna bet they also do not tip the skycap that pushed them around the airport?

Oh, sorry, I mentioned tipping! Let us not digress as to whether or not the cruise passenger should also tip the porter wheeling them on or off a the beginning or end of the cruise....after all, the cruise line DOES offer the service....etc,etc,etc.