As anyone been on a cruise who is confined to a wheelchair or uses a scooter?Did you have any difficulty ?

Question

As anyone been on a cruise who is confined to a wheelchair or uses a scooter?Did you have any difficulty ?

Answer 1

I am not confined to a chair but  I have been on many cruises where there were people in wheelchairs, scooters, and/or using walkers and oxygen tanks. All cruise lines make accommodation for people with disabilities.  I have seen ship's staff help passengers in wheel chairs take seats on ship in shows and at dinner and also helped them get on and off the ship in ports.

You should look at these cruise line web sites at what these lines have posted as their own accommodation for the disabled. The cruise lines are somewhat different so you need to look for what you need. I most cases you will need to call the cruise line to make sure that you get what you need.

WHen you book you should make it clear that you want a cabin for handicapped and also ask about making arrangements for getting a motorized wheelchair.  The cruise line may not have a motorized chair but they may know where you can rent one in the cruise port city.  

Royal Caribbean Cruise line:

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/allaboutcr...

Holland America:

http://www.hollandamerica.com/guests/cat...

Norwegian Cruise line:

http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/cruiser/cmspag...

Celebrity Cruise line:

http://www.celebritycruises.com/beforeyo...

Princess Cruise Line:

http://www.princess.com/news/article.jsp...

Answer 2

I'm not disabled myself...  but last year my mother went on a week long cruise with her friend that depends on a scooter (long distances) or a walker (short distances).  Finances did not allow for a larger cabin.  And there were no handicap-specific rooms available on that cruise.  But it worked out fine.

They booked a small, interior cabin.  Jane would ride her scooter right to the door of the cabin, then switch to her walker.  Her cabinmate would return the scooter to the lobby (100' down the hallway) until she needed it again.  

Most everything on board (this was a Carnival ship, the Ecstasy as I remember) was pretty well accesible, although the tender boats were a bit of a chore to deal with.  

On another cruise, I once saw a gentleman who was wheelchair-bound.  His disabilty must have been fairly severe (I couldn't even hazard a guess) because his wheelchair was one of the specialized, motor ones which he controlled with his toes.  

Let me tell you, that guy had a BLAST on the ship.  He was out on the dance floor with his wife EVERY night, and I saw him all over that ship.   Playing in the casino, getting spa treatments, doing the wine tastings, at the midnight buffet...  you name it.   Always with a big grin on his face.

One thing you should definitely do:  Book the handicap-specific cabin.  They are nearly twice the size of a normal cabin and they don't cost extra!

Answer 3

Cruise lines are taking steps to assist  passengers with special needs in planning a wonderful cruise. On all ships you can find the right accommodations to fit your specific needs, from special diets to wheelchair accessibility and more. Most cruise ships today have a number of "handicapped accessible" cabins designed specifically to meet the needs of people who use wheelchairs or need help moving about.... for more information go to http://www.cruisenegotiators.com/special...

Answer 4

As Alan says, make sure the information is included when you book.

We went on a cruise on the "Oriana" (P & O) to celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary (roll on the 50th - I want to go again!) and there were several people in wheelchairs.

There are large lifts between decks and ramps into each of the dining rooms.  The staff were very helpful in taking over from an elderly person pushing their husband/wife.

Check out your choice of cruise line carefully, for example, Ocean Village is really for families, Costa is Italian and inclined to be rather noisy, Cunard has "Classes" (1st, 2nd, etc), Fred Olsen is a bit "happy holiday-maker".

There is an excellent book, along the lines of "Which" Car; it describes every ship and what to expect.  Just wish I could lay my hands on it.  You may be able to find it through Amazon, on line, or ask a friendly librarian.

Answer 5

my son used to work on the qe2 and they regular had people in wheelchairs. its fine proved you tell them when booking but you would have to check with each cruise company as they are all different. some Aile's/cabins/decks you may not be able to get access to.

Answer 6

There is some difficulty in using wheelchairs on a cruise but it is done on a regular basis.  The difficulty is that there are little ledges between doorways.  They are about 2 inches high and must be navigated with the wheelchair.

Answer 7

yes, it can be done but it is not freindly environment physically for these chairs.  book the newest of the ships.  try to get handicapped room and use the highest end of lines / that are as service oriented as you can afford.  have a little pocket change budgeted for tips / to help buy a little man power  every now and then.  ask a cabin steward assistant for help .  offer the extra cash each time they help.   ask a restaurant guy / if they are going off shore / could help you navigage. you'd compensate them for accompanying you on tour.  

It can be done and it is beautiful trip.  worth taking the chances of.  just do not expect it will be one hundred percent easy / perfect because it is not.

Answer 8

I've just come back from a Princess cruise and saw several people in wheelchairs. The facilities are top notch for them, they are well catered for and it appeared to me that a cruise ship is the best holiday to take for a disabled person.

Answer 9

First of all...to those who say it isn't easy for those in a wheelchair...you went on the wrong cruise line then.

My father is wheelchair bound (he had both legs amputated...so no walking at all).  And he would tell ANYONE in a wheelchair that if you want a great vacation go on a Royal Caribbean cruise.  We have been on both a small older ship in their fleet as well as the newest ship Liberty of the Seas...and he had a blast.

The ships are well equiped for wheelchairs.  Done to the fact there is a little lift to the skylight chapel (we got married on board) as there is not elevator to that floor.

Staff are extremely helpful, all of the stores, theatres, bars, etc are wheelchair accessible, and there is always assistance if you need it.

The ONLY thing that can be a bit limiting for people with reduced mobility is the onshore excursions.  My father is lucky in that other then being unable to walk, he is healthy and strong.  We went snorkeling in the Cayman Islands which would be very difficult for someone who was not able to lift themselves off and on a boat.  My brother was also with us and provided a hand getting Dad on and off buses, etc.

Some places have wheelchair accessible excursions so these individuals can still have fun while in port!!  

All I can do is stress that if you want a great vacation for someone in a wheelchair, definitely check out RCCL.  My parents have already booked their next cruise to the Baltic!!  

You won't regret it!

Answer 10

Its so normal.

On several ships that I´ve worked there were really a lot of people with wheelchairs and scooters. Walkers as well.

I remember one a ship, first day of the cruise, that we counted 47 wheelchairs. And it was not a big ship, 1400 pax.

There are destinations where the age seem to be higher, Baltic and Norway specially.

But honestly, I´d rather work with elderly people than with teens and kids.

Go for it, im sure you´ll enjoy it.