Laurac22

Doing a fabulous job keeping us entertained! Thank you for sharing your vacation with us!

Off to a great start my friend!! Excited to follow along! 

3 minutes ago, Boston Babe said:

Hi Laura! I am still trying to listen to the Podcast. I think we would have been fine with Equinox but this is all so new to us I wanted him to feel comfortable. We are leaving in two weeks on Summit and now I plan to do Equinox when she comes out of drydock. By then either he’s walking again or we will have a Comfort level.

so sweet of you to reach out and again I plan on listening to the podcast.

Great! If you have any specific questions after listening to the podcast, let me know! 

We sailed the Radiance Southbound Alaska Cruise 3 Years ago. We disembarked and walked right over to the Pan Pacific Hotel attached to the port. It was pricey but so worth it. We booked a private City tour that took us all over to the most popular places for the day. Just spent that day and night, then took the train to Seattle. We enjoyed our day/night in Vancouver very much. 

Hi, I am the one that did the latest blog podcast about traveling/cruising using a wheelchair. Sorry I didn’t see this post earlier, I would have loved to help with your decision. You certainly can’t go wrong with Lady G! There is a lot to be said for knowing what you are getting into and feeling comfortable! 

Having sailed the Equinox I can tell you that you would have been in great hands! Especially with the reservations you had. So definitely try another time. Flying with someone that requires a wheelchair, can be  intimidating for sure, but it is easier than one might think, and doesn’t have to be a burden on your partner. If you have any questions I am more than happy to help!

Happy cruising! 

No problem, happy to help if I can. Is your brothers wheelchair collapsible? Or a power chair that he has to remain in? Like  can he get into a van with the wheelchair folded and put in the back? 

2 hours ago, SMM799 said:

Hi All.....

 I am hoping you all can help me with my questions.  My family and my brothers' family are hoping to cruise on the Harmony next June 2019.  My brother uses a wheelchair.  How accessible are things for someone traveling in a wheelchair on the ship?  Also, our ports of call are Roatan, CocoCay, Cozumel and Costa Maya.  How accessible are those ports?  Are there any special touring companies that offer accessible tours?

Thanks so much!

-Sue

Hi Sue,  like Kathy said we cruise often with our son in a wheelchair. We have sailed Harmony, and the ship itself is very accessible. The accessible cabins are large and easily  maneuverable . All common areas will be no problem navigating. You may run into the occasional area he can not get to with maybe a few stairs or something, but for the most  part he will be good. I would  recommend going to any dining room or specialty  restaurants that you will be eating at and make sure they are aware that you require a table for a wheelchair user that is easily accessed. Sometimes they pack people in and it is very hard to  maneuver through the crowds. Bring your  patients  With the elevators. It can be pretty crazy, people can be very rude. Nothing that Im sure yoir brother hasn't already encoutered. Make sure when going to Muster drill that you stay out of the crowd of people  lining up, they will realease your brother before anyone else, go as quickly as possible to the elevators if you need one,  or you will not get one for a VERY long time, or just plan to stay put for a while where you are. 

As far as entertainment on the ship....I am not certain of your brothers level of mobility, but if he is not able to walk at all or take any stairs  certain things will not be accessible. Ie: water slides, abyss slide, zip line sadly there is no elevator to get up to these things so wont be able to do. There is a ramp to get to the back sports area to see the flow rider and other fun stuff back there. Plan to get to the theaters or any shows VERY  early. There is very limited accessible seating, (very last row in the theaters) and it goes quickly. Able bodied people sit there and unfortuatley Royal  doesn’t enforce it being for special needs cruisers. 

As far a excursions... Royal unfortunatly has very limited accessible excursions. Mostly  just tours of the town and shopping. Again a lot is determined by your brothers mobility. Is he able to transfer into a van or taxi? My son is able to, so we can venture out. You will have better luck wih private tours. We have found accessible  parasailing , snorkling, boat tours. Just have to really do your homework. A lot of  research. We have found that almost all port areas around the ship are accessible, maybe a few issues with curb cuts, but workable. We have been to several of the ports you mention, if you let me know your brothers limitations and interests  I will try to help you find something fun to do. If you have any more specific questions I am so happy to help you. I know how difficult and  intimidating travel can be with special needs. Royal does have a special needs  department that can be helpful if you have any special requests like extension cords or shower chairs that type of thing. Hope this helped! 

We're in Houston! Would be interested in a possible meet up depending on location and date!! Thanks! 

My husband and I sailed on Equinox in 2014, and loved it!!! It was just what we were looking for. Total relaxation. However we both kept saying that our son would be very bored, and would stick to Royal when sailing with him, especially if they are used to Oasis class ships.

Just stayed in a CLS #1742 on Allure a couple weeks ago. It was fantastic!!! Loved everything about the suite, and the service and extras that we received  being a suite guest were amazing. If you can swing it, go for it!! WARNING.... you will likely be ruined for regular cabins again!! Oh and you may not leave the 17th deck very often!?

Haven't had to rent a scooter, but our son uses a wheelchair and can't walk at all. Never had a problem getting him off at a port, (even a tender port)  and Royal always insists on helping him off. Have seen MANY scooters get helped off in port,  even a couple weeks ago on Allure they were taking scooters onto the water taxis in St  Marteen. Enjoy your cruise. 

Haven't sailed on the same ship twice. same class yes. Have met wonderful friends that we still cruise with and keep in touch with.

Different rituals on different ships and ports. Like first thing roast beef sandwichs on any ship with park cafe, eating at Gilbert's in FLL pre cruise, going to total wine to pick up two perfect bottles of wine to take onboard. Well you get it, I literally could go on and on!!

I agree that the few perks for the JS are hardly worth it UNLESS you can manage to get one of the aft balconies with the jinormous balconies.

 

Of course, the O class ships have NONE of these big balconies so it isn't even an option for that class.

 

Unless you really need the double points or getting into the Coastal Kitchen for dinner is a big incentive, there isn't really a huge benefit to getting the JS on the O class.  I think that is one reason why I see so many JS left unsold on so many of the O class sailings.  It seems that the big suites go REALLY fast (especially the Star class) but those JS sales are really lagging - at least, it seems that way to me.  The JS is nearly double the price of an oceanview balcony.  I don't see the value there.  Either they are going to have to add some perks to that suite class or lower the prices.  IMO.

I totally agree with you. The double points was very tempting, as that would push us into diamond, but that just wasn't incentive enough. The room size isn't a big deal, because we require an accessible cabin and that is about the same size. Do miss the closet, but don't get the bathtub, because of the roll in shower. Soooo JS just doesn't make sense. Unless we get Some EXTRA PERKS!

Assuming a 7-night cruise? Something less than $1k. Depends on my mood and how good a deal it is.

Yes Matt 7 nights on the Harmony group cruise. We booked a JS, but the more I thought about the price difference, (which could pay for most of the additional trip expenses) also the fact that we have an accessible cabin which is already larger. And what little perks you get with a JS, I just couldn't justify it. Moved to a D4 on deck 9.

Thank you for replying

What is the difference in price you are willing to pay to be in a Junior Suite opposed to a Ocean View Balcony on Oasis class?

Thanks

Thank you everyone for your responses. That was the exact information I was looking for!

Hi, We book the Sept 2017 group cruise on Harmony Through MEI. A very nice man named John helped me, but we really didn't discuss the group aspect of this cruise. I know that Annette was on the Freedom group cruise and was amazing with planning.

My question is will one main person from MEI be handling the details of the group cruise, or will everyone continue to use the TA they booked through?

We are beyond excited about this cruise!!

Thanks!

The "works" breakfast in Johnnie Rockets, that's the bomb!

 

I LOVE this too! LOL

Have you contacted the special needs department? If not that would be the place to try, our Son is in a wheelchair and they have been very accommodating in addressing his needs. I agree with those that mentioned Muster drill being a problem. I would definetly try and get special arrangements made to avoid any problems with this. Muster can be stressful, crowded and long. They usually allow those with special needs to leave early, or be in a totally separate place from the crowds. I hope this all works out for you all. Please thank them for their service.

Hi, I just received a quote from MEI to book this cruise, I am wanting to book it for my Sons Birthday (Sept 18th). I am trying to decide which cabin we would want. We have cruised on Oasis before. I am looking at either an accessible OV balcony D3 and D4 are same price. With decks 9, 10,12, and 14 to choose from. As well I am considering an accessible JS on deck 14, ( only accessible one) however that one is right under the kids splash bay. I am concerned about noise there. Scraping chairs etc. If we booked the JS with double points we would make Diamond on this sailing. Decisions...decisions.

Any suggestions or advice from the experts?

Thanks

Laura

Cute picture Kat! I remember that same excitement from our first cruise. Still get that excited, but usually blow right by those photographers now.... More important things to do, like get that first roast beef sandwich. I have my priorities straight right?

For us, it is mainly for our son? He gets bored on a ship that doesn't have a lot to do. We love the shows, different neighborhoods especially Central Park. The size of the ship and openness works well because my son is in a wheelchair and it's easy to get around.

My husband and I prefer a ship with better access to seeing the water, but we like Oasis class as well. You can't go wrong with this class.

Sorry do not need to read again. Royal policy is only to open after final payment date. But if they opened on the first day, any passenger is free to take them, it is not on the passenger the passenger has done nothing wrong. You cannot blame a passenger for getting the best cabin and deal they can.

 

What I am offend by here is the title of this thread. While many may want to see Royal as a US Company they do not operate as a US company, all the ships are flagged  outside the United States, and mostly crewed by non US workers. They are not required to follow the same laws as a fixed operator like Disney World Florida.  But in a effort to accommodate passengers and to build business they try to accommodate many different groups.

 

To title this thread  "Disabled being overcharged" is implying something that is not happening here. Royal is just doing what is best for the only thing that really counts,  the highest return on the shareholders investment.  Sometimes I am very negative towards Royal in this case I believe they are more than fair with this class of cabins.

 

 

 

Yes I can blame the passenger for lying and filling out a form saying that they require an accessible cabin when they DO NOT, and are just doing it to get a larger cabin. I can't believe you feel that is justified.

There are 2700 cabins on an Oasis class ship. Only 46 are accessible cabins. I don't think it is to much to ask that able-bodied persons pick from the 2645 that are still available and leave the 46 to the people that have to have them in order to cruise!!

It is Royal who is offering these cabins as open once it gets close to the cruise dates. They only open them if they are not sold, how can any say Royal should allow cabins to go unsold? Royal is a business, a business owned by shareholders who want the company to follow the law but to sell every cabin and get the highest return on investment.

 

It has nothing to do with not caring,  it has everything to do with the fact that this is a business.

You need to go back and look at my post #20. I said I had no problem releasing these rooms after final payment. I'm talking about the person lying about needing an accessible cabin just to get the bigger cabin.

Thanks for this information. I sail Royal or Celebrity, but have considered trying a short cruise (on the line your mentioning)out of my home port. I will know to make sure I get everything clearly stated and in writing if I do it...