zenster71

I'm hoping OASIS from Cape Liberty in summer 2021 will have at least a few cruises with new ports. Cape Canaveral-Coco Cay-Bahamas is basically the only option this summer.

Hi. My mom used a scooter on Anthem of the Seas from Special Needs at Sea. Very easy process - scooter was in her cabin when she arrived and she left it there when she disembarked. She did not have an accessible cabin, so it was a very tight fit for the scooter, but it worked. My mom thankfully did not have any problem taking the scooter into ports (Labadee, San Juan, Bermuda). But this was on Anthem not Allure. There was a slight incline/decline on the gangway, but the scooter did not have a problem at all (though my mom is pretty small). Be aware that on the return to the ship from port, though, you will likely want to walk through the metal detector separate from the scooter. My mom is pretty mobile and only needed the scooter for long distances, so it wasn't a problem, but I've read on other posts it can be a hassle if you can't walk through the metal detectors to reboard the ship and sometimes have to wait a long time for someone to hand-scan you. But it sounds like your brother-in-law's wife is in a similiar situation (trouble walking long distances), so it shouldn't be a problem. As previously noted, no scooters for tender ports, but you don't have to worry about that because I'm pretty sure Allure has no tender ports (too many guests). Also, on the Anthem, I "reserved" a space for the scooter on a port day that my mom did not want to use the scooter by telling guest services. Specifically, in St. Maarten, we had a bus tour, so she was able to leave the scooter on level 2, walk off, hop on a cart to the parking lot ($5) and she was all set. I think most major ports have carts/transportaion to get you from the ship to the main area where tours start. But again, let guest services know before hand - they have only limited space for scooters to "park." Not sure if it's the same deal on the Allure, though. Overall, most of the ship was accessible and accomodating. Scooters are certainly not unusual, and sometimes quite numerous, so RC is pretty good with handling guests with special needs, regardless of which ship. I'm sure you all will have a great time!

Just a quick note on the North Star based on my experience on the Anthem of the Seas in July 2016. The North Star does NOT go side-to-side along the ship anymore, even when at sea. A crew member told us the North Star used to do that on the first and last sea day of each cruise, but that for cruises of 9 days or less (which are now standard on Anthem), they no longer do that. He said it takes too long to go along the side of the ship and that "corporate" told them to stop doing it so more people could experience the North Star. When the North Star did not go along the side of the ship on the day we reserved it, the crew member told us to come back on the last sea day, but then on that day the crew member told us they no longer do that and asked for the name of the crew member that told us that it would go along the side so they could let him know it does not happen anymore. Not sure it that is still the policy or if it was just what they told me. Also do not not know the policy on other Quantum class ships. I still recommend the North Star - great experience. Also, if you don't reserve the North Star or miss your time, the last sea day was easy to get on without a reservation, at least in the morning. -Zeny