Tram From Ship To CoCoCay

[lindathepooh]

Please correct me if wrong. I thought I read somewhere that RCCL will now provide tram service to the disabled or elderly only. If youre able to walk you have to walk to the island. This may have been a fake posting and Im sorry I didnt get a chance to note where I saw it. Please straighten me out!!

[Ryan79]

You are not wrong. There is still a team for disabled, but the line for that can be long. The tram for everyone else became a safety issue because too many people don’t have the common sense to see the tram route lines on the ground.

[wordell1]

Honestly, this is now just like every other port now.

[lindathepooh]

My concern is that I have to use a walker for distances but my daughter who is 50 and has a bad ankle from a break years ago  is able to walk. So, I can get tram service to the adult beach but she has to walk? I guess I can try to walk there but it’ll take some time. Any estimates how far it is to the adult beach or how long it will take?

[WAAAYTOOO]

I have read over on CC that the pier-to-transportation center tram is back in operation and that there was only a temporary stop to the tram.  Who knows, at this point.

[tjcruisers]

My wife mentioned this last night, not sure where she seen though

[lindathepooh]

Well, I’m glad someone else saw it too! Confirms Im not completely off my rocker! I guess its going to be one of those “wait and see” issues.

[Atlantix2000]

According to Matt's article from a few days ago, it was an announced permanent change: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2024/10/14/royal-caribbean-cuts-cococay-tram-service

[lindathepooh]

I read the complete article and now I understand. Thank you all!

[27th Lady]

@lindathepooh I can’t imagine you both could not take the tram if you told them you both have mobility issues. I would just talk to the staff when you are there  

[ScottD]

18 hours ago, lindathepooh said:

I read the complete article and now I understand. Thank you all!

BUT Royal sent out a message some passengers saying this was a temporary, one week issue and should be back to full service. I guess we will all find out when we get there! 

[SplashOfWater]

3 hours ago, ScottD said:

BUT Royal sent out a message some passengers saying this was a temporary, one week issue and should be back to full service. I guess we will all find out when we get there! 

We were there on Monday, October 14th and there was only a handicap-accessible tram going up and down the pier. 

We did see one non-handicap tram return at the end of the day, but it was bringing back the stragglers at 4:00pm who didn't think a 3:30pm all-aboard time applied to them.

[Matt]

I was at CocoCay on Sunday. The trams between the ship and Arrivals plaza are still just for handicap.

I asked if I could get a tram ride.  Was told only for handicap folks

 

[Pattycruise]

I doubt this Has to do anything with people not being able to get out of the way of trams since they are still running trams. I’m gonna guess cost savings. 

[Matt]

1 hour ago, Pattycruise said:

I doubt this Has to do anything with people not being able to get out of the way of trams since they are still running trams. I’m gonna guess cost savings. 

I really don't think it's a cost cutting measure. How much money could solar powered golf carts really have? 

In my opinion, I think it became problematic to run given how few they have. Too many people asking for a ride, long lines, bad customer experience (especially for those that do have mobility issues).

[smokeybandit]

I think it was legit handicapped people having to wait for a tram because people were just lazy for the walk to and from.

[SplashOfWater]

1 hour ago, Matt said:

I really don't think it's a cost cutting measure. How much money could solar powered golf carts really have? 

In my opinion, I think it became problematic to run given how few they have. Too many people asking for a ride, long lines, bad customer experience (especially for those that do have mobility issues).

I agree. I don't think they have enough trams to shuttle everyone down the pier AND around the island. I bet a lot of people are opting to take the tram to Hideaway Beach given it's location on the island. And on the days when there are two large ships docked, I can see the tram system being overwhelmed.

I hope that Royal is ordering more trams to restore the pier service. Once summer returns it's going to be a long, hot walk down that pier, especially for families with small children.

[twangster]

I've always walked as a means to burn off Windjammer calories so for me it's a non-issue.

If someone is escorting a person with a legitimate need I am confident they won't separate an escort.  If a family of 15 capable persons wants to escort grandma that's another issue.  Pick an escort and the rest of the able bodies can walk.  It's not that far.   

[Jolly Ogre]

What are they considering handicapped? Do we have to show our placard?

I just came off Achilles surgery and will be out of the boot in another week I don't know how well I will be able to walk in Dec. 

[smokeybandit]

11 minutes ago, Jolly Ogre said:

What are they considering handicapped? Do we have to show our placard?

I just came off Achilles surgery and will be out of the boot in another week I don't know how well I will be able to walk in Dec. 

That'll be a gray area like it always is. Most will be obvious that they need a tram. There will be some who need the tram with no obvious outward reason for needing it. And of course there will be some who try to buck the system.

[Gilley]

I think they should extend it to elderly.  They may not necessarily be in a wheel chair, cane or oxygen but that walk could be a bit much for grandma.

[Matt]

5 hours ago, Jolly Ogre said:

What are they considering handicapped? Do we have to show our placard?

No, I truly believe if you say you have a mobility issue, that's all they need to hear.

Granted, I didn't test this, but I really don't think they expect anyone to be traveling with proof like that, especially while on their way to the beach

[Jolly Ogre]

19 hours ago, Matt said:

No, I truly believe if you say you have a mobility issue, that's all they need to hear.

Granted, I didn't test this, but I really don't think they expect anyone to be traveling with proof like that, especially while on their way to the beach

Ok, while I am still in a boot I hope to be walking well enough by Dec to not need the tram, however you can never be to sure how long healing will take.

[Geezer Of The Seas]

@Jolly Ogre. Without violating HIPPA rules, How did you tear the tendon,was it complete tear or detachment at the heel? How's it feeling now.......and speedy recovery to you. 

[Jolly Ogre]

6 minutes ago, Geezer Of The Seas said:

@Jolly Ogre. Without violating HIPPA rules, How did you tear the tendon,was it complete tear or detachment at the heel? How's it feeling now.......and speedy recovery to you. 

I had bone spurs in my heel and after a year of babying it, it finally tore through the tendon while I was walking in a flat parking lot. Had a surgery where they cut the tendon that runs under the foot and attached that to the achilles and pulled it back down and secured with a screw in the back of the heel. 6 weeks in a cast and then 4 weeks in the boot and then will start PT in about a week from now. 

As for how it feels? Imagine having legos in your shoes and try to walk. It is getting better but it is a process... have to stretch the tendons and muscles back to where they were before the injury. It just takes time and as I remind my patients we are not 25 anymore so it takes longer to recover. LOL

[Riverboy]

Hopefully no one will have to prove their handicap or limitations.  At some ports DW and I have paid porters for wheelchair service, i.e., Labadee and Cozumel.  It may not be common knowledge, but RCCL/Celebrity have "special needs/assistance forms" that you can submit prior to the cruise.  It covers wheel chairs, CPAP water/extension cords, real refrigerators for medicine, etc.  If this form is submitted pre-cruise, there should be no question about guest needs or limitations.