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Now instead of waiting for 550+ days to get a cabin we need, they will be sold out before we can even have a chance to see if there is a room not already booked. The need of one< just more space for another. Guess will be looking else where after this cruise on the Vista.

My Vista cruise in December 2017 FTTF came up, in December last year, online at 8pm and sold out before 8 am. I was very lucky I got 2 for both cabins.

I've probably eaten at the Steakhouse on various Carnival ships maybe 20 times and usually had excellent experiences with the service and the food. However, last week was my first not so excellent meal.

 

It started with the little postcard reminder that I received in my cabin the day before my reservation. It had the wrong time so I had to call the Steakhouse to have them change the reservation back to my requested time. I called in the late afternoon, letting the phone ring several times over 20, no one picks up. On my 4th attempt, I finally got through, and was questioned why I wanted to change the time. The Maitre'D did not understand or acknowledge that they entered the wrong time.

 

Okay, little detail resolved and out of the way, We entered and were seated in a few minutes and given menus. About 5 minutes later, the head waiter comes by and asks if we are ready to order. No presentation show and explanation of the different entree, just are we ready? I mean I could probably do a fair job of showing off the cuts of meat I've seen it so often, but Evelyn has not. .

 

The assistant waiter then brings over the bottle of Pellegrino that I ordered, pours us a glass, and puts the bottle on the servers table. Not on ice, in a bucket like they usually do. We get the chefs compliment, then wait for the bread. Another 5 minutes and the asst. waitress brings us the 3 bread condiments. And we wait for the bread itself. 5 minutes later, .I ask the head waiter about our bread, and he apologizes and mumbles that he is working with an incompetent crew. I mention that the Pellegrino is still sitting unchilled, and he rushes to bring us a new bottle which he then puts into an ice bucket.

 

Our main entree arrives, and the head waiter says the side dishes will be out immediately. When the Maitre'D comes by to ask us how our meal is going 5 minutes later, I mention that we were still waiting for our sides to arrive. She then rolled up her sleeves and jumped into action, clearing dishes from another table, carrying orders to patrons,and yes, she got our sides ASAP.

 

I have posted many times on CC how I've enjoyed the Steakhouse for both its food and the service, so I have no problem posting that this experience did not perform to the expectations that I've enjoyed in the past. Did it ruin the meal? Absolutely not. And I'll keep my reservation for the Steakhouse when I sail the Glory in June.

 

I told the MDR Maitre'D Stant that his crew gave us better service than the Steakhouse did that night.

Even the best steakhouse has problems with staff, food or other reasons your experience may not be up to your standards. Next time this happens, call the manager over to your table and invite him to have a seat, be very detailed on what happened and if he cares at all about his place he will make sure it never happens again.

I used to be a chef in the 1800s or so it feels like, and I took things very personal and went out of my way to make sure every customer had a great experience. You pay good money for food to be served properly and if you don't they not only lose money they lose customers. If I don't get service as expected or my food is not correct or cooked properly, no I wont suck it up and let it go.

The only thing that you can do is buy another package. If you wish to do "Double net usage" then pay for double, don't try and "share".

You can always find food when you're hungry. No worries!

Wait what???? They have food on the ship? So I don't have to call Jimmy Johns? ;p

I just want the opportunity to get my transportation so I can use the rest room, get a drink, eat or see the sites. I just wanted access to my mobility scooter/power scooter. I would have no perks as a FTTF, with the exception of the escort to and from the cabin to get the scooter. And assistance to debark from the ship.

Accessible cabins must fill out a "NEED" form to request a room or any extra services you will need. Do you really think someone would pay 300+ bucks and lie on a form to scam to get into your room and leave right away?

I just don't understand how people think its ok to be insensitive to a problem that they may never have had or will have. Maybe one day you will see the need for things when you can not do things for yourself.

I do not need a assistant nor would I want one, I am a very independent person who wants to enjoy my cruise with my friend who also is wheel chair bound.

I have 2 FTTF purchased for my Dec. cruise, to avoid this situation. But I am looking for the future cruises or lack of cruises I will be taking.

But the easy option for everyone is to just pick the check in time of 1:30pm or later. You can go right to your room. You will fight the same crowds day 1 as you do day 5, 6 etc. So that is not an excuse.

No it is not that simple, you are wheeled in a wheel chair into the Atrium and then you SIT and wait and wait until someone from Special needs comes to get you to escort you to your cabin. Heaven forbid if you want a drink or need to use the rest room. You can get up and go do both, some of us can not. Being a solo traveler it is not a want it is a need.

If I have to book a cruise 550+ days out then you tell me I should wait until the last people get on. I have just same rights as you or anyone else who chose a 11am boarding time. How would you like be told because you have a disability you have no right to board early like "normal" people. Really?

Maybe make FTTF spots open for accessible rooms only then once they are filled you have a chance to get one? See not such a great idea now is it to restrict or tell someone too bad so sad get behind the line.

I really find your comment offensive btw.

Cheaper than a nursing home!

Thanks for all those have responded.

First off, there is only 20 accessible rooms on the Vista and Horizon and roughly a bit more on the other ships. And if someone is going to pay 200-300+ dollars to get on board earlier by scamming CCL, then wow they really need to get on board.

If someone already has a scooter/wheelchair why would they really need to go to the cabin? There is no reason. Most people that are wheelchair bound have no issues waiting because they can actually use the rest room or get out of the sun or I don't know maybe look around the ship. My case I would have to sit in a corner and wait for 3+ hours and hope the cabin is ready. And then pray someone actually comes back for me to assist me to my cabin.

I do not have a companion that cruise with me, this cruise my friend is coming with me and she has her own cabin, her own rental mobility scooter and thank goodness we both got the FTTF, if it was not for boarding issues I would not even stress over not having one.

A simple solution to a serious issue, so charge me for the service to get delivered to my cabin and then call it a day. I am not suggesting this would be made available to every handicapped person only the ones who has transport waiting for them. I would suggest crew bringing it to me but that would never happen because they would be responsible for any damage or loss.

My suggestion is: Handicapped special tag- Price $20 bucks (to be used for a tip for the escort person) deliver cruiser with a (documented NEED-rental from rental company on file) only to the cabin to get the TRANSPORT vehicle and escort cruiser back out of the area. The tag works for embarkation and debarkation as well.

Vinlin06 there will be a wheel chair at drop off at the port. They will assist you on to the ship.

Why not just arrive to the port a little later? Pick a check in time of 1:00 and you will not likely have a line and by the time you check in and board your room should be ready. Problem solved at no cost.

Have you tried to navigate around 4000 people all trying to get to one place at once in a scooter? Or try to get on a elevator when 4000 people "need" to ride the elevator to get to there cabins with all the carry ons?

Like I said it is not a luxury its a need.

Although they are often there sooner, the rental companies do not guarantee that the rental items will be available in your stateroom until 2:00.

 

We have always been able to snag FTTF, but then we also plan pretty far in advance so that we can guarantee both that and a handicapped cabin of our choice.

Customer service can tell you if its in your cabin or not, but my point is if its there I should have access to it. Being handicapped and planning a cruise over 550+ days is crazy, but that is what we have to do to get a cabin since there is so limited cabins available.

The Vista cruise I was just lucky the FTTF came online at 10pm and they were sold out by 8 am the next day. I was just very lucky I was on the site.

I always buy the FTTF when I can, not because I want to be first in line at the buffet, it is clearly for safety and to have access to medical needed transports that are waiting in my cabin (scooters, power wheel chairs or wheel chairs).

FTTF some times are not available and if I had to wait for it would not be the end of the world but to have immediate access to my transport is not a luxury it is a need.

What do you think of a plan for disabled that has their transports in the cabin, should we be allowed to at least get to use them prior to 4 hours after the initial boarding? "1:30 +/- pm cabin ready time"

The plan would be just access to your cabin to unload a carry on and get your transport and leave.

I would not be against a small fee to provide this service.

I normally travel solo and do not have a abled body to push me around in the "courtesy" wheel chairs.

Before pitching this to JH, I wanted your thoughts on the matter.

My motel I used last time went up to 400 bucks a night for same package and now charge for breakfast. I need a secure parking spot for the duration of the cruise and prefer a suite or king size bed.

Hilton Garden Inn by the Airport went from 200 bucks to over 400 so that place is a no thanks.

Shuttle to port would be nice.

With all those horrible reviews I suggest you cancel ASAP so someone who actually wants a Havana Balcony Cabin will jump on that cabin. Yes any doubts you have you should go else where and leave the cabin to those who really want to cruise on the Vista. Bad Vista! I booked my cabin 556 days before the cruise. I could not even get a Havana Balcony at that time. So yes please cancel.

Answer Carnival.com-Explore ships-ship you wish to see what is available....

Try booking a accessible room, you should never complain over 365 days. Each cruise I have booked it has been 550+ days. The one on the Vista was 556 days because a friend wanted to join me who which is also in a wheel chair.

First off the staff that deals with the disabled cruisers gets 10 stars hands down. However the ship planning of accessible areas/cabins fails miserably.

Thinking the newer ships would hold more in need of accessible cabins and decreased not increased in larger ships.

My first cruise was a B2B on the Victory, great cabin, better service AAA+, amount of cabins available -D for available vs cabins in total.

That trip took me 500+ days to get the same room (b2b), since there was very limited balcony rooms available.

Now I had to go out 570+ days to get 2 balconies on the Vista. The ship is huge you would think they would have at least double the Victory has, it has less. Here is a random number of accessible cabins available. What does CCL think we do not deserve to cruise like "normal" people?:mad:

vista 23 (forget Havana Cabins NONE available) (forget Aft-0) (spa-0) Some area of the ships are not even available to everyone who is in a wheelchair.

horizon 24(forget Havana Cabins NONE available) (forget Aft-0) (spa-0)

Victory 27

Sunshine 30

Does anyone know if any of these rooms are wheelchair accessible?

No there is none.

Hilton Garden Inn Miami Airport location has a great Park and cruise package.

I will be boarding the Breeze this coming April. I have a question regarding being handicap. I am able to walk on board the ship without assistance but am wondering if I will be able to board before general boarding. And if so, how do I prove I am handicap other than my physical appearance. All I have is a handicap tag for my vehicle. Thanks

Contact special needs and request a escort up the ramp when it is your turn to board. I am in a mobility scooter and I am always escorted up and down the ramps.

There is always a staff available to escort you up the ramp if you do not need any assistance, escorting you while walking up will ensure your safety as well as others.

I always buy a FTTF if available, for the extra perks, I suggest you and try to get one as well.

If you are escorted up, it does not give a green light to your entire party to join you. Can you imagine a family of 8 scamming the lines just to avoid paying for a FTTF sticker, not saying anyone would ;) but could see it happening.

Except for extreme medical circumstances they will not hold anything in their kitchens. The old cabin fridges do not go below 40F, the newer ones (Miracle) might be better.

 

Beyond that, you can bring almost anything onboard. Last cruise we brought onboard cookies from port. We brought on fresh mango during our HI cruise.

They have never nor will they ever under any circumstances hold any medication, drugs or insulin in a unsecured location such as a kitchen. All controlled items must be in your cabin medi-fridge or cooler, ice container or bagged and tagged stored in the infirmary.

They request you make prior arrangements via special needs and they will have a medi-fridge in your cabin waiting if one is available.

Don't take my $3.99 bottle of water dang it!!!! I wont ever sail again!!!! I will hold my breath until I turn blue!

With only 7 accessible balcony rooms available on the Vista my friend and I had to get our cabins 560+days out.

My PvP took a few days to even find 2 cabins that had no tenders on the Vista.

Already looking for Dec 2018.

We needed 2 accessible cabins.

I drive from Minnesota to Miami, so with the weather in early December I always give me 2-3 extra days, so I don't have to hurry. I drive for 8-10 hours and am done for the day. I arrive 2 days+ to drive around and explore. Last year I drove to the Keys and it was amazing. I loved the drive.

I drive solo, but if I had another driver it would only take me a day and a half non-stop but who wants to stress out and worry about the roads or traffic. So earlier the better.

I do the Cruise and stay at the Hilton (airport) and walk right on the ship once I get there. Its the only way to go.

Does boarding only start at 1:30PM?

Depends on port/ship

Miami port has times of 11 am on most ships.