Kcheine

I was on Horizon last June and we loved it.  The pool is busy but we had seats on 12 overlooking the pool area.  I love the newer ships because they are more handicap accessible.  My son is in a wheelchair and I need to know he will be able to get around the whole ship.

I just booked a accessible cabin on Carnival Panorama for 4.  I think the new Carnival ships have a few rooms for 4.

Also have done Royal Caribbean for 4.

Thank you everyone for your comments!

Thanks for the info.  I will definitely contact them!

Going on RC in April to Bermuda and Boston.  Trying to figure out what to do in each port that would be wheelchair friendly.  We do have a folding stroller that we can put my son in and transfer him also.  Any suggestions would be helpful.  Thank you!

One correction, on the Freedom we were in room 1002 but all the other Carnival newer ships, we were in 10202.

Regarding Cozumel, there is plenty to do.  There are tons of shops right at the Port and a Margaritaville for food and drinks.  We have also gone to Chankanaab in the past.  We swam with the dolphins.  I held my son in the water and the dolphins came right up to us so we were able to touch it and stuff.  We didn't ride it or anything since I wouldn't be able to do that with my son.  They have a Sea Lion show, shops, beach, gardens, small version of Tulum, etc.  Plenty to do for an afternoon.  I think we took a taxi and used my sons folding stroller instead of the wheelchair.  I bring both on cruises because it's so much easier to use the folding stroller on excursions.

The pools are a bit colder than I like for my son but he does love the hot tubs.  The Freedom has a few of those so you should be able to get your daughter into that.

You both should enjoy the shows.  They have reserved seating for wheelchairs.  It is mostly singing and dancing.  The PG comedy shows are great too.  We have done the Dive In Movies to at the pool.

Let me know if I can help you at all.  I am a single mom who finds going on cruises with my 2 kids the best and safest way for me to go on vacation.  So many options...

Kelly

My son is in a wheelchair also.  We did 3 Disney cruises then switched to Carnival.  Our first Carnival Cruise was on the Freedom.  We loved it.  Much cheaper than Disney.  We had the handicap accessible room 10202.  We have used that room on Carnival Breeze, Vista, and Horizon.  Its near the pool and the buffet.  Highly suggest that room.  Plenty of room and a window.

I agree that you do need to walk thru the Casino to get to some things near the back of the boat but I think you could also take the elevator at the AFT to skip the Casino.

Regarding Mahogany Bay, we loved this port since you could just get off the ship and walk to the beach and shops right from there.  My son used his wheelchair then I carried him to the water.  The water was warm and beautiful and you could just walk back to the ship when you are tired of the beach.  Also, we do not always get off the ship at some ports like Cozumel since we have been there so many times and my kids enjoy the ship more when everyone is off the ship.  They have the pools and waterparks to themselves.  My son can walk thru the waterpark splash area with his walker and its less crowded on port days.

I will say that I suggest going with the more updated ships in the future because they are even more handicap accessible and they have more things to do.  They have Imax Movie Theatre that my son loved going to, to watch just released movies.  There is also ropes courses and sky ride for other in your party.  My daughter loved both.

The Carnival Shows at night are great for the whole family and we highly suggest the comedy shows.

You can't beat the price of Carnival vs. Disney.  Hope you have a great time.  Let me know if you have any other questions.

Kelly

We just looked at the beach. Did not go into the water. We did use the pool at Margaritaville.

Grand Turk is extremely accessible. There is a Margaritaville with a huge pool right near the dock. It actually has a beach entry on the one side of the pool. There is an exhibit from NASA regarding the Mercury space program called Splashdown which was interesting and informative. There are shops too. Hope that helps.

Carnival and Disney have buses from airports to cruise ships with lifts for wheelchairs or scooters. You have to call the cruise line to set up the bus. We have done 7 cruises without a problem.

I had a miserable experience in Miami last year. The night before the cruise, the hotel called for a wheelchair accessible taxi to arrive at 11. After waiting a half hour, we called taxi company. No answer. We started calling other taxi companies. Most had no answer while others couldn't promise when it would show up. 2 hours later and crying on the phone begging for someone to pick us up, a wheelchair taxi finally came to get me and my 2 kids. I will NEVER stay in Miami again before a cruise. More wheelchair taxis in Ft. Lauderdale and then I use the cruise line shuttle from airport. Less stress.

Thank You! I appreciate the information.

Recently booked the Carnival Horizon out of NYC in June to Bermuda. I have a 16 yr old son in a wheelchair. I would like to go to Horseshoe Bay so my kids can swim and enjoy the beach. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I have cruised with my kids as a single parent on the past 6 cruises. We have another one booked next April. I love cruising with my kids. When they were younger, they went into the kids clubs everyday so I could go to the gym in the morning. They also went later in the afternoon so I could go lay near the adult only pool to swim and read. They loved the clubs. There is so much to do on newer ships with waterparks, putt putt golf, ropes courses, arcades, comedy shows at night along with nightly shows. We would fall into bed between 9 and 10 exhausted. There is no better vacation as a single parent. I have done 3 Disney and 3 Carnival cruises.

Just returned from our cruise on the Carnival Vista out of Miami. We had a great time BUT I do want to tell you about our bad experience trying to get a wheelchair accessible taxi in Miami to the port on the day of sailing. We stayed at the Hampton Inn Miami Brickell Downtown. The hotel called for a wheelchair accessible taxi to pick us up at 11:15 on day of cruise. Well, no one showed up. They tried to call the company and no answer. We started to call around to other taxi companies and they were either closed or not answering their phones. 2 different companies said "MAYBE" they could come in an hour or another one said half hour. I was panicking. Ship was sailing at 4:30. I had my 2 children with me who would be devastated if we missed the ship. Finally after crying to lady at Yellow Cab (305)444-4444, she said she knew someone who would come get me. Jean Altidor called me saying he would be there in 15 to 20 minutes and gave me his cab number. When his wheelchair accessible taxi pulled up, I hugged him, crying and thanking him. He gave me his card for next time I am in Miami. (Friendly Car Service - 786-479-6268) This was such a stressful way to start our cruise. How do I prevent this from ever happening again? Stay at hotel at airport, I guess. The list the airport gives of wheelchair accessible taxi companies is a complete lie. I want to pursue this further so it never happens to someone else again. Just a headups for anyone trying to travel in the Miami area with a wheelchair.

There is a nice beach and shopping area within walking distance to the port. My family loved it and my son also is in a wheelchair.

We went on the Carnival Breeze last March. Deck 12 is handicap accessible via a lift over stairs but it was broken for the whole cruise so 4 crew members lifted the wheelchair up the stairs so my son could use the Sports Court. We only did it once because I felt uncomfortable asking for help. Hopefully it is fixed but maybe you should call Carnival and ask. We are going on the Vista in April which does have elevator access to the sports deck. Hopefully this helps.

Thank you!

Does your husband use an electric wheelchair? I need a wheelchair lift.

We will be flying into Ft. Lauderdale the day before our cruise leaves out of Miami. I am traveling alone with my 15 and 12 yr old. My son is in a wheelchair. My question is should I spend the night in Ft. Lauderdale or Miami near the Port. Last time I flew into Ft. Lauderdale at night, I had a hard time getting a wheelchair accessible taxi. What are my best options with wheelchair and all the luggage? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Wondering if anyone can suggest good excursions in San Juan, Grand Turk, St. Kitts, and St. Maarten. My 15 yr. old son is in a wheelchair and we also have a folding stroller for him. Would love a hotel with pool possibly. Might just walk around Grand Turk since I heard there is a beach and Margaritaville right at the Port. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Hi!

I have been on 3 Disney cruises with my children, with one having special needs. Definitely contact Disney about your son. They have a form to fill out.

I always stay at the Hyatt right at the Orlando Airport then take the Disney Magic Express from the lower concourse to the port. Easiest for me traveling alone with kids and they handle the luggage for me. I always fly to Orlando day before in case of delays, canceled flights, etc. I also fly out later afternoon on the day we get back to port. A 12:22 flight would make me uncomfortable because its an hour to Orlando then security... I thought Disney suggests flights after 1.

Definitely go to the Open House for the Kids Club to get kids used to area and meet the counselors. They were great with my son, who is in a wheelchair. They do have structured events everyday so your son can pick what he would like to do like Science experiments, cooking, arts and crafts, video games.

There is so much to do on the Disney Fantasy. Do not miss the shows every night because they are fantastic. My kids loved the mystery game on the ship that sends them all over for clues. The pool area can get super crazy and we enjoyed the pool when everyone else was in port. Like having the pool to ourselves.

Hope you enjoy your cruise and good luck!

This is my first post so...

I have a 14 year old son with CP. He uses an electric wheelchair and has a collapsable stroller. Our Carnival cruise is stopping in Falmouth, Jamaica. Any suggestions on wheelchair accessible excursions that both my kids will enjoy. I am thinking beach.

Thank you!

DCL Magic 2011 (Eastern)

DCL Fantasy 2012 (Western)

DCL Dream 2013 (Bahamas)

Carnival Freedom 2014 (Western)

Carnival Breeze March 2015 (Western)