TravelBug2A

10 minutes ago, kokopelli-az said:

I know this isn't an answer, but you may or may not be able get on the tender.   There is limited availability of accessible tenders in Belize.  Have you checked directly with Carnival's Access Department (not their main call center)?   If not, their contact information is  1-800-438-6744 ext.70025 or email access@carnival.com     

 

Also, take a look at Carnival's information:

https://www.carnival.com/about-carnival/special-needs/wheelchair-users.aspx

 

If it's a must to get off at each port, you may want to look at itineraries that do not require a tender.   

 

Thank you but like you said this isn't an answer to my question as  I mentioned I called and spoke with the lady in Carnival access dept (I left the word dept out). Familiar with the info link already as we have been cruising Carnival for a while :). We do book our itineraries so we don't have a tender port but we would like to visit Belize and it happens to be a tender port and I know some ports have wheelchair accessible tenders so thought I would ask. So thank you for the info on that there are accessible tenders in Belize as that is encouraging 🙂 🙂 🙂 It would of been nice if Carnival Access dept could of told me that. 🙂 Thank you again - I do appreciate your response. 

Hello, 

We are thinking of booking an itinerary that includes Belize. Carnival access said that once on board we can go to the shore excursions desk to see if Belize has a wheelchair accessible (rolling access) tender. The lady couldn't confirm if Belize did or not. My daughter is in a custom manual wheelchair that doesn't fold. I can carry her on to the tender if need be and someone can place her w/c on. I know its dependable on the conditions, captains decision, etc, etc. I just want to know if anyone has had experience with tenders in Belize and if conditions are excellent do we have a chance? If we don't, I won't book that itinerary. 

Thank you so much. I appreciate your help. 

On 11/26/2019 at 10:18 AM, mwilt8012 said:

Anyone know of any private tours in Bonaire

There are MANY if you google search it. I have come across many and inquired with them. Good luck. (Not sure if this is too late or if you still have time). 

FYI... If you look on googlemaps you will see a couple of car rental agencies within a 10 minute walk of the port. The Divi hotel has hertz rental in it. 

40 minutes ago, 1025cruise said:

You might want to ask on the ports of call boards.

Oh ok, good idea.. Thank you. 

Hello... 

Our plans for our tour got canceled in Bonaire and am thinking of just renting a car for my daughter and I. She is in a wheelchair but I can put her in a seat with seatbelt and take her custom wheelchair apart in two bulky pieces to store in vehicle. We will need an SUV or van because the frame shape doesn't fit in all car trunks. Anyway, I am wondering if anyone has rented a car for their port day in Bonaire? Any recommendations on a company near port? Your experience? I am a little nervous as this will be our first time doing something totally on our own (we've done taxi in Cozumel last minute and private tours in other ports). I do plan to return the car 2 hours before we are supposed to be back on ship. Thank you so much for sharing your information. 

I am also thinking of doing this in Curacao so you have have any recommendations for there, experiences, etc that would be appreciated too? There are two sights I want to see on Curacao that requires driving to. 

Thank you! 🙂 

Hello. 
We are going to Bonaire in April and our original tour we planned fell through so am looking for a way to see the island either our-self or via tour. My daughter is in a wheelchair and we prefer her to stay in it (be transported in it) but I could take her out of it and have her sit in seat of vehicle. Her wheelchair doesn't fold, but comes apart in two bulky pieces. Any suggestions? Thank you so much. 

My daughter and I are going on this with them by ourselves (it's as if I'm traveling alone) and really looking forward to it. It's about a ten minute walk. Dont worry about not knowing Spanish. You will make do with English and lots of ppl around to help. I've only heard great things about this tour and company - I would go if I were u. Enjoy your cruise

On 5/10/2019 at 8:57 AM, mexico8 said:

I spend winters in Puerto Vallarta and have a Travelscoot.   I have never arrived by ship so I don't know about the port and getting off the ship.    I do know that I have some problems with the lack of cut-outs and the cobblestones are very bumpy with my scooter.    If you can get a van at the port they could drive you to the Malecon.   That is a pedestrian only street right beside the ocean with all kinds of stores and restaurants for miles.    There is even a lane for bikes that you could use but it's very wide street so lots of room for everyone.   There are plenty of areas to sit and watch the world go by and numerous statues and lovely ocean views.

Thank you... 🙂

On 5/5/2019 at 10:08 AM, CRUISEWITHH said:

My husband uses a scooter and is not able to handle stairs and so he did not even try to get on the tender at Cabo San Lucas.   We were on the Royal Princess.  Then when I was on the tender, the medical staff brought on 2 wheelchair "patients".  I was surprised to see that our tender had a ramp not the usual stairs.

 

I don't know the reason the two wheelchair patients were being taken off at Cabo but they were wheeled on and off easily.  It might just be because the Royal is a newer ship with newer survival craft that have a ramp.

 

 

I just found out that some tenders in some ports have roll on capabilities so this makes it a lot easier to roll on/off a wheelchair. 

25 minutes ago, 2Beeze said:

Could someone wiggle their nose like Sabrina (you have to be over 50) and get this thread closed and done? I think it’s run its course and then some.

Excellent idea. I was thinking the same thing... 

28 minutes ago, shelly222 said:

K- (TravelBug2A) just ignore this controlling person... She/he/it was out of line.. Others have had issues with this person. You are so full of knowledge when it comes to RC especially when traveling with a disabled person one that is confined to a w/c. You have thoroughly helped me so many times and come through for me. Just don't pay any attention to her/him/it - reallyitsmema. By the way, I will be calling you tomorrow as we need HELP on our next cruise.. 🙂 Glad to see you back on here - hope you stay as you are a valuable resource and can help so many others.. 🙂

Thank you Shelly - not needed though, but that was nice. I look forward to talking to you tomorrow. I have some info for you.. 

...

8 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

LOL  I provided you with a link to accurate information about accessible cabins and I am bossy and controlling?  No one is requiring you to click on the facts.  

 

Carry on...

I am glad you find it so funny. That says a lot and now I even understand more!  

Um when did I ask for that and why do I need to when I am very familiar with RC? Like I said, I ONLY mention what my experience has been, I don't assume and I don't need to mention anything further than that. I know about all the other accessible cabins but I don't worry about them because we don't want them. I only worry about our needs and since a nice person was making a suggestion for us, I responded pertaining to our experience and our needs! 

You did much more than just provide a link!  Enough said.. I'm done with you - you are so creepy! 

7 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

Ok, since you won't actually answer questions, I found the answer in your posts.

 

"Went on our first one last year and have two more booked"  

 

 

I am not sure what you are getting at or trying to prove, but if you want to use a statement that my girlfriend made on HER post then so be it. Yes, my girlfriend and I share the same account because she doesn't have a computer, she hates using her phone and so she asked when she was over last weekend if she could post a question on a forum here using my account and I said of course you can. Not that I owe u an explanation but you sure seem to be bossy. Not sure why you are trying to be so controlling.  I answer whatever questions I wish to and relate to topic. 

I have been cruising for 6 years now, most with RC. One or two cruises a year. I have also gone on 4 tours on different RC ships with my friend who is a TA. 

Now I see why CC has such a bad reputation - they must of dealt with you trying to control everyone...  

7 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

Have you ever actually cruised Royal Caribbean?  You mentioned before that there are three elevator banks when there are only two.  Accessible cabins on are many decks.  What ship have you sailed?

 

Here is a link that will give you information for Royal Caribbean.

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/experience/accessible-cruising/accessible-staterooms

 

You can further click to see all accessible cabins by ship, including other information about those cabins.

WOW!

YES and I am ONLY stating what my experience is as that is all I can. I will NOT assume anything as I only like to state facts. I am sorry but that is just how I am. I am ONLY stating what my experience has been when booking and what options we have had available to us for what we need and want. That is all I can give. I only speak of my experience. 

I am quite familiar with RC but thank you anyway for assuming that I am NOT and providing the link. Hopefully, someone else can benefit from it. 
 

53 minutes ago, ldubs said:

 

Yeah, good points.  I was just thinking out loud.  Doesn't sound like a viable option.   

 

I do have a question for the sake of discussion (and understand I'm ignorant of your cabin options).  Would selecting a cabin on the same deck as say the main dining room and theater be a better location because it would avoid the need for an elevator to those places?  If so, are they available?  

A great suggestion and hopefully it will help someone that would actually benefit from. For us, that wouldn't solve any elevator issue. We enjoy going to different places on the ships. With very little for us to do on the ship we enjoy walking the decks and exploring so it would not make any difference. In my experience, I see most cabins only available on decks 7 and 8 (I believe). We only go once a day to the main dining room if even that and theater maybe only once the entire cruise so it wouldn't eliminate the use of the elevator. But if you have seen my other comments on this you would see that the elevator issue is a part of cruising so we don't mind the issue. More important things to worry about in life. 🙂 Thank you though.. 

46 minutes ago, ldubs said:

 

I find that some folks do the same thing inside a relatively empty elevator, making people squeeze by them to get to the open space at the rear.  Don't understand what goes through some folk's minds.  There must be some kind of DNA sequence causing this behavior. 😀 

Yes, we have had to ask people to please move back to fill up the empty space so we can get on. 

On 5/7/2019 at 1:26 PM, biomedbob said:

When people are trying to get out when others are rushing in...."Let us out" at a reasonable level usually works.

We rarely have that problem as ppl see the w/c and move out of way so we can get off. I never understand though why ppl stand practically up against the elevator doors in front of them waiting - do they think no one will be exiting. 

20 minutes ago, ldubs said:

 

OK, I kind of was thinking the same thing.  I just got back from a recent greek island cruise.   This was not a mega ship.  Over the nine days I can only remember one time we encountered a full elevator.  To be sure, I can understand there are times when full elevators should be expected such as after muster drill or after a show lets out.  If that happens, a short wait and things will clear up.  

 

I can understand the frustration for folks with mobility issues and a cruise ship may have a larger population of folks with these issues.  I have not fully thought this through but guess I'm wondering if this problem can be at least partially remedied by more carefully selecting the cruise ship, cabin location, time of year, and perhaps itinerary.  For example, we avoid mega ships if possible because we find them too crowded.  

 

Anyway, I am kinda on the fence but kind of lean toward supporting a "disabled priority" elevator located midship for folks in wheelchairs.   If it has room use it.  If someone is in a wheelchair, give them first dibs. Most will have the manners needed for something like this to work just fine.  Same as giving up a seat on the bus. 

 

PS: I was on a Paris metro line a few days ago and a young woman offered her seat to me.  I thanked her and declined, but boy it sure made me feel my age.  Haha

 

 

 

Time is too precious we cruise to see other places so we pick our cruises by itinerary, try to avoid tender ports, and need to avoid flying as much as possible so we can’t select our cruise by ship. The ship is on our mode for transportation to all these places. Cabin location has nothing to do w elevator loads because sometimes we go to other elevators for less crowds which means further from cabin but that’s ok. We choose our cabin based on our needs which u have very few to select from. We also spend a lot of time in our cabin so comfort in cabin is important to. Usually we have no more than 2 sometimes up to 4 cabins to select from so cant be picky. 🙂 

4 minutes ago, Eriksgarden said:

I never witnessed people with disabilities forced to wait longer or denied.  In fact, I have seen lots of people go out of their way to accommodate and include.  Not all disabilities are noticeable.

So you’ve been at every elevator every time it operates on every ship to monitor what occurs? That’s a little far fetch to say because you weren’t w us on our cruises where we HAVE BEEN DENIED,  WAIT LONGER, ETC. There are rude ppl out there that will cut in front of u as well filling up elevator causing one to wait longer! Elevators also fill up to where u have to wait for one that has room to get on. 

19 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

Sadly happens to all of us but it isn't the norm.  Rude people are everywhere.

 

Once in a while an elevator will open closer to someone who just got there while I have been waiting for several minutes.  They squeeze into the now packed elevator leaving me to wait for another ride.  It doesn't happen often but when it does its usually people older than me who have their own sense of entitlement.  

 

Is it a problem?  Sure.  Is it worth developing a solution?  Not really. 

 

Short of handing out numbers like at a meat counter in a deli we have to rely on fellow members of society doing the right thing and there are a small portion of them that are selfish and entitled.

Yep, it does happen and like you, I don't see a reason to develop a solution as it won't change anything. 

However, in my opinion, and experience, it is the norm when cruising and see it with all ages - teens and up but rarely the much older folks.. And if its young kids they are just following in their parents footsteps. But since it is a part of cruising and our way of getting from point A to B, I just deal with it and move on. 

Rude people are everywhere and it just keeps getting worse and worse but it's just how it is. As long as I am not stooping to their level, all is good.

We all have different experiences and opinions which is fine and I respect that while sharing mine.. 🙂 

30 minutes ago, Reader0108598 said:

What just relaying a nice story! Sorry I am out of this thread have fun being miserable! 🙂

 

 

 

It was a nice story of your experiences as a care taker. I wrote a long response and when I posted all that posted was And so just left it. Sorry. 

11 minutes ago, CasinoCruzGirl said:

I think the biggest issue is this. I use a scooter and sometimes I’m at an Elevator waiting and no ones there then several people come and rush to the elevator and then there’s no room for me. This has happened to me several times.  I don’t mind waiting at all if I get to an elevator bank and people are all ready there waiting. I’ll wait my turn with no problem. It’s the people who run ahead of you even though you been there waiting that pisses me off

😞Yep, this happens A LOT! It's so disrespectful and not right... 

3 hours ago, Reader0108598 said:

,When I worked in long term care and I took patients out to eat or shopping or the movies. They loved any attention they got, One little boy was a sticky mess! He was a curious little boy as they usually are asking my patient why you in  this chair , why can't you walk, why, why why...lol The Mom tried to pull him off but my guy said please don't. You can use these situations as learning tools also. I know this was a child but as we see adults don't know any better either,sadly!This was the high light of my patients day! A please don't lean on her chair or Jostle her . Thank you, should do! PS. Thanks to this patients lousey driving of his electric wheelchair I no longer have big toe nails..lol My favorite patient of all time what a character! 🙂

 

 

And