Parker1

On the Veendam last May, DH found it easier to back into the elevator. The elevator doors were reflective and were directly across from another one. I held the door and the opposite elevator worked, most of the time, as a rear view mirror. We often waited out the crowds, went to another bank of elevators or went up first in order to go down to our floor when things were crowded.

DH is disabled and used a scooter during our visit exactly a year ago. I suggest taking a taxi tour. We needed an accessible cab as we didn't want to hassle with taking the scooter apart and booked it months in advance, but blue flag taxis are certified tour guides and were much less expensive than our accessible vehicle. You'd be able to take the crutches and knee walker with no problem in a taxi and easily see the island. If you search the Bermuda board you'll find a lot of info on taxi tours, along with the rates. We were docked in Hamilton and DH enjoyed watching the city from our lanai while I did a lot of walking around Hamilton. The ferries are fully accessible and the Dockyard is mostly accessible. It's a beautiful place so relax and enjoy it however works best for all of you.

We loved our lanai on Veendan last May. We needed a wheelchair accessible cabin and were limited to ocean view or lanai. DH could push a button to open our slider and wheel out o the deck on his own. We're light sleepers and were never bothered by any outside noise. I did notice some people "wrestling" to open the heavy doors on non-accessible lanai's. We wouldn't hesitate to book another.

Had you requested wheelchair assistance at the time you made the flight reservations? I make sure that when I book the flight I note that wheelchair assistance is needed. 99% of the time an escort is waiting at the door of the plane. Only once did I have to go to a crew member to have them call for an escort.

Yes, we always request wheelchair assistance when we book a flight. The problem was not getting off the plane, but getting to the gate when leaving Palm Springs. When we did get to the gate on our own, there were 3 wheelchair pushers waiting at the gate for a flight not due for 45 minutes.

Actually, the ADA does not apply to air travel. The applicable law is The Air Carrier Access Act. Here is a pretty good summary of what it covers: http://www.disabilitytravel.com/airlines/air_carrier_act.htm

Interesting. I filed a complaint with both the Palm Springs Airport and American Airlines after we were unable to get wheelchair assistance to the gate last January. I received a response of a formal complaint registered with the US Dept of Transportation. Eventually American sent a formal apology stating they had failed to comply with federal law. Luckily, we'd been traveling with a spinner roll aboard that DH could handle and a back pack. Leaving me free to push the airport wheelchair.

If that happens again, I think I'd be politely assertive and insist on speaking with an airline, or airport supervisor. We fly again in May and will take his mobility scooter for the first time. No more wheel chair issues, but other problems can occur. It pays to keep a smile on your face and allow plenty of time to resolve glitches. When things so smoothly, we have time to relax and have something to eat after we clear security.

Thanks for posting the link!

Under ADA airlines are required to provide assistance to the disabled. When you make your reservation let them know you will need someone to push the wheelchair. When you get to the airport, let an airline rep know you need assistance. If you're checking bags at the curb you can do this when you drop your bags off. Allow extra time, as you may have to take a seat and wait for a wheel chair pusher. Most times it works great. The pushers will help him through security and bring him right to the gate. They've waited, with my husband inside the terminal door while I waited at the curb for our cab. We always give them a nice tip. We've also had problems, so we've learned to expect the unexpected. Things have a way of working out.

We were given a separate key card just for opening and closing the sliding door and had to insist in order to get a card for each of us . I was warned that there was a fee if the cards were not returned . This balcony card was plain white .

We also had a wheel chair accessible lanai on Veedam in May. Only accessible cabins had the keypads for the sliding door. The doors closed slowly to allow a wheel chair or scooter user (like DH) to use it independently. When closed, they locked. The regular lanai sliding doors were manually opened. Not sure how they locked.

We wished the door into the hall was automatic, but it is an older ship

You might consider finding a local medical supply source that rents or

sells them. She'd be able to try one out and get a feel for how it will help her. Most standard size rentals onboard are Pride GoGo Elite Travelers that break down and can fit into the trunk of a car or cab. Before our recent cruise rental we visited our local supplier and they gladly provided a refresher on how to take it apart and put it back together.

DH has advanced stenosis and is in constant pain when standing. We've rented scooters for the last two years when on vacation and he loves the freedom it brings. In May we cruised to Bermuda on Veendam. Even though it's a small ship he never would have been able to enjoy the cruise without the scooter. Ships have long hallways. If you rent a scooter be sure you have a wheelchair accessible cabin, as scooters have to be kept in your cabin. If you'll be flying to the cruise, ask for wheelchair assistance so that she won't gave to stand in long security lines. You can also request wheelchair assistance at the cruise terminal through the cruise line.

What ever she decides will work best, have a great cruise!

We were in Bermuda in May and booked a private island tour through Keith Simmons, Keithsimmons@logic.bm. He is disabled and has a ramp equipped van. The tour can be customized and the guide knows what is accessible. We were docked in Hamilton and the guide was waiting for us as we got off the ship. It was pricey, as is everything in Bermuda, but we loved St Georges, DH was able to roll his scooter right onto one of the smaller beaches and get close to others.

Search the boards, there's a lot of info available from people more knowledgeable than I am. You'll have a great time in Bermuda.

They're happy to sell it to you at any time.

We had an accessible lanai cabin on Veendam in May and had loveseat, not a full sofa. DH loved that automatic door allowed him to drive his scooter tight onto the deck.

DH and I were on the Veendam in May in an accessible Lanai cabin (automatic sliding glass door onto the wrap around deck. This was our first cruise since DH has begun to use a scooter. He can walk short distances, but like your brother, needs an accessible shower with chair and grab bars. I've attached several pictures of the cabin. The shower drain ran the length of the room, dividing the wet area from the sink / toilet area. The drain also ran in front of the door, to prevent water getting into the room. The bathroom was huge and the room was large enough so that we could park the scooter next to the closet and still have room to easily get by and open the closet doors. Holland America does attract an older group (like us). On our May cruise to Bermuda there were less than 20 children. We never encountered anyone trying to cut in front of DH as he backed his scooter into the elevator, making it much easier to get around.

There are two companies that provide rental rental equipment for the disabled cruiser. Equipment is delivered to your cabin and left in the cabin at the end of the cruise for pick-up. I know that there are some cruise lines that only work with one of the two; Holland American worked with both. We chose Special Needs at Sea for our scooter rental because their price was slightly lower and also included insurance. Pricing depends on the itinerary you select.

http://www.specialneedsatsea.com/

http://www.carevacations.com/

Keep in mind that if an itinerary includes tender ports, the tenders may not be accessible and, even if they are, it is at the ship's discretion if weather or some other variable would make it unsafe for your brother to use the tender.

America's ADA laws do not apply in foreign ports and there my not be curb cuts or other obstacles that would prevent your brother from getting around. In Bermuda, we independently hired an accessible van for an island tour. Expensive, and it was the only shore excursion we took. The guide was able to get Ed onto a small beach. None of the ship excursions could accommodate the scooter.

I'm sure someone with much more experience will be able to provide better information than I can. You may want to do a search of the RCCL board for information on disabled cruising.

I hope your brother has a great time on whatever cruise you select!

I've attached photos I took of our bathroom on the Veendam. One of them shows the two floor drains intersecting in the middle of the bathroom. When DH used the shower hand held, he did get a little splashing on the sink / toilet side of the room, but it was minimal. The shower seat folds up if not needed. We brought a roll-up bag for our overflow bathroom necessities. It attached to the grab bar next to the sink with velcro, making up for the limited counter space.

Also attached is a photo that shows his scooter parked outside the bathroom - plenty of room to walk by it. Hopefully someone familiar with Westerdam can confirm their cabins have the same layout. If not, you may want to call HAL and ask the question directly.

So happy that your mom is able to enjoy cruising with you. Have a great time!

We had a wheelchair accessible Lanai this May on the Veendam. The bathroom was very large and had two floor drains for the shower. One ran along the door to prevent water escaping the bathroom and the other ran down the center of the room, forming a T with the other drain. The sink and toilet area never got wet. There wasn't a lot of counter space at the sink and no shelves, but we found the space adequate. There was nothing below the sink to block access for a wheelchair user. DH was using a scooter and we could have parked in the shower overnight if we chose. Instead we parked it next to the bathroom. There was plenty of room to access the closer and walk next to it into the bathroom. The electric outlet was lowered to near sink level and had a plastic cover over it. It only worked with a razor however.

HAL ask has modified accessible cabins which are standard cabins with minor modifications like grab bars, but no roll in shower.

I tried to gift a front desk manager who went out of her way to resolve a minor problem, but she declined. I assume that some crew members are paid better and not allowed to accept tips. Perhaps the chefs would fall into that category, but I'm guessing. It was only our third cruise and first on HAL.

We found our fellow passengers and the crew to be very considerate of the mobility challenged. The crew were willing to help in any way needed. Have a great cruise with your mom.

We were there May 2nd, boarding about 11:45. If we were both able bodied it would have been easy, but DH can't stand or walk without constant pain and wheelchairs were no where to be found. HAL attracts an older demographic which meant a lot of people needed assistance. A HAL rep got us to the front of the check on line which was appreciated, but the line to board was difficult. We loved our first cruise with HAL despite the problem.

We were there last month and were given change in US currency, even in a Hamilton grocery store.

Unfortunately not everything is always published regarding Medicare . Some things one doesn't discover until they actual contact Medicare or put a claim through. We just went through this with my Mother 5 months ago.

 

Additionally before Medicare will reimburse any durable equipment the individual must have met their Part B deductible which I believe is $143.00 for 2015.

 

Also note that Medicare will only approve a wheelchair and or scooter if it's required for use in home for daily living. Medicare will not cover durable equipment if the main use is for travel only nor will any ethical doctor sign/approve an order for such equipment if the primary use is not be in-home daily living. Bottom line due to extensive fraud regarding durable equipment Medicare will pay for least possible item.

Thanks for the info.

OP needs top take into consideration that canes, walkers and or rollators are fairly inexpensive and may be best out of pocket rather than submitting a claim to Medicare. Reason being Medicare will only assist in the cost of one mobility aid within a five year period. Therefore if in that same time period the individual requires the need of a wheelchair Medicare will NOT assist with the cost since a cane, walker or rollator had had already been provided.

I just checked Medicare's website and can't find any confirmation of this information. Below is all I could find when I looked at coverage of walkers; nothing about a 5 year time period before they'd cover other mobility devices. Would you be able to provide a link to, or paste the info I couldn't find?

Manual wheelchairs & power mobility devices

How often is it covered?

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers power-operated vehicles (scooters) and manual wheelchairs as durable medical equipment (DME) that your doctor prescribes for use in your home. You must have a face-to-face examination and a written prescription from a doctor or other treating provider before Medicare helps pay for a power wheelchair. Power wheelchairs are covered only when they're medically necessary.

Don't know how old he is, but Medicare will pay for 1 walker or rollator if your doctor writes a script for it and it is bought through a supplier that accepts Medicare. DH got his at a local medical supply store and they made sure it was sized and height adjusted correctly.

We were on the Veendam's first Bermuda sail last month and did a five hour tour in an accessible van geared to where DH and his scooter could go, so we didn't spend a lot of beach time. We enjoyed St Georges. The "docking of the wench" was a lot of fun and did involve a few men from the audience to do the actual docking. Gibbs Hill Lighthouse had a great view towards Hamilton, even if you don't make the climb. We had wanted to go to BUEI white we had the "roll-in" van but ran out of time, even without stopping for lunch. I walked to BUEI the next day and enjoyed it. It was a quick 15 minute walk down Front Street. I'm sure your guide will have ideas and be a lot more knowledgeable than I am. It was our first visit. Whatever you do, enjoy Bermuda and the Veendam.

It is worth making the climb!

 

 

Beautiful photo! I really wanted to make the climb, but my knees decided otherwise.

We priced both for a scooter on our HAL cruise last month and chose Special Needs at Sea. Care Vacation's rates did not include insurance and were slightly higher.

It was open when we were there the first week of May. Lovely view, even if you don't make the climb.

Did you arrive at Black Falcon early? In your opinion would a later arrival be better.

 

My DH's back and my knees do not take to standing in line for an extended period of time.

Are there any benches to sit on?

 

I had been thinking of requesting wheelchair assistance for my husband, but it sounds like it did not really work for you.

 

It has been awhile since we cruised, we must have been quite lucky as I do not remember having to stand in any long lines or any long waits to be processed at our embarkation port.

 

Glad you had a good cruise all in all, Bermuda is such a beautiful island.

We did arrive at about 11:30. I can't say for sure if later would have been better, but I think next time we'd board as late as possible.

There were paces to sit once we got into the terminal, which DH utilized until I found a HAL agent who walked us to the head of the line. I heard one person waiting in line complain that they had also requested a wheelchair. The line waiting to board after check in was long and we had to wait, standing. When a HAL person bringing a wheelchair off the ship passed by, I grabbed him.

DH's need for assistance is rather new but we've learned to expect glitches. It pays to be polite and aggressive. People will do what they can to help.