Chip and Dale

4 minutes ago, davekathy said:

That's correct. 

Yikes.  We’re used to Royal. Lounges are open the entire cruise and there are 3 drinks on your card daily from the first day. 

Not a deal breaker yet. We have the classic pkg with our cruises so fingers crossed the variety is good. 

Thanks for the info

Dee

3 hours ago, jagoffee said:

Again, Davekathy and I have a different interpretation of the program.  But I will admit that I have never tried to transfer my the vouchers to someone else. Perhaps DaveKathy has.   It clearly state on the Silhouette rules that  they are not transferable.

 

We are coming over to celebrity from Royal. We are Elite. First cruises are in January on Reflection. Am I reading the post correctly? The Captains Club is not open the day we board and the 3 drinks are not loaded for day 1 either?

Thanks 

Dee

Hi all

 

I am disabled and I did read or I HOPE the info is still right. The handicap can board earlier (before weddings) and has our own line. Somewhere I saw that we sit where the suit people sit.I hope that is true.

 

What about Carry on's can we go to our cabins just to drop it off or have it placed somewhere or just drag it with me?

I traveled to Port Everglades for a cruise on Serenade January 2, 2017. I was disabled due to a broken leg. We did not rush to board, arrived around noon. An attendant outside noticed that I was on crutches and they directed us to a disabled line providing me with a wheelchair. Honestly they were so incredibly nice! We bypassed the regular lines because I was in a wheelchair (we are Diamond Plus) and went through security quite quickly. An RCI Employee pushed me in the wheelchair, my husband had our small carryon and I had my purse on my lap. It took a few minutes when we approached the desk to checkin, but it wasn't anything major. After we received our sea pass cards the attendant took us to an area to the right of where people were lined up to get their cards. It was a small corralled area with a number of others who were also disabled, waiting to board. We were told that someone would come to get us shortly. We waited perhaps 15 to 20 minutes. it didn't seem very long. There were a number of other people ahead of us. We were taken to a separate gangway and the Employee pushed me in the wheelchair.

The only caution that I would mention is other passengers. The Employee, my DH and I got on the elevator along with the gentleman from the wheelchair service who had already delivered my rental chair to my cabin. Unfortunately a very pushy couple shoved their way on with us and shoved me and my broken leg into the glass of the elevator. NOT GOOD!!!!! The woman snapped at me when I screamed in pain and said "well some people really need to improve their attitude on the first day". My husband had a few words for her when we exited the elevator. The cabins were late that day. We had to wait and the attendant took the wheelchair. Fortunately I was able to manage my way to the cabin on my crutches.

I chose a wheelchair because my leg needed to be kept straight. I had a broken knee. I was unaware that it would be virtually impossible to move up and down the halls most of the time due to the carts used by the cabin attendants. Fortunately I was able to put some pressure on the leg and used the wheelchair folded to make my way down the hall to where there was no carts, or I used my crutches many times. The scooters are narrower and can fit (barely) beside the carts.

If you are in a wheelchair or scooter a Crew Member will assist you getting on and off the ship. Most of them were kind and cautious.

I don't know your situation. I hope that this provides you with some info.

Dee

We did consider a walker but there is too much distance and it is difficult to propel myself with a walker vs a wheelchair. So far what we have arranged seems like the safest and easiest option. If not then I have lots of books to read on the balcony. Thanks for the suggestion! Very thoughtful!

Dee

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We certainly didn't experience any delay on December 23 for our POC. SN@S told us 2PM and at 1:15 we actually meet the rep on Deck 10 with the unit and we all walked to our cabin where he set it up.

 

Just an FYI, but there is a delivery fee when having something delivered to somewhere other than the ship.

Thanks Patti!

My thoughts are that if it is there it is there and if it isn't well we will figure it out. Some of our friends have suggested that I hire 2 pool boys to carry me around :eek::p.

There is no ice in the Caribbean and I'm sure that my sister will be smiling down on me so all will be well!

The biggest reason for the wheelchair is the fact that we have an aft cabin and the hall is soooooooooo long!

Dee

You also had the option of having SpecialNeedsatSeas deliver the wheelchair to the Hotel. You than would transfer it to the ship yourself and have it for boarding while not having to wait for in que for wheelchair chair from RCCL . The chair would than just be left in the cabin on disembarkation day for pickup. This might be something to consider.

 

Also important to noet that though the rental contract states that the wheelchair will be delivered by 2:00 PM to your cabin it can and often is delayed. Reason being that the ship's supplies take priorty loading on board and the rental mobility equipment is often the last loaded.

Once on board have someone go check the cabin to see if the wheelchair was delivered. If RCCl staff stops the person checking for you just ask them if they would check .

Thanks, we discussed the multitude of options and the simplest was the way that we are doing it. Fortunately I'm not completely incapacitated and can walk short distances using crutches for support. We were warned about the timing and to contact guest services if the chair has not arrived by muster. This would mean that it is RCI's responsibility to either get the chair to me, or supply me with one of their chairs so I can attend the muster drill.

After the hell that I have been through during the past few months, whether or not the chair is on time or I need to ask about it is really not a huge concern. If we have any severe problems and it isn't delivered, we can buy one in a port if need be. Food can be delivered to the cabin and my darling husband can get me drinks if need be. Office chairs work well as stand ins for wheel chairs in my case as well :)

I'm trying to keep an open mind and be patient with everyone and everything. I have every faith in the world that things will fall into place :)

Thanks again for the suggestions.

Dee

I cruised last year following surgery for a broken leg. I had a knee scooter, so that helped me getting around the ship. I wouldn't recommend using crutches to board the ship because the ramps are fairly steep. I would use the wheelchairs they provide to board and disembark the ship.

 

We also rented a wheelchair for my mom who has mobility issues. It was in her stateroom, but she did use RCCL's wheelchairs to get onto the ship.

I'm actually relatively mobile considering. I can go short distances using the crutches for support, just can't walk a long way. I will see if I can use a wheelchair, if not will try with the crutches for support. I cannot take my brace off until I am situated in the cabin, therefore to sit with people milling around and possibly knocking into me is not such a good thing. Hopefully it all works with the wheelchairs.

Thanks so much for the info! Greatly appreciated!

Dee

When you rent a scooter or any other piece of equipment what happens if it fails during the cruise?

I was given explicit instructions to contact Guest Services immediately if I have a problem with the wheel chair or if it is not in my cabin by 2 p.m. Guest Services must contact the company on your behalf. Hopefully Guest Services are aware of this :)

Fortunately we have some handy people traveling with us. I think I would be more concerned if it was a scooter than using the wheelchair. More working parts with a scooter, but hopefully they make sure that everything is workable prior to delivery to the ship. Fingers crossed!

Dee

Dee, sorry about your broken knee cap and glad that you called Special Needs at Sea. We also had to use them as we needed a POC in our cabin. We dealt with Kenya and she was so kind and helpful. The POC was delivered to our cabin at approximately 1:15. They told us by 2PM.

 

Also, when you get to the Port, after you drop off your luggage, as you enter the terminal, to your left will be the wheel chairs that Port Personnel use to get pax through security and then to check in. I am sure that Dennis can go inside and have one brought outside for you.

 

After you are checked in you are turned over to an RCI crew member that will wheel you on board by way of Deck 2. This was our experience on 12/23. The young lady that worked for the Port that helped us was amazing. I hope you experience the same treatment.

 

Cabins were ready at 1PM on our 12/23 cruise, so if you board after 1PM, they will wheel you directly to your cabin.

Bless you Patti! Thanks so much for the information. I told Dennis where you said we could find the wheelchairs.

I'm am so incredibly fortunate that I am able to actually walk using the crutches, they are to be with me anytime I am the least bit mobile so that there is something to lean on and against. I will see if what you experienced is the same for us. If not, I will try to use the elevator and walk on. A couple of years ago one of our friends waited for hours to be taken on the ship and it was soooooo busy where they were told to wait for a crew member to escort them.

Thank goodness the rest of me is in excellent shape! It takes me a while to get myself ready since I move a little bit slowly so that I don't risk falling. Good advice about the timing. We will give it a shot!

Are you on our cruise?

Thanks for the info!!!!

Dee

Sounds like you have worked things out. Royal Caribbean can provide assistance between terminal and ship. Contact Royal Caribbean's special needs department, (866) 592-7225 or special_needs@rccl.com, to request boarding assistance. (http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contentWithHero.do?pagename=getting_on_and_off_the_ship)

Thanks for the info. I did contact them initially which is what prompted me to start the thread and request information from passengers who had traveled with a similar issue. I wasn't impressed with the Special Needs department to say the least. I may call and request a wheel chair for boarding, but I may just use my crutches and go with the elevator. I will decide today.

Every company I have dealt with including: Air Canada, The Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel and Special Needs at Sea have been helpful and very pleasant to deal with. It could simply be the two individuals that I dealt with in specials needs and C and A, I'm not sure, but WOW did they have poor attitudes.

Thanks again for the information. You are very kind!

Dee

Thanks so much to everyone for the kindness, support and well wishes!!!! It is greatly appreciated.

We are packing and hoping everything goes well and will deal with whatever happens that doesn't. Funny how certain things that crop up in one's life changes expectations and reorganizes thoughts on what truly matters.

My darling Dennis has been such a tremendous support as have my kids throughout. My little girl is a new Mommy and has spent a great deal of time trying to mother her mommy! My oldest son has done the same. Such good kids!

Our friends are very happy that we are going on the cruise. It will be so good to see everyone!

I hope that you all have an amazing New Year with excellent health and much prosperity!

God Bless and Thanks again!!!!

Dee :)

My sincere condolences on the loss of your sister.

 

It looks like you've gotten some good advice on how to make the trip more manageable if you decide to go forward and take the cruise. No better way to start 2017.

Thank you so much for your kindness! The pain in my knee is nothing compared to the pain of our loss. Day by day! :)

I have put everything in place that we possibly can for now. Hopefully the force is with us. We are meeting up with a group of very good friends onboard. The packing is getting there and we have until about 2 p.m. Saturday to get everything organized.

Thanks again,

Dee

I see you are from Georgian Bay, Ontario. If you are flying out of Toronto Pearson Airport, you can rent a wheelchair at very reasonable rates from Baby to Senior, 1035 Queensway East (Queensway and Cawthra Road) in Mississauga. 289-521-5003. I recently broke my ankle and rented crutches and a scooter from them as I recovered. We are cruising in January and I will be renting a wheelchair at that time because I am still wary of making my way through the airports, let alone the cruise ship. My plan is to bring my own rental wheelchair, and request disembarkation assistance from Royal Caribbean. May we both have wonderful cruises even with our injuries!

We debated whether or not to bring along a wheelchair, or to order one for the ship. I contacted Air Canada and all we need to do is get to the counter which I can do and they will escort me in a wheelchair/or transport throughout. We will allow plenty of time and have something to eat in the lounge and then the concierge will take us to the gate. There will be a wheelchair for me when we get off of the plane to take me out to get a taxi.

I contacted the Renaissance FLL cruise port where we are staying and they will have a wheel chair ready for me when the cab pulls up and have promised a room with a shower that I can easily access.

I called Special Needs at Sea to order a wheelchair for the ship and OMG what an amazing company. I spoke with Norma and she simply could not have been more kind nor more efficient. I have paid for the chair rental, it was only $108 for 11 nights (a bargain!!!!!) and the signature forms have already been signed and returned to us officially. Norma told us what to do if anything goes wrong and promised they will take care of anything we need.

So far it looks like the only time I will be navigating my way will be getting on the ship. As long as it isn't horribly busy and people are kind, then I shouldn't have trouble. I know the port. We can take the elevator....right now I am terrified of escalators!!!! My hope is that in two weeks, I am even more mobile (fingers crossed!!!) and it will be easier getting off than getting on.

I sincerely hope that all goes well for you and that you have everything that you need to enjoy your cruise! Thanks so very much for the info and the well wishes!

Dee

I just read this thread and am happy about all the good advice you received. My husband fell and badly sprained his knee and broke his foot two weeks before our Brilliance B2B in November. Fortunately we live in Florida and didn't have to worry about flights, but we dealt with the other issues.

 

Our TA ordered him a scooter from Special Needs at Seas, and it was waiting in our cabin when we boarded (as someone suggested to you, we planned our arrival for a time when we could get in our cabin). He found it a little awkward the first couple of times he left the cabin to get up enough speed to get over the lip of the doorway and immediately turn into the hall. Fortunately, both times someone just appeared to help. He spent a little time practicing controlling the scooter so he wouldn't be a danger to others.

 

The advice you got about the heat and humidity was also good, especially since you'll be coming from the moderate temperatures of Canada.

 

My condolences on your sister's death - that certainly does make dealing with anything else much harder.

 

We had a great cruise, not exactly what we had planned, but still a great cruise. You're very wise in planning for the worst and hoping for the best. My husband's positive attitude was the most important thing in making this work, and it sounds as if you have yours out and dusted off for the occasion. Please let us know afterwards how it works out.

 

Margy

Thanks Margy!

We are working on plans today to see if this is doable. Fingers crossed. At least there is no ice in the Caribbean to slip on other than in a glass ;)

Dee

I broke my foot three weeks before a Disney cruise. I immediately called to see if there were any accessible cabins available and there were. We were cruising with our son and family and the cabin was even just down the corridor from our son. So call and inquire of the available accessible rooms if you think it would help you to have one.

 

I rented a scooter to use on board the ship. Disney did not rent scooters or wheel chairs and the like. The company we used provided the scooter to me on board the ship to use on our cruise.

 

Having an accessible room allowed me to easily store the electric scooter every night and to charge it every night. I had a knee scooter at the time, but the electric scooter made it easier for me to get around. I liked the independence the scooter allowed me. I liked not having to rely on other people to push me in a wheel chair and I knew that I would tire using the knee walker (Disney Dream is a big ship).

 

People were very accommodating of me on the ship. People would part like the Red Sea to let me on elevators. It was incredible. The staff were always looking out for me as well. Hopefully RCCI will do the same for you.

 

One interesting experience while I was recuperating is a flight I had where my seat was in the back of the plane. The flight attendant when she saw me hobbling onto the airplane moved me from the back of the plane to the front. When the passenger originally assigned my seat got huffy with me for sitting in her seat, I told her I'd gladly exchange my broken foot with her! Most people that I met during my recovery were very accommodating, but there is always that "one" exception!

 

Go on your cruise. Don't cancel. That's my opinion, of course, but you will still enjoy the experience. I was not comfortable leaving the ship at the ports of call, but I took a book and enjoyed the beautiful weather on deck. I was a bit bummed that I couldn't get in the pools (I was totally non weight bearing and the pools required my walking up and down stairs) but I enjoyed everything else.

Thanks so much for posting your good experience. It is greatly appreciated! The information from the positive posts has been invaluable and quite heartwarming!

Dee

While I am a "be the first person on board" type of person, in your case, I might delay getting to the terminal and on board till around 1pm. There were will be less crowds to deal with and your rooms will be available for dropping your stuff off and not having to carry it around till then.

This is an excellent point!

Thanks so much for your post!!!!

Dee

You can buy your own wheelchair on craigslist for very little. Then sell it a gain when you don't need it

 

you don't lose leg room because someone in front of you reclines the 2 or 3 inches

You have never flown on Rouge Air Canada then!!!!! I have arthritis and had a person in front of me with her seat in my lap for an entire flight from FLL to Toronto last year. I could not move my legs AT ALL!!! We travel extensively, therefore, I know exactly what I'm dealing with flying.

I live in a small northern community, craigslist might work as an option in a larger centre, but definitely not here. There simply is not enough time.

Dee

We have flown with our own wheelchair for several years. When you check in at the AC Special Needs counter they will put a special tag on the wheelchair. You can then use the chair to get to the door of the aircraft. You can then lock the wheels and fold the chair. A handler will store it in a suitable cargo compartment. The chair will be waiting for you when you leave the plane. Although it will likely be very cold, there should be no damage. Certainly our chair has never been damaged when flying.

 

Of course you can rely on AC to provide wheeled transport from special needs to the gate. My experience with Royal Caribbean is that this sort of service to board the ship is rather haphazard. Besides, it only gets you from the check in counter to the ship hatch.

Thanks so much for your post, very helpful!

Unfortunately it could be that we were given very bad information by the dispenser that I went to initially. I will try another one today. We aren't yet sure whether we will actually travel. I will contact another dispenser here at home today. Some people are just so incredibly kind and helpful when you have a problem like this and others are not.

Fortunately I can do partial weight bearing with crutches. Unfortunately the ship is large and full of people so navigating it is scary. I'm looking at a wheelchair so that I don't destroy the rest of my body trying to move around. We will figure out today whether to rent one in FLL or bring one from home.

Thanks again

Dee

Thanks for coming back, Dee, and sincerely hope you are doing better, and how awful to happen when your family is already having to deal with your sister 's death - my sympathy.

 

Not sure if this is relevant or not, but posting just in case.

 

I sailed about two weeks after arthroscopic knee surgery. Doctor cleared me but warned I might have trouble with the heat in the Caribbean, swelling, etc. He highly recommended rest and ice, especially in the evening.

 

After explaining to the room steward, he was wonderful! Brought me several extra pillows to elevate my leg in the cabin, and also a bucket of ice (like you see them taking to the bars on the ship - a real bucket!) extra small plastic bags to make ice packs, and plenty of towels.

 

Steward was really helpful and so kind. All the staff I encountered were very nice. Hopefully you will find the same and have a more limited, but enjoyable cruise.

Thank you so much for your post!!! This is extremely positive and helpful!!!! :) Thanks so much for the condolences.

You are absolutely right about swelling in the Caribbean. Very good advice. We have many friends who will be traveling with us. Actually right next door. They have offered to push me around if need be ;). Everyone is being so sweet.

The other thing we will do is check on flights back home from every port just in case. We have always gone by "plan for the worst and hope for the best" and this is definitely one of those situations.

Thanks again!

Dee

I cruised with an almost healed stress fracture this summer on MSC. I was in a boot so we didn't even contact the cruise line, but we did contact the airlines about seating with extra room and they bent over backwards to help me. We had priority boarding and disembarking from each flight. We also had extra room for my leg. They offered wheelchair service in the airport but I didn't want it (I taught the end of the school year and part of summer school in the boot!). Just some advice, you may swell in the airplane and if your splint can be inflated it will blow up during the flight! I ended up loosening mine for the flight. My foot doctor gave me great advice about taking pain killers and making sure to move my ankle during the flights and to walk around to make sure I didn't have any problems!

This is so very helpful, thanks so much!

I am so incredibly fortunate that I did not need surgery. The fracture is not displaced, so although a real pain in the butt (knee :)) it is just something that will slowly heal and I have received excellent info from my surgeon about traveling. By his assessment, I am a "can do" kind of person, so he was very explicit about the can and more importantly as he put it, the cannot do for the next 6 weeks. Such a wonderful kind man!

I am allowed to remove the splint and bend my knee when necessary. However, I absolutely MUST NOT fall or have my leg banged. My greatest fear with Rouge Air C was someone reclining their seat. We are now in the bulk head seat so that won't be a problem. I have traveled after surgery on my arm and it is amazing how pushy people can be. This is really scaring my poor husband.

We are still determining whether or not to go on the cruise. Your post was very hopeful and helpful thank you!

Dee

I share in the apologies about your injury. I hope it all works out in your favor. I'll also be on the same sailing, so I'll see you onboard! Take care!!

 

 

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Thanks so much, you are very kind and it is greatly appreciated! Look forward to meeting you.

Dee

I don't see that the complaint being made here is a fair one.

 

Royal facilitates a solution to the issue that you have - they work with rental companies that have available the type of equipment you desire and additionally they allow you to bring your own equipment if you prefer.

 

The rental company will have a lower cost of capital than the Royal and so will be able to supply what you want at a lower price than if Royal did so directly.

 

Of course you will have to pay yourself for equipment since it would be entirely unreasonable to expect others to help cover your special costs. There is a cost here. There is a provider available. You were told this both times you asked. There's no real issue here that I can see.

I didn't understand that either.

Fortunately many posters offered exactly what I was looking for. Information regarding successful experiences with a similar injury and subsequent rental.

I deal with the horrible things that happen to people on a daily basis as an Insurance Broker. Death, injury and all types of life altering problems. I would NEVER tell a client "that is YOUR PROBLEM" as I was told by Special Needs and also C and A.

I was also told that had I sailed on Celebrity, this would not be my problem because they do offer wheel chair rentals! SAD!!!!

Hopefully I have cleared things up for you!

Dee

I'm sorry to hear about your injury, and I hope that you mend quickly. I'm curious about your comment that "They [wheelchairs] wind up looking like a pretzel after a flight!!!" I'm just wondering where you got that idea. I know a number of people who regularly fly with their wheelchairs and have experienced no mishandling or damage. Renting at home offers another option and might make life a little easier in airports.

I tried to rent a wheel chair to take with me from a local dispenser and was told that NO it would be damaged, therefore, they would not rent it to me.

I live in a rural area in Ontario, Canada. I am going to try another company tomorrow to see what I can figure out.

Thanks for your input!

Dee

My wife broke her ankle mid-cruise in Cozumel on the Oasis in November. The ship's medical department lent us a wheelchair since a rental was impossible at that point. The staff did offer assistance during debarkation which worked out well. Our biggest issue while on board was getting into the bathroom as there is about a 4" step in non-handicap cabins. Be sure you can navigate the step with crutches or a walker.

 

In summary, you have to bring or rent your own wheelchair. You will receive crew assistance only during embarkation and debarkation.

 

We have been on two more subsequent cruises with my wife in a cast. For us, a knee scooter worked well that we purchased. Since we drove to the port it was no issue. Good luck!

Thanks so much!!! Love to hear about the good positive experiences!!!

Dee

OP - I feel your pain. Literally. I sail on 1/14 and broke my knee cap last week. I am lucky enough to just be in a hinged brace and am weight bearing. Won't be the exact trip I was planning on but there is a chaise calling my name and a bartender that wants to be my new BFF. Best of luck finding what you need to make the trip and Happy 40th!

You are so incredibly sweet thank you!!!! I'm so very sorry that you are experiencing the same problem. I'm in a zimmer which is tons of fun, but I'm not in a heck of a lot of pain and the outlook is very good which is great since I have arthritis.

Unfortunately this happened the day that my darling sister died. I was fortunate enough to be with her the last 3 days of her life. It happened during my 5 hour drive home after she died. It has really impacted Christmas for our family in a huge way, but we are just pressing on and trying to make the best of things.

I sincerely hope that you have a fabulous cruise and that your new BFF is the best possible friend you could find! One of our friends suggested that I find 2 pool boys to assist me:D

Dee