ZellaLamb

We had a wonderful time for our short stay in Iceland. We had a 17 hour layover. Arrived at 11:30pm and had to wait over an hour for our bag because the carousel was broken. Took a shuttle bus over to the car rental agency. The bus had a ramp but my husband had to put it out. Got the car and my foldable chair fit in the back. Our hotel was in downtown Reykjavik. We chose this hotel because it was in the Iceland Air program and was the least expensive. We got lost looking for it and finally figured out that it was on a walk street. My husband had to park and go look for it on foot. They told him how to find the parking lot by turning the wrong way down a one way street...our room was quite large and there was a lift but there were these funny thresholds that you had to step over - almost like a cruise ship. There was no time to shower but there was a stool in there and a hand held.

four hours of sleep and then we were up for breakfast and headed off for a really quick tour of the south. We had to be back at the airport by 2pm. The landscape was awe inspiring. We stopped at a bubbling sulfur hot springs where there was a wooden ramp that took you around several of them. That was neat. The rest room there was accessible but you first had to get on a ramp that was about a foot from the ground at the edge. We hopped back in the car and drove to the Blue Lagoon. You need to purchase tickets to use this spa well in advance. We had no time for that anyway but were allowed to tour the place and watch the bathers. It was ramped everywhere. There was an accessible changing room.

We drove then to a lighthouse and astounding cliff. We just drove the car out pretty far and had a good look.

Back in the car, we saw the rift between the continents and then back to the airport. Five hour tour. I really want to go back and spend more time!

Thank you!

Does anyone know if the hot springs are accessible? The pictures all look like there are only stairs.

If you are riding your own scooter, you will be directed to the wheelchair line for check in and then shown where the elevators are. You just ride up to the ship on your own. There wouldn't be anyone to help with your carry on, if that is what you are asking. To make it easier, give everything but your purse to the porters.

Well, we did book a hotel. I suppose I was asking if anyone had been there and if you had suggestions for a one day tour, or even an tour agency.

We are flying Iceland Air for our upcoming trip to the Baltics. On the way home, we opted for a 1 day layover in Iceland. Has anyone had any experience with this? Recommendations for a quick tour?

This is an interesting question. My husband and I seem to get TSApre assigned to us most times we fly. My experience is random. I don't get out of my scooter or wheelchair as I can't walk through the scanner. With Pre, some airports skip the pat down process and just do an explosives swipe. I don't have to take off my shoes or jacket. Sometimes I still get the pat down but don't have to take off my shoes. My home airport, EWR, (Newark) frequently closes down the Pre line and makes you go through with everyone else. In all cases, I am directed to a different lane that bypasses the long line before the ID check. If I am having bad luck, I am then sent to a line that has strollers and children. They take FOREVER.

As for Global Entry, if you ask for wheelchair escort, (which you should always do) you are almost always taken to the front of the line anyway so I'm not sure what the point is.

Hi there. Does anyone know if it would be easy to get on the HOHO bus in ports from a Baltic Cruise? I'm thinking about Amsterdam, Helsinki, Stockholm and Copenhagen.

I don't know if we should book a tour in these ports or just tour around by ourselves.

Kate

Thank you ZellaLamb, the chair would only be used for going out to eat and other recreational trips or travel. Not used for daily activities in the home.

Truly appreciate you taking the time to post your experience.

Ok, I am now totally fed up with the chair and am trying to return it. I've had it for less than a year, using it only for travel. I've had to replace many things on it and last night the front wheel lost its bearings at the mall. I do not mean that it got lost! Grrrrr.

For Key West, I would just get off the ship and wander around. It is a very small place. The conch trail will take the scooter. It will also hold the scooter for you while you tour around.

In Nassau, it all depends on how large the scooter is. Because I can get up and transfer, we were able to take a little ferry over to Paradise Island and they just put the scooter in the back. Then I scooted up to Atlantis and spent the day.

I wrote to those companies and they said that they can't help me. I will be asking the tour company for ideas but I really like XXOO's suggestions and will bring those materials with me. Maybe the palace will provide a chair to use while there.

Hi there. I hope that you are also posting this is the sub category for Europe! I too am going to on a Baltic Cruise in a month. We will be on the Celebrity and I was wondering about Tallin. We've booked for SPG so far but nothing else. I would be so pleased if you could share your information about tours.

Kate

zellalamb@gmail.com

High C's, I like the chair and I don't like the chair. If you tell me how you will use it - such as whether it is your every day chair or if you are taking it on trips, I can answer your question better. Rather than fill up this thread, I'll try to write a full review of it on my one year anniversary of owning it on a different thread.

Kate

What Palace ? The covers are probably so the wheels don't scuff the floors. Have you contacted the Palace directly or the tour provider to inquire if the special slippers are provided upon arrival at the palace ?

 

Being that the wheels are 10" and 8" perhaps purchasing ex-large disposable hair nets such as those used in food service would do the trick. There's also such a thing as non-scuffing disposable shoe covers that may work even if you have to slit open the ends and double tape 2 together. Just a thought.

I like how you think! Catherines Palace ( I think ) the tour operator told me I would need them if I had black tires. (I do)

Kate

Has anyone had to use these? I am not even sure where to purchase them. I've been asked to cover my wheelchair wheels with special "slippers" before I enter a palace in St. Petersburg. I'll be using my Wheelchair88 chair (foldawheel) and the tires are 10" and 8".

Kate

Has anyone had to use these? I am not even sure where to purchase them. I've been asked to cover my wheelchair wheels with special "slippers" before I enter a palace in St. Petersburg. I'll be using my Wheelchair88 chair (foldawheel) and the tires are 10" and 8".

Kate

We haven't booked anything else yet for the cruise. I am thinking that we will just wing it. For Tallin, we may take a taxi to the top and work our way down but I understand it won't be easy. As for Amsterdam, there is another thread here that is pretty detailed about how to get around.

We are booked on Alla Tours for a 2 day private grand tour. They have asked me to provide wheelchair wheel covers. Does anyone know where to get these things? I have 18" wheels.

Kate

I am booking with Alla tours for our July 1st cruise. When are you going?

Kate

So that is why they wanted to know the weight and dimensions of my chair! How does one buy wheel covers for a chair? I've never heard of them.

We booked a two day tour with Alla. My companions really want to see as much as possible and I don't mind waiting for them in places I can't get into. We haven't researched anywhere else yet. I better get on it!

Thank you for this information. Do you know if they have any busses with wheelchair lifts? I see by your list of cruises that you are on, or have gone on, a cruise around South America. We are scheduled to go on one next January and I would be very interested in your impressions.

Kate

Zellalamb

Nancy, we will be on the same trip the first week of July! I'm still in the process of choosing our tour company. May I ask why you chose Alla? I can't make up my mind and I better do it quickly! Our stay in SPB will only be two nights.

You might try posting this in your roll call. I'm sure you will find some takers.

Kate

Zellalamb

I am so glad to see that you are recovering and actively planning that next cruise. It was really special to me to get to meet you and Ruth in Ft. Lauderdale.

Your input on these boards was missed! Your story is filled with valuable information for all of us. Im just sorry that's we have to learn from example. You have some good tips for dealing with insurance and I plan on leaning on you for more advice. I wonder if you would consider posting a little primer on this board on the ins and outs of travel insurance?

Continue to heal those bones and gather strength for your next adventure!

Kate

.Zellalamb

Please excuse typos. I'm on an iPad.

Thank you. I will be following your posts.

These are really helpful tips. I will write to Alla And to Denrus. I'm beginning to get excited about our trip now.

Kate

Zellalamb

Hi Betty,

Yes, I think we have chatted before. I've written you an email.

By the way, you guys are really my travel heroes. Like me, you find a way to make things work, rather than say that it won't.

Kate Cohen