lharry

I can’t seem to find the current Carnical Covid protocols. Trying to decide if I should book or not, depending on what the protocol is. Looks like we have to get a test result within a day of cruising?  Is that the only requirement at this time sailing out of Florida?

We had our cruise cancelled in May and I have requested a refund, but my son didn't because he thought he would rebook - but he hasn't.  What will happen if he hasn't done either by the time our cancelled cruise date rolls around?  I don't want him to lose out on that money!!

I have heard that if you book a reservation for the steakhouse on the first night that you get a free bottle of wine. Is it this way if you book Bonsai hibachi also?

That sounds amazing!  We have talked to him about a guide dog but he already has a dog and feels like she would be so jealous if a "new" dog comes into the house, and gets to go everywhere he goes, and his current dog doesn't.  But maybe at some point.  I would love to visit them.  And I will certainly look into donating to them.  What an amazing gift they are providing!!  Love it!

Just wanted to let you all know that we had a wonderful cruise!  My son had no problems getting around the ship - finding his way back to his stateroom, knowing which bathroom to enter, etc.  

One thing that was fantastic is that the Hub App works with voice over, so he was able to have it read everything to him, including the menu at night.  

As I had mentioned, this is a new thing for him and for us, and I still find myself pointing to things for him to look at, forgetting that he can't see it.  That is so frustrating for me, his mom.  One of the absolute coolest things that happened on the cruise was a "fly by" by a couple of US fighter jets.  They buzzed the ship probably 4 or 5 times.  When we saw it the first time, I sent him and his wife a message, saying come up to Lido - you gotta see this.  And then I broke down in tears because I realized he wouldn't be able to see it.  Just Damn!

Anyway, we are all adjusting to this new way of life, and we had an amazing cruise.  Thank you all who helped with your responses to my questions!  :-)  We've already booked the next cruise!

Any ideas what makes these a premier room? Maybe a porthole? 

Also, any idea on secret decks on the Mardi Gras? I've looked at the deck plans and can't tell where they might be located. 

Benthayer - thank you so much for this information.  This was greatly helpful.  And thank you for being helpful to the blind woman.  I am quickly learning that the majority of people are "uncomfortable" with people who are "different", and it makes me sad.  I myself, am learning to be helpful to others and to treat everyone, no matter who or what, just like I would treat anyone.  Thanks for your advice!

Linda

1 minute ago, legaljen1969 said:

lharry, I hope you enjoy your cruise whenever you go and at whenever everyone gets to board.   I don't have any knowledge related to Carnival so I can't help you with that.  I am glad you were able to contact the special needs department. I feel certain they were compassionate and more able to offer productive advice. 

Thank you legaljen1969!  I'm sure we will enjoy it!  😀

15 hours ago, Joseph2017China said:

She apologized, cleared up her question, did mean to board with them, but she did use her status as the reason, not the disability.  Many people including myself told her to contact special needs for onboard services. 

Joseph2017China - you are one angry person!  I was not intending to "use my status" for anything other than to state that we would normally board at different times.  Either you are reading too much into my simple question, or you are just looking for anything to make an argument.  Either way, I did contact Carnival special needs.  Thank you again for recommending that I contact them.  

Done!

54 minutes ago, Joseph2017China said:

I travel around the world with a disabled wife. 

 

If you read the question, it asked if "I'm platinum and my husband is platinum so we get priority boarding, but my son and wife are not, but my son is visually impaired, can they board with us?  The questions isn't really a handicap question, but a question, if they can get on together and it was implied because of status not handicap.  Many disabled people do not need "priority boarding".  I'm not sure why the person would need assistance.  The person is with his wife, who I'm assuming will be his guide on the ship.  So walking onto the ship would be no different.  But the question still is, do they have to wait a little longer because they don't have the "platinum status" as the parents.  This wasn't asking for "help" onto the ship, but asking if they can get on faster. 

 

Traveling around the world, I have noticed many disabled people that expect special treatment because of the disability.  Skip lines, have extra help, get things for free etc.  We wait in lines like everyone else.  We sit in our section for boarding priority.  We never expect front line access.  It is annoying to us when people expect special treatment because we don't thing we are special.  We just have challenges, but we are not special. 

 

The questions doesn't really belong on the disability board, because the poster never asked for disability help, but rather jump to the front of the line because of traveling companion status. Now if the question was what kind of help will Carnival give or offer for a visual impaired person, that would be a whole different response.  Yes, that annoyed me but I did tell them to contact special needs on the cruise line to see what they can offer. 

Maybe I didn't phrase my question the best - and if I offended you, I do apologize, but it is not my intention to "get special treatment" for my son.  As I mentioned in my original post, he is NEWLY blind.  I am not familiar with anything related to accessibility when it comes to this cruise.  The reason I was asking is because my daughter in law has never cruised before, and my son cannot see, and it was my thought that if it were possible for them to board when we do, we could help both of them, if necessary.  It was not my intention to get special treatment for him - and I am quite sure that he would not want special treatment.  

Again, I'm sure I am not very articulate with my wording, and therefore, I obviously came across (to you at least) in a way that I did not intend.  Sorry that I offended and annoyed you.

And, in case you are interested (or not), I did contact Carnival and found out that they do offer an audio version of the Fun Times, which will be greatly helpful.  Still waiting to find out if voiceover works on the HubApp.  And I am resolved to the fact that he / they will not board early, so either we will wait to board when they do, or we will be waiting for them as they get onto the ship.

Thank you kindly for your responses to my simple question.

52 minutes ago, kokopelli-az said:

Here is some information direct form Carnival but their Access Team (click on the link below for contact information) can address your question about the app:

 

(click on deaf/hard of hearing)

 

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

Great information Kokopelli-az!  Thank you for this.  I see that they offer an audible format for the Fun Times, which will be very useful.

Thanks Schoifmom.  My guess also is that I will have trouble finding someone at Carnival that will know the answer as well.  I guess I can start with my PVP.  Hopefully he will know who I should call to find out.

On 6/24/2019 at 4:06 PM, Joseph2017China said:

Since you are platinum, my guess is you know the answer.  Unlike airlines, getting on a ship that is sailing for 7 days, does not require someone that is disabled to get special treatment during the first steps to the ship.  So if the person is visual impaired, what happens immediately once they get on the ship?  I'm guessing his wife will be helping navigating the ship, so getting on is the same thing. 

 

However, you should contact the ships special needs, if you have any special requests, like sitting in the dining room close to the entrance, or things along that nature. 

Yes, I am platinum but I was not aware because I haven’t traveled with a visually impaired person before. You will notice I said recently became visually impaired. But thank you for the information 

Does anyone know if the Carnival Hub App has voiceover? Or if it is somehow accessible for the visually impaired?

Okay.  Thank you.  I didn't think so, but just wanted to ask, since this is a new situation for us.

Is this a thing?  I'm specifically asking about Carnival.

My husband and I are platinum so we get priority boarding, but my son and his wife are not, and he is recently visually impaired.  Just curious if it would be possible that they would be able to board early also or if they will have to wait.

Thanks!

Thank you very much Milldonkey!  I appreciate your insight.  We are adjusting to our new way of life.   And thanks about the excursions!  I will not limit him from doing anything based on his lack of vision.  He's young and very active, so we will find the perfect excursion for him.  

Final payment has not been paid yet. My son and his wife are currently booked in an interior room for 2. They are now thinking about bringing their daughter. Can they add her to their current booking and just change their room to one for 3?  Is the only difference the additional cost of the 3rd person?  Is there a $50 fee to change the booking?

Oh - GREAT to know!!  Thank you for that!

Thank you for your help!

Thank you Kokopelli-az.  I feel quite sure Braile is out of the question at this point - it's all so new.  He literally went from seeing fine in October to now not being able to see - and no cure or treatment is available.  He's still trying to wrap his head around the whole idea.

I do appreciate the links.  I will check them out.  And I will give Carnival a call as well.  

Another question that I just thought of - he won't have a need for an accessible room, right?  I'm assuming they are more suited to the physically handicapped, versus the visually handicapped.  Or, is there something I'm not thinking of.

Thanks again!

Looking for some advice please. 

My adult son has just recently lost his vision, after having booked a cruise with us for September next year. 

1. Do I need to let Carnival know that he's disabled?
2. is there anything specific that he needs to know or do in regards to boarding or immigration? (Probably a stupid question, but I just want to be sure)
3. is there anything we could do to help him to recognize his cabin door?
4. is there any excursion that would be particularly good for someone who cannot see? Right now he's bummed knowing he cannot see the beautiful sights and colors, but I'd love for him to still have an amazing time, regardless.  FYI - we are cruising to Bermuda

Thanks so much!

Thank you!  Yes, I will do everything within my power to get him on board that ship!!

And thanks for the disability forum.  I haven't ever noticed it before.  I will look there.

Thanks - I've never used the EasyPay option either.  Sure seems like they'd be willing to take your money earlier than what they think.  

This is completely new territory for me - - my 33 year old son was recently diagnosed with a rare genetic disease, and is quickly loosing his vision (going blind).  We (and he) are schedule to cruise next year, and I really want this to be a good experience for him - right now, he's bummed out about the cruise because, as he states, "I won't be able to see all the beautiful sites".  I am doing my best to keep him uplifted through this, and I have assured him that we will have an amazing trip.

So, my questions are this, do we need to let Carnival know of his disability?  Does the Hub App have any accessibility features for the visually impaired? Is there any other visually accessible situations that I haven't considered that we may encounter on our cruise?

Thank you!