Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

nextcruiseis

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    206

  • Joined

 Content Type 

Posts posted by nextcruiseis

    Any photos of the aft balconies on Bliss deck 13?

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    I know the balconies differ in depth depending on the deck. We are traveling with a large wheelchair and were hoping to be able to get the wheelchair out on the balcony. We are booked in an aft accessible cabin on deck 13, which I gather from other threads has the smallest balconies. I've searched on CC, cruise deck plan, and Google and have found photos and/or videos of the balconies on decks 12, 9 and 14, but none for deck 13. If anyone has a photo from aft balcony on deck 13 to share, I would very much appreciate it.

    Suggestions for short day, repeat visitors

    in San Juan, PR

    Posted

    There are several interesting museums (usually closed on Mondays) and a couple of free tours that may interest you.

     

    El Capitolio (houses the Puerto Rico legislature) offers free guided tours in English & Spanish Mon-Fri between 8:30 am – 5 pm. You can call & make a reservation at 787-721-5200, ext.301 or by emailing at solicitud.turismo@oslpr.org or just show up and sign in. You do have to go through metal detector and security checkpoint inside. You can get to El Capitolio on the free green trolley.

     

    There are also free guided tours of La Fortaleza (governor’s residence/office) on Calle Fortaleza between 9am-4pm. These are walk-in and you sign up at the Palacio Rojo (last building on the left – painted red – will have flags of PR & US outside).Adults need to show picture ID.

     

    Casa Museo Felisa Rincon de Gautier on Caleta de San Juan(in front of La Puerta de San Juan) is open Mon-Fri from 9-4 and Sat from 10-2. Felisa Rincon de Gautier was mayor of San Juan for 22 years.

     

    Museo Casa Blanca (near El Morro) is open Tuesday – Sunday from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. This is a self-guided tour. Juan Ponce de Leon’s family lived there (he died before it was completed).

     

    Museo de las Americas in Cuartel Ballaja (near El Morro) has permanent and rotating exhibits. They are closed on Mondays and there is an entrance free.

     

    If you would like to arrange a private tour, I highly recommend arranging one with Puerto Rico Historic Building Drawing Society. Their website is www.prhbds.org. They also have a very active page on one of the social media platforms that I think I am not allowed to mention here. I have taken several of their “show up tours” and they are fun, educational, and informative. I have not yet participated in one of the private tours, but know people who have done so and they recommend them. One of their private tours (I think $25/pp,not certain if there is a minimum # of participants) is Old San Juan Best Kept Secrets. The description is as follows: “We will be exploring Old San Juan, a 500-year-old walled city that harbors secret corners and little-known spots full of charm and steeped in history, that remain unnoticed to the casual visitor. As you walk through Old San Juan’s blue cobblestoned streets, accompanied by a knowledgeable local architect, we'll be learning about how the city was built in this rocky island jutting out to the sea, observing the urban layout,constructive methods and architectural details of the Spanish colonial buildings and defensive structures. In this 2.5-hour stroll you'll experience historical architecture with an insider, not just as a tourist, since we will be visiting private residences and places with limited access. You'll have a chance to peer into dungeons, wonder at frescoed chapels, and climb rooftops to explore hidden towers, basque in secluded Spanish patios, and learn about the fascinating historical characters and events that shaped the city, as we delve into the mysteries of this quintessential Spanish Caribbean stronghold.”

    Os Celebrity suited for a teen in wheelchair?

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted

    We have cruised several times with our mother in a special reclining chair (it's not a bed! :D), most recently on the Summit. On 3 cruise lines (Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian) we have found all the crew and staff to be extremely kind and helpful. We have never had any difficulties in any restaurant (whether fixed dining time or flexible) and my mother must remain in her chair at all times. There is a Special Needs form available on the Celebrity website that you should complete. I suggest that you also call or email the Celebrity Access Department (check your country's website for contact information) and discuss your needs. We made them aware that we had a very large chair, that she had to remain in it and we required a table with easy access and where we would not impede the waiters or other passengers. When we board the ship, we go to the dining room and confirm that our request has been received (it always has) and sometimes they even show us the table or general area so we can verify that it is suitable.

     

    You can also ask the Access Dept about any restrictions, if any, to your daughter's participation in the teen club. I don't know if they can provide you with copies of the teen activities for prior sailings, but you might wish to consider starting a new thread and asking if anyone has copies to share. You could also ask on the Disabled Cruise Travel thread (https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=190) to see if anyone can share their experiences with teens in wheelchairs on Celebrity.

     

    Silhouette is a beautiful ship. Enjoy your cruise.

    Change in scooter supplier for NCL?

    in Disabled Cruise Travel

    Posted

    I have a scooter reserved through Special Needs at Sea for our upcoming cruise on NCL/Escape. I see now NCL's website says scooter rentals are through Scootaround? And I don't see NCL as an option anymore on Special Needs at Sea - am I going to be stuck?

     

    Thank you for pointing this out as this is definitely a recent change. Special Needs at Sea should not have taken the reservation if they are not an approved supplier. I would contact both the NCL Access Desk (866-584-9756 or email accessdesk@ncl.com) and then Special Needs at Sea and discuss this with them. If you made the reservation when Special Needs at Sea was the only approved supplier for NCL, they should issue a full refund of your payment or NCL should "grandfather" reservations made prior to their change in vendor.

    I'm sure you are not the only one in this situation. Let us know what how they resolved this issue. Enjoy your cruise.

    Special Needs at Sea- Scooter Rental Question

    in Disabled Cruise Travel

    Posted

    I don't know if it is different for scooters, but we have rented other equipment from Special Needs and they did require full payment when you make the reservation. There was also a $50 cancellation fee if it was more than 1 week prior to sailing and non-refundable within a week of sailing for domestic cruises. It was different for international cruises. When you call for a price quote, they will also tell you how long the quote is valid for and provide the cancellation information.

    Shore excursions for limited mobility passengers

    in Disabled Cruise Travel

    Posted

    Most, if not all, of the free trolleys in Old San Juan are wheelchair accessible but they do not have tie-downs. You can board them near the piers. There are 3 different routes and one will get you to the forts. You don't have to get off and can just do the entire round trip route. Some information (and a map) can be found here: https://sanjuanpuertorico.com/trolley-old-san-juan/

     

     

    The link below is for an accessibility guide to Old San Juan from the United Spinal Association and has some good information, including accessibility at the forts.

    http://c100730.r30.cf1.rackcdn.com/travelaccess_oldsanjuan_puertorico_usa.pdf

     

    If have a longer port time and want to explore other than the Old San Juan area, we did use Rico Sun Tours (info in above accessibility guide) in 2015 and were very pleased. They have an 8 passenger mini bus with wheelchair lift and (importantly) tie-downs. It is not inexpensive, but if sharing with a group it won't be much more than a ship excursion and you can customize your tour.

    Driving to Boston. Hotels and Parking Suggestions

    in East Coast Departures

    Posted

     

    One strategy we often recommend is to get a less expensive suburban hotel near route 128/I95 and drive and park at the port the following morning.

     

    We will be cruising from Boston on June 8th (last minute decision) and driving from New Jersey. We are not familiar with the Boston area. Would you be able to be a bit more specific on the areas/towns near 128/I95 that we should look at for hotel stay pre-cruise?

     

    Thank you in advance.

    Manhattan Cruise Terminal & Luggage Drop-off

    in Disabled Cruise Travel

    Posted

    We travel with mom who uses a wheelchair full-time. In the past we have been dropped off at the terminal but for our next NCL cruise we will be driving ourselves. I searched on the East Coast Departures board and could not find the answer to my question. Are there luggage porters in the garage who will take bags once we park? Do I have to drop off the bags, mom, and the rest of the party on the second floor and then exit the terminal and return to park?

    Vatican Scavi Tour Security Procedures

    in Italy Ports

    Posted

    We did the Scavi tour 6 years ago. I don't know how much security procedures have changed. However, the entrance for the tour office off to the side - it did not involve the line to enter St. Peter. There was an area with barricades where the Swiss Guards checked your tour confirmation ticket as well as your attire. If you scroll to the bottom of the page linked below, there is a graphical map with the Scavi entrance highlighted. We found it easily without a map. It's a great tour. http://thecatholictraveler.com/vatican-scavi-tour/

    San Juan airport hotel

    in San Juan, PR

    Posted

    I stayed there in March because I had a very early morning flight and was driving in from outside the San Juan metro area. It was clean, very quiet, and the wifi in the room was excellent. I had a (surprisingly) very tasty hot sandwich for dinner, but the restaurant would not be available at midnight. There is a free hot buffet breakfast included in the room rate, but I cannot comment on that since I checked out very early. I would stay there again if I had a very early flight or late arrival.

     

    I have a couple photos from the room but haven't figured out how to post them here.

×
×
  • Create New...