kokopelli-az

@cruisequeen4ever. You should post your experience over on the Disabled Cruise Travel board. Tendering is a topic that comes up often.

We're on the Caribbean Princess as I type this. You don't need two medallions to order two drinks assuming you are both on the same reservation/drink package. When we boarded the ship the bartenders were asking for your room number and it appeared there was some issue with the medallions. Well, the cruise is half over and they are still asking for room numbers when you order drinks. So far on this cruise we haven't even used our medallions to order drinks. But the medallions open the room door just fine.

Has anyone been on the Caribbean Princess the past couple of weeks had their boarding time delayed because of extra cleaning on the ship? We board April 21 and received notification today that our 11am boarding slot is now 1pm (other boarding times were delayed, too). But they still plan on departing Fort Lauderdale at 3:30. The notification also states the terminal will not open until 1 either. How was this handled with so many people trying to board in such a short time? Please tell me it went smoothly....

Is the gas shortage in Fort Lauderdale causing problems getting taxis to go to the pier or airport?

Could you tell me where the muster station for the window suites is located?

You don't say what cruise line you will be on but my husband has a scooter and he has never had any trouble getting off the any ship at any port stop where you have to use a gangway. There is always someone there to help. And if they are not right there, the employee swiping the cards for passengers to get off will call someone over to assist. Do not attempt to use the gangway without their assistance. Just wait until someone comes to help. They are very good at this and certainly don't want any accidents. Same when you return to the ship. Just wait at the bottom of the gangway for assistance if someone isn't right there to help. They will be on the look-out for passengers needing assistance.

What is the airline?

We were on the Caribbean Princess twice last year and we will be on her again next week. You won't have much of a problem finding places to park the scooter around the ship. Just find a wall or spot out of the way. I frequently drop my husband off at the location we are going to be at (table, chair, etc) and drive his scooter myself to park it if there is no good parking close. We love the waiters in the dining rooms driving passengers' scooters to park them. You might hop over and scan the Disabled Cruise Travel board. There are lots of people there with scooters and tips you didn't even know you needed. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/114-disabled-cruise-travel/

John Sage has information about Palermo, Naples and Civitevecchia/Rome that might be helpful. Does your cruise ship offer any accessible tours in your ports? https://www.sagetraveling.com/accessible-cruise-ports-naples-italy

Notify NCL you are bringing medical equipment. Here's a form: https://ncl.secure.force.com/AccessDeskForm/ and their email address: accessdesk@ncl.com

We love the Reflection!

We were on the Caribbean Princess twice last year and will be on her again this April and June. We found nothing to complain about. We love this ship!

We just use a luggage tag (plus ID in the little storage area behind the back rest). Many airlines request that you complete a form identifying your wheelchair (make, model, any damage, etc). It's usually on their website. When you make your plane reservations, request wheelchair assistance (using your own wheelchair) from the ticket counter all the way to the plane's door. Those wheelchair pushers know how to get through the lines quickly. (Tips are appreciated.) Make sure you take the wheelchair all the way to the plane door (from there it will get put in the plane's storage below). They will bring it back to you outside the plane's exit door when you get to your next stop. If it's a connecting stop, a wheelchair pusher will take you to your connecting gate. You want to be sure the wheelchair is personally with you and in the plane you're on at all times. If it's your destination stop, a wheelchair pusher can take you to pick up your luggage and outside to your transportation. PS: When you get to your boarding area at the airport, let the airline person behind the counter know you have a personal wheelchair that you will be gate checking. They will probably tag it and will also make sure you have the form mentioned in the first paragraph (if you don't have the form they will fill one out for you). This is probably more informatoin than you want, but I didn't know if you had any experience with wheelchairs and flying.

Try Scootaround.com. Boston is one of the ports they serve. I don't know if this will work on a longer cruise, but try discount code USCRUISE (from United Spinal) to see if you can get a discount. You may have to call Scootaround for the discount to be applied. You will need to let Holland know you are bringing mobility equipment. See here: https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/accessibility.html Let us know if Scootaround worked for you. PS: Special Needs and Scootaround are by far the most mentioned mobility (and special needs) equipment rental companies. They have special permission on most (but not all) cruise ships to bring their equipment aboard and also to retrieve it at the end of the cruise. So you must rent from a company (like these two) who are authorized by whatever cruise line you are on.

It will be a very popular option for many passengers.

What cruise line will you be on? Holland?

Special Needs at Sea rents them, but only from certain ports.

Did you rent it from Special Needs at Sea? Just so others know, their website says that these folding scooters are only available at this time for cruises out of certain ports. But this is a great option to know about. Especially for passengers who do not have an accessible stateroom.

If you take the rollator, think about renting a wheel/transport chair (to be waiting for you in your room when you board). That way you will only have to take the rollator on the plane. On another note, the ships are huge, the docks can be super long and then there is navigating around your port stop. In other words, there can be a lot of walking especially if you get off the ship. Having a wheelchair can save the day for someone who may not be able to walk very far or does not have very much stamina.

@Grammyluvs You also might consider advising Princess' Access Office prior to your cruise that you will need this service. accessofficeprincess@princesscruises.com.

Are you going to be on Holland America? If you think you might need a wheelchair while on the ship, you will need to provide your own. This is the case with nearly every cruise line. A wheelchair can be easily rented and will be in your room when you get on the ship. If you are going to be on Holland, this is direct from their website: Holland America Line is no longer able to provide complimentary wheelchair assistance for any purpose other than embarkation, disembarkation, and emergency situations. Holland America Line wheelchairs are not available for shore excursions or for use on board. If you will require regular use of a wheelchair, we recommend that you bring your own wheelchair with you. You may also make advance rental arrangements prior to your sailing and have a wheelchair delivered directly to the ship for use on board and in ports of call.

We have had this done many times. As soon as they see me cutting up my husband's steak, someone (usually our waiter) immediately comes and takes over. After the first time, they know that he needs assistance and are always there to assist.

You might hop over to the Disabled Cruise Travel forum. There are numerous discussions about wheelchair boarding. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/114-disabled-cruise-travel/

You have a rollator. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIcE9giFHZY&t=2s

Here's a recent discussion: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2901537-st-thomas-questions/#comment-64505142