kokopelli-az

You mean the bar is closed at the Renaissance?? (We were there in November and it was open . . . The bartender was somewhat crabby and it was packed.)

I tell you those taxi drivers in Lauderdale drive like bats out of H***

Try saying, "I only have a $20 bill or else I'll have to use a credit card." See how quickly they take the $20.

I always tell them I don't have anything except a $20 bill. I figure that is fair and includes a tip. They always take it. They definitely don't want you to use a credit card.

What is the official fare for a taxi from Port Everglades to FLL?

This is an understatement. On November 12 our UberXL from the Marriott Courtyard Airport and Cruise Port to Port Everglades was nearly $50 (pre-tip). This would have been about 11am. When we go back in February, I am definitely going to be taking a taxi if Uber is charging this much.

You might do a search for: accessible shore excursion tours [name of port] Or wheelchair accessible tours [name of port] Put quotes around the words that you want to be sure are included, like "accessible" "tours" "Belize" or similar. What cruise line are you going to be on? They may have accessible shore excursions but it is probably too early for them to be posted. What are your port stops?

You might check with the St Maarten Taxi Association. They are the largest taxi company on the island. http://taxistmaarten.com/ And John Sage recommends this tour: https://www.sagetraveling.com/top-menu-navigation/shore-excursions/st-maarten/st-maarten-wheelchair-accessible-beach-excursion/ There is also the Accessible St Maarten website: https://www.accessaridestmaarten.com/ The least expensive way would be hiring a taxi.

We'll be on the Celebrity Apex in February and this ship has the the Magic Carpet that will take passengers with scooters, etc. down to where the tender boat picks you up. I know scooters can get on the tender boat from the Magic Carpet but what about when arriving at Belize City or George Town? Are you dropped off right at a dock where you can easily roll off/on or are there obsticles preventing this (such as steps, sand, etc). We've been at these ports before but that was way before using a scooter.

My husband does a similar thing. Travels with a transfer chair and rents a scooter for the ship. Your electric wheelchair is rented and will be in your stateroom, correct? Assuming your transfer chair folds up, are you sure you need an accessible taxi? We have always had a regular taxi (although sometimes a van taxi) and the transfer chair folds up to fit in the trunk. A lot of those taxis are Crown Victorias and they have big trunks. But more recently, we have been using Uber from the hotel to the pier. We always order an UberXL (they are a larger vehicle, like an SUV) which is a big improvement from the taxis.

They have a category called Ocean Crossings that might help: https://www.celebritycruises.com/destinations/ocean-crossing-cruises?icid=dstntn__cnc_hm_other_114

@Nora86 You might do a search on this forum for "elevators" and "scooter". There are lots of conversations regarding getting on elevators with scooters (or any mobility equipment for that matter). You will get some handy tips. PS: Never use the gangway at ports with your scooter without assistance from the ship personnel. (They will be watching for and helping passengers with mobility devices.)

And per Celebrity's website: If there’s a certain diet you follow, it’s easy to scan the menu to find dishes you can eat. Menu items are noted with a special symbol if they are gluten-free, free of added sugar, lactose-free, vegetarian, or fit fare. The fit fare menu items combine natural flavor and balanced nutrition without compromising on taste. No matter which restaurant you choose to dine in while cruising with Celebrity, you can find healthy menu options every night of your cruise. Let your servers know or ask personnel in the buffet for lactose-free options. Sometimes they have choices that are not on the menu/set out in the buffet.

Just got off the Reflection 2 weeks ago at Port Everglades and much to my dismay, no luggage valet.

Have you looked here? (look under Travel and Transportation, and then Transfers) https://www.princess.com/en-us/faq/pre-cruise They should be able to secure accessible transportation from LAX to the pier. But they need to know ahead of time for this to be arranged. Then you don't need to worry about if your mobility device will fit or if there are steps to get into the vehicle. (Most regular airport to ship transfer vehicles are tour-size buses.) Plan B: Request an UberXL vehicle to take you from LAX to the pier. the UberXL vehicles are larger (like SUVs) vehicles and you should be able to have room for your rollator in the back. And you won't have to wait for the Princess bus to fill up with passengers before it leaves for the pier. https://www.uber.com/us/en/ride/uberxl/ Plan C Request transportation through Wingz. We have personally used them numerous times (although not from LAX) and we won't use anyone else if we can book with Wingz. You would need to advise them when you are completing your ride request that you need a vehicle that will accommodate a large folding rollator. https://www.wingz.me/airport/lax/ In my opinion, Wingz is a step above Uber.

There is a form (attached, see last section: other disability related needs...). The Special Needs Dept will probably request that it be completed. We were on the Reflection a couple of weeks ago and they had signs indicating the gluten free breads and pastries in the buffet. CEL-Special-Needs-Form-Revised-062221x.pdf

@39august is correct. All alcohol in the Retreat Lounge (aka Michael's Club) is included. You can take your drinks with you; you don't have to consume them in the Retreat Lounge. You can request a double if you want. We were on the Equinox in Sept and had the drink package. However, every morning we went to the Retreat Lounge for a Bloody Mary to go. For some reason, they are better from the Retreat Lounge.

Under the Q&A for the Wyndam Bayside it says: The hotel does not shuttle to the cruise terminal. The terminal is just a short walk across the street. But they do have an airport shuttle.

We have used Uber numerous times out of Fort Lauderdale (and other towns) and have never had any issues. They never seem to be very far away from where we need to be picked up.

Have you considered Uber transportation? See a dummy booking from the Wyndham Bayside to the San Diego Cruise Terminal (attached). There will no doubt be other people staying at the hotel who will need transportation to the cruise terminal.

I would not check any mobility equipment with my luggage. Take it with you to the door of the plane. Tell the airline personnel you want to gate check your mobility equipment. It will be placed in the plane's hold along with the strollers etc. You will pick it up as you get off the plane. The last thing you need is your mobility equipment being lost or damaged being thrown in with all the luggage. You will have less of a chance of damage if you gate check your equipment.

You can use a scooter to board the ship (assuming it's your own or a rental you bring or pick up outside the terminal). People do it all the time. it's a rental scooter that you pick up in your stateroom you would not have it to board the ship. If you end up pushing your husband in the transport chair, have one of the ship's pushers do it while you follow.

My first choice would be a scooter. However, it needs to be 23" or less wide to fit through the door of a non-accessible stateroom. Check with your rental company to inquire about the width of their rental scooters. (Are there any available accessible staterooms on your ship that you could change to?) Some power chairs are collapsible but again check with your rental company about the width and also if they have collapsible ones. Wheelchairs are fine but someone might need to be available to assist with the pushing. Ships are huge, many piers are very long and then there's your port stop. There will be a lot of territory to cover. PS: Celebrity will need to know you are bringing/renting mobility equipment. Have you seen their accessibility brochure? https://secure.viewer.zmags.com/publication/94b2c9f8#/94b2c9f8/1

My husband has a collapsible transport chair and he rents a scooter for the cruise. The transport chair is used at the airport, hotel and getting aboard the ship (usually his scooter is already in our stateroom when we get there). Depending on what type of vehicle your tour is using, it may be able to accommodate a collapsible wheelchair. Very few excursions accommodate scooters (unless it's a small fold-up type). Read the "special notes" on your excursion description; some say "Not suitable for wheelchair guests because of the few steps and the gravel" or similar. If it is unclear, contact Princess' Access Department or Shore Excursion Department. Do you have an accessible stateroom? (Maximum width of a scooter for a non-accessible stateroom is 22".) Your scooter will have to be stored in your stateroom when you are not out and about using it. Princess will need to know you are bringing mobility equipment and will have you complete a mobility questionnaire. If you haven't already seen their accessible guidance, see here (scroll to Accessible Cruising). https://www.princess.com/en-us/faq/pre-cruise

We'll be on the Summit in a week and we selected our check-in time the first day available (not at midnight but in the morning after we got up). First available timeslot was 12-12:30pm, which we chose. (Back in the olden days, we used to be able to check in at 11am, then on the Equinox in September the earliest time was 11:30am, now on the Summit the earliest time is 12noon.) I look at the check-in times often and they are frequently different on the app vs the website. Right now, the available check-in times on the website for our cruise on the Summit is 12-12:30pm or 2-2:30. Looking at the app the available check-in time is 2-2:30 only . If you aren't able to choose a check-in time you want, just keep checking (website & app) and the time you want may come up.