belle836

Took this tour in August 2009 and highly recommend it. The ramp to board was a little steep, but the crew took a can-do attitude and got my (large) partner in a Pride Maxima on board zip-zip. The tour is delightful, and w/c users are up close and personal in the front row. The crew is prepared to take out seats in the front row to make room for as many wheeled conveyances as necessary. There is a w/c accessible bathroom (which we did not check out, sorry). Have fun!

 

For more info: www dot 56degreesnorth dot com

Thanks for that information. I am a scooter user and want to go on that expedition badly. Now I feel comfortable making the reservations.

Hi, I am able to walk some, but use a scooter for any distance at all. So, I really don't usually need a handicapped cabin.

 

I've cruised three times on Royal Caribbean, twice on Norwegian and once on Princess. On all of them the cabin doors were wide enough on a standard balcony cabin for my Go-Go Scooter to get into the cabin comfortably. All of them had excellent access to areas around the ship. I don't use the pool or the hot tubs, so I can't comment on their accessibility.

 

Norwegian standard balcony cabins are generally smaller than the other two lines I have cruised and the arrangement of furniture makes it impossible to turn the scooter around once inside the cabin. I'm very used to navigating with the scooter, so I would back into the room, but it made getting around in there very tight. The second time on a Norwegian ship (the Jewel) I did request a handicapped balcony cabin and it was much easier for us both to get around, including turning the scooter. I was able to park the scooter in the closet which provided easier access in the cabin itself.

 

On Royal Caribbean and Princess standard balcony cabins I had no trouble driving straight in and turning the scooter around. Also there was more room for my cabin mate to get around the scooter. At this point I would not request a HC cabin on either of those two lines.

 

I wish there was another catagory of cabin for "minimally" handicapped folks such as myself. It makes me uncomfortable to request a fully handicapped cabin when someone else may need it more than I do. For some of us just a little more space to turn around in and park the scooter or wheelchair would be sufficent.

 

I hope this is helpful and that it makes it easier for you to enjoy cruising as much as I do.

Iris

Those are my circumstances as well. Scooter for long walks, cane for short walks, 20 stair steps are my limit. I know I'm gonna get wicked stares from fellow passengers when I "walk" into some venue that I have taken my scooter to and parked in an out-of-the-way spot but I guess I'll survive.:)