Has anyone used the cruise assist program when boarding

[Kinzikoo]

My daughter will be using a walking cast, crutches and a wheel chair on occasion during this cruise. We have signed up for assistance at the pier, but we are not sure what this includes. There was not much info available. We are wondering if we arrive early, or if there is a special place to go, or will she be standing in line with everyone else. Has anyone used this before.

[kagra]

We have used this service on Azamara and Princess. When we arrived at the terminal we told the porter we had requested a wheelchair. It appeared promptly. We were given priority boarding. No problems-no waiting in line.:)

[uppitycats]

My daughter will be using a walking cast, crutches and a wheel chair on occasion during this cruise. We have signed up for assistance at the pier, but we are not sure what this includes. There was not much info available. We are wondering if we arrive early, or if there is a special place to go, or will she be standing in line with everyone else. Has anyone used this before.

 

I think many of us have used this. It's pretty straightforward: you arrive at the pier, find a representative of your cruise line (there are usually several floating around), tell him/her that you've requested assistance in boarding...and within 15-20 minutes or less, it happens. They'll come, if you're in your own chair you (and generally 1-2 others in your party) will be escorted to the front of the lines and onto the ship. If it's a matter of waiting for them to bring a wheelchair from the ship, then you might be escorted to a waiting area (where there will be chairs), and have to wait for awhile, but otherwise, not a problem.

 

Is she bringing her own chair, or are you renting one through the cruise line?

[blondietink]

On Carnival we were able to use the VIP line for check-in, got to go to the VIP lounge to go over the health cards and other last minute stuff (cookies & juice, too) and then we were escorted on the ship by a cruise line representative. He also gave us a run-down of the ship, where to go, when we would be able to go to our cabin, etc. It made the whole boarding process really fast and easy. :D

[Kinzikoo]

I think many of us have used this. It's pretty straightforward: you arrive at the pier, find a representative of your cruise line (there are usually several floating around), tell him/her that you've requested assistance in boarding...and within 15-20 minutes or less, it happens. They'll come, if you're in your own chair you (and generally 1-2 others in your party) will be escorted to the front of the lines and onto the ship. If it's a matter of waiting for them to bring a wheelchair from the ship, then you might be escorted to a waiting area (where there will be chairs), and have to wait for awhile, but otherwise, not a problem.

 

Is she bringing her own chair, or are you renting one through the cruise line?

 

 

Thank you to those who responded. It sounds like we will be treated well. I have rented a chair and we are bringing it with us, much cheaper, plus we would have to do it anyway after her surgery. We are getting excited. Only 10 days to go.

[TrinaP1204]

I have been on both Carnival and Royal Caribbean and I can say she will be taken care of and treated very well by the cruiseline.

[eisco17]

When we cruised the first time after my husband's disability, we were escorted to checkin and then taken by a special elevator when it was time to board. We had special seating away from the crowds. I was almost embarrassed because it was so nice and I didn't know what to expect. Less than 50 days now to our next!

[maray]

A few years ago 2007 My sister and I took 2 nieces (7 and 8 )on Carnival out NYC. My niece has only one usable leg.She does have a prosthetic.We didn't know at the time to ask ahead of time for a wheelchair. As we left the limo a luggage worker went to find a Carnival worker and we had a wheelchair within minutes. She was wonderful with her. All throughout the cruise she would seek my niece out to make sure she was doing ok.

[giggleykim]

:pYou are very spoiled and pampered if you have physical limitations. I travel with my husband who is in a power wheel chair and has a service dog. There is no line ups for us anywhere on a ship. The moment we step foot anywhere we are rushed to the quickest line. Due to now traveling with his service dog we are on a first name bases as soon as someone sees the dogs beautiful eyes!! Once we went to the guest services desk and before I could give our name I was told that we were as popular with the staff as the captain is to the guests on the ship. Staff are told ahead of time of the dog and they all look forward to seeing the dogs that come aboard.

Being on the ship with someone who has a physical limitation does have its benifits. (Not very often does one feel that there limitations work in there favour, so I am happy when they can benifit when they can).

[ehrlichpuppy]

So we need to talk to special services at the cruise line to arrang this? I use a cane, but can't stand long & DH gets short of breath easily. I need to call them anyway to arrange to have a "sharps" container for his used needles in our cabin (he is diabetic)

[uppitycats]

So we need to talk to special services at the cruise line to arrang this? I use a cane, but can't stand long & DH gets short of breath easily. I need to call them anyway to arrange to have a "sharps" container for his used needles in our cabin (he is diabetic)

 

Since you're planning to call anyway, then certainly request it of them. They'll put your name on their list and watch out for you. You may still have to find someone at the pier when you get there -- just tell them that you've requested assistance for a wheelchair, and it'll happen. As for the sharps container, if one isn't in your room when you get there, just ask your room steward; he'll get one for you.

[ehrlichpuppy]

i called special services & the wheelchair assist to board is all arranged - also the sharps container.They even asked if we wanted to change to a disabled room, but I said no- I am really looking forward to our Aft veranda room. When we were on the Century in January 2010, we still had to ask the room steward for a Sharps container , even though we thought it had been arranged, but it was in the bathroom in our room before dinner. I will probably call back closer to when we go, just to make sure the request doesn't get "lost" .

[awhcruiser]

Is there a cut off time to sign up for the special assist? Turns out I will need it and my cruise is only a week away.

[ehrlichpuppy]

hopefully you went ahead & contacted the cruise line- someone elsehad posted earlier that they didn't know that they needed to ask for this & still got it