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TexasRices

By TexasRices,
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TexasRices

TexasRices

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WARNING: If you're not in the mood to hear a minor rant, scroll on now.

WTH is wrong with people? When did we become a society filled with people who are quick to tell you why "you can't" - rather than help problem solve to figure out how "you can"?

 

I just saw a TV program that was showing the ruins at Chichen Itsa near Progreso, Mexico. We will be visiting Progreso in November. And from everything I saw on TV (granted - it was edited) it looks like my scooter can handle it IF i can get there. So I go to my usual resources...the cruise line, Cruise Critic posts, Disabilities forums...asking if anyone knows of transportation options to get to the ruins. I was BOMBARDED with answers telling me that it was a bad idea for people with mobility issues to go there. But no one could say exactly why, and not one had transportation suggestions.

 

The last time I checked, America is the land founded by people who, despite the odds, found a way to follow their dreams. They met, brainstormed, and worked out a plan to accomplish their goals. I would imagine their meetings consisted more of "how" than "can't"! Later generations fought in World Wars, fought financial depression, and fought for equal rights. But I'm having trouble finding a single person who is willing to work with me to figure out how to get from point A to point B.

 

I hope to God I have taught my children & grandchildren better than this. FIND A WAY! Get creative, work hard, problem solve, be innovative! And by all means, don't let anyone tell you "you can't" - as for me, I intend to find a way to get to Chichen Itsa and promptly post photos of me flipping off the naysayers when I return.

 

Rant over...constructive suggestions welcome, naysayers need not respond.

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TexasRices

TexasRices

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I hope you find a way. I've always wanted to go but till now have not been able to. It's been a whe since I last checked. Good luck.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Thank you Sanspike!

 

An able-bodied friend who is familiar with my challenges has been there, and just confirmed that maneuvering the site should not be an issue. The issue (as I suspected) is indeed...getting there. My scooter folds up & fits in the trunk of my Hyundai Sonata. My husband is willing to load & unload. I just need to find a bus/shuttle/taxi that has room & will allow us to load it!

 

I am determined!!! :p

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raindropsalways

raindropsalways

Posted
Posted (edited)

Thank you. It is a pleasure to know that there is someone who is willing to make things work.

 

I have not ever been to Progreso, thus cannot offer any first hand info. When we were considering a cruise there, I came across this company but never checked them out. http://www.shoreexcursioneer.com/progreso-yucatan From what I learned about Progreso, that is a long pier, so I'd suggest you take a taxi from the ship to whatever land arrangements you make.

 

We have been a lot of places we were told we could not get to. So I know exactly how you feel. Please do not give up or submit to the “no doers”, you will find a way.

 

Have a wonderful cruise and enjoy the ruins.

Betty

Edited by raindropsalways
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xxoocruiser

xxoocruiser

Posted
Posted (edited)

 

I just saw a TV program that was showing the ruins at Chichen Itsa near Progreso, Mexico. We will be visiting Progreso in November. And from everything I saw on TV (granted - it was edited) it looks like my scooter can handle it IF i can get there. So I go to my usual resources...the cruise line, Cruise Critic posts, Disabilities forums...asking if anyone knows of transportation options to get to the ruins. I was BOMBARDED with answers telling me that it was a bad idea for people with mobility issues to go there. But no one could say exactly why, and not one had transportation suggestions.

 

 

 

I apologize in advance if having inadvertently overlooked one of your past posts when searching your history as couldn't find a post from you on the Disabled Traveler Forum inquiring as to the accessibility of Chichen Itsa. The following post dating back to 2013 was found regarding the ruins in Belize which I posted the information found on the website regarding accessible. at that time .http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1912825

 

Specific to Chichen Itsa .

It is wheelchair accessible but as you've noted getting there with a mobility scooters is the issue. Did you check with the cruise line to determine if they offered a tour with accessible transportation? If not than suggest you contact the special needs dept. for the cruise line you're using. Even if not the vehicle generally use for tours to Chichen Itas is a standard tour bus that has a luggage hold. Therefore if you're able to walk up/down a few steps to enter/exit the bus the scooters could be stored in the luggage hold provided the excursion company will allow that.

 

Another idea is to check out this link http://www.forhandicaptravelers.com/transportation.htm. Though Progresso is not shown on it's website it does state that there is an extra fee for services outside the schedule. Nothing to loose by checking .

 

Taxis are also an option if you're able to transfer. Most taxi drivers do not want to loose a fare since cruise ship tourism is a big part of their income.

Edited by xxoocruiser
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TexasRices

TexasRices

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Posted (edited)
I apologize in advance if having inadvertently overlooked one of your past posts when searching your history as couldn't find a post from you on the Disabled Traveler Forum inquiring as to the accessibility of Chichen Itsa. The following post dating back to 2013 was found regarding the ruins in Belize which I posted the information found on the website regarding accessible. at that time .http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1912825

 

Specific to Chichen Itsa .

It is wheelchair accessible but as you've noted getting there with a mobility scooters is the issue. Did you check with the cruise line to determine if they offered a tour with accessible transportation? If not than suggest you contact the special needs dept. for the cruise line you're using. Even if not the vehicle generally use for tours to Chichen Itas is a standard tour bus that has a luggage hold. Therefore if you're able to walk up/down a few steps to enter/exit the bus the scooters could be stored in the luggage hold provided the excursion company will allow that.

 

Another idea is to check out this link http://www.forhandicaptravelers.com/transportation.htm. Though Progresso is not shown on it's website it does state that there is an extra fee for services outside the schedule. Nothing to loose by checking .

 

Taxis are also an option if you're able to transfer. Most taxi drivers do not want to loose a fare since cruise ship tourism is a big part of their income.

 

Thank you - I will definitely check out your link. It is a new one for me! :)

The cruise line has not been helpful. I usually cruise on another line - so it's possible I am overlooking something, although I am fairly tech savvy. The rep I spoke with on the phone was useless.

 

If the bus has a luggage hold, and I can sit near the front, I can do a few stairs with my husband's assistance. This excursion is looking much more promising than it was!

 

Thank you all for your help! :D

Edited by TexasRices
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TexasRices

TexasRices

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OP, I haven't been to the locations you mentioned, but wanted to applaud you for your post.

 

*with my best Downton Abbey accent, since I've been binging on old episodes all day*...... WELL DONE!

 

Thank you Catwoman!

 

*The following is in my best Downton Abbey accent, since you've been binging on old episodes all day...lol*

 

I was just so terribly frustrated by the lack of creativity and good, old-fashioned gumption, displayed by most of the people who replied to my queries. It is awfully nice to hear from fine people, such as yourself, who clearly understand my dilemma! ;)

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ZellaLamb

ZellaLamb

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I've been there in a scooter. We were staying in the Riviera Maya region and we had rented a car. The scooter came apart and went in the trunk. My memory is that the most difficult part of the adventure was getting from the car park to the pyramid grounds. The path was very bumpy with large rocks. I know that a couple of times I had to get off the scooter while my husband worked it around the obstacles. It's possible that we didn't even need to be on that path! Once in the grounds, the scooter went most places and I was quite happy to watch my husband climb the pyramid while I stayed safely on the ground.

 

I encourage you to do this. I have no idea how far Progresso is but I'm sure that you can make it work.

 

I've been to a lot of inaccessible places and I'm so glad that I made the effort while I could. I did help to have a very strong husband. :-)

 

Kate

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kitty9

kitty9

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As someone who's been disabled since the age of two, now going on 60 years, I understand your frustrations. But I must implore you not to attack people who tell you of their experiences with regards to accessibility. You have a point when speaking about touring in areas that have provisions for those of us in scooters and wheelchairs, but when you're dealing with nations that don't have the laws and regulations that we have, when you're dealing with cultures who either let their disabled die or hide them away, you can't expect them to give you what they don't have to give. And, knowing that so many of us have tried and tried to do ALL the things we want with regards to seeing the world, only to be turned away, we understand the frustrations, but we can't turn on each other and become belligerent or finger giving. No one wants to be a naysayer, but you have to realize that some of us disabled are just plain tired of having to hunt and search and beg to be accommodated. And there are many who are just not strong enough to fight for what they see as impossible.

 

Now, as for your issue, it's not all that difficult. You have two relatively easy choices: rent a car on your own and drive to the site, or two, hire a private car and driver for the day to take you there. Simple and easily accomplished. Have your husband hire a rental, have him go and pick it up at the agency and drive it back to the port to pick you up. Off you go. If you don't want that choice, then hire a car for the day to pick you up at the port, drive you to the site for as long as you want, and then bring you back to the port. Just google car rental agencies in your port, and see what the costs are. Personally, I hired a car and driver for the day. The rental company in Progreso is called Global Car Rental. Friend's of mine have rented cars from them when staying in a condo in the area. There is also EZ Rental Car and National Rentals.

 

A private tour company I have used is called toursbylocals.com

 

Good luck and I hope you see the ruins.

 

BTW, I DO understand the ins and outs of working hard to tour. I've seen the Taj Mahal, the Terra Cotta Soldiers, the ruins at Petra and have gone on a photo safari in Africa, so I know MOST things can be done.

Edited by kitty9
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kitty9

kitty9

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Just to add a bit to the above, I don't know how long you've been cruising, or how long you've been living in the disabled community, but just know that mainstream cruise lines have never been accommodating to the disabled with regards to shore excursions. I attribute this 10% the cruise line's fault and 90% to the location where you're cruising. Like I said above, outside the US, they just don't "get" the disabled. On our last cruise on Celebrity, we were docked in St Martin, and I had more taxi drivers tell me they could accommodate me and my scooter in their taxi vans. NOT !!!! I can't climb into a van of any size, and there was no room in those vans to hold the scooter. And, the tour buses they use in many cities/towns just can't handle the disabled. You're lucky you can do some stairs, but the stairs on a vast majority of buses can't be negotiated by the disabled, myself included. I can't do stairs at all, much less those steep steps into buses.

 

I've been cruising since the mid '70's, and I can tell you, cruising now is so wonderful for the disabled. I've been VERY fortunate to have cruised literally all over the world, usually as a solo, but my more ambitious cruises have been on luxury lines, where they are more able to accommodate the disabled. You will not find that on mass market lines, mostly because they really don't have to. They make enough money on booking tours to the able bodied, so we're a secondary consideration. But if you want a cruise line that's receptive to the needs of your disability, cruise on lines like Seabourn or Crystal. They will do all in their power to make your dream tours happen. They have for me.

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TexasRices

TexasRices

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I've been there in a scooter. We were staying in the Riviera Maya region and we had rented a car. The scooter came apart and went in the trunk. My memory is that the most difficult part of the adventure was getting from the car park to the pyramid grounds. The path was very bumpy with large rocks. I know that a couple of times I had to get off the scooter while my husband worked it around the obstacles. It's possible that we didn't even need to be on that path! Once in the grounds, the scooter went most places and I was quite happy to watch my husband climb the pyramid while I stayed safely on the ground.

 

I encourage you to do this. I have no idea how far Progresso is but I'm sure that you can make it work.

 

I've been to a lot of inaccessible places and I'm so glad that I made the effort while I could. I did help to have a very strong husband. :-)

 

Kate

 

Thank you for the encouragement, Kate! I also have a strong husband - and I plan to do this while we both still can. I am determined - I WILL find a way! :)

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TexasRices

TexasRices

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Just to add a bit to the above, I don't know how long you've been cruising, or how long you've been living in the disabled community, but just know that mainstream cruise lines have never been accommodating to the disabled with regards to shore excursions. I attribute this 10% the cruise line's fault and 90% to the location where you're cruising. Like I said above, outside the US, they just don't "get" the disabled. On our last cruise on Celebrity, we were docked in St Martin, and I had more taxi drivers tell me they could accommodate me and my scooter in their taxi vans. NOT !!!! I can't climb into a van of any size, and there was no room in those vans to hold the scooter. And, the tour buses they use in many cities/towns just can't handle the disabled. You're lucky you can do some stairs, but the stairs on a vast majority of buses can't be negotiated by the disabled, myself included. I can't do stairs at all, much less those steep steps into buses.

 

I've been cruising since the mid '70's, and I can tell you, cruising now is so wonderful for the disabled. I've been VERY fortunate to have cruised literally all over the world, usually as a solo, but my more ambitious cruises have been on luxury lines, where they are more able to accommodate the disabled. You will not find that on mass market lines, mostly because they really don't have to. They make enough money on booking tours to the able bodied, so we're a secondary consideration. But if you want a cruise line that's receptive to the needs of your disability, cruise on lines like Seabourn or Crystal. They will do all in their power to make your dream tours happen. They have for me.

 

Thank you for the info Kitty!

 

I will consider Seabourn or Crystal, if it gets to that point. Unfortunately, with our budget, it may become a choice between quality & quantity.

 

If it weren't for my dear hubby, stairs would be absolutely impossible - so we'll go for quantity for now & cruise as much as we can while we are both able. Cruising less often with a company that is more accommodating is a great option for later...thanks!

 

I've been sailing since 2007. My disability has gotten progressively worse since 1998. I probably should have been on a scooter by 2008 or 2009...but I'm pretty stubborn - I went into a scooter in 2012. I know RCI is MUCH more accommodating than Carnival - I absolutely will not sail with them again.

I'm about to find out about Princess on a four day cruise this November, but the deck plans make it clear that they are not as accessible as Royal. I have never found any excursion desk helpful, and we had a fairly major incident in Honduras...based on bad info from both the Excursion and Accessibilities depts., where I ended up sitting alone on the bus for most of the tour.

 

I'm grateful for these forums, where I can get information from the folks who have been there, and done that. No amount of information could ever replace experience. So I truly appreciate the info I've received on this forum, and especially the encouraging replies to this post. :)

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TexasRices

TexasRices

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...I must implore you not to attack people who tell you of their experiences with regards to accessibility. You have a point when speaking about touring in areas that have provisions for those of us in scooters and wheelchairs, but when you're dealing with nations that don't have the laws and regulations that we have, when you're dealing with cultures who either let their disabled die or hide them away, you can't expect them to give you what they don't have to give. And, knowing that so many of us have tried and tried to do ALL the things we want with regards to seeing the world, only to be turned away, we understand the frustrations, but we can't turn on each other and become belligerent or finger giving. No one wants to be a naysayer, but you have to realize that some of us disabled are just plain tired of having to hunt and search and beg to be accommodated. And there are many who are just not strong enough to fight for what they see as impossible.

 

Kitty,

I won't address everything in your post, but I felt the need to address the parts of your post quoted above.

 

I wasn't "attacking" anyone. And my frustration had much more to do with what I believe has become the social norm in this great country I live in - of giving up, rather than working to problem-solve. I feel this attitude is prevalent in all areas of our society, and certainly not limited to those who have accessibility challenges.

 

And I absolutely do not, and never would, expect a foreign country to make outrageous concessions to accommodate a few tourists who happen to have special needs. That would be arrogant and extremely rude. I wasn't bashing "what is" - I was hoping to discover "what could be" working with the circumstances.

 

I empathize with those who are tired of fighting - that's why I feel so strongly about picking up the torch. And as for as those who are not strong enough to fight for what they see as impossible...neither was I when this started - but I'm getting stronger and more determined every day to fight for myself as well as those who are unable to fight for themselves. But please note - those who are UNABLE - not those who are unwilling.

 

Lastly, I am not ashamed of my finger-giving statement...as it was not directed towards those who are coping with the frustration of traveling with mobility issues. It is directed at every negative person who would rather sit back and tell me to just give up and accept it, before they even attempt to help a person who is trying to find a solution, to find innovative and creative ways to do whatever may be possible. I will accept my fate if, after running through various scenarios, I find something absolutely IS impossible. But I will NOT just lie down and accept it without first trying to find a way.

 

Please accept my apologies if I hit a nerve or offended you.

Trish

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TexasRices

TexasRices

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GREAT NEWS!

 

ShoreExcursions.com sees no problem with transporting me AND my scooter!

 

They do not have a lift, which could be an issue for some folks, but they definitely have room for my scooter in the luggage hold of the bus.

 

They did the expected disclaimers - making sure I could stand for a moment & that I had someone to help with my scooter if it got stuck. They also advised that I would need to be able to do the three to five steps to get into the bus. (I assured them I could, with my dear hubby's help). And most important - that they were not responsible if I was unable to navigate the terrain...

 

BUT IT LOOKS LIKE I AM GOING TO CHICHEN ITSA. YAY!!! :D

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cjankowski

cjankowski

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Good Luck on your adventure :) I have not been to this area yet, but I applaud you for your encouragement and making plans to go on your own.

 

I can tell you that my husband uses a scooter. I have to plan everything out and usually get our own details down as I find it is hard for others to understand how one travels. We went to Jamaica last year and he traveled with his scooter. They wanted to charge us like $700 to go from airport to resort. NO WAY - I said. His scooter folds and can fit in the luggage area, so why would we need our own handicap equipment van to transport just us. They said, because he is handicap :( I said, he can do stairs, sit in a seat on bus, and that is just fine. Well after going back & forth, that is what we did - No special vehicle needed, but people just can't understand that sometimes.

 

Best of travels & enjoy your vacation.

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