NYC Breakaway embarkation with a wheelchair

[CanadaJulie]

We are 11 people, sailing in about 10 days and are all very excited about it.

 

Then I got a text yesterday that my brother just tore his achilles tendon, is going in for surgery and will be in a cast for several weeks... So much for the Bermuda plans as a cast and wheelchair aren't great on a beach hike or cave swimming or boat rental...

 

Anyways, I did a search but didn't come up with much oddly enough. How does NCL handle wheelchairs at embarkation ? Will they separate our large group and board him first and the rest can follow once our number is called ? Anything special we should plan for ?

[Jane Don]

You should check out this site about wheelchair accessible activities in Bermuda. One beach rents beach wheel chairs. Keep in mind that these days most casts can go swimming so be sure to have your brother ask the doctor about swimming in natural water bodies.

 

http://www.bermuda-attractions.com/bermuda_00029c.htm

 

I don't know about embarkation, but my wheel chair using friend who sails CCL says he gets no special boarding privelages but that he really doesn't need any. He likes boarding with everyone else.

[emmak8]

In January 2015 I needed a wheelchair to board the Breakaway. When I arrived at the port, wheelchair passengers were separated into a group.My husband stayed with me the entire time and boarded with me. I don't know how they would handle a group of 11. As I recall, we took care of paperwork and an NCL employee wheeled me directly to our cabin.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

We are 11 people, sailing in about 10 days and are all very excited about it.

 

Then I got a text yesterday that my brother just tore his achilles tendon, is going in for surgery and will be in a cast for several weeks... So much for the Bermuda plans as a cast and wheelchair aren't great on a beach hike or cave swimming or boat rental...

 

Anyways, I did a search but didn't come up with much oddly enough. How does NCL handle wheelchairs at embarkation ? Will they separate our large group and board him first and the rest can follow once our number is called ? Anything special we should plan for ?

 

 

We had 8 people with one in our party with a wheelchair and we all boarded together through handicap access. They are very accommodating

[tommymac5]

You can also send an email to accessdesk@ncl.com to notify them. It is rather close to sailing date but it wouldn't hurt. Include passenger name, sailing date, ship name, cabin #, reservation #.:)

[Baileyjojo]

We are 11 people, sailing in about 10 days and are all very excited about it.

 

Then I got a text yesterday that my brother just tore his achilles tendon, is going in for surgery and will be in a cast for several weeks... So much for the Bermuda plans as a cast and wheelchair aren't great on a beach hike or cave swimming or boat rental...

 

Anyways, I did a search but didn't come up with much oddly enough. How does NCL handle wheelchairs at embarkation ? Will they separate our large group and board him first and the rest can follow once our number is called ? Anything special we should plan for ?

 

We just did this with my dad. We are a party of 6, they let us board together and leaving the ship was great. We bypassed all of the lines, got our luggage and was quickly out of customs.

[mking8288]

There are uniformed agents working inside the pier who can get your wheelchair assistance - the key is to get there early enough ... to go thru security screening & complete the check-in processes, and get the special group/zone boarding card, etc.

 

For the BA, you will likely be among the first or second group to be boarded once the ship is cleared and ready - allowing the brother in a foot cast extra time to board (it's a long Z path up the gangway to deck 7 via Fwd or AFT entrances. Haven/Suite & VIP's will be escorted to board, and those with special/accessible needs are usually then next to board.

 

Call NCL Special Needs at Sea as you are sailing real soon in 10 days & alert them with the details

Phone: (toll-free) 800-513-4515 or 954-585-0575

Fax: 954-585-0577

 

It's best to bring your own folding/compact (transport) wheelchair as it's only available on a limited basis on the ship for emergency, and, depending on stateroom location - some of the corridors/passage can be rather narrow with the service carts & items in the hallway during the day when RS are working. If available, you can rent one for use for the duration of the cruise.

[jpcello]

I'm on the same ship!! My sister and I get an accessible cabin (she uses a scooter).

 

A couple of comments. Since he's having surgery and your screen name says Canada, are you flying? Make sure he has medical clearance to fly since it's so close to your trip.

 

Not sure if you're planning on bringing your own wheelchair. Once you get to the pier, they will take you onto the ship but that's probably it. The wheelchairs on board are usually for emergencies only.

 

Also a regular cabin will have limited access once inside. A wheelchair generally doesn't fit through the door opening of a regular cabin and the bathroom will have a lip to step up (as will the shower). You might want to ask for a shower seat from the access office.

 

You can also check out the disability forum to ask some questions.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=190