coco cay with wheelchair

[du4mch]

We are trying to plan a cruise with our Quadriplegic son and are thinking about going with Freedom of the seas. We know this cruise has only 3 ports of call, and one being Coco Cay is a tendered port. We are wondering if anyone has been allowed to tender off the boat at this stop, and if so, how difficult was it to get on the tender! And... are there paved paths to wheel around on?

[Silver Sweethearts]

This from a Royal Caribbean website:

 

"Traveling from Ship to Shore: At some ports, the ship will anchor off shore, and guests are taken to shore by small boats called tenders. Even if the ship is scheduled to dock at a pier, it can change to tendering. Guests with assistive devices who are unable to take a few steps will be unable to board tenders unless roll-on capability is available. In order to safely board most tenders, guests must be able to take steps and use a collapsible manual wheelchair. In addition, motorized wheelchairs and mobility scooters can not be taken on tenders, unless roll-on capability is available. Inquire about tender roll-on capability at Guest Relations Desk while on board. Please note roll-on capability is not guaranteed. Weather, sea conditions and other factors may preclude tendering. Safety of our guests and crew is our primary consideration, and the Captain and his staff will make the final decision regarding transferring guests and their assistive devices based on safety reasons. If guests are unable to tender or disembark because of due to these circumstances, there will be no refund or credit for missed ports. While we recognize your disappointment, the safety of our guests and crew takes precedence."

 

You might want to Google disabled access information for Coco Cay. At least part of its appears to be accessible if you can get ashore.

[montgomeryfamily]

RCL uses roll on tenders at their private islands which require tendering so you can easily tender with a wheelchair. There are some paved walkways too. There are beach wheelchairs so you can use the beach wheelchair to get to a lounger on the sand and even use the beach wheelchair to go into the water.

Edited November 7, 2015 by montgomeryfamily

[cb at sea]

It will really depend on sea conditions if they will take someone ashore who cannot assist in any way....If he can be lifted, and it's safe to do so, they might allow it.

[xxoocruiser]

We are trying to plan a cruise with our Quadriplegic son and are thinking about going with Freedom of the seas. We know this cruise has only 3 ports of call, and one being Coco Cay is a tendered port. We are wondering if anyone has been allowed to tender off the boat at this stop, and if so, how difficult was it to get on the tender! And... are there paved paths to wheel around on?

 

The tenders used for Coco Cay have roll-on capabilities. That being said it's still as the discretion of the cabin if anyone using mobility equipment will be allowed to board as much is dependent on the weather and water conditions.

 

Not all parts of the island are accessible by wheelchair/scooter. There's a barrier free pathway that connects the Coco Cay Tender Landing, Straw Market, Food & Beverage Venues and restrooms. There are accessible washrooms on the island. The pathway is not always paved. Sometimes it will only be hard packed sand.

 

Complimentary beach wheelchairs are available at the Tender Landing on a first come first served basis . It requires someone available to push it as it cannot be operated by the end-user. If transferring to a beach wheelchair you can leave your scooter/wheelchair in a covered area at the Tender Landing where RCCL Security personal will always be stationed.

 

Depending on the demand for the beach wheelchairs that day you may not be able to keep it with you for the duration you're on the island. Sometimes RCCL personnel wheel the individual to the location they want to go and than come back to wheel you back to the Tender Landing later at approximate time arranged.

Edited November 8, 2015 by xxoocruiser