Early Boarding for Disabled

[celestine]

Hello,

Our travel agent said it would be possible to board early as I am disabled. I will be traveling with my husband and 4 children on the CP, and will arrive the night before.

Could someone tell me what the best time to arrive at the ship would be? I walk with a cane, and standing in lines is near impossible for me.

Thank you.

 

Mary C Cicco

[guardhouse]

We went out on the Dawn in March. Boarding commenced at 11:45 AM. We understand there are generally long lines. We arrived at 12:50-12:10 and were nearly the only ones there.

 

My wife uses a wheelchair, and there was a Princess staff member at our side as soon as we entered the terminal. They allowed me to handle the paperwork (2-3 minutes) and they wheeled her about and onto the ship.

 

09/87 Old Rotterdam

10/89 Noordam

9/90 Noordam

9/92 Star Princess (old)

4/94 Regal Princess

3/04 Dawn Princess

[guardhouse]

Oops, make that arrived at 12:05-12:10.

 

09/87 Old Rotterdam

10/89 Noordam

9/90 Noordam

9/92 Star Princess (old)

4/94 Regal Princess

3/04 Dawn Princess

[Coral]

My mom is disabled (visually impaired with a dog) and Princess staff is wonderful.

 

I would recommend not arriving before embarkment begins - show up around 12:15 -12:45 or so. This will allow the very long lines of people who show up early to have gotten through the line.

 

Is someone doesn't offer assistance when they see you - just ask for assitance and they will take care of you. Normally, they are on the look out for those who need assistance.

[cruznliz]

I don't think Princess has "early boarding" for disabled, but as stated above they are very accomodating. I agree it would probably be best to arrive after the initial rush. We were on the Star last summer out of Seattle. We arrived about 10:30 or so. We were able to easily get a wheelchair for my 82 year old mother. They put her and her roommate in a separate line with other wheelchairs. She ended up boarding before us. The downside to that was that we didn't get our embarkation photo taken together. I imagine we could have spoken up and insisted on staying together, but with the mass of people, we just let them go on ahead.

 

Grand Princess Transatlantic - August 27, 2004

[CaptData]

I'm disabled. They do watch for eople who need assistance. There is a window just for those whoneed it. Like above if you go a little later 12:00 most of the first rush is done and the second rush is not there yet. Have fun.

 

Hopfully a Hawiian Cruise

 

 Until we sail away on the ocean blue

 

 

 

Navigator of the Seas Western Crib 08/03

Dawn Princess - Eastern Carb 01/03

Dawn Princess Panamal Canal 11/02

 

[Coral]

If you happen to arrive early with the masses - they will let you board "early". On the Golden, we arrived at 11:00 and they started boarding at 11:30. We were with 6 other people. The security people pulled us two aside (we were separated from our group) and we boarded before anyone else. I prefer to arrive after the masses and board when it is not crowded. It is just easier.

 

On other cruises - I have seen Princess let all the people in wheelchairs board sooner then everyone else. It appears to be an unwritten courtesy service Princess does.

[GloriaF]

When we were boarding the Regal, whenever someone needing assistance arrived, they were escorted in front of the line and into the terminal. I don't think there is a specific time involved, just whenever you arrive. Since you have a cane and not a walker or wheelchair it may not be as obvious and you may need to contact one of the Princess reps greeting people. I am sure they will escort you to the front.

 

Gloria

 

Grand Princess, Eastern, April 2001

Grand Princess, Western,April 2002

WE"RE BACK!Regal to Hawaii, April 5, 2004