Eligibility for Accessible cabin

[toras]

My mom can walk a bit with a walker, but for longer distances we use the transport chair.

Last time we went on Celebrity and we were able to book an Accesible cabin.

But this time on RCCL, they said such cabins are reserved for those confined to a wheelchair and cannot walk at all.

Is that common?

[Bfson]

You got bad info from RCC. We just got off a 2 week cruise on RCC. I walk with a cane. We booked an accessible ccabin without problem. Booked it online.

[mistshar]

I booked an accessible cabin for our upcoming cruise in April with no problem. I believe I had to fill out a form but it was no issue. Since then however I got a mobility wheelchair and will be using it most of the time on the ship.

 

I hope you get it all worked out. If you need an accessible room, don't give up. Keep trying.

 

Good luck!

[Dayenu]

Call again and speak to a different cruise line representative. Tell them, your mom needs an accessible cabin as she is using a wheelchair. Don't give them too many details.

[auntjoy036]

My Mom can walk but not far. We had an accessible cabin on Oasis of the Seas. We needed it because Mom needs the higher toilet. She cannot stand up from a regular height toilet without grab bars to pull up on. Also Mom's balance is compromised and she needs the extra grab bars in the shower.

 

Think through what special features the accessible cabin has and why your Mother needs them. Articulating that to the representative may get you a better result.

 

Vicki

[toras]

We've made final payment already - too late to change?

 

We booked it with Airmiles points, a loyalty program here in Canada. That was what the agent told me the RCCL rep said. I would need to get them to argue it for me, and I already gave "too much info"!

 

They said they would bring a shower seat for her. We do have grab bars around the toilet at home, will ask if they can provide that.

[Bfson]

I would call RCC directly and tell them you need to change cabins.

[RADICALBURN]

They never questioned us at all. Travel agent just booked it. Cruised last November...................................RADICAL

[xxoocruiser]

My mom can walk a bit with a walker, but for longer distances we use the transport chair.

Last time we went on Celebrity and we were able to book an Accesible cabin.

But this time on RCCL, they said such cabins are reserved for those confined to a wheelchair and cannot walk at all.

Is that common?

 

If the cruise is embarking from a USA Port and if your Mother requires the features that are provided in an accessible cabin bathroom (such as a zero threshold entrance to the bathroom & shower, raised toilet, shower seat and grab bars by toilet and in shower) despite the fact that she is not a full time wheelchair/scooter user than the RCCL must comply with the following law that went into effect 01/01/2012 :

 

As a result of the United States Supreme Court Rules on Spector et. al. VS Norwegian Cruise Lines. a Federal Law under the Department of Transportation ( commonly referred to as DOT) became effective on January 1, 2012 that requires that the the cruise lines have to verify that the person occupying the cabin has a medical or physical need to book the cabin . Though this new regulation came about in 2010/2011, the cruise lines were granted until January 1, 2012 to completely comply with these new regulations. Because of this new law Cruise lines have also had to reclassify its HC cabins. Some of the key points to this new law are:

(g) To prevent fraud in the assignment of accessible cabins (e.g., attempts by individuals who do not have disabilities to reserve accessible cabins because they have greater space, you—

(1) Must inquire of persons seeking to reserve such cabins whether the individual (or an individual for whom the cabin is being reserved) has a mobility disability or a disability that requires the use of the accessible features that are provided in the cabin.

(2) May require a written attestation from the individual that accessible cabin is for a person who has a mobility disability or a disability that requires the use of the accessible features that are provided in the cabin

.

 

Suggest you call RCCL back and speak to a supervisor and call the law stated above to their attention provided the cruise is embarking from a USA.

 

Are you referring to the May 26, 2016 Grandeur Cruise shown in your post ? The only accessible cabin still available is category D2 Balcony cabin 7606 . If you did not originally book a category D2 Balcony Cabin than it may be difficult to change at this point.

Edited March 20, 2016 by xxoocruiser

[toras]

Yes called RCCL and they said there are no accessible cabins left in our category.

 

I asked for toilet grab bars and she said I must make any changes through the agent we booked with.

 

It's too late for this cruise but lesson learned. Thanks for all your help!

[toras]

P.S. when we booked the cruise mom seemed resigned to the fact we won't get one. But yesterday she suddenly me to look into it again. If she had asked sooner there might have been a chance!

[psupa]

Are there still accessible cabins available. If it's a different category you may be able to change to it. My husband has limited mobility and he uses a rollator walker and we have booked accessible cabins. I would call to see what category accessible is available and then contact your TA. You should be able to change category even in final payment. It may be more money but may be worth it. Are you sailing on the Grandeur. We just returned and we were not able to get an accessible for the cruise. I asked for a shower bench for my husband and there was a tiny little stool in the shower. I asked our cabin steward if he could get us a shower chair instead and he did. The bathroom is small and I don't know if there will be room for grab bars. This was in a larger oceanview and believe me it is not that large. Good luck because there are not that many accessible cabins on the Grandeur so maybe they are all gone, but I would check anyway or get put on a wait list should one come available.

Edited March 21, 2016 by psupa

[xxoocruiser]

Yes called RCCL and they said there are no accessible cabins left in our category.

 

I asked for toilet grab bars and she said I must make any changes through the agent we booked with.

 

It's too late for this cruise but lesson learned. Thanks for all your help!

 

Eve though you booked through a TA for special needs items you can omplete the on-line Special Needs Form yourself. Here's link https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/allaboutcruising/guestSpecialNeeds.do

 

You never stated when you actually booked the cruise but please note for future referennce the most people requiring an accessible cabin book at least a year in advance. For intineraries for Panama, Alaska and New England/Canada most needing accessible cabins book as soon as the cruise is published for booking which is a least a 1.5 years in advance.

[Enforcer]

Hi All,

 

This only may be a minor point and the use of language but it seems as though people from the USA tend to use "wheelchair or handicapped" cabins instead of "accessible" cabins (I know this is the term used on this thread but on others it is prevalent).

Travel agents (not specialist disabled ones) and cruise line representatives can have a tendency to think that a "wheelchair" cabin is solely for wheelchair users instead of using "accessible" cabin and it being in their head that it isn't just for those that use a wheelchair.

I know some call them "handicapped" for information this term in the UK is seen as a negative one and accessible if preferred.

 

Pete

[DonnasMom&Dad]

My mom can walk a bit with a walker, but for longer distances we use the transport chair.

Last time we went on Celebrity and we were able to book an Accesible cabin.

But this time on RCCL, they said such cabins are reserved for those confined to a wheelchair and cannot walk at all.

Is that common?

 

Here is a good ruling to look up and quote. ;)

 

 

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-reaches-agreement-carnival-corp-over-ada-violations-carnival-cruise-line

 

Cato :)

 

Completed Cruises !

 

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2nd cruise - Coral Princess, 15 May 2009, 3 day Repositioning, Los Angeles to Vancouver.

3rd cruise - Sapphire Princess, 25 November 2009? 7 day Mexican Riviera.

4th cruise - Golden Princes, 12 June 2010, 7 day Alaska. (Golden Anniversary Cruise)

5th Cruise - Island Princess, 04 October 2010, Vancouver - Los Angeles, Repositioning

6th cruise - Sapphire Princess, 05 January 2011, 10 day Mexican Riviera. LA to LA.

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10th & 11th cruises - Coral Princess 02 July to 16 July 2011, round trip Vancouver - Whittier Alaska, B2B

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We have now reached Elite status with Princess Cruise Lines

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19th cruise - Grand Princess, 31 Mar. - 07 April 2012, 7 Days, Eastern Caribbean, FLL - FLL

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32nd cruise - Crown Princess, 20 - 27 Dec. 2014, 7 Days, LA - Mexican Riv, RT.

33rd cruise - Coral Princess, 27Apr. - 02 May.2015, 5 Days, LA - Vancouver, Repo

[Boozebabe]

P.S. when we booked the cruise mom seemed resigned to the fact we won't get one. But yesterday she suddenly me to look into it again. If she had asked sooner there might have been a chance!

 

Call your Travel Agent and put your foot down. She screwed up by not being forceful enough and acting as an agent with your best interests in mind. You can't just bring in grab bars. They are built into the walls. You'll never forgive yourself if she should fall in that shower. Don't let the TA off the hook.

[toras]

Called the TA. There is an Inside accessible still available so we went for that. BUT it actually cost more than the Oceanview, probably because when we first booked there was a discount (2nd person 50% off I think). Better for mom and greater peace of mind for us.

 

BTW I work for a big company in Canada so I know that "handicapped" is politically incorrect and "accessible" is the right word :)

 

Thanks again to all!

[auntjoy036]

Toras, I'm glad the administrative difficulties have been resolved. I hope you and your Mother have a great trip.

 

Best wishes,

Vicki

[mexico8]

Called the TA. There is an Inside accessible still available so we went for that. BUT it actually cost more than the Oceanview, probably because when we first booked there was a discount (2nd person 50% off I think). Better for mom and greater peace of mind for us.

 

BTW I work for a big company in Canada so I know that "handicapped" is politically incorrect and "accessible" is the right word :)

 

Thanks again to all!

 

I hope you did not pay more to downgrade to an inside accessible cabin?!! I use a mobility scooter and NCL have been very kind in the past and given me a free upgrade to a large cabin that could accommodate my scooter. They did not have an accessible cabin but gave me the larger cabin for no extra charge. I dealt directly with the accessible desk to get the larger cabin even though it was not an accessible cabin.

 

I would be furious with your TA and they should absorb the extra cost and not charge you anything at all. The TA misled you in the beginning and it is their mistake. I think they should be bending over backwards to make it up to you.

 

Wendy

[toras]

It is not really a "TA", it's a call centre, every time I call I get someone different to work on my file.

 

When I first booked, the agent said he was told by RCCL that we're not eligible. Unfortunately there is no proof of who said what.

 

I had to pay more because when I first booked there was a promo on and now they are treating it as a booking change and I don't get any promos. My mom actually doesn't care about the ocean view, she's just happy we get an accessible cabin.

[sherilyn70]

Just another clarification here. There are ships and hotels that offer mobility rooms versus full wheelchair accessible rooms. Some companies also offer alternatives for a standard room, such as raised toilet seat and shower seats. So let them know which you require. If they cannot accommodate a mobility issue without giving you a fully accessible room then you take that room. It's often easier for them to make a room mobility accessible on demand rather than to take a dedicated room.

 

I started out only requiring grab bars and raised toilets. I am now full into roll in showers and extra for space for maneuvering. I'm still on a scooter but anticipate the need for an actual wheel chair in the near future since my walking and standing ability is quickly deteriorating.

 

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

Edited March 26, 2016 by sherilyn70

[mexico8]

It is not really a "TA", it's a call centre, every time I call I get someone different to work on my file.

 

When I first booked, the agent said he was told by RCCL that we're not eligible. Unfortunately there is no proof of who said what.

 

I had to pay more because when I first booked there was a promo on and now they are treating it as a booking change and I don't get any promos. My mom actually doesn't care about the ocean view, she's just happy we get an accessible cabin.

 

I think you have been treated very badly. I bet your call centre have records about the conversations with you and the fact that RCCL gave wrong info. I am known for my tenacity and there is no way I would let this go. I would be calling and speaking to a supervisor and also trying to deal with RCCL if possible. At the very least they should not be charging you more and losing any kind of promo. You seem like a mild mannered person and I think they have taken advantage of you.

 

I am happy that you got the accessible cabin but feel you have been taken advantage of and I hope you can do better. I also hope you and your Mom enjoy the cruise.

[tigercat]

How do you find out if there are any accessible cabins? I booked this past Feb. for a cruise next Feb. and there were no accessible cabins left. I have a cruise in Oct. as well and figured that there was no way one was available. The other problem I have in Oct. is that there are 3 of us and my understanding is that the accessible cabins only hold 2 people. I will be bringing a scooter for the first time in Oct. so am unsure how that is going to work in a regular balcony cabin. Both cruises are on Carnival.

 

tigercat

[Schoifmom]

How do you find out if there are any accessible cabins? I booked this past Feb. for a cruise next Feb. and there were no accessible cabins left. I have a cruise in Oct. as well and figured that there was no way one was available. The other problem I have in Oct. is that there are 3 of us and my understanding is that the accessible cabins only hold 2 people. I will be bringing a scooter for the first time in Oct. so am unsure how that is going to work in a regular balcony cabin. Both cruises are on Carnival.

 

tigercat

 

Call the Carnival Special Needs Department. Carnival does not post accessible cabin availability on their website; however SN is great about helping out. Depending on the ship that you are sailing, there are some (not many) accessible cabins that accommodate three persons (I actually booked one before).

 

CALL NOW, DON'T WAIT!

Edited March 30, 2016 by Schoifmom

[xxoocruiser]

How do you find out if there are any accessible cabins? I booked this past Feb. for a cruise next Feb. and there were no accessible cabins left. I have a cruise in Oct. as well and figured that there was no way one was available. The other problem I have in Oct. is that there are 3 of us and my understanding is that the accessible cabins only hold 2 people. I will be bringing a scooter for the first time in Oct. so am unsure how that is going to work in a regular balcony cabin. Both cruises are on Carnival.

 

tigercat

 

Not unusual that there are no accessible cabins left for either cruise. Reason being that most individuals who need such cabins book at least a year in advance and many book the minute that the itineraries are published which can be 1.5 -2 years in advance. Since there are so few that can accomodate a 3rd passenger those book up early the fastest. If you booked directly with the cruiselines than contact the Special Needs Dept to see if you can be placed on a waitlist. If you booked with TA than you have must have the TA contact the special needs dept.