Please do not book a handicap room unless you need it.

[Packed2Go]

As a cruise specialist and agent, I can tell you that a real travel agent can tell which cabins are and aren't handicap accessible. Maybe Travelocity can't tell, but I can and unless you NEED it, we won't book you in it.

Now having said that, there is no reason not to be able-bodied people in these cabins if they would otherwise be unused. If no one is booked into one of these cabins a month before sailing, I see no problem using it. Not every sailing is popular enough to have every accessible cabin in demand.

[Cruise a holic]

What more is there to say? yes the rooms are larger for a reason. Some people really do need them and find out they are booked by non disabled people.

You really do not want to be disabled it is not fun. You really do not get special perks and life is not easy.

Just be glad you do not need the cabin and leave it for someone who does.

 

We have taken a guarantee suite and just before the cruise, when it is assigned if HC suites and cabins are available, they are given to non-handicapped guests. While the cabin is bigger, it isn't designed well for non-handicapped people. The bathroom in the suites, lack a bathtub, which is one of the reasons we wanted a suite. The sink is lower and the shower is designed for a roll in wheel chair. The closet isn't as large and the garments hang low.

 

It isn't always a choice to be in a handicapped stateroom by a non-handicapped person. I asked if they would change me and my DH to a non-handicapped stateroom and the cruise line refused.

 

So if you take a guarantee, you could get this type of cabin. In addition, if you see non handicapped people in this type of stateroom remember this could have just been assigned to them and not a choice.

[have scooter, will cruise]

As a person that needs an HC cabin, I must say that I get VERY frustrated!

I have learned to book in advance and have no qualms with people that get assigned to HC cabins because they are the last ones available in that class. However, when I try to book another cruise while on a cruise and I am looking to book 16 months out during the off season and there are tons of regular cabins but NO handicap ones available, I get frustrated!

I love to sail Royal Caribbean and like to have one or two cruises on the books to look forward to, but it is getting hard! My husband and I booked for Dec 9, 2014 and got the last indoor HC cabin. I was hoping to do B2B for the first time, but the Nov 31 cruise did not have any inside HC cabins and it would have cost me 4x what I was paying for the Dec 9 one to get a balcony one.!

It takes me a LONG time to find and book a cruise over a year ahead...that is frustrating! ESP when I have had people tell me that they know people that book them just to get a larger cabin....

My ranting is done!

Have a wonderful New Year everyone and enjoy your upcoming cruises!!!!

 

Disclaimer: this is NOT about people that get assigned to HC cabins without requesting them!!!

[Straymo]

I just realized that we have been booked in a handicap room on the Oosterdam (5002). We did not request or need a handicap room. Our request was balcony to accommodate three adults. We are traveling with my very able bodied mother-in-law. I have a whole list of questions for HAL since this is our first HAL cruise and our first land/sea so I plan to bring up the cabin selection issue. I feel bad being in a special room when I don't need it.

[Cruise a holic]

I just realized that we have been booked in a handicap room on the Oosterdam (5002). We did not request or need a handicap room. Our request was balcony to accommodate three adults. We are traveling with my very able bodied mother-in-law. I have a whole list of questions for HAL since this is our first HAL cruise and our first land/sea so I plan to bring up the cabin selection issue. I feel bad being in a special room when I don't need it.

 

Just let your TA or the cruise line know. If your cruise is within a short period of time and the Handicapped cabins haven't been sold, they do sell to people without disabilities. It happened to us with a suite guarantee a couple of times. We were able to change cabins a twice and get suites that was more suited to our needs. Call your contact asap.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

Edited July 1, 2015 by Cruise a holic

[Essiesmom]

I booked an Alaska cruise on Princess just a few weeks out. It was a B2B. When they assigned my cabin, it was HC. I contacted my TA to say I did not need that, but she said Princess knew, but apparently it was the only inside available for both weeks of the B2B. It was absolutely huge, a veritable suite without a balcony or window. EM

[crochetcruise]

I am sailing on the Golden Princess from Sydney-Melbourne 11/11/2016 in the only Disabled Accessible Window Suite.

 

I am disabled with Cerebral Palsy and Legal Blindness with some other health issues so use grab rails in the bathroom at home. I specifically asked for a Handicapped Stateroom when I made the initial inquiry, then was told about the Window Suite, priced it, and was able to book it. I use a Rollator walking frame for independent mobility and will be travelling solo.

 

A work colleague of mine is also on the same cruise, booked in an inside stateroom on Plaza deck. I've already told him, "So long as I get to enjoy my Suite Perk of breakfast at Sabatini's, and have time to change in privacy when I need to, you're welcome to ask if you may join me in the Suite." He respected my reasons, agreed that I was very fair in wanting privacy for certain activities, and generous in offering to invite him to enjoy the Window Suite views when I didn't need privacy. He did say he would be happy to share a table for 2 with me at a Speciality Restaurant, with each paying for themselves as we both want to experience the evening meal at Sabatini's and the Crown Grill, and hopefully the Crab Shack and a Pub Lunch. He's promised not to be too "in my face" but there at certain times so "back up" if I need assistance, as he knows what I'm most likely to need with door holding, sign reading or directions as to which path to follow.

 

He's interested in sport so will be in the gym-he's really good, and will probably have a massage-he's also trained as a masseur, so is always interested in those facilities. I prefer the casino, or a nice game of Bingo. While we've worked together for several years, we are simply friends who do get along easily, but have our own special interests. He did say I might be better to go to the Horizon Court buffet with him, as it does look a little crowded for my walking frame, he could help to carry my tray if I wanted to try the buffet. I might take him up on that kind offer.

 

We're eagerly looking forward to our cruise. He'll be staying with relatives pre-embarkation while I'm at a hotel, we'll meet on board.

[Straymo]

We booked a handicap verandah cabin on the Oosterdamn sailing next month. We did not intentionally choose a handicap cabin. When I realized I called both HAL and Costco Travel (who we booked through). Both told me there were other handicap cabins open and if one was needed, they would ask to move us to a comparable or higher cabin. They said I could choose another cabin if I wanted, but it was not necessary.

[crochetcruise]

Regarding HC parking...please keep in mind some people have the cards for handicaps you can't see...like heart conditions, that limit their walking distance. Yes there are some a**holes out there who just don't care about anyone but themselves, but I've stopped judging by appearances alone.

 

Here in my home state in Australia, any vehicle transporting me can use my Disabled Parking Permit. The night a friend took me to an Amway function caused some verbal abuse about his parking, and I had the permit correctly displayed! LOUDLY told the ignorant person that, "Any vehicle transporting the holder of this permit, myself, is entitled to use the designated Disabled Parking Space." My friend, at the time was a State Police Officer, so absolutely knew he could, when I offered the use of the permit, accept it. My friends all know I hold the permit, but cannot drive due to Legal Blindness, but I do receive regular offers from themto, "Take you out to the Marketplace Shopping Centre-variety and drugstore/s and supermarket I don't often get to visit." They make a choice to help me gain access I do not often get, and I make sure they enjoy, for a short time, the Legal right to park in that designated space, courtesy of helping me. When I cruise, I have booked the Handicapped Acccessible Window Suite on the Golden Princess as I use grab rails at home for my safety. My TA phoned Princess while I was sitting across the desk from her, so we could deal with any questions. No problems, and I'm counting down the days until I sail.

[Kmangel]

Three weeks from cruising I fell and broke my foot. I was originally booked in a cabin adjacent to my son's room. A day or so after I broke my foot I called Disney to inquire whether there were any handicapped rooms for me to be transferred to. So close to the sail date I was concerned there would not be one. I was renting a scooter for the cruise and i needed to be able to park it in the cabin as well as needing all the other accessible features. Thank God there was an accessible cabin available (for an additional fee). Whether or not someone was transferred out of the handicapped assessible room or not I don't know. It was a true blessing for me that cruise. I don't know how I would have managed otherwise. Lots of sponge baths I imagine!

 

One thing this experience afforded me was a new insight in traveling with a disability. My last cruise I was able bodied, but I saw the ship (Holland America) from my memory of my time hauling a broken foot. The Disney Dream was very handicapped friendly. I was able to go anywhere on that ship easily and independently--though crew members often assisted me. I don't think I would have found the Zuiderdam nearly as easy to navigate on my own.

[PattiG101]

I am legally blind and could use a regular cabin, when we booked our 2016 cruise on Celebrity Silhouette the last sky suite available was a handicap one. Our travel agent said it was fine since I do have a disability. I would gladly switch if someone in wheelchair needed it. The walk-in shower is a big help for me. Some of us do have understanding for others who may be in a different situation.

[briargirl]

We are sailing with Celebrity Next week to the Canary Islands followed by a TA. We always book well in advance to get the cabin we want. Got a call last week that they are going to be doing some work on the TA portion and we would need to move cabins on the second leg. They were going to shove us down to Deck 3 from 10 until out TA objected. They ended up giving us an inside HC cabin on Deck 9 with an OBC.

I feel somewhat guilty that there may be a passenger that truly needs that cabin and we will be getting the "evil eye" from those thinking we actually booked it.

[serene56]

We are sailing with Celebrity Next week to the Canary Islands followed by a TA. We always book well in advance to get the cabin we want. Got a call last week that they are going to be doing some work on the TA portion and we would need to move cabins on the second leg. They were going to shove us down to Deck 3 from 10 until out TA objected. They ended up giving us an inside HC cabin on Deck 9 with an OBC.

I feel somewhat guilty that there may be a passenger that truly needs that cabin and we will be getting the "evil eye" from those thinking we actually booked it.

 

a HC person knows to book these ahead of time. Your sailing is next week