Port of Miami - Norwegian Getaway - Wheelchair Assistance

[Stellanor]

Hi Friends! I'll be sailing on the Norwegian Getaway (my first time on the ship! YES!) out of Miami on March 26 (20 days!!!). Its my fourth time with NCL, but I'm in a somewhat unique situation that I haven't observed before and need your insight. I've had some mobility issues following injury, and without going into too much detail, I just learned to walk again this year. I can walk just fine, but there are times when it will suddenly and without much warning become difficult for me (not losing consciousness or anything, just sort of forget how to walk and have to sit for longer periods).

 

After much hemming and hawing, we've decided that we will not be bringing a wheelchair on the flight or on the cruise (sort of a celebration of my regaining the ability to walk). I've been watching a lot of videos of the check-in process, and it seems like quite a long walk to get aboard from check-in. I'm afraid that after the flight to Miami that I might not be able to stand or walk very well from check-in to the ship. I'm wondering if the port of Miami has spare wheelchairs, sort of like at the airport or a fancy hotel, where they have a spare and lend you the use of the wheelchair just to get someone from the curb to the ship. My husband is flying with me, watches me like a hawk and we've got protocol for any precarious situations. Just wondering if you'd seen anything like a spare wheelchair to use as a people mover from curb to check-in and from there to the ship. Any insight is appreciated!

[Eleteace]

I'm pretty sure they do! The port of Miami is nice and is pretty much like an airport... tons of people around who are happy to help you (for a tip of course...) :-)

 

 

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[Cruisin&Relaxin]

Here are a few tips.

 

Check out the NCL Accessible Cruising webpage and familiarize yourself with it. There is lots of good info there. https://www.ncl.com/about/accessible-cruising

 

If you have a travel agent doing your booking, have them contact NCL to indicate you require a wheelchair to board the ship. If you booked it yourself, call the NCL 800 number and indicate to them that you require a wheelchair to board the ship.

 

At Miami when you see any officials ask them to get you the wheelchair. This can be a bit time consuming and cumbersome as some are better than others in making this happen.

 

A scooter on the ship would be very helpful to you. You can find details in the webpage I provided above. The cost is very reasonable. In Miami the scooter company brings it to your cabin and you leave it in the cabin at the end of the cruise making a wheelchair to get on and off the ship essential.

[mdsgu]

NCL is very approachable about this. We are sailing in June with my parents and my in-laws. Three of those 4 adults need wheelchairs (one uses a powerchair at home and we rented her one for the cruise, one is 83 and can walk, but there are concerns about him walking up the gangway, and the other need surgery on her knee so the gangway would present problems). NCL referred us to the rental company for the powerchair and stated they would provide wheelchairs and the manpower to push them once we arrive at the pier.

[ColinIllinois]

Additionally, here is the contact info for the Port of Miami. They may be able to give you helpful information.

 

Phone: 305-347-5515

Fax: 305-347-4852

portofmiami@miamidade.gov

[Juanita56]

Hi Friends! I'll be sailing on the Norwegian Getaway (my first time on the ship! YES!) out of Miami on March 26 (20 days!!!). Its my fourth time with NCL, but I'm in a somewhat unique situation that I haven't observed before and need your insight. I've had some mobility issues following injury, and without going into too much detail, I just learned to walk again this year. I can walk just fine, but there are times when it will suddenly and without much warning become difficult for me (not losing consciousness or anything, just sort of forget how to walk and have to sit for longer periods).

 

After much hemming and hawing, we've decided that we will not be bringing a wheelchair on the flight or on the cruise (sort of a celebration of my regaining the ability to walk). I've been watching a lot of videos of the check-in process, and it seems like quite a long walk to get aboard from check-in. I'm afraid that after the flight to Miami that I might not be able to stand or walk very well from check-in to the ship. I'm wondering if the port of Miami has spare wheelchairs, sort of like at the airport or a fancy hotel, where they have a spare and lend you the use of the wheelchair just to get someone from the curb to the ship. My husband is flying with me, watches me like a hawk and we've got protocol for any precarious situations. Just wondering if you'd seen anything like a spare wheelchair to use as a people mover from curb to check-in and from there to the ship. Any insight is appreciated!

 

 

Hi. I sailed out of Miami in December with a group of 54. Three had wheelchair assistance, one was my mother. She can walk fine but not a very long distance. I notified the ship through their special needs dept. and advised that we would be needing a wheelchair for embarkation and debarkation only. Once you get to the pier, the porters will direct you to the location for the wheelchairs. It's first come first serve, so arrive early. They will take you directly to the ship. It was easy breezy. Best thing I could have done.

[rbrugler]

First, call the airlines and arrange for a wheelchair pick-up at the gangway. The Miami airport is huge. You could also arrange for one from the ticket counter when you board. But, ahead of time is best.

 

Norwegian will gladly have a wheelchair for you when you embark, but again, early notice is helpful. You might need to wait a bit when you board. The ramps are very steep. Call NCL and have it added to your ticket.

 

You cannot keep the wheelchair while on board. Also, do you have an accessible room? wheelchairs and scooters cannot be kept in the hallway. Accessible rooms are larger because of this.

[Stellanor]

This is such great information! Thank you all so much for your responses! Tremendously appreciated! I booked the trip myself through my CC, so I'll give NCL a call and let them know. I'm certain I won't need the wheelchair on board, just need the help on the gangway, so this is perfect! Thank you all so much.

[NMLady]

I'm pretty sure they do! The port of Miami is nice and is pretty much like an airport... tons of people around who are happy to help you (for a tip of course...) :-)

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When we boarded at Miami we were unable to have wheelchair until after security. And that is despite having notified the Access Desk ahead of time that wheelchair escort was needed.

Once we had cleared security and were in the waiting area at far left for Special Needs check-in, then hubby had wheelchair and pusher to the ship.

[rbrugler]

First, call the airlines and arrange for a wheelchair pick-up at the gangway. The Miami airport is huge. You could also arrange for one from the ticket counter when you board. But, ahead of time is best.

 

Norwegian will gladly have a wheelchair for you when you embark, but again, early notice is helpful. You might need to wait a bit when you board. The ramps are very steep. Call NCL and have it added to your ticket.

 

You cannot keep the wheelchair while on board. Also, do you have an accessible room? wheelchairs and scooters cannot be kept in the hallway. Accessible rooms are larger because of this.

The ships are huge and long. Hallways are carpeted so pushing is difficult. Just saying.....

 

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[mamasylvia]

I would suggeest re-thinking the idea that you don't need a wheelchair on board.

 

As rbrugler said, this is a LARGE ship. (Although the carpet isn't thick so pushing a wheelchair on it is only a little more difficult than on a linoleum floor.) Unless you are planning to only walk from your room to the closest restaurant, you will be doing a lot of walking. Not to mention airports and ports are large. Plus, whateverr your injury, stress aggravates it, even happy stress like travelling to (and from) a cruise. The last thing you want is to miss a cruise because you tried to do too much walking!

 

Yes, airlines and cruise lines will happily provide wheelchairs to get you on and off - as soon as they have one free and if someone doesn't shanghai it on its way to you. By taking your own wheelchair along, all they will have to come up with is someone to do the pushing - much easier for them and probably quicker for you.

 

If you really want to walk part of the way, your husband can push the wheelchair and you can dump your "stuff" in it instead of carrying it. ;)

 

With a wheelchair, you arrive on board fairly fresh and eager to explore, not exhausted and only wanting a nap. While you are on the ship, if you feel up to walking and want to, the wheelchair can just sit in your stateroom, but you can be sure you won't miss something you want to do because you are too tired.

 

I completely understand that you value your ability to walk again and using a wheelchair, even short-term, will feel like a step backwards. But if you and your husband have protocols worked out, clearly you are not 100%. Yet. So would you rather commit yourself to walking everywhere and risk exhausting yourself and maybe missing activities, or admit that you may need help and bring along the wheelchair? (This isn't a trick question; your priorities are something you have to set for yourself. I'm just bring up some aspects that you may or may not have considered so you can decide ahead of time.)

[Jessicalice]

Here is another perspective...

 

I didn't not get a wheelchair of my own until I was 25-I have mild CP but only really used a chair when I was traveling, or at disney. It didn't make sense until I was 24 and went to florida for my honeymoon...

 

the standard chairs used in theme parks and airports have no padding. My hips and back hurt for months after that trip and we got the ball rolling on that.

 

I feel like there is some comfortability of having your own chair, especially if you have a really sweet memory foam seat :)

 

But I'd recommend an accessible cabin. 100%. We didn't think it would matter last time since my chair folds. well unfolded it didn't fit though the door, we couldn't unfold it in the room, it was a hassle.

[cb at sea]

If you only need it for boarding...they have wheelchairs. If you need it ON the cruise, you will need to bring or rent one BEFORE the cruise. They don't have them for use onboard.

[easyboy]

I always request for wheelchair assistance both for embarkation and disembarkation. You should not have a problem.

[NMLady]

I always request for wheelchair assistance both for embarkation and disembarkation. You should not have a problem.

 

But the OP wants the assistance from outside the terminal. That IS a problem.

[bltrn]

We cruised just this Jan. We had to wait a bit for a wheelchair curbside but no problem. I ordered a scooter in advance and it was there waiting for us just past security before check in. It was a godsend as some of the piers are Very long. Check out "Special Needs at Sea.com"

[easyboy]

But the OP wants the assistance from outside the terminal. That IS a problem.

 

Oops, sorry. I thought the OP's Post #8 below says help is now only needed on the gangway.

 

This is such great information! Thank you all so much for your responses! Tremendously appreciated! I booked the trip myself through my CC, so I'll give NCL a call and let them know. I'm certain I won't need the wheelchair on board, just need the help on the gangway, so this is perfect! Thank you all so much.

[NMLady]

Oops, sorry. I thought the OP's Post #8 below says help is now only needed on the gangway.

 

You're right. I hadn't caught that the OP changed it from curbside to just on the gangway.

 

You're right that getting wheelchair assistance from check-in onto the gangway onto the ship is no problem.