FTTF options for disabled folks that is not FTTF

[PattBenatar]

I always buy the FTTF when I can, not because I want to be first in line at the buffet, it is clearly for safety and to have access to medical needed transports that are waiting in my cabin (scooters, power wheel chairs or wheel chairs).

 

FTTF some times are not available and if I had to wait for it would not be the end of the world but to have immediate access to my transport is not a luxury it is a need.

 

What do you think of a plan for disabled that has their transports in the cabin, should we be allowed to at least get to use them prior to 4 hours after the initial boarding? "1:30 +/- pm cabin ready time"

 

The plan would be just access to your cabin to unload a carry on and get your transport and leave.

 

I would not be against a small fee to provide this service.

 

I normally travel solo and do not have a abled body to push me around in the "courtesy" wheel chairs.

 

Before pitching this to JH, I wanted your thoughts on the matter.

[Schoifmom]

I always buy the FTTF when I can, not because I want to be first in line at the buffet, it is clearly for safety and to have access to medical needed transports that are waiting in my cabin (scooters, power wheel chairs or wheel chairs).

 

FTTF some times are not available and if I had to wait for it would not be the end of the world but to have immediate access to my transport is not a luxury it is a need.

 

What do you think of a plan for disabled that has their transports in the cabin, should we be allowed to at least get to use them prior to 4 hours after the initial boarding? "1:30 +/- pm cabin ready time"

 

The plan would be just access to your cabin to unload a carry on and get your transport and leave.

 

I would not be against a small fee to provide this service.

 

I normally travel solo and do not have a abled body to push me around in the "courtesy" wheel chairs.

 

Although they are often there sooner, the rental companies do not guarantee that the rental items will be available in your stateroom until 2:00.

 

We have always been able to snag FTTF, but then we also plan pretty far in advance so that we can guarantee both that and a handicapped cabin of our choice.

[firemanbobswife]

If you're unable to get FTTF, couldn't you select a check in time or arrive when the cabins are ready so that you can go right there?

[springs741]

Why not just arrive to the port a little later? Pick a check in time of 1:00 and you will not likely have a line and by the time you check in and board your room should be ready. Problem solved at no cost.

[PattBenatar]

Although they are often there sooner, the rental companies do not guarantee that the rental items will be available in your stateroom until 2:00.

 

We have always been able to snag FTTF, but then we also plan pretty far in advance so that we can guarantee both that and a handicapped cabin of our choice.

 

Customer service can tell you if its in your cabin or not, but my point is if its there I should have access to it. Being handicapped and planning a cruise over 550+ days is crazy, but that is what we have to do to get a cabin since there is so limited cabins available.

 

The Vista cruise I was just lucky the FTTF came online at 10pm and they were sold out by 8 am the next day. I was just very lucky I was on the site.

[PattBenatar]

Why not just arrive to the port a little later? Pick a check in time of 1:00 and you will not likely have a line and by the time you check in and board your room should be ready. Problem solved at no cost.

 

Have you tried to navigate around 4000 people all trying to get to one place at once in a scooter? Or try to get on a elevator when 4000 people "need" to ride the elevator to get to there cabins with all the carry ons?

 

Like I said it is not a luxury its a need.

[ItsAllAboutTheSass]

Customer service can tell you if its in your cabin or not, but my point is if its there I should have access to it. Being handicapped and planning a cruise over 550+ days is crazy, but that is what we have to do to get a cabin since there is so limited cabins available.

 

The Vista cruise I was just lucky the FTTF came online at 10pm and they were sold out by 8 am the next day. I was just very lucky I was on the site.

 

I wonder if you went to GS if they would escort you to your cabin?

[springs741]

Have you tried to navigate around 4000 people all trying to get to one place at once in a scooter? Or try to get on a elevator when 4000 people "need" to ride the elevator to get to there cabins with all the carry ons?

 

Like I said it is not a luxury its a need.

 

Yes, I have. Mother in a wheel chair and two grandchildren one of which was only two. That was a trip to remember. FYI the elevator situation didn't get much better during the cruise.

 

And yes I understand booking the day a cruise comes available. Mom must have a fully handicap as she can't step up. We always want a stateroom either next door or across the hall. Sometimes I only need two staterooms and that makes it easier but try find 4 in the configuration we need for our family.

 

I should have started my post with a big shout out to you for trying to find a solution to your situation rather than just go to your stateroom prior to the doors being open. I am one to follow the rules. It ticks me off when people go to their staterooms before they are ready. Yours would be one time that it should be allowed. No charge. If Guest service says the scooter is there you should be allow to enter.

 

Maybe the solution is to have the location of the scooter delivery changed. On most cruises there shouldn't be that many cruises having a scooter delivered to the ship. Maybe then could park them in the area of and pick up the key at Guest Services?

[Schoifmom]

I should have started my post with a big shout out to you for trying to find a solution to your situation rather than just go to your stateroom prior to the doors being open. I am one to follow the rules. It ticks me off when people go to their staterooms before they are ready. Yours would be one time that it should be allowed. No charge. If Guest service says the scooter is there you should be allow to enter.

 

Maybe the solution is to have the location of the scooter delivery changed. On most cruises there shouldn't be that many cruises having a scooter delivered to the ship. Maybe then could park them in the area of and pick up the key at Guest Services?

 

Totally agree with ^^^

[firemanbobswife]

Maybe the solution is to have the location of the scooter delivery changed. On most cruises there shouldn't be that many cruises having a scooter delivered to the ship. Maybe then could park them in the area of and pick up the key at Guest Services?

 

I was also thinking the same thing. Couldn't they have them available at check in at the port? You have to prove who you are to get on the ship, so couldn't they have you receive it then?

[klfrodo]

You really want to upset my handicapped and disabled mother?

 

Show her a courtesy or service not afforded to non handicapped or disabled person.

 

Therefore, my answer is no. If you're not able to get FTTF, then delay your boarding time.

[SadieN]

Just throwing this out there.....

I can see this being abused. Disney no longer allows HC front of line privileges because there were those who were abusing the system. They were actually hiring HC people for their privileges.

 

 

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[StolidCruiser]

Not sure where the "4 hours after initial boarding" comes into play since boarding commencement is usually around noon (sometimes earlier) and staterooms are often ready by the customary time of 1:30.

 

Our solution in such situations is just to arrive/board after 1:30 to minimize any inconvenience given any mobility condition we may be experiencing.

 

While it would be a wonderful courtesy to allow those with mobility equipment delivered to their stateroom access to said stateroom upon boarding, it could cause a myriad of logistic problems in trying to determine who is going through for the purposes of getting their scooters (and who is just barreling in just to go early to their stateroom).

[chengkp75]

At a few ports, Scootaround and Special Needs at Sea have kiosks at the check-in area where the scooters are delivered and returned. These ports experience high demand for scooters. Perhaps you could think about getting the lines to have these kiosks at all ports.

[bnorris10]

You really want to upset my handicapped and disabled mother?

 

Show her a courtesy or service not afforded to non handicapped or disabled person.

 

Therefore, my answer is no. If you're not able to get FTTF, then delay your boarding time.

 

FTTF is something I paid for an unless you pay for it you should not be able to get to your room like I can just because your handicap

 

Our solution in such situations is just to arrive/board after 1:30 to minimize any inconvenience given any mobility condition we may be experiencing.

 

While it would be a wonderful courtesy to allow those with mobility equipment delivered to their stateroom access to said stateroom upon boarding, it could cause a myriad of logistic problems in trying to determine who is going through for the purposes of getting their scooters (and who is just barreling in just to go early to their stateroom).

 

Yes where do you cut it off at - what considers a person disabled - my friend has a handicap sticker because sometimes her knee acts up to the point she needs it but for the most part she is perfectly able

 

Something else to look at is that the port has wheelchairs available to get you on the ship wheel your mother somewhere she can sit and then wait there until your room is available

[First and Ten]

I always buy the FTTF when I can, not because I want to be first in line at the buffet, it is clearly for safety and to have access to medical needed transports that are waiting in my cabin (scooters, power wheel chairs or wheel chairs).

 

FTTF some times are not available and if I had to wait for it would not be the end of the world but to have immediate access to my transport is not a luxury it is a need.

 

What do you think of a plan for disabled that has their transports in the cabin, should we be allowed to at least get to use them prior to 4 hours after the initial boarding? "1:30 +/- pm cabin ready time"

 

The plan would be just access to your cabin to unload a carry on and get your transport and leave.

 

I would not be against a small fee to provide this service.

 

I normally travel solo and do not have a abled body to push me around in the "courtesy" wheel chairs.

 

Before pitching this to JH, I wanted your thoughts on the matter.

 

Patt, i personally believe that physically challenged passengers should be allowed on before the rest of the passengers. This would make navigation so much easier and less stressful for them. Logistically however, it would be a nightmare....here is why

 

1) a good portion of the Diamond/Platinum crowd would have a complete coniption if some passengers were allowed on prior to them. Seriously, a good many of them tout "We are Diamond/Platinum" and couldnt accept someone getting on the ship before them. They NEED to be online at the dining room so they can pick their table number for dinner. It would be a crime if they didnt get that. They would bombard Carnival with complaints

 

2) For arguments sake, lets say their are 100 passengers with a physical challenge that would allow for a "pre board"....It stands to reason that their cabin mate (spouse/partner) should be able to board with them. People would take advantage. Uncle Elmer uses a wheelchair, so him and Aunt Tilly line up to board early. That seems to indicate that all 12 people that are traveling with them also need to board with them because....well.....we all have to walk up the gangplank together (yea, i dont get that but apparently that is a "thing", to walk onto the ship together. Not like you cant meet up on the Lido for lunch :rolleyes:)

 

3) Here is the biggie....I dont have to pay for FTTF and all i have to do is get a cane or a walker and i can get on the ship at 10:30 as opposed to 2:30....BAM!!!! you would see more "physically challenged" passengers than ever before. They would come out of the woodwork (pathetic yes, but you know it would be done)

 

So you go from 100 people who really need it to about 600 people trying to bastardize the system

[ItsAllAboutTheSass]

This is the boarding priority straight from Carnival website. So while special assistance doesn't get you to your room quicker, it does get you on the ship quicker, which in theory should get you to a chair to sit in quicker until your room is ready.

 

Boarding the Ship

On most occasions, guests board the ship in the following order:

 

• Special functions
  
• VIFP Platinum, Diamond, Milestone and Suite guests
  
• Faster to the Fun guests
  
• Premier Casino guests
  
• Special Assistance guests
  
• Assigned Zones
  
• General Boarding (straight from check-in to boarding)
  

[Vinlin06]

I am curious......first of all, my first ever cruise will be in May. I broke my leg last year, and still am using a walker most of the time and cane part time. My DH and I have FTTF for the cruise. I contacted Carnival and they said that there would be wheelchair at embarkation to get on the ship. Will there be a designated area for me to wait for the wheelchair? Or will there be multiple wheel chairs available? So confusing. We are leaving out of Galveston if that helps answer my questions.

[bnorris10]

I am curious......first of all, my first ever cruise will be in May. I broke my leg last year, and still am using a walker most of the time and cane part time. My DH and I have FTTF for the cruise. I contacted Carnival and they said that there would be wheelchair at embarkation to get on the ship. Will there be a designated area for me to wait for the wheelchair? Or will there be multiple wheel chairs available? So confusing. We are leaving out of Galveston if that helps answer my questions.

 

Just ask someone at the port when you arrive where you can get a wheelchair from and they will point you in the right direction last time we needed one for my daughter someone went and got it for us when we arrived

[Gamecock_Cruiser]

Just keep checking. We are 46 days out, and I just snagged FTTF today! This is my first time with it!

[PattBenatar]

Thanks for all those have responded.

First off, there is only 20 accessible rooms on the Vista and Horizon and roughly a bit more on the other ships. And if someone is going to pay 200-300+ dollars to get on board earlier by scamming CCL, then wow they really need to get on board.

 

If someone already has a scooter/wheelchair why would they really need to go to the cabin? There is no reason. Most people that are wheelchair bound have no issues waiting because they can actually use the rest room or get out of the sun or I don't know maybe look around the ship. My case I would have to sit in a corner and wait for 3+ hours and hope the cabin is ready. And then pray someone actually comes back for me to assist me to my cabin.

 

I do not have a companion that cruise with me, this cruise my friend is coming with me and she has her own cabin, her own rental mobility scooter and thank goodness we both got the FTTF, if it was not for boarding issues I would not even stress over not having one.

 

A simple solution to a serious issue, so charge me for the service to get delivered to my cabin and then call it a day. I am not suggesting this would be made available to every handicapped person only the ones who has transport waiting for them. I would suggest crew bringing it to me but that would never happen because they would be responsible for any damage or loss.

 

My suggestion is: Handicapped special tag- Price $20 bucks (to be used for a tip for the escort person) deliver cruiser with a (documented NEED-rental from rental company on file) only to the cabin to get the TRANSPORT vehicle and escort cruiser back out of the area. The tag works for embarkation and debarkation as well.

 

Vinlin06 there will be a wheel chair at drop off at the port. They will assist you on to the ship.

Edited April 4, 2017 by PattBenatar

[Vinlin06]

Thanks for the information.....it is appreciated.

[RTRMom]

I would check with the special needs department with any concerns. We were unable to get the FTTF for our cruise last month. My son has special needs, so we spoke with the special needs department.

 

We got priority embarkation even with staggered check in at Port Canaveral. We were treated wonderfully! As soon as we got to the port they let us in and got us checked in quickly and sat us somewhere quiet. (He can get very anxious). Then they had someone escort us onboard when priority boarding started.

 

 

 

 

ETA: I see this wasn't an upcoming trip. Oops...well my reply is for those that have an upcoming trip. Just letting them know they can contact Special needs with any concerns. :)

Edited April 4, 2017 by RTRMom

[bingomamma19]

Thanks for all those have responded.

First off, there is only 20 accessible rooms on the Vista and Horizon and roughly a bit more on the other ships. And if someone is going to pay 200-300+ dollars to get on board earlier by scamming CCL, then wow they really need to get on board.

 

If someone already has a scooter/wheelchair why would they really need to go to the cabin? There is no reason. Most people that are wheelchair bound have no issues waiting because they can actually use the rest room or get out of the sun or I don't know maybe look around the ship. My case I would have to sit in a corner and wait for 3+ hours and hope the cabin is ready. And then pray someone actually comes back for me to assist me to my cabin.

 

I do not have a companion that cruise with me, this cruise my friend is coming with me and she has her own cabin, her own rental mobility scooter and thank goodness we both got the FTTF, if it was not for boarding issues I would not even stress over not having one.

 

A simple solution to a serious issue, so charge me for the service to get delivered to my cabin and then call it a day. I am not suggesting this would be made available to every handicapped person only the ones who has transport waiting for them. I would suggest crew bringing it to me but that would never happen because they would be responsible for any damage or loss.

 

My suggestion is: Handicapped special tag- Price $20 bucks (to be used for a tip for the escort person) deliver cruiser with a (documented NEED-rental from rental company on file) only to the cabin to get the TRANSPORT vehicle and escort cruiser back out of the area. The tag works for embarkation and debarkation as well.

 

Vinlin06 there will be a wheel chair at drop off at the port. They will assist you on to the ship.

 

 

But the easy option for everyone is to just pick the check in time of 1:30pm or later. You can go right to your room. You will fight the same crowds day 1 as you do day 5, 6 etc. So that is not an excuse.

[PattBenatar]

But the easy option for everyone is to just pick the check in time of 1:30pm or later. You can go right to your room. You will fight the same crowds day 1 as you do day 5, 6 etc. So that is not an excuse.

 

 

No it is not that simple, you are wheeled in a wheel chair into the Atrium and then you SIT and wait and wait until someone from Special needs comes to get you to escort you to your cabin. Heaven forbid if you want a drink or need to use the rest room. You can get up and go do both, some of us can not. Being a solo traveler it is not a want it is a need.

 

If I have to book a cruise 550+ days out then you tell me I should wait until the last people get on. I have just same rights as you or anyone else who chose a 11am boarding time. How would you like be told because you have a disability you have no right to board early like "normal" people. Really?

 

Maybe make FTTF spots open for accessible rooms only then once they are filled you have a chance to get one? See not such a great idea now is it to restrict or tell someone too bad so sad get behind the line.

 

I really find your comment offensive btw.