How is Princess staff with pxrs who walk with a cane?

[Fast_Camaro]

I’m just curious with those who walk with a cane, what was your experience with Princess?? Were you treated like another Joe or Jane?

 

I am starting to walk with a cane due to a slow growing disability. I’m not expecting special treatment or anything, just seeing what others experiences was. 

[Cyn874]

Similar question, but is there any priority boarding for passengers with cane's. Both of my parents need to use a cane for long periods of standing and walking. 

[Coral]

5 minutes ago, Cyn874 said:

Similar question, but is there any priority boarding for passengers with cane's. Both of my parents need to use a cane for long periods of standing and walking. 

When you arrive at the pier - ask if there is a place for those with special needs to sit while waiting to check in.

 

I can tell you my Mom used a Seeing Eye dog and she was treated very well on the ship. She did get special attention. For example, there is special seating at Muster though I strongly recommend showing up 15-20 minutes early as things get crazy and elevators are filled.

[MrSchwump]

24 minutes ago, Cyn874 said:

Similar question, but is there any priority boarding for passengers with cane's. Both of my parents need to use a cane for long periods of standing and walking. 

The handicap assist area is on the far right corner as you face the terminal from the drop off area. Go there find one of the guys with a clip board and sign in. They will whisk you through the entire process in no time. 

My wife had 2 knee replacements in consecutive years so we’ve done it twice. The guys who help are super nice. If you get Larry, be prepared to laugh. He’s a real character!

[capriccio]

I went on two cruises (31 and 25 days) using a cane and every Princess staffer I ran into was more than considerate.  For example:

• When boarding in San Pedro as soon as my husband handed off our luggage to the porter a Princess staffer appeared and offered me a wheel chair which I politely declined but certainly appreciated the offer.
• When catching a tender required walking down a set of steps, we were pulled out of the line and escorted into a small elevator (which I had never noticed before) with a staff member.  That was great for us and even better for the folks who would have been held up by my slow progress up and down the stairs.
• One of the questions on the disembarkation form is 'do you need wheelchair assistance.'  Don't be afraid to say yes!

I concur with Coral's recommendation to get to muster early but even if you show up with the crowd, the staff will find you a seat.

 

I will warn you about an issue we had with the Salty Dog pub on the Crown Princess.  We made reservations after being assured that there was regular height seating (we had noticed counter high tables and stools in the venue when walking by).  There were none and getting on and off the stool was difficult (this was pre surgery for two hip replacements) and I still can't believe that Princess missed the mark on providing accessible seating so badly.

 

There is accessible seating in the Princess theater.  The entrances on the Deck 7 have a back row of for wheelchair users and companion seating.  The next three rows down toward the stage are designated handicapped although if you get there late you may need to push the issue if able bodied folks have taken all the seats (some just want to be near the exit).  We made sure we got to the shows early so seating in the handicap section wasn't a problem.

 

The most serious issue I encountered was the attitude of relatively few other passengers.  For example, not holding the elevator when there is space and they see you slowly and carefully making your way to the elevator; and, a pet peeve of mine, leaving trays full of dirty dishes out in the very narrow hallways.  With one hand carrying the cane and the other (especially in bad weather) holding the railing you shouldn't need to be concentrating on what's on the floor!

 

Safe travels to all!

 

[OCruisers]

Thanks ALL!

Good information.  

As time goes by, it has become important to many of us.  

[Grburkart]

For what it’s worth, I have a “stick chair” (that’s actually the brand name or trade name) that I use occasionally when I’m in a line up and on a tour that requires a lot of walking. 

It takes less than flattering photographs and the chair part of it isn’t the most comfortable but it does allow you to take weight off your legs/feet, and you also use it as a cane. It’s not big or cumbersome. 

 

Glenn

[Mary Ann 2]

I used a cane right after a knee surgery and in addition to what everyone else has mentioned, when going on an excursion, they directed me to an outside chair (to avoid stairs in theater) and gave us a head start towards the easiest elevator exit to depart for the cruise.  One time we ended up boarding after a European excursion after the tide went out and the stairs back on the ship were really long and steep. They sent guides to hold my hands going up with someone behind me to be safe - I really appreciated it.

[geocruiser]

One more thing about the  muster drill.  I believe at the drill you are told that if you need help with getting to your station, they will designate a crew member to you.  Remember in a real emergency people will be moving fast up or down the stair.  Under those conditions a person with a cane might need more help.

[caribill]

2 hours ago, geocruiser said:

One more thing about the  muster drill.  I believe at the drill you are told that if you need help with getting to your station, they will designate a crew member to you.  Remember in a real emergency people will be moving fast up or down the stair.  Under those conditions a person with a cane might need more help.

Yes. Notify the Purser's Desk on the first day if you would need assistance in an actual emergency.

[GUT2407]

6 hours ago, Fast_Camaro said:

I’m just curious with those who walk with a cane, what was your experience with Princess?? Were you treated like another Joe or Jane?

 

I am starting to walk with a cane due to a slow growing disability. I’m not expecting special treatment or anything, just seeing what others experiences was. 

Never had an issue, they’ll usually offer to help you in the buffet (or anywhere else for that matter) if it looks like you might need it.

[jagsfan]

7 hours ago, MrSchwump said:

The handicap assist area is on the far right corner as you face the terminal from the drop off area. Go there find one of the guys with a clip board and sign in. They will whisk you through the entire process in no time. 

My wife had 2 knee replacements in consecutive years so we’ve done it twice. The guys who help are super nice. If you get Larry, be prepared to laugh. He’s a real character!

Which port is this?

[MrSchwump]

14 minutes ago, jagsfan said:

Which port is this?

Port Everglades

[cruiserdru]

Be aware that at some ports, Vancouver comes to mind, the embarkation tunnel that goes back and forth can be very steep and long. Some times the wheel chair is the better part of valor. I accepted the wheel chair at Vancouver and dearly wished I had the help in San Francisco when I reboarded.

 

Incidentally, we were offered wheel chairs almost as soon as we walked into the terminal and we were shown to a priority line for boarding. Then they called for another set of wheelchair 'drivers' to take us aboard the ship and to our cabin.

 

Unfortunately, fellow passengers were often the biggest issue, especially at elevators. Some people would just run over top of me so they could get in the elevator and I was left standing alone in the hallway.

 

Also, be cautious of what kind of chair you sit down in if you have trouble rising. Many of the chairs seemed unusually low to me and I could not get up. QM2 was much worse about that the Princess ships I have been on. There are a lot of chairs without arms on some ships and they can be a challenge to rise from.

 

At dinner, the staff was always helpful and would swap out chairs to make it easier for me. They made sure my cane was accessible without being in a place where they might trip and escorted me up and down the single steps so I would not trip.

 

Also, the wheelchair assistance for disembarkation is extraordinary helpful. Our 'driver' got someone to get our luggage, got us through Customs, took us out to the taxi line and commandeered a taxi for us.

[voljeep]

1 hour ago, MrSchwump said:

Port Everglades

I use A shillelagh to board / disembark / some excursions ...

 

we have priority boarding (well, doesn't most everybody) so normally go thru the regular boarding process

 

but once, a supervisor? stated come this way, up an elevator and into a room with wheelchairs, walkers, scooters...

I felt a little embarrassed to be there, but it was nice when we boarded right after the b2b cruisers in transit...

 

we had the buffet fresh and almost to ourselves for about 15-20 minutes before the 'herd' arrived

[1965]

From time to time I see Princess staff walking along side a passenger with mobility issues in the buffet filling their plate for them. From what I observed

the staff were very nice, helpful, courteous. I hate hearing about the thoughtless behavior of some when getting on elevators. 

[Coral]

Just now, 1965 said:

I hate hearing about the thoughtless behavior of some when getting on elevators. 

We would experience this many times with a Seeing Eye dog. People would just pack the elevator so that the dog would get stepped on. We would say something (we were in the back) and they were often rude and didn't care. We would then often exit the elevator and try to eventually get an elevator with less people. This was especially problematic on the aft elevators going to Traditional dining. We would try to be early but would often be late due to this. 

 

One never expects to become disabled. It can happen overnight. Please remember to think of those around you because one day, you maybe the one who needs assistance yourself.

 

We sailed all the major mass cruise lines (except NCL) with my Mom and her Seeing Eye dog. I have to say Princess staff was the absolute best. They exceeded our expectations every time we sailed with them. I know of others who are disabled with other disabilities who think the same.

[cabin4three]

Princess crew are very good and treat passengers with additional needs very well (both my parents are frequent cruisers and both are disabled).

In our experience  (cruised with parents) crew treat passengers who need assistance with respect and help discretely, from helping to carry trays in the buffet, tables close to the door and on level ground in the MDR to using a flashlight signal  when entering the cabin if they had no response to knocking as my father is deaf.  (as an aside the crew are very helpful if you have small children too).

 

As others have posted the other passengers  can be a problem, they will push past to get in the lift.  

The ship can obviously rock a bit in rough seas, so hold the handrails too, and be careful of the doors leading out to the deck, they can be very heavy and difficult to hold open, ask a staff member to help.

[cabin4three]

OP - take a spare stick, my dad managed to leave one of his on an excursion bus, no idea how!  Cruise line (Cunard) did get it to him later in cruise but it did cause him a lot of issues (not just the ear ache my mum gave him )

There are small fold up sticks that might be worth taking just in case....

 

[LSGDRG]

I just called Princess yesterday regarding this same issue.  I am travelling soon with someone who uses a cane.  I was told that they do not need to complete the Mobility Questionnaire.  Also, that we were to contact the Special Needs Department at the port (Sydney) if we wanted/needed a wheelchair for boarding.  During a previous embarkation, Princess personnel directed us through a shorter route for check-in.  It involved less walking/standing and was appreciated. 

[Doug R.]

I use a cane. At Port Everglades on our January Regal cruise we were boarded so rapidly I don't think it was due to my use of a cane. I was asked if I needed wheelchair assistance, but politely declined. I didn't see any special treatment on board, but the hosts leading us to our tables were very understanding of my slowness. I only experienced rudeness from a passenger once I was entering the buffet and a guy raced to get in front of me to wash at the sinks, if I had been two steps closer we would have collided.

[jagsfan]

3 hours ago, MrSchwump said:

Port Everglades

Thank you so much. You don’t know how you have relieved my mind!

I guess this is the door that used to be for priority (Suites, Elite, Platinum)?  

I have been dreading trying to stand in the long  line. 

 

[famski740]

My wife has been partially disabled for many years.  She has gone from just using a cane to using a walker.  At Port Everglades, we go to the area to the right of the terminal and check in with the agent who handles the wheelchair passengers.  We are escorted thru the security screening for crew and up to the wheelchair waiting area.  From there a crewperson will come to wheel us onto the ship (be careful because the gangplanks are very steep), they will normally take us to wherever we want to go on ship within reason.

 

When using a tender, they have an open elevator (they use it for supplies) and take my wife down and up this as we depart and reenter.

 

When disembarking, we always request wheelchair assistance and are taken from the ship to the baggage area, through customs and all the way to our car parked in the terminal garage.

 

Princess is great at assisting those who need help.

 

This next cruise, my wife will be using her own scooter and I do not expect any changes to the staffs assistance.

[1965]

I will never understand why some pax are in such a rush while on a cruise, so much so that they endanger others. The food will always be there. The handwashing station will still be there, even if they have to wait 30 seconds for someone to finish washing. There will always be another elevator. They're on a cruise. They should relax & enjoy. I absolutely love seeing cruisers even older than me, even if they have less than perfect health, still cruising. ♡ 

[MrSchwump]

49 minutes ago, jagsfan said:

Thank you so much. You don’t know how you have relieved my mind!

I guess this is the door that used to be for priority (Suites, Elite, Platinum)?  

I have been dreading trying to stand in the long  line. 

 

I think this area is strictly for people needing assistance getting onboard. It’s also a taxi/Uber pickup area for those debarking. 

Seriously, look for Larry. He’s in his 60s, bald and he’s got a one liner for everything!