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Deafcruise
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I just wanted to say hi! I am thinking of booking Royal Caribbean cruise for next year September for the very first time! (discover the Canaries Cruise on Anthem of Seas) I just hope the weather will be good especially on the sea days. I am planning to book junior suite (J1).

 

We are currently debating if should book via a travel agent or RC but it will be almost £400 more expensive booking directly but it feels 'safer'. I know many people do book via agent.

 

I have so much to learn!

 

Looking forward learning from you all 🙂

 

Jeff

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3 minutes ago, MCC retired said:

The last I heard from CLIA ,  65% book their cruise using  TA 👍

Thanks so it is 'safe' to book via an agent.

 

Another thing I am a bit worried about going on a cruise as a Deaf person. Will I feel left out or struggle to participate.

 

I guess I just have to try otherwise I will never know!

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Hi I live in Ireland, but often use a UK cruise specialist to book my cruises. I have never had a problem. Also if you book through a UK travel agent you are entitled to the same consumer protection as other types of holiday.

 

We are not allowed to give you names of travel agents, but the one I use advertises on Sky, they have their own channel 688 (or there abouts).

 

When you book, you then need to contact their special needs department and inform them of your deafness, they will be able to tell you what facilities are on board to assist you to enjoy your holiday.

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17 hours ago, Deafcruise said:

Another thing I am a bit worried about going on a cruise as a Deaf person. Will I feel left out or struggle to participate.

 

I don't think the social aspects of cruising will be much different then living life.  What I do suggest you ask about is safety.  On a cruise they have a series of bells & horn blowing in the event of an emergency.  You are called the lifeboats by these sounds.  Please make sure you have a way to receive this information.  I'm sure there has to be a way but I am ignorant about how it will work.  

 

There are all sorts of differently abled folks on cruises:  wheelchairs, scooters, blind people, special developmental needs, so I can't see why your hearing challenges would be insurmountable.  

 

Bon Voyage! 

 

 

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What Trish said.
I have major hearing loss in both ears. As in if I don't wear my hearing aids I cant hear much at all.  Add tinnitus and all the voices in my  head telling me to have another drink and piece of cheese cake, it can get hard. 🙂
You know, it is what it is and you will be amazed at how much fun you will have. Don't worry, it will be fine.
I hope you have a fantastic trip!

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5 hours ago, trish1c said:

 

I don't think the social aspects of cruising will be much different then living life.  What I do suggest you ask about is safety.  On a cruise they have a series of bells & horn blowing in the event of an emergency.  You are called the lifeboats by these sounds.  Please make sure you have a way to receive this information.  I'm sure there has to be a way but I am ignorant about how it will work.  

 

There are all sorts of differently abled folks on cruises:  wheelchairs, scooters, blind people, special developmental needs, so I can't see why your hearing challenges would be insurmountable.  

 

Bon Voyage! 

 

 

Thanks

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1 hour ago, Mike981 said:

What Trish said.
I have major hearing loss in both ears. As in if I don't wear my hearing aids I cant hear much at all.  Add tinnitus and all the voices in my  head telling me to have another drink and piece of cheese cake, it can get hard. 🙂
You know, it is what it is and you will be amazed at how much fun you will have. Don't worry, it will be fine.
I hope you have a fantastic trip!

Fab that's good to know 🙂 

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I'm also in the UK- we always book via a TA. There are several cruise specialist agents in this country. I have found that they give great deals (often by sacrificing part of their commission), they know their stuff ( had many a conversation with our TA about specific aspects of a) the cruise line b) the ship and once (memorably) a particularly wacky barman!

 

Please please dont think your deafness as any kind of impediment to finding and enjoying a cruise. Cruise ship staff are particularly adept at making sure that guests with any kind of imparement fully enjoy themselves.

 

Many many staff members have proved to be among the most caring helpful individuals you will ever encounter.

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I should have mentioned this yesterday too.  There is a disability forum here on Cruise Critic

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/114-disabled-cruise-travel/

 

If you are able to do a forum search you might find others who have cruised with hearing loss and might offer suggestions or tips, and you can repost your question there as well to address your concerns about hearling impairment while cruising. 

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I don't know why, but for Royal Caribbean we find better fares and better cabin selection as well by using online TA, plus usually a small onboard credit not offered by the cruise line. 

 

We have done this twice with no issues, and our TA bookings are on the RC website with access to them and the cruise planner within a day. 

 

For Carnival, this has not been the case at all - the line's website offers exactly the same rooms and prices as all of the agencies so we book directly with them.

 

RC website describes their hearing accommodations: equipment including TTY available on request in your room and ASL sign interpretation available on request at certain shows with 60 days' advance notice which suggests they put an interpreter on board just for the requestor.  Since you mention cost in pounds I am not sure if ASL would do you any good.

 

There is a lot of noise and music onboard ship but of course things like the food, pools, sun and sea breeze, beaches, people watching and visuals in the shows would not be impacted.  Likewise the spa, casino, and adult beverages, if applicable. Honestly when I'm on an excursion I often do not particularly enjoy the tour guide's narration anyway as I research the place in advance and know what I'm looking at, or I am just as well off to read the placards explaining things.  Do you travel with a hearing companion?  I would think this would impact your situation.  A lot of folks sort of keep to themselves even on a massive cruise ship so I think the sense of isolation is somewhat relative anyway. 

 

What would be wonderful would be for you to write up a review afterward specifically addressing your experience which would likely be very helpful for others.

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If you are only comparing prices from one website with another , you are missing the deals that Travel Agencies offer, especially ones that specialize in Cruises . TA's are not permitted to advertise "their" rates so contacting them is the way to see what you are giving up by booking directly with the cruise line.

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Booking with TA is convenient too, but next time maybe you should think about booking through the Future Cruise consultant on the ship. You get some benefits and since it's booked with the cruise line, there shouldn't be anything to worry about. Have a great trip!

Edited by Kate P.C
added info
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On 4/30/2019 at 12:12 PM, KmomChicago said:

I don't know why, but for Royal Caribbean we find better fares and better cabin selection as well by using online TA, plus usually a small onboard credit not offered by the cruise line. 

 

We have done this twice with no issues, and our TA bookings are on the RC website with access to them and the cruise planner within a day. 

 

For Carnival, this has not been the case at all - the line's website offers exactly the same rooms and prices as all of the agencies so we book directly with them.

 

RC website describes their hearing accommodations: equipment including TTY available on request in your room and ASL sign interpretation available on request at certain shows with 60 days' advance notice which suggests they put an interpreter on board just for the requestor.  Since you mention cost in pounds I am not sure if ASL would do you any good.

 

There is a lot of noise and music onboard ship but of course things like the food, pools, sun and sea breeze, beaches, people watching and visuals in the shows would not be impacted.  Likewise the spa, casino, and adult beverages, if applicable. Honestly when I'm on an excursion I often do not particularly enjoy the tour guide's narration anyway as I research the place in advance and know what I'm looking at, or I am just as well off to read the placards explaining things.  Do you travel with a hearing companion?  I would think this would impact your situation.  A lot of folks sort of keep to themselves even on a massive cruise ship so I think the sense of isolation is somewhat relative anyway. 

 

What would be wonderful would be for you to write up a review afterward specifically addressing your experience which would likely be very helpful for others.

I shall 🙂 thank you so much. 

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On 4/29/2019 at 10:18 PM, Sauer-kraut said:

I should have mentioned this yesterday too.  There is a disability forum here on Cruise Critic

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/114-disabled-cruise-travel/

 

If you are able to do a forum search you might find others who have cruised with hearing loss and might offer suggestions or tips, and you can repost your question there as well to address your concerns about hearling impairment while cruising. 

Thanks

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On 4/29/2019 at 8:17 PM, Sancho_proudfoot said:

I'm also in the UK- we always book via a TA. There are several cruise specialist agents in this country. I have found that they give great deals (often by sacrificing part of their commission), they know their stuff ( had many a conversation with our TA about specific aspects of a) the cruise line b) the ship and once (memorably) a particularly wacky barman!

 

Please please dont think your deafness as any kind of impediment to finding and enjoying a cruise. Cruise ship staff are particularly adept at making sure that guests with any kind of imparement fully enjoy themselves.

 

Many many staff members have proved to be among the most caring helpful individuals you will ever encounter.

That’s really reassuring thank you so much 

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4 hours ago, Deafcruise said:

Hi,

 

Just a a bit of update.

 

We have decided to go with Cunard next year for few days to get the sense of cruise. I’m going to book it today.

 

I am feeling quite excited!

 

🙂

 

Jeff

 

Interesting choice!  Cunard is, as you must know, more mature and highbrow than Royal Caribbean.  A rather different choice than the track you were originally going down.

 

While on Oasis of the Seas we met a Sr. Citizen mother and daughter pair, say mid-60s and mid-80s on their first RC cruise.  They were not enjoying it so much.  They said it was very "loud" compared to what they were used to.  Which was Cunard, which they had sailed many times over several decades.

 

As a child I could only dream of ever sailing the iconic and pricey QE2; that hasn't really changed, but again I hope you'll share your experience with us afterward.

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5 hours ago, KmomChicago said:

 

Interesting choice!  Cunard is, as you must know, more mature and highbrow than Royal Caribbean.  A rather different choice than the track you were originally going down.

 

While on Oasis of the Seas we met a Sr. Citizen mother and daughter pair, say mid-60s and mid-80s on their first RC cruise.  They were not enjoying it so much.  They said it was very "loud" compared to what they were used to.  Which was Cunard, which they had sailed many times over several decades.

 

As a child I could only dream of ever sailing the iconic and pricey QE2; that hasn't really changed, but again I hope you'll share your experience with us afterward.

I have always wanted to try Cunard and really excited to be able to try this. 

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just don't change your mind about cruising if you don't like Cunard. They are VERY different from the more laidback cruise lines. I would love to try a Cunard cruise even though I really enjoy the fun atmosphere of 'regular' cruise lines so don't think I am poo-poo'ing them. 

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Have a wonderful cruise on Cunard!  The Lion Pub is open for lunches and offers meals at no charge.  Go for Afternoon Tea and be sure to pack your fancy clothes as the dress code is adhered to quite strongly.  
There is also the Cunard Forum here on Cruise Critic, so if you have any questions on the ships that would be the place to ask. 

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  • 4 weeks later...
On 4/29/2019 at 7:06 AM, trish1c said:

 

I don't think the social aspects of cruising will be much different then living life.  What I do suggest you ask about is safety.  On a cruise they have a series of bells & horn blowing in the event of an emergency.  You are called the lifeboats by these sounds.  Please make sure you have a way to receive this information.  I'm sure there has to be a way but I am ignorant about how it will work.  

 

There are all sorts of differently abled folks on cruises:  wheelchairs, scooters, blind people, special developmental needs, so I can't see why your hearing challenges would be insurmountable.  

 

Bon Voyage! 

 

 

I have a friend who is an ASL interpreter and has sailed as an interpreter contracted to the specific cruise line for a specific cruise. Contact the special needs department of a cruise line to see if they have availability

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