Wheelchair Storage? Tiny Inside Cabin

[curtdesilets]

1 hour ago, Hlitner said:

A few years ago, we recall being on a cruise (not sure if it was HAL or Celebrity) where they did park some of the chairs/scooters in an alcove at the end of the corridor (completely out of the way of any foot traffic).  But if you were able to get your cabin steward/stewardess to take the chair away, you might find it difficult to get it delivered when you need it (the staff on ships are a bit thin/overworked and not always on-call).   We are in a new era when some cruise lines do not even service cabins twice a day!   Like most cruisers/travelers this all means one has to assess the situation once you get aboard and find the best solution for that particular ship/cruise.   I know this sounds so darn obvious, but it we have long been amazed at how many folks are unwilling or unable to adapt to current situations.   Just came off a cruise where we heard a guy "whining" that the bacon was not like the bacon he used to get on that same line (I think it was actually better).  The man actually "demanded" the "old kind of bacon."

 

Hank

Hank: We have been on several cruises as well and accept the changes. We got sort of stuck on this teeny weeny cabin since the cruise was almost sold out when we were able to confirm our availability.  It will be an adventure, but we always always enjoy our cruises, accepting the fact that the golden age of cruising is long gone.  -Curt. 

[richstowe]

On 10/16/2022 at 7:00 PM, FOPMan said:

please be kind and considerate.
 

I use a power wheelchair and likely could not get past a folded wheelchair left outside a cabin and in the passageway. 
 

I keep my equipment in my cabin, unless I’m using it. I expect others to do the same, consistent with the ship’s policy.

 

 

 

On 10/16/2022 at 10:43 PM, FOPMan said:

Directly from the HAL website: 

For the safety of all guests and crew, scooters and other mobility equipment need to be securely stored and charged in the guest’s stateroom and not in hallways or elevator lobbies.  https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/faq/know-before-you-go.html
 

Wheelchairs are “other mobility equipment.” Passageways are not wide enough for two chairs to easily pass each other. Keep your equipment in your cabin.

 

 

 

Wheelchairs and scooters left in the hallways isn't ideal but I never recognized that this is primarily an issue for others with mobility issues . I thought it rude to complain but now recognize this is a safety issue not an esthetic concern . Thank you all for enlightening me .

[richstowe]

double post

Edited October 22, 2022 by richstowe

[richstowe]

Triple post

Edited October 22, 2022 by richstowe

[KroozNut]

2 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Just came off a cruise where we heard a guy "whining" that the bacon was not like the bacon he used to get on that same line (I think it was actually better).  The man actually "demanded" the "old kind of bacon."

The era of 'entitlement' comes to mind here 😧

[Hlitner]

1 hour ago, curtdesilets said:

Hank: We have been on several cruises as well and accept the changes. We got sort of stuck on this teeny weeny cabin since the cruise was almost sold out when we were able to confirm our availability.  It will be an adventure, but we always always enjoy our cruises, accepting the fact that the golden age of cruising is long gone.  -Curt. 

Funny you should mention the "golden age" because we still seek out those kinds of cruises.   We have been mostly impressed by our cruises on Seabourn which, at the moment, would be among our favorite lines.  MSC's Yacht Club (just back last week) continues to attract us since we consider it the best "value" in the cruise world.  The service in the Yacht Club rivals or beats anything we had experienced in the "golden age" although the cuisine is not quite up to our standard.   We are excited about the new Explora Journeys Line (an unknown at this point) because it has the right "pedigree" fulfilling a dream a Madam Aponte to launch a luxury product.  Their ship within a ship Yacht Club certainly lays the foundation for a potentially good product, 900 passenger ships are a terrific size, and MSC has the deep pockets necessary to start a new line in this lousy economy.  

 

So, what has happened to the cruise industry?  At one time (go  back to the 50s, 60s) the industry targeted well to do folks who traveled with large steamer trunks, dressed up for every dinner, wore formal wear on formal nights, etc.  It was an exciting time when cruising was very special.  I still remember my parents (in the early 60s) driving 3 hours to a "cruise specialist" agency in NYC to have a meeting for the purpose of choosing the appropriate cabin on Home Lines.   We then went through a long period where everything became one class, folks learned how to quickly book cruises online, formal wear started to give way to "wife beater" shirts, backwards ball caps, and the "me me me" culture.   

 

But alas, some folks started to realize that if they were going to pay $1000 per person day they should not expect the same level of service and cuisine as another passenger on the same ship who was paying $100 per person day.  What a concept!  Some folks actually demanded more for their money than a few more square feet in their cabin (HAL seemed to be among the last to realize this fact).  Cunard, MSC, NCL, and now Celebrity have suddenly discovered that if you give folks more you can charge them more.

 

I think we are in the early stages of a new cruise world.  Folks can now make their own decision on the level or service, cuisine, etc. they want and find the appropriate product.  If you want to cruise to Antarctica you can do it in on a pretty bare bones exploration ship, or you can now opt for one of the ultra luxury expedition ships.  If you do not like fighting for a deck chair you can choose a cruise line (or ship within a ship) where there are always plenty of deck loungers for everyone!  Want very good cuisine you can either choose a line that emphasizes food (i.e. Oceania) or pay for the top alternative restaurants on many other ships.  The "one size fits all" model of the 70s now longer works for most of the lines.   One can take their entire family on lines like Disney and RCI where there are lots of amenties for all, while others can opt for the laid back classy atmosphere of lines like Silverseas, Regent, Seabourn, and Scenic.  The luxury lines have been around for some time, but there has been a lot of recent expansion and many new options.

 

Hank