Here we go again. AB booking HC cabins.

[leoandhugh]

Etoile, we book RCI a lot and have found that their system of not allowing online booking of HC cabins works well because it ties you in to their Special Needs department. Once you are in their system with your particular accessibility needs they just pull that up to know that your request is valid and just what your needs are. The one thing it has not been able to preclude is either a sleazy TA or a lying AB cruiser from misrepresenting their needs. We have found, over many cruises over several years the RCI Special Needs department is just great and so helpful and knowledgable. Whenever I see a person on this thread with a question for RCI I give them the number to call.:) Hugh I am also aware of your signing specialty from your postings and it might behoove you to let them (Special Needs) know of your skills and availability.

[Umbarger]

Here is another one. Cruise doesnt go out for 8 months!!!

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=536541

 

When will it end! :eek:

[Host Walt]

Here is another one. Cruise doesnt go out for 8 months!!!

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=536541

 

When will it end! :eek:

Actually I see this thread (on Princess) far better than others on these boards.

 

In this case the room is provisionally booked with the stipulation that the AB's will move if the room is required for a HC passenger...and the person posting the message takes no issue with that.

 

The discussions I really object to are about ways of scamming the system to get a HC cabinand the weaknesses in the cruise lines' systems that permit those scams to exist.

[daveco58]

Actually I see this thread (on Princess) far better than others on these boards.

 

In this case the room is provisionally booked with the stipulation that the AB's will move if the room is required for a HC passenger...and the person posting the message takes no issue with that.

 

The discussions I really object to are about ways of scamming the system to get a HC cabinand the weaknesses in the cruise lines' systems that permit those scams to exist.

 

 

I hope you are right about the provisional part. I too have stated I understand assigning AB's to accessible cabins, shortly before sailing, rather than leave them empty.

But right now, I would bet that cabin cannot be reserved by a wheelchair bound passenger, as it will not show as available on a booking engine. Yes or no? And if it doesnt show, how many people will bother to call and find out for sure? So, maybe it doesnt prohibit a w/c passenger from getting the cabin, but it would discourage them.

And is this the only stateroom left in that category? If not, why not do it the other way, and provisionally reserve another stateroom, with the understanding that IF the accessible cabin is still available 30 days out, it will be assigned to them?

I am not attacking you, Walt, or the pax involved. I am just wondering why the cruise lines are so resistant to implementing reasonable and fair solutions.

It seems they want to get credit for having accessible staterooms, but dont want to do the work of seeing they actually go to appropriate passengers.

After 28 years of dealing with accessibility issues, it would take me about a day to fix this in a way that would benefit disabled travelers, and cost the cruise lines nothing.

[Host Walt]

I hope you are right about the provisional part. I too have stated I understand assigning AB's to accessible cabins, shortly before sailing, rather than leave them empty.

But right now, I would bet that cabin cannot be reserved by a wheelchair bound passenger, as it will not show as available on a booking engine. Yes or no? And if it doesnt show, how many people will bother to call and find out for sure? So, maybe it doesnt prohibit a w/c passenger from getting the cabin, but it would discourage them.

And is this the only stateroom left in that category? If not, why not do it the other way, and provisionally reserve another stateroom, with the understanding that IF the accessible cabin is still available 30 days out, it will be assigned to them?

I am not attacking you, Walt, or the pax involved. I am just wondering why the cruise lines are so resistant to implementing reasonable and fair solutions.

It seems they want to get credit for having accessible staterooms, but dont want to do the work of seeing they actually go to appropriate passengers.

After 28 years of dealing with accessibility issues, it would take me about a day to fix this in a way that would benefit disabled travelers, and cost the cruise lines nothing.

I agree, if the potential passenger is using the web's "booking engine." But there is no good way for any cruise line to check the bona fides of a person claiming to be eligible for a HC cabin on the web. At a minimum, a live travel agent can be a first level filter for eligibility and can find available (even provisionally available) cabins via the cruise line's rep.

[daveco58]

Thank you for your response - and I truly hope all TAs will be responsible in this regard.

 

And I just had a random thought - perhaps cruise lines could force people who book(knowingly and willfully, i.e. the scammers) accessible cabins to remain in a wheelchair for the duration of the cruise. LOL.

That would serve the scammers right. And solve the problem RIGHT NOW. heeheehee

 

oh, if I were king of the world :-}

[Umbarger]

In this case the room is provisionally booked with the stipulation that the AB's will move if the room is required for a HC passenger...and the person posting the message takes no issue with that.

 

Princess rarely if ever move AB if the room is required.

I was on the Crown in November and there was a disabled person who could not get her mobility device in her cabin and asked at the pursers desk if any AB were booked in accessible cabins. The purser told her none were available. The people in the HC cabin beside mine were AB and openly told me they booked the cabin to get more room. They said they always book handicapped cabins and Princess lets them and they are never 'bumped'. They never did speak to me again after they saw my mom was disabled. :confused: I cant imagine why? :cool:

 

When Princess says that they will move you if the cabin is needed is NOT true. Once the cabin is removed from the inventory it is gone. There is no way to put a message in a booking that you will move if a HC person needing the cabin comes along.

 

To prove my point. I called Princess and asked about this cabin number and sailing date. I inquired about the cabin and if it was available for handicapped cruisers. I was told it was NOT available. I asked if the cabin was booked by Handicapped cruisers. I was told that handicapped people must be booked in this cabin since it was a handicapped cabin. Princess also advised me they DID NOT KNOW if the people in the cabin were handicapped or able bodied and even if they did know they couldn't tell me since it is a matter of privacy.

 

What Princess says and what Princess does is two different things.

 

Shame on Princess. :mad:

[etoile]

I am starting to put the database online even though I have not collected all of the information yet.

 

http://www.amanita.net/cruiseaccess/

[daveco58]

God Bless You, Etoile - and your site is already in my "favorites" for reference, next time I book a cruise.

[etoile]

God Bless You, Etoile - and your site is already in my "favorites" for reference, next time I book a cruise.

Glad I could help! Hopefully by the time you are booking a cruise I will have more information up. I am working on it! :D

[Moeve]

After having read the last Princess post ...It is obvious that cruiselines are not doing their jobs. Sure there are AB pax who deliberately book HC Cabins but the Princess passenger didn't it was the princess booking agent. Hey I was Young and Dumm too and was not aware of the pflight of PC passengers.... but I am wondering if we couldn't get enough weight together to get the cruiselines to better their ways.

 

 

 

There are lots of ideas out there on how to better the situation without it costing the lines an arm and a leg......

[aussie57]

It seems they want to get credit for having accessible staterooms, but dont want to do the work of seeing they actually go to appropriate passengers.

After 28 years of dealing with accessibility issues, it would take me about a day to fix this in a way that would benefit disabled travelers, and cost the cruise lines nothing.

 

I posted elsewhere about our recent experience on the Sapphire princess where we booked an accessible cabin only to find at embarkation that we'd been upgraded to a NON accessible cabin! We hadn't requested an upgrade & my DH (double above knee amputee) couldn't get wheelchair through the door, let alone bathroom. We were initially told nothing could be done as the ship was sailing full. Eventually staff contacted people in our original cabin who were AB & were happy to swap for the upgrade. This was extremely stressfull. Are upgrades ever given to genuine HC people from one HC cabin grade to another?

 

Princess really should ask people if they are HC or not when they request an HC cabin. It is so unfair

[daveco58]

I posted elsewhere about our recent experience on the Sapphire princess where we booked an accessible cabin only to find at embarkation that we'd been upgraded to a NON accessible cabin! We hadn't requested an upgrade & my DH (double above knee amputee) couldn't get wheelchair through the door, let alone bathroom. We were initially told nothing could be done as the ship was sailing full. Eventually staff contacted people in our original cabin who were AB & were happy to swap for the upgrade. This was extremely stressfull. Are upgrades ever given to genuine HC people from one HC cabin grade to another?

 

Princess really should ask people if they are HC or not when they request an HC cabin. It is so unfair

 

Never in 24 years of cruising have I received an upgrade from an accessible cabin.

On the other hand - I have never been upgraded out of one either, so I guess I will count myself lucky.

But your experience does just prove the point that MOST accessible cabins are booked by AB's and their TA's, knowingly, willfully and with malice aforethought.

It is obviously so common, Princess just assumed you were AB.

[leoandhugh]

As wheelchair and scooter users, having done in excess of 35 cruises, we always book our cruises directly with the cruise line rather than use a middle man TA. Most cruise lines have a Special Needs department with whom we deal, and having cruised with them one, they have a file on all our specific needs. We found in the past using a TA left certain areas in doubt, plus finding out that she was representing AB people as handicapped when she found out how to handle our case. We also make sure that our reservation file is marked "No Upgrades" because we always book at outside verandah cabin, and on most ships there are only a couple of accessible Junior Suites above that category, so the chances of being upgraded are slim to nil anyway.:)

[daveco58]

As wheelchair and scooter users, having done in excess of 35 cruises, we always book our cruises directly with the cruise line rather than use a middle man TA. Most cruise lines have a Special Needs department with whom we deal, and having cruised with them one, they have a file on all our specific needs. We found in the past using a TA left certain areas in doubt, plus finding out that she was representing AB people as handicapped when she found out how to handle our case. We also make sure that our reservation file is marked "No Upgrades" because we always book at outside verandah cabin, and on most ships there are only a couple of accessible Junior Suites above that category, so the chances of being upgraded are slim to nil anyway.:)

 

Yes, I have always assumed that is why I never got upgrades. With so few accessible cabins available, getting upgraded would be a lottery-odds experience.

[aussie57]

See "Stateroom for disabled?" thread on NCL forum. Does no none fromthe cruise lines ever take any notice?

[MsKatee]

Candy, I have to respectfully disagree with your comment. My mom (84 yrs old) uses a cane for very short distances and a wheelchair for longer and when we travel. Certainly I could fold her chair into a regular cabin as she could walk in with the cane. However, she would not be able to use the bathroom facilities without a grab bar as well as the bars for the shower. Her Dr. has certified her as handicapped (hip disease) and I don't owe anyone an explanation as to why we have an HC room even though chances are excellent you will see her in the casino with her cane!!!:D I booked it, I paid for it, she deserves it.

 

You go girl! Some of these people are narrowminded.

[ppsmom]

Good morning, I actually have 2 issues, not only can I not get a HC room but I can't even get close to the elevators, is there anything I can do? I use a WC and tried to get a HC for Feb./08 on the Emerald, not only can I not get a HC room but we are 14 cabins from the elevators............Help Is there anyone who knows of how I can get closer to midship. Thanks ppsmom (stand for post polio):(

[angel with wings]

well I just put my 2 cents into that shocking horrible post. I totally agree. I will be sailing next saturday on rccl for the first time . I am blessed with a wonderful TA who is also in a wheelchair and has taken the same cruiseline as me. She said anyone who is in a wheelchair should not go with princess because they always seem to screw up and are not willing to fix the screwups. Therefore the wheelchair bound clients are screwed. It is also better for wheelchair users to go with a real TA not the internet ones. That way can actually see what your needs are and can help you fix any problems that might occur. Anyway that is my 2 cents. Even though I havent actually taken a cruise yet.(saturday will be my very first)

[Reggae Mon]

Well here's my 2 cents worth. I'm a disabled power WC user & definitely need an accessible cabin. I have cruised with & have a cruise booked with RCI since my accident that put me in a WC. RCI has been GREAT in meeting my needs & I have used a TA for both cruises. We have to provide proof of disability for other things & I wouldn't mind providing the same proof to a cruise line. I have no problem with a cruise line giving ABs an accessible cabin shortly before a cruise but even then they should make the AB aware that they may loose the accessible cabin if a disabled books late & needs the accessible cabin. Cruise lines shouldn't be expected to sail with empty accessible cabins if there no disableds to use them. I think we should band together & address this & other disabled cruising issue with the cruise line trade organization. My email addy is available in my "Cruise Critic" profile so please let me know what you think. After all cruising is one of the most popular ways for disableds to travel. So catering to disableds is $$$ in their pockets.

:)HAPPY CRUISING:)

[Reggae Mon]

I thought my email addy was in my profile. It's not so I added it to my signature.

:)HAPPY CRUISING:)

[pingpig]

I know I pro. will make many ppl mad here

so I will say I am sorry first

But I always though cruise should be first come first serve

That's why ppl book month or even yr in advance

If all cabin are sold out for AB ppl

is it so wrong to book a disable room?

The room is open at time means no disable ppl need or book it at the time

then shouldn't them have chance to book ?

THEY ARE THERE FIRST.

I can understand it is wrong if other rooms are available, but they book disable room.

However, I think when all rooms are sold. It will need to come down as first com first serve.

 

I am not here to make ppl angry, just my own 2 cents.

I am turly sorry if I offended anyone.

 

(please refer back to org. case. 1st post please...the ship is sold out case)

[Harleycat]

I know I pro. will make many ppl mad here

so I will say I am sorry first

But I always though cruise should be first come first serve

That's why ppl book month or even yr in advance

If all cabin are sold out for AB ppl

is it so wrong to book a disable room?

The room is open at time means no disable ppl need or book it at the time

then shouldn't them have chance to book ?

THEY ARE THERE FIRST.

I can understand it is wrong if other rooms are available, but they book disable room.

However, I think when all rooms are sold. It will need to come down as first com first serve.

 

I am not here to make ppl angry, just my own 2 cents.

I am turly sorry if I offended anyone.

 

With all due respect, I think you are wrong. There are a limited number of accessible cabins on each ship and plenty for AB's. Why should someone who requires a HC cabin book two years out just to insure they have one? This is especially difficult for some people who don't know what the next two years will bring for us healthwise.

 

Right now I don't require one but someday I will. If I need one and book a cruise two years from now, I have no idea what condition I will be in by then. Will I be needing another surgery? Just recovering from one and therefore will not be able to take the cruise? In that case, I could be out some money for cancelling that late.

 

Having a disability can be difficult enough. Just getting through life day to day can be a challenge. Why should booking a vacation, which should be a restful happy time, be an additional challenge for us?

[Umbarger]

Here we go again......

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=624613

[Harleycat]

Here we go again......

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=624613

 

I chimed in!