Weight limit on Fred Olsen cruises for an electric wheelchair?

[northernlights3]

Morning all,

 

I am not new to cruising, however I have not cruised in an electric wheelchair before, only a manual. I am looking to go on a Fred Olsen cruise in 2025/2026. The one we are looking at specifically departs from and ends in Newcastle, UK.

 

However we seem to have come across an issue that says if your wheelchair is over 25kg, which mine is, and it can't be dismantled, then you can't get on and off the ship. We are waiting to hear back from Fred Olsen, but they've said it could be months before we get an answer and now they aren't even sure if we can get on and off at Newcastle because it's a tidal port and doesn't have an air terminal.

 

Has anyone else cruised from the UK (preferably with specific knowledge of Newcastle itself) who is a full time electric wheelchair user (I have no mobility at all outside of my wheelchair). Could anyone give me any clarity on this situation? Or even from Southampton on another cruiseline so we could look at other options if Newcastle doesn't work out.

 

I don't want to book a cruise and then have to cancel it, but also don't want to miss out on an opportunity to go if I can. This is a bit of a bucket list item for me, so any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

I've posted this on the disability part of this forum as well, but it was suggested that I might have some luck over here as well, so hope you don't mind the repeat post.

[Pushpit]

I was disembarking from Newcastle a week ago from Balmoral. That was definitely a mobile gangway down to the quayside, on quite a stiff angle, rather than an airbridge of the type seen in Southampton. There's also a bus service between the terminal buildings (which are mainly there for the DFDS ferry) and the Balmoral mooring.

[northernlights3]

12 hours ago, Pushpit said:

I was disembarking from Newcastle a week ago from Balmoral. That was definitely a mobile gangway down to the quayside, on quite a stiff angle, rather than an airbridge of the type seen in Southampton. There's also a bus service between the terminal buildings (which are mainly there for the DFDS ferry) and the Balmoral mooring.

Thank you so much. That's useful to know. I've done gangways in my manual wheelchair without too much problem, it's just the confusion as to whether they will let an electric one do it. The joys of holidays lol.