Use of rollators

[suron]

Can anyone tell me if Saga allow rollators on a tender boat.  

[arlowood]

A lot will depend on your mobility and the need for the rollator.

 

Although there are always staff there to assist, boarding and exiting a tender can mean stepping over a gap while both the ship and the tender are moving to some extent. Also the tender embarkation point on the ship is usually down at a lower deck level and involves descending stairs for access.

 

On some cruise ships I've sailed on, they have conducted a "step-test" for those going on tender excursions. This involves stepping over a notional gap on the floor marked by two strips of tape set maybe 2ft apart. In theory you must be able to complete this step-test unaided.

 

Maybe some others who have direct experience can comment

[nosapphire]

Just looked on Saga website, FAQ cruise questions, and it says that you need to be able to walk down the 16 steps from deck 4 to the tender platform unassisted.

It is a pretty grey area, as you may be able to use the stairs without assistance but still need someone to carry the rollator down for you.

If you have somebody with you who can carry the rollator up and down the stairs, then you may be OK as I have, in the past, definitely seen rollators and even folding wheelchairs being taken ashore with passengers at tender ports.

 

I suspect much depends on the senior officers (how strict they are with the rules), the tender crew, the weather, and how busy the tenders are.

All ship crews hate tender ports.....

 

Saga head office may be able to give you more information, but they will have to repeat the "rules" (i.e, the crew cannot carry things up and down the stairs for you).

If you have an excursion booked that includes a tender port, you may be best to ask the Explore Ashore team to find out for you if you can still go with a rollator, in order to get a refund if the answer is no.

 

 

 

 

[Markanddonna]

I am not providing an official rule, but please realize that a person who needs a rollator is likely putting themselves at risk and the crew who assists. I saw a frightening situation with a man in a wheelchair being brought on a wildly rocking tender. Although he was supposed to provide his own assistants, only his elderly life was there. Three crew members stood with him before he had the nerve to step onboard. Three thin guys helping a rather hefty man.  I felt it put everyone in danger. I also didn't appreciate sitting for so long during this time in that rocking boat. Everyone on the tender had to endure this.

 

Wise people know when it is time to say no to some experiences. 

[navybankerteacher]

11 hours ago, suron said:

Can anyone tell me if Saga allow rollators on a tender boat.  

If they do, they should not.  
 

And even if they ever did, a responsible captain would declare them not permitted if wind of sea conditions created the least risk to passenger or crew.

[suron]

Thank you for your reply.  I too would hope the captain would not allow them on a tender if there was any  risk with weather conditions.  I will endeavour to get my question answered  by Saga themselves but posted in the hope that there may have been someone who had actually taken their rollator on a tender 

[clo]

4 hours ago, suron said:

Thank you for your reply.  I too would hope the captain would not allow them on a tender if there was any  risk with weather conditions.  I will endeavour to get my question answered  by Saga themselves but posted in the hope that there may have been someone who had actually taken their rollator on a tender 

Now are you just talking about tendering and such? I seem them regularly and think they're just brilliant. Going to the dining room, a show, etc.

[suron]

On a previous cruise with Saga there were a few people with rollators when we went on coach excursions.  I have a mobility problem and use a rollator for walking outdoors and just wanted to know if I could take it on a tender as well as the coach.

[ldubs]

Every rollator I've seen easily collapses for easy carrying/storing.  They are easily stored on coaches.  I can't say about the Saga, but our friend has taken her's on tenders.  But, the user has to have enough mobility to step from the Cruise ship to the tender, which often involves a moving surface and a step or two.  Additionally, I've been on some ships (can't remember which) where stairs were involved to get to the tender. 

[edinburgher]

7 hours ago, suron said:

I have a mobility problem and use a rollator for walking outdoors and just wanted to know if I could take it on a tender as well as the coach.

I think there was some confusion as you didn't initially make it clear that the rollator would only be used as an aid ashore on an excursion, ie a sort of accessory,  and not be needed by you to actually get off or on the tenders.

[navybankerteacher]

18 minutes ago, edinburgher said:

I think there was some confusion as you didn't initially make it clear that the rollator would only be used as an aid ashore on an excursion, ie a sort of accessory,  and not be needed by you to actually get off or on the tenders.

Good point - makes all the difference.  Comparable to being allowed to carry a pack of cigarettes when walking through a no smoking area.

[ldubs]

8 hours ago, suron said:

On a previous cruise with Saga there were a few people with rollators when we went on coach excursions.  I have a mobility problem and use a rollator for walking outdoors and just wanted to know if I could take it on a tender as well as the coach.

 

We travel on a lot of family group cruises.  One of our group uses a rollator.  She has always been able to take it on a tender (RCI, Princess, Celebrity).   Of course there is no guarantee you will be able to, especially if things are really rough.  On our last cruise it was announced scooter and wheelchairs would not be allowed.  Nothing said about rollators.  Take your time, be careful, and enjoy.  Oh, and ignore any posts suggesting you are inconveniencing others.  

 

BTW, My computer's auto-correct absolutely hates the word "rollator".   Haha.  

[jsn55]

It's inconvenient but true.  If you can't independently transfer from a ship to a tender, you should spend your day on the ship.  That does not count ambulatory people who may need a steadying hand by a crew member to step in/off the tender.  If you fold up your rollator so that you can use it in port, that's no problem.  

[suron]

1 hour ago, ldubs said:

 

We travel on a lot of family group cruises.  One of our group uses a rollator.  She has always been able to take it on a tender (RCI, Princess, Celebrity).   Of course there is no guarantee you will be able to, especially if things are really rough.  On our last cruise it was announced scooter and wheelchairs would not be allowed.  Nothing said about rollators.  Take your time, be careful, and enjoy.  Oh, and ignore any posts suggesting you are inconveniencing others.  

 

BTW, My computer's auto-correct absolutely hates the word "rollator".   Haha.  

 

[suron]

Thank you for your reply.  On my last cruise I was quite able to negotiate the stairs to the tender but only used a walking stick then and the crew were very helpful. Once on board I will check with the excursions team and hopefully I will be able to have my rollator with me ashore.

[suron]

I am grateful for the reassuring comments.  My rollator folds down, is very light and I am hoping it will be permitted on the tenders with help from the crew.  I will abide  by any decision the cruise line take .

[jsn55]

4 hours ago, suron said:

I am grateful for the reassuring comments.  My rollator folds down, is very light and I am hoping it will be permitted on the tenders with help from the crew.  I will abide  by any decision the cruise line take .

I've had some conversations with a ship's Guest Services that were less than satisfactory.  So a friendly reminder ... when you talk with them in person, be sure they understand that you would be taking your rollator folded down on the tender.  That you will use it only when you get to the port.  Make a note of the date, time and crew member's name.

[whogo]

I heard that Cunard required cruisers to show that they could step 18 inches over hash marks on the floor before being allowed on a tender.

 

I have seen any number of cruisers look at a bouncing tender and decide to stay onboard. Use your best judgment, suron, remember that the ride back may be rougher than the ride in.

 

 

[suron]

Thank you everyone for your useful feedback.  I apologise for not replying sooner but cataract operation took priority!  I contacted Saga and they said it will be possible to take rollator on tender if as someone said I can meet requirements regarding boarding the tender.

[silversurf]

Just taken a folding wheelchair on a tender in Bantry Bay Southern Ireland.

I can manage the 16 steps as long as there is a bannister, which there is. My partner carried the wheelchair. All quite easy, crew are very helpful getting across the gap.

WARNING. Would not attempt it in rough weather and keep an eye on chair or rollator when boarding. It is left on the quay until all passengers have boarded, we needed to shout out ‘don’t forget the chair’

It is at the discretion of the crew, some landing places are unsuitable if you have mobility issues and some ports use their own boats as tender and will not take walking aids, e.g. Scilly Isles.

 

Edited April 15 by silversurf