Handicap access to water tenders

[timbom]

We are taking a cruise on the Majestic in a couple of months my spouse is wheelchair bound.  Several of the ports are tender ports  (Cabo and Loreto) are tender ports.  Will she be able to get off the ship??

[startedwithamouse]

Unless they are ambulatory, no. Can you fully assist them? The tenders in Cabo can be very rocky, especially later in the day.

[arizonaperson]

@timbom

from Princess.com

FAQ’s accessibility.

 

Accessibility Ashore

Let’s chat about what you can expect as your plan your experiences ashore. There are varying levels of accessibility around the world. Some ports are more accessible than others, and accessible vehicles may be limited. We are here to help you navigate and deliver the best possible adventure ashore.

Getting to the ship: If you have purchased a Princess pre- or post-cruise hotel package or transfers, we will assist with arranging accessible transportation. Accessible transportation may be limited or not available in some foreign ports of call. Please be sure to submit a Mobility Questionnaire (PDF) so that we can make the appropriate arrangements for you.

Going ashore: Most ports provide easy access ashore via gangways. Due to various conditions including the steepness of the gangway, weather, shore-side facilities, tidal and sea conditions, guests using mobility devices may be required to transfer to a stair climber. Our team will guide you based on local conditions to assure your safety. For the safety of our team, crew members are only able to physically lift up to 50 pounds (22 kg).

In some ports, the ship anchors offshore and guests transfer to shore by water shuttles. When a water shuttle is required, guests using mobility devices will not be transferred into or out of the water shuttle, if lifting in excess of the above limitation is required. Many water shuttle ports do not provide wheelchair access so even if the guest can board the water shuttle, they may not be able to disembark ashore. Again, the shore-side facilities, movement of the water shuttle, weather and tidal conditions can also preclude the use of the water shuttle.

The final decision to allow any guest to board a water shuttle or disembark the ship will be made by the Captain on the basis of the safety and welfare of all involved.

Water Shuttle Ports:

• Airlie Beach, Australia
• Akaroa, New Zealand
• Alta, Norway
• Armacao dos Buzios, Brazil
• Bali (Benoa), Indonesia
• Bar Harbor, United States
• Bay of Islands, New Zealand
• Belize City, Belize
• Bora Bora, French Polynesia
• Boracay, Philippines
• Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
• Cannes, France
• Catalina Island, United States
• Champagne Bay, Vanuatu
• Conflict Islands, Papua New Guinea
• Cornwall (Falmouth), United Kingdom
• Crete (Aghios Nikolaos), Greece
• Dravuni Island, Fiji
• Dublin (Dun Laoghaire), Ireland
• Easter Island, Chile
• Edinburgh (South Queensferry), United Kingdom
• Elba (Portoferraio), Italy
• Exmouth, Australia
• Falkland Islands (Stanley), Falkland Islands
• Fuerte Amador, Panama
• Geiranger, Norway
• Geraldton, Australia
• Giardini Naxos, Italy
• Gizo Island, Solomon Islands
• Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
• Grundarfjordur, Iceland
• Guernsey (St. Peter Port), United Kingdom
• Gythion (for Sparta), Greece
• Hellesylt, Norway
• Helsingborg, Sweden
• Huahine, French Polynesia
• Ilhabela, Brazil
• Isafjordur, Iceland
• Ishigaki, Japan
• Isle of Pines, New Caledonia
• Juneau, United States
• Kaikoura, New Zealand
• Kangaroo Island, Australia
• Ketchikan, United States
• Kiriwina Island, Papua New Guinea
• Kitava, Papua New Guinea
• Ko Samui, Thailand
• Komodo Island, Indonesia
• Kona, United States
• Korsakov, Russian Federation
• Kotor, Montenegro
• Kumano, Japan
• Lifou, New Caledonia
• Lofoten Islands (Gravdal), Norway
• Lombok, Indonesia
• Loreto, Mexico
• Maldives (Male), Maldives
• Mare, New Caledonia
• Margaret River (Busselton), Australia
• Maui (Lahaina), United States
• Mayotte, France

• Shore Excursions: As your destination experts, we offer a variety of experiences ashore. We recommend you review our shore excursion offerings and make your selections. Each excursion is noted with the level of mobility. Accessible shore excursions may not be available in some international ports, and not all port facilities are designed with accessible features. Do contact us in advance with any questions or for assistance with your accessible shore excursions. A completed Mobility Questionnaire will help guide us with these arrangements. Once onboard, our shore excursion team is available to assist with your adventures ashore.

  
   

[startedwithamouse]

4 minutes ago, arizonaperson said:

@timbom

from Princess.com

FAQ’s accessibility.

 

 

Accessibility Ashore

Let’s chat about what you can expect as your plan your experiences ashore. There are varying levels of accessibility around the world. Some ports are more accessible than others, and accessible vehicles may be limited. We are here to help you navigate and deliver the best possible adventure ashore.

Getting to the ship: If you have purchased a Princess pre- or post-cruise hotel package or transfers, we will assist with arranging accessible transportation. Accessible transportation may be limited or not available in some foreign ports of call. Please be sure to submit a Mobility Questionnaire (PDF) so that we can make the appropriate arrangements for you.

Going ashore: Most ports provide easy access ashore via gangways. Due to various conditions including the steepness of the gangway, weather, shore-side facilities, tidal and sea conditions, guests using mobility devices may be required to transfer to a stair climber. Our team will guide you based on local conditions to assure your safety. For the safety of our team, crew members are only able to physically lift up to 50 pounds (22 kg).

In some ports, the ship anchors offshore and guests transfer to shore by water shuttles. When a water shuttle is required, guests using mobility devices will not be transferred into or out of the water shuttle, if lifting in excess of the above limitation is required. Many water shuttle ports do not provide wheelchair access so even if the guest can board the water shuttle, they may not be able to disembark ashore. Again, the shore-side facilities, movement of the water shuttle, weather and tidal conditions can also preclude the use of the water shuttle.

The final decision to allow any guest to board a water shuttle or disembark the ship will be made by the Captain on the basis of the safety and welfare of all involved.

Water Shuttle Ports:

• Airlie Beach, Australia
• Akaroa, New Zealand
• Alta, Norway
• Armacao dos Buzios, Brazil
• Bali (Benoa), Indonesia
• Bar Harbor, United States
• Bay of Islands, New Zealand
• Belize City, Belize
• Bora Bora, French Polynesia
• Boracay, Philippines
• Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
• Cannes, France
• Catalina Island, United States
• Champagne Bay, Vanuatu
• Conflict Islands, Papua New Guinea
• Cornwall (Falmouth), United Kingdom
• Crete (Aghios Nikolaos), Greece
• Dravuni Island, Fiji
• Dublin (Dun Laoghaire), Ireland
• Easter Island, Chile
• Edinburgh (South Queensferry), United Kingdom
• Elba (Portoferraio), Italy
• Exmouth, Australia
• Falkland Islands (Stanley), Falkland Islands
• Fuerte Amador, Panama
• Geiranger, Norway
• Geraldton, Australia
• Giardini Naxos, Italy
• Gizo Island, Solomon Islands
• Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
• Grundarfjordur, Iceland
• Guernsey (St. Peter Port), United Kingdom
• Gythion (for Sparta), Greece
• Hellesylt, Norway
• Helsingborg, Sweden
• Huahine, French Polynesia
• Ilhabela, Brazil
• Isafjordur, Iceland
• Ishigaki, Japan
• Isle of Pines, New Caledonia
• Juneau, United States
• Kaikoura, New Zealand
• Kangaroo Island, Australia
• Ketchikan, United States
• Kiriwina Island, Papua New Guinea
• Kitava, Papua New Guinea
• Ko Samui, Thailand
• Komodo Island, Indonesia
• Kona, United States
• Korsakov, Russian Federation
• Kotor, Montenegro
• Kumano, Japan
• Lifou, New Caledonia
• Lofoten Islands (Gravdal), Norway
• Lombok, Indonesia
• Loreto, Mexico
• Maldives (Male), Maldives
• Mare, New Caledonia
• Margaret River (Busselton), Australia
• Maui (Lahaina), United States
• Mayotte, France

• Shore Excursions: As your destination experts, we offer a variety of experiences ashore. We recommend you review our shore excursion offerings and make your selections. Each excursion is noted with the level of mobility. Accessible shore excursions may not be available in some international ports, and not all port facilities are designed with accessible features. Do contact us in advance with any questions or for assistance with your accessible shore excursions. A completed Mobility Questionnaire will help guide us with these arrangements. Once onboard, our shore excursion team is available to assist with your adventures ashore.

  
   

May want to mention this cut and pasted list is outdated. Fuerte Amador now has a dock and the Maui stop is Kahului which has a dock, not Lahaina.  

[memoak]

Please remember that any tender from the ship you have to get oneself physically to the tender from a very possibly bouncing ship

[arizonaperson]

Thanks @startedwithamouse just going by what is on Princess.com. No surprise it’s out of date.

Good to point out to others though.

[TRLD]

From what I have seen the individual would need to be able to stand and step into and out of the tender. The crew will help steady them and will usually transfer their mobility device, but they need to be out of it.  In some cases they may have to navigate steps on shore.

[HotRoot]

We will be attempting this next week in Greenland.  I will report back.

[timbom]

I think we will give up as we do not want to be stuck on the ship for three days while everyone else is ashore

[memoak]

54 minutes ago, timbom said:

I think we will give up as we do not want to be stuck on the ship for three days while everyone else is ashore

Actually we love having the ship to ourselves when people are in port unless it is

a port we really wanted to see

[Kay S]

48 minutes ago, memoak said:

Actually we love having the ship to ourselves when people are in port unless it is

a port we really wanted to see

Being "alone" on the ships is great.  No lines anywhere, you can get the best seat in the house at the buffet.  The pools are not crowded.  The bars are open and there is plenty of seating.  One thing I like at Cabo is how the ship (at anchor) drifts back and forth, changing the view by the hour.  Besides, Cabo has gotten so touristy and crowded, it's not a "real" Mexican port experience anymore.

[arizonaperson]

1 hour ago, timbom said:

I think we will give up as we do not want to be stuck on the ship for three days while everyone else is ashore

What do you mean you will give up? Sounds like you booked a cruise to Mexico already. I agree having the ship/ being onboard  & quieter in port is nice. So you will book another cruise that doesn’t involve tenders?

[SiliconCruiser]

21 hours ago, timbom said:

We are taking a cruise on the Majestic in a couple of months my spouse is wheelchair bound.  Several of the ports are tender ports  (Cabo and Loreto) are tender ports.  Will she be able to get off the ship??

Princess crew are generally helpful in getting the passenger and the mobility equipment on the tender.  They do use local tenders in Cabo in addition to the Princess tenders.  The locals are less cooperative and will often refuse to take passengers with mobility issues, and their mobility equipment.  If that is the case, you may have to wait for the Princess tender to get back to the ship.

[arizonaperson]

1 hour ago, SiliconCruiser said:

Princess crew are generally helpful in getting the passenger and the mobility equipment on the tender.  They do use local tenders in Cabo in addition to the Princess tenders.  The locals are less cooperative and will often refuse to take passengers with mobility issues, and their mobility equipment.  If that is the case, you may have to wait for the Princess tender to get back to the ship.

We don’t know from OP/ author if his wife can get out of wheelchair. He says wheelchair bound.

so … there are stairs to get into tender down to seats & it’s potentially bobbing up & down. So not as easy as waiting for Princess tender in Cabo ,there are “ rules”.

So one has to be able to walk some. See post # 3, Princess.com mobility/ accessibility information.

[startedwithamouse]

5 hours ago, timbom said:

I think we will give up as we do not want to be stuck on the ship for three days while everyone else is ashore

The crowds will be gone, and you'll still have activities to partake in.

 

We used to stay onboard when our kids were little, and had a good time. 

[memoak]

16 hours ago, timbom said:

I think we will give up as we do not want to be stuck on the ship for three days while everyone else is ashore

We just went through 14 days in Alaska and never left the ship once. I will note this was not our first trip to this area

[paddingtonbear]

19 hours ago, timbom said:

I think we will give up as we do not want to be stuck on the ship for three days while everyone else is ashore

I agree with everyone else it’s lovely when the moajoity of passengers are ashore. You won’t be alone, though, lots of people don’t go ashore at ports, let alone tender ports which are, inherently, a hassle.