sneaky way of getting an upgrade

[kakalina]

Really, really bad idea. What goes around comes around, as the saying goes. We were assigned a HC cabin once, they definitly are bigger, we didn't need one but apparently no one else did as we had booked a guarantee.

[tomc]

I have two disabilities, the lesser of which is a mobility problem that is not readily visible. On my last cruise, I requested a HP cabin as it had been a bad year and I did not need to be dealing with a step-over bathtub. HAL accomodated me without requiring proof; on the second part of the b2b, I had to be moved, which was fine with me, as I assume someone in worse shape required the room.

 

If I thought for a minute that it was some upgrade-grabber or able-bodied person who caused me discomfort because he found a quick and easy way to get a nice cabin, I would have been at the front desk as fast as I could have walked there.

 

I, personally, don't give a rat's @ what anyone's excuse is. I'm always in pain and you're not. If the cabin's open and you can book it, no problem; it's big and that extra space is nice. But if you cause problems for another person, maybe you might want to change places in your lives...

[etoile]

If someone needs a handicapped cabin, I am hoping the cruise line would move this guest to another cabin and give the handicapped cabin to the person in need.

Unfortunately many cruise lines do not do this. There has been discussion on the Disabled Cruisers' board about this, and because many lines don't ask if you need the room or not, they also don't know if you're willing to move...so they don't ask you to move when a disabled person needs the room. It's very rare that they would ask someone to move. :(

[etoile]

I'm always in pain and you're not.

YES! I am an interpreter for the deaf, and I have heard hearing people complaining because "the deaf people always get the best seats at shows." Well you know what folks? They also have a lot of trouble in their lives with people who can't communicate with them, etc. I would say they deserve the better seating based on how tough life can be otherwise.

 

Same goes for the person who complains about mobility-disabled people getting better parking. Y'know what? Life can be awful sometimes if you're disabled, so the perks are really only fair compensation. :p

[dam1050]

I'm sorry, but this "friend" of yours totally disgusts me - I can't believe anyone would stoop so low. Personally, I would not even want to associate with such a selfish boor.

 

There are a very limited amount of accessible cabins for people who truly have disabilities! Having been a caregiver to people who require the assistance, it just galls me when people who are not disabled consider they are more important than ones who are. I'll just bet your friend is also the type of arse who also has a handicap permit for his RV when he leaves the trailer park to go to the mall to park in the disabled parking zone.

 

Shame on him! :mad:

 

Dave

[Sayyadina]

I'm sorry, but this "friend" of yours totally disgusts me - I can't believe anyone would stoop so low. Personally, I would not even want to associate with such a selfish boor.

 

There are a very limited amount of accessible cabins for people who truly have disabilities! Having been a caregiver to people who require the assistance, it just galls me when people who are not disabled consider they are more important than ones who are. I'll just bet your friend is also the type of arse who also has a handicap permit for his RV when he leaves the trailer park to go to the mall to park in the disabled parking zone.

 

Shame on him! :mad:

 

Dave

 

 

Amen.

[Oceanwench]

Unfortunately due to a serious auto accident 4 yrs ago, I have to do most of my travel from a wheelchair (50' or less can be handled by canes). In the 2 years or so I have been on these boards this practice of booking a "non-needed" HC room has always raised my blood pressure. I have heard all the "reasons" from posters. The HC cabins are bigger for the same money ... the HC cabins have larger bathrooms and big showers ... the balconies are bigger ... and now .... I get free upgrades! My wife and I cruise because a land-based vacation to the sunny climes of palm trees and white sand are just not practical for me. Ever tried pushing a wheelchair across a beach? I remember our first attempt at booking a cruise. Sitting with a TA picking various intineraries that would appeal to us only to find that all the HC cabins had been sold out. As previous posters have mentioned there are only a dozen or so of these cabins available for "wheelies". That's not many over 2000 pax! The cruiselines do not record who "REQUIRES" an HC versus somebody "who would move if asked", so there's no way the for the local TA to confirm who really needs from someone who just would like. So we now book at least a year in advance ( no such thing as a last-minute deal in our house!). We already pay a premium for our travel, in time, inconvenience and sometimes in $$$. Consider the need of accessable transport to/from the airport, to/from the pier, strapping the wheelchair in the floor locks on a bus, extra staff at both ends to help with the chair and luggage. You can't take that shore excursion cause it's not accessable. That cute little restaurant at the summit on that island is no good for you cause you can't get there without climbing up 50 steps. A stroll thru the old part of the town is off-limits because there are no curb-cuts for the chair. Listen, I'm don't want anybody saying "poor guy" to me, this is the hand I've been dealt and I live with it everyday and we manage well enough, but when somebody goes out of their way to make my life just a little more difficult I get .... politely ... miffed. This is the same guy who parks in a HC parking space because ..."it's raining"..."I'm only going to be a minute"..."Nobody was using the spot". I've heard them all.

 

Wow ... I could post almost the exact thing!!!

I am so glad you wrote this.

 

First of all, I am appalled that the OP would even think to start this thread.

However, turning a negative into a positive, some of us can use this as an opportunity to educate our fellow cruisers.

 

Oh -- and btw -- a thank you to those here who stated their oppostition to the practice of able-bodied pax trying to book HC cabins. I particularly enjoyed the mentions of karma!!!

 

DH is HC and relies on a power wheelchair to get around. Cruising has become an ideal vacation for us since he has lost the ability to walk.

We are fortunate to live a short drive to the port, making cruising that much easier for us.

 

When we book HAL cruises were are asked to fill out a form and fax it to Seattle telling the staff there what DH's needs are -- dietary, meds, etc.

He does not have to provide proof of a disability, however he would be happy to comply with such a request.

 

We tend to book our cruises a year in advance, as the handful of HC cabins go quickly. We've sailed on 3 different Vista ships. We've had VA and SS cabins. I wouldn't say the balcony of the VA was any bigger than a standard VA balcony. The SS was larger only due to the location of the cabin and the configuration of the ship.

 

HAL staff and hotel managers we've spoken with insist that they do not allow AB pax to book HC cabins. I have been told by two hotel managers that there is no "list" or "red flag" to let reservations people know that an AB person is in an HC cabin ... once an HC cabin is booked, it's out of the inventory.

 

I was told that HC cabins are released to the general public close to the sailing date, and HC cabins are also given to pax who have booked guarantees. In fact, one hotel manager told me that some guarantee pax do not want the HC cabins if they are assigned to them, because many do not have bath tubs!

 

For those who just can't stand the thought of a HAL ship going out to sea with scads of empty HC cabins -- thus justifying to yourselves the idea of AB pax booking them -- look at the numbers.

I don't have them handy, but I know on a Vista ship there are about 900 cabins ... and 26 HC cabins.

 

Do the math. You're not sending a half-empty ship out to sea if the HC cabins are not all occupied.

 

Last year DH and I tried to book a cruise on a certain week. We were told the HC cabins were all booked, so we chose a different week.

I just so happened to read the roll call for the cruisers going the week we originally wanted. One person bragged how she had booked an HC cabin but didn't need it -- and she even gave her cabin number.

 

DH called HAL and asked if that room was available. HAL rep said it was booked. He asked if it was booked by an able-bodied passenger. HAL rep said "of course not!"

Well, it was booked by an AB passenger, who claimed on the roll call that she would gladly move if an HC passenger needed the room.

Guess that wasn't about to happen. It was out of the inventory -- end of story.

 

If some of these selfish people spent a day in a wheelchair it would open their eyes. None of us thinks it will ever happen to us. DH was relatively

healthy and able to walk only seven years ago.

[Oceanwench]

I'm sorry, but this "friend" of yours totally disgusts me - I can't believe anyone would stoop so low. Personally, I would not even want to associate with such a selfish boor.

 

There are a very limited amount of accessible cabins for people who truly have disabilities! Having been a caregiver to people who require the assistance, it just galls me when people who are not disabled consider they are more important than ones who are. I'll just bet your friend is also the type of arse who also has a handicap permit for his RV when he leaves the trailer park to go to the mall to park in the disabled parking zone.

 

Shame on him! :mad:

 

Dave

 

 

Very well said.

That person the OP spoke about is selfish and unethical.

I would never call someone like that a friend.

[airlink diva]

I came back to check this thread and wasn't expecting so many replys. I called my friend at work and told him to log on to the cruisecritc website and to HAL section to read about this tatics. I warned him that many felt that his underhanded way of getting an upgrade was distasteful,esp to those that know people that need the rooms while sailing.

I read where someone questioned why did I start this thread. One reason is that this website is a forum for cruisers to find out infomation and to give advice and suggestions. Everything about cruising and the people who cruise is not glowing, positive items. We must view the bad and the good with equal concern. As I stated before (and I did the same with my friend) I book the type of cabin that I can afford. I don't expect upgrades, but if it happens, I'm glad. I hope that after reading the posting that he will view this tactic as wrong.

[ronvoell]

I am in a wheelchair from childhood polio. My wife (who is able) and I have about 350 travel days with HAL. Every time I have booked with HAL in the last 10 years they have sent me a form to fill out and return. The form asks questions about my physical condition, my wheelchair needs and the person who will be traveling with me. On occasion the form required an attached letter from my doctor. I have the impression that a medical office evaluates the response. I suppose someone could lie on the form to get one of the HC cabins but my experience is that HAL does not just hand these cabins out.

[daju22]

airlink diva,

 

As to your recent reply to all the postings:

 

"I hope that after reading the posting that he will view this tactic as wrong."

 

If he does not stop booking HC cabins, you should not count him as your friend.

 

As one poster said "what goes around etc." and as I say "you may just get what you wish for".

 

Able bodied people should not book the few handicapped cabins available on a ship. They are depriving others of a vacation. How selfish and disrespectful these cabin poachers are!:mad:

[csg99]

this type of behavior reminds me of the people who rent wheelchairs at WDW just so that they can get seating in the front. On one of our visits there, my kids noticed the same family several times, but each time a different family member was in the wheelchair, and the previous "passengers" were pushing it. They were escorted to the front of every ride and show. Karma is a powerful thing. I am so grateful that we were herded around with everyone else--it meant that no one in my family had the challenges that HC people constantly face.

 

Another example of "it's all about me"....

[Robin7]

this type of behavior reminds me of the people who rent wheelchairs at WDW just so that they can get seating in the front.

 

OFF TOPIC OF CRUISING: Not to hijack this thread, but I have to tell you a story. We were at Walt Disney World in December. My mother had had knee surgery a month prior and all of the walking was making her knee swell so we rented her a wheelchair. We were watching a parade and she was standing in order to see so my 10-year-old son, who was in a snit because he wanted to RIDE, not watch--sat down to pout in her chair. A fellow in the front noticed him sitting there with a glum look on his face and made room for the wheelchair and came up and asked me if it was alright for him to push my son up there. My son was sooooooooo embarrassed he jumped out of the chair and ran down to where his grandmother was standing. The poor guy was so astonished, he nearly fell down! I explained what was going on.

 

it meant that no one in my family had the challenges that HC people constantly face.

 

He told me he had a sister with Cerebral Palsy who was in a wheelchair, and that kind of thing (being stuck where she couldn't see) happened to her all of the time, so he made a vow to correct the problem for others whenever he saw it happening. What a great guy!

 

Robin

[etoile]

I hate to prolong the off-topic-ness, but WDW lets wheelchair guests sit in the front? How very different from most movie theaters, where wheelchairs are relegated to the very back!

[Host Walt]

One of the few times I've ever booked a Guaranty ROS (it was the latest I have ever booked a cruise, and the only way to get aboard) I discovered, when I got to the pier, that I was booked into a handicap cabin ... G704, way forward on A Deck of the Maasdam. Those are HUGE cabins, and Lord knows I didn't need one, so I told them at check-in that it was a handicapped cabin and I didn't need one. There was some discussion, supervisors were contacted, and I was asked to move over into a waiting area and they would see what they could do. After a bit of conversing between shore staff and ship's staff I was informed that there was someone who needed the cabin that had been assigned to a regular outside F cabin, and would that be ok? I said "absolutely" and the swap was made. In the end I was MUCH happier ... while the cabin was smaller, the location of the F was aft, across from the aft elevators ... and if I'm not going to be amidships I much prefer to be aft than forward.

 

#1. Greg, that was a truly good thing you did.

#2. I'm sorry to see how poorly HAL handled the situation. While all turned out well in your situation, it was because of your thoughtfulness, not because HAL had any apparent concern for the handicapped pax.

 

While I can easily agree that unbooked accessible cabins should be assigned to able bodied travelers at the last minute rather than go empty (which means a HC passenger should book at least a month or so before sailing), HAL definitely should block all acessible cabins from booking by anyone other than by HAL.

 

As the population continues to age, more and more demand for accessible cabins will develop and, unless HAL gets with the program, they'll lose the very passengers they really want; the well-off older passenger.

 

Just my opinion.

[kryos]

[quote name='iceman93']*ducks and covers* There's going to be a backlash! :D

Seriously, each ship only has a very limited number of handicap-accessible rooms. My personal ethics would prevent me from "stealing" one from a passenger who actually needs it, simply in order to boost chances for an upgrade.
[/QUOTE]
But that's just the point. He's not "stealing" it. He probably tells them he's not handicapped when he books, and would be willing to give it up if a handicapped passenger needs it. And, that's precisely how he gets his upgrade.

I think it's a great idea myself. But, I can't understand how this strategy would ALWAYS result in an upgrade, even if the room were needed by another handicapped passenger. If he was booked in a handicapped inside cabin, wouldn't they just move him to a regular inside cabin? Where would the upgrade necessarily come in at?

It would seem to me that this strategy COULD result in an upgrade ... maybe would give one a BETTER chance at an upgrade ... but wouldn't hardly GUARANTEE an upgrade.

Or ... am I missing something?

Blue skies ...

--rita

[Tricia724]

my two cents....I don't think an able-bodied person should [B]EVER[/B] under any circumstances book a handicap cabin. If you book a guarantee and get a HC cabin assigned....that's a whole different ballgame....the cruiseline has obviously held it available until close to sailing. Look...it's easy to say I'll book a HC cabin and if anyone needs it, I'll gladly give it up. We all know how that information frequently gets lost in the shuffle....numerous people have reported being unable to obtain a HC cabin. Wouldn't you feel like a jerk if you knew that someone who really needed a HC cabin couldn't cruise because you were in one of the few cabins they could use?

I spent a couple years carrying a wheelchair around in my trunk for an elderly relative. He also had a HC parking placard....I never used it. I put him in the wheelchair, wheeled him into the medical facility, and then went out and moved my car into the back of the lot. He was physically limited....I wasn't. There are more people than you think who have limitations. I'm sure there are many people who could use a handicap cabin who don't request one because they are leaving them for others who need them more. If you are in decent health, give thanks....and CHOOSE ANOTHER CABIN!

[Robin7]

[quote name='kryos']
Or ... am I missing something?
[/quote]

I must be missing something, too. I was wondering if the beds in accessible staterooms make into one bed like a standard stateroom? So if you do book an accessible cabin while not needing it and don't get your 'upgrade', are you stuck with two beds the entire trip?

Robin

[iceman93]

It's not that you're missing something, rita, but making a different assumption than I am. The OP stated that her friend books online where he can find the handicapped staterooms and choose one. He is not calling a TA or HAL and saying, "I'm not handicapped, but I'd like to book a handicapped cabin. Please make a note that I'll be more than willing to give it up if someone who needs those amenities wants to book."

Additionally, as others have pointed out, I don't think the HAL system is even capable of tracking such an odd circumstance. And it's certainly not like when a handicapped passenger wants to book a cruise with all the handicapped cabins booked that HAL could call everyone and ask, "Now, are you REALLY handicapped?"

So to come back to your logic, he could just as easily (in fact, even MORE easily) book a guaranteed cabin in whatever category with a note in his record that he's open to an upgrade. To my way of thinking, he'd be even more likely to get bumped up a category or two doing that. After all, once his reservation is made in a handicapped cabin, HAL has to assume that he NEEDS a handicapped cabin which drastically limits the upgraded cabins he can be bumped into.

[Sunshine91]

[quote name='Oceanwench']First of all, I am appalled that the OP would even think to start this thread.


Last year DH and I tried to book a cruise on a certain week. We were told the HC cabins were all booked, so we chose a different week.
I just so happened to read the roll call for the cruisers going the week we originally wanted. One person bragged how she had booked an HC cabin but didn't need it -- and she even gave her cabin number.

DH called HAL and asked if that room was available. HAL rep said it was booked. He asked if it was booked by an able-bodied passenger. HAL rep said "of course not!"
Well, it was booked by an AB passenger, who claimed on the roll call that she would gladly move if an HC passenger needed the room.
Guess that wasn't about to happen. It was out of the inventory -- end of story.[/quote]


[FONT=Book Antiqua][SIZE=3]Why get your knickers in a twist over the OP starting this thread? SHE's not the one booking the HC cabin when she doesn't need it. Her FRIEND is. The thread has sparked an interesting, informative discussion. Seems to me that it's hit or miss to whether or not HAL requests documentation supporting the need for the HC cabin. It would be nice if it were standardized, but I guess that's the limitations of multiple ways to book.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Book Antiqua][SIZE=3]I don't think HAL's going to give out personal and/or medical information about ANY passenger, nor would I want them to. It's called privacy. Perhaps the HAL rep just gave a standard response to your inquiry.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Book Antiqua][SIZE=3]To those urging the OP to stop calling this man her friend - can you honestly say that in your own circle there isn't a single ethically-challenged individual? Do you drop that person for an indiscretion? Are we all so perfect and judgemental?[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Book Antiqua][SIZE=3]I don't agree with his actions & would never do it. I'd certainly encourage him not to book that cabin. But that doesn't mean he wouldn't be my [I]friend[/I].[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Book Antiqua][SIZE=3]Whew, down soapbox.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[refman]

wow, how much of a complete LOSER must you be then to book a cabin built specifically for those that are physically challenged knowing you`ll get a comped upgrade when a challenged cruiser wants to book their cruise. how sneaky cheap can you be, well you know the old addage,"what goes around comes around.

[cruzingqueen]

[quote name='missygirl'][SIZE=3]I think that this practice is terrible, shame on him. Does the cruiseline have any policy that you have to show that you need a handicap room ( a parking tag, ect.)? I know that anyone with access to a parking tag could just borrow one but its sad that this guy would do this and deprive a hadicap guest of a room.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]Missygirl:) [/SIZE][/quote]

We booked a "guarantee" and ended up with a handicap room. Tried forever to get another room assignment and had no luck. The configuration of the room was horrible, but the worst part was these silly alarms that were mounted on the headboards. You could not prop up in the bed and read or watch tv. Everytime you leaned against that alarm, the front desk was calling to see if there was an emergency. The room was on a corner on the promenade deck and the doors slammed constantly as people were going in and out. They said they try to put hearing impaired in this room as they knew the doors were a problem (there was no delay on the door). It slammed from 5 or 6AM every AM until after midnight!

[Umbarger]

I cant decide if this thread should have been started or not.:rolleyes:

On one hand I wouldnt want to give anyone ideas.........they might
think.......I'll try that to get an upgrade too. :mad:

On the other hand if this thread educates just one person as to the plights of the handicapped trying to cruise, it is worth it. :D

Linda

[kryos]

[quote name='cruzingqueen']We booked a "guarantee" and ended up with a handicap room. Tried forever to get another room assignment and had no luck. The configuration of the room was horrible, but the worst part was these silly alarms that were mounted on the headboards. You could not prop up in the bed and read or watch tv. Everytime you leaned against that alarm, the front desk was calling to see if there was an emergency. The room was on a corner on the promenade deck and the doors slammed constantly as people were going in and out. They said they try to put hearing impaired in this room as they knew the doors were a problem (there was no delay on the door). It slammed from 5 or 6AM every AM until after midnight![/QUOTE]
LOL ... I had a similar situation on the Zuiderdam. I booked an inside guarantee on that cruise and somehow wound up in a handicapped cabin. First of all, I don't think the room was all that much bigger. The bathroom was larger, but then the vanity had almost no storage space at all on it. Also, the toilet was higher, and by the end of the week, my back was killing me. I'm short.

Personally, I think I would have been much happier in a regular stateroom. Maybe my experience was unique, but I don't think this particular cabin was anything special at all.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[michmike]

On a somewhat related note, was just reading in the Sunday paper a few weeks back that many hotel chains are switching to walk-in showers in lieu of tubs in new construction, at least in rooms with only a single king or queen bed. They still plan to put tubs in rooms w/ 2 beds as those are more likely to be used by families.

I've told DW for years that I couldn't understand why more hotels didn't do this as I much prefer the room and ease of entry that a walk-in shower provides.

The article indicated that part of the thought behind the change was that baby boomers will be traveling more as they retire and many of them are facing mobility issues that may not be as severe as someone in a wheelchair, but an issue nonetheless.

Might not hurt the cruiselines to follow suit. That simple change might accommodate a number of folks who struggle with getting over the edge of the tub but don't need the other things that an accessible room provides.