carson cruiser Posted June 18, 2006 #1 Share Posted June 18, 2006 Hi, We are booked for our first carnival cruise and first cruise out of Galveston. Since we are not past carnival guests we are not eligible for "privileged" boarding. I am wondering if they have boarding lines (like the airlines) for handicapped passengers. We are traveling with my parents (75 and 80 years) and I have had recent knee surgery. Does anyone know if there is a line for handicapped people? :confused: :confused: Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisevers Posted June 18, 2006 #2 Share Posted June 18, 2006 I have seen them assisting people on board in Galveston. I would let my TA or PVP know ahead of time and let them put notes in your reservation. They should be able to arrange wheel chairs/help for you. Have fun on your cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carson cruiser Posted June 19, 2006 Author #3 Share Posted June 19, 2006 Thank you for your advice. I will talk to the PVP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILuvCarnival Posted June 19, 2006 #4 Share Posted June 19, 2006 All ports have handicapped access to the ship and will assist you if needed, however, I have not seen them give any "front of line" or "Faster boarding" privlidges. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exgeordie Posted June 19, 2006 #5 Share Posted June 19, 2006 I called Carnival and was told to request "handicap" assistance at port. Leaving in 2 weeks so hope that the information from the cruise line is correct.:):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
virginiab Posted June 19, 2006 #6 Share Posted June 19, 2006 When we were waiting in line outside the port building in Ft Lauderdale last November, we saw employess going down the line and identifying people in wheelchairs or with walkers or crutches and escorting them into the terminal ahead of the line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seguincruiser Posted June 19, 2006 #7 Share Posted June 19, 2006 I am traveling with two older ladies not in very good shape. Both have handicap plates but don't normally use wheelchairs or canes. They have a hard time walking far distances or standing for long periods of time. Are there chairs these ladies can wait in till we're called to board? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsrobb Posted June 19, 2006 #8 Share Posted June 19, 2006 I called Carnival and was told to request "handicap" assistance at port. Leaving in 2 weeks so hope that the information from the cruise line is correct.:):) I called Carnival a couple of times and they told me the same thing. let the Carnival rep know of your situation and they will take care of you. I have a backj problem and can not stand in lines very long. We will see what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gfsmith Posted June 19, 2006 #9 Share Posted June 19, 2006 My Dh is handicap and wears a leg brace. We are always escorted to a seperate place to wait and are always among the first to board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazy4bears Posted June 19, 2006 #10 Share Posted June 19, 2006 We have cruised Carnival twice. Both times I notified Carnival ahead of time and we received priority boarding. Just call special guest services and also let a Carnival employee know about your limitations when you arrive at the port. They will take good care of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWolver672 Posted June 19, 2006 #11 Share Posted June 19, 2006 My sister-in-law and her family cruised with us on the Conquest out of New Orleans. She had just ankle surgery and was in a wheelchair. We told our TA and she made arrangements through Carnival for special boarding. When we got to the port, they told us that she could pick one person to go with her from our group. They boarded them right after the wedding parties boarded. Then they started the regular boarding. Out of the four cruises we have been on, New Orleans was the only terminal that had chairs to sit in while waiting to board. Miami and Port Canaveral do not have them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kytten_kat Posted June 19, 2006 #12 Share Posted June 19, 2006 ... Out of the four cruises we have been on, New Orleans was the only terminal that had chairs to sit in while waiting to board. Miami and Port Canaveral do not have them. I have only cruised out of Miami and Port Canaveral and while intially there are no chairs available to sit in prior to checking in, if you are early enough there are chairs available to use after you have checked in and have passed security until it is time to board ... At Port Canaveral the chairs were in long lines and in Miami there were 3 or 4 "U" shaped lines of chairs ... granted, getting one of these chairs is depended on the time you arrive at the port and such ... Candy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carson cruiser Posted June 19, 2006 Author #13 Share Posted June 19, 2006 Thank you all for your comments. Everyone here is so friendly and helpful. We are looking forward to our Carnival cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vesw01 Posted June 19, 2006 #14 Share Posted June 19, 2006 I traveled with my 84 yr old Grandmother, 11 year old son and 2 yr old daughter from NY on the Victorya. When they saw us in line with a walker and a stroller, they came right over and told us to follow them - no questions asked. They brought us right to the security, through security and then right to the front of check-in. We were on board in minutes! I can never say enough about them at the port.....now on the ship with the handicap wasn't as pleasant when it came to disembarking at each port. It was a cattle call with people all squeezed together - some people with crutches got trampled - they should make a special time for those with disabilities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrylou Posted June 19, 2006 #15 Share Posted June 19, 2006 I have been handicapped for several years now, and each time we have sailed on Carnival, I received special boarding assistance. Also, in case you don't know, contact the customer service special assistance at Carnival for any special needs you require for your room. On our next cruise, January 2007, I am getting a shower chair, lift seat for the commode, and hand held shower. Don't be afraid to ask for what you require. Have a great cruise.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWolver672 Posted June 20, 2006 #16 Share Posted June 20, 2006 .....now on the ship with the handicap wasn't as pleasant when it came to disembarking at each port. It was a cattle call with people all squeezed together - some people with crutches got trampled - they should make a special time for those with disabilities. I can't agree with you more. I was amazed at how the fellow passengers would squeeze in ahead of us with the wheelchair at the elevators. The crew went out of their way to help us get her on and off the ship but catching an elevator was another story. It's hard to believe that people can be so rude to the handicapped. After ten minutes of this, we finally had to just plain block the elevator doors with all of us until we got her on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bthorn1108 Posted June 20, 2006 #17 Share Posted June 20, 2006 We have sailed Carnival with my elderly, disabled, mother in the past. They provided a wheelchair for embarkation and disembarkation and took her to a special line to clear security and check-in. For our cruise in Sept., my husband and I are Platinum, so we will have priority embarkation. We intend to just take my mother, and her traveling companion (who is also disabled), with us to the VIP line. She is already booked in a handicapped cabin (she will be 6 weeks post-op from a total knee replacement), so I don't think they will give us any problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honeybear Posted June 20, 2006 #18 Share Posted June 20, 2006 Two yr ago, my DD and I got on our Ship in Tampa, not only did they help (I'm handicapped and cannot walk long distances due to cancer and a hip replacement) they actually met us at the taxi with a wheelchair. The line just divided and we were wheeled through, on to our room. Our embarking from taxi to room was 15 minutes tops. Last year, my DD and I got on our Ship in New Orleans, they were extremely helpful but not until my DD requested a wheelchair. After a short wait (30 minutes) she was allowed to push the wheelchair until someone saw her and helped out. This year, I'm going alone from Jacksonville ... oh me, I'm sort of concerned. :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrdood Posted June 20, 2006 #19 Share Posted June 20, 2006 I have an attitude problem and don't like standing in lines for long periods of time, do they have a special line for me:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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