12 replies to this topic

[Bill Forrester]

I recently reviewed Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas while it was in Melbourne for the summer season. It will be sailing Alaska's Inside Passage this Northern Hemisphere's Summer.
The Rhapsody of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean's four star Vision class cruise ships. Its maiden voyage was in 1997 and has a passenger capacity of 2400. The ship has 14 wheelchair accessible cabins across almost all cabin classes. All areas of the ship, with the exception of the small Viking Crown Lounge are accessible. Some nice features of the ship are the lift into the main pool, self opening doors and gentle ramps over the weather sills on most exits to the outdoor deck areas, accessible toilet facilities in all public areas and a very accessible "all around" deck on level 10. Take our accessibility photo tour.

Ship Features

Rock-climbing wall
Outdoor pool
Six whirlpools
Indoor/outdoor pool in a Solarium with a sliding roof
Stunning Centrum, an open atrium featuring shopping and more
Themed bars and lounges
Beautiful, airy dining rooms
Adventure Ocean® youth facilities
Casino RoyaleSM
Day Spa and Fitness Centre

Ship Facts

Maiden Voyage: May 19, 1997
Passenger Capacity: 2,435
Godmother: Bodil Wilhelmsen
Gross Tonnage: 78,491
Length: 915'
Beam: 105.6'
Draft: 25'
Cruising Speed: 22 knots
Accessible Cabins - 14 see the cabin classes, locations and deck plans

[Ches]

Ive used this ship pre injury twice, was very pleased both times.. And am using it again in September to head to Alaska.. first post sci cruise.. I cant wait!!

[fredspike]

How about off ship excursions at the ports of call any that you would recommend/are many accessible?

I am looking to go to Alaska on a cruise this summer.

Edited by fredspike, 17 April 2010 - 05:30 PM.

[Ches]

I guess NO ONE has done any Alaskan excursions before!?!?!??!

[dee342]

We have booked a cruise to Alaska with Celebrity cruises next May for our honeymoon. When I called them up they said that they on average have 5 accessible excursions per stop. Might be best to contact them and see what they say.

I'd be definitely interested in on hearing how you get on when you go.

Hope this helps x

[Ches]

I did some fishing around today.. I want to do the flightseeing in Juneau, looks like I can so long as Im able to get over into a airplane seat,, easy enough!

One excursion down.. few more to go.. takes forever to plan this stuff and call around.

I will def fill you peeps in when I get back..

[Bill Forrester]

 Ches, on 19 July 2010 - 04:17 AM, said:

I did some fishing around today.. I want to do the flightseeing in Juneau, looks like I can so long as Im able to get over into a airplane seat,, easy enough!

One excursion down.. few more to go.. takes forever to plan this stuff and call around.

I will def fill you peeps in when I get back..

I am just back from the Alaskan Cruise and here are some quick suggestions. Once I sort though my photos I will post some details:
The flight seeing at Juneau is ok but as you rightly say you have to get into the aircraft seat. The helicopter flights, while expensive are also available and they do have a lift available to transfer you into the helicoter. The Glacier Dog Sledding will also accommodate you by bring the sled right over to the helicopter sled but requires manual lifting from the chopper into the sled. The whale watching is also accessible without any lifting and there is an accessible washroom on the boat. While on Juneau the town is flat and access is level to almost all of the shops. Depending on the dock it can be up to a half hour walk into the town but accessible transport is available. If you have some time in the town the tramway gives a great view and is accessible.

Skagway.
Skagway is the historical old town that was the entry point for the Klondike Goldrush. The town has boarded sidewalks and is an easy distance from the docks. All of the sidewalks are ramped and all shops have easy access most with double width doors. The White Pass Railway, the 3 1/2 round trip, not any of the other long excursions is a must do. The train leaves from beside the wharf of each liner in port and the train has a number of accessible carriages complete with wheelchair lifts. Accessible sightseeing and shuttle buses operate throughout the town.

Ketchikan
Ketchikan is a town where really no shore excursion is necessary as you can easily spend the day wandering around it. Creek Street is a must see and again is fully accessible and no more than 15 minutes from the dock. There is a tramway that takes you to an upper lookout with a wheelchair ramp to the left of the stairs. Entry into the tram is level. The main town is level as is entry into the shops. On the wharf side of the main road there is ramped access everywhere. The First Nations museum is worth a visit and again is fully accessible. The visit to the Totem Pole park in my view is not worth the effort as it is a long walk.
The one excellent shore excursion is the float plane trip to the Misty Fjords. The Float plane dock is fully accessible but there is some lifting required to get into the aircraft.

[Bill Forrester]

Ches,
As promised some photo galleries as a picture tells at least 1000 words

Ketchikan
Misty Fjords
Mendenhall Glacier by Air
Skagway
White Pass Railway from Skagway

Having now done this cruise 3 times if you have any questions email me here or on facebook

Regards,

Bill.

[Ches]

Thanks, I appreciate it!! Going to look right now!

[tmcph]

i went to AK in May on Rhapsody Of The Seas, the boat is really wheelchair friendly & the crew was fantastic & helpful. on the ship there is an entertainer named Derek in the schooner bar that does kamikaze karaoke & adult day care @ night, it is great entertainment; if he tells a story about the lady in pink & the freight train, that story is about me.

my excursions:

Juneau:
Mt. Roberts Tram (squeezed this in before my whale watching trip); it was worth it, almost missed my whale watching bus though because i was waiting for the 1 town bus that had a ramp.
Whale Watching & Medenhall Glacier; went with the Allen Marine company (Juneau Tours), the had big boats that i was able to get my power chair on to. took a little help & a couple 2x4's but wasn't a big issue. Medenhall was cool, great paved trails & they're working on an accessible path out to the glacier but it wasn't done so i just used the normal path, couple spots where my dad & brother had to help up a steep hill & in some soft dirt, but we made it out to the huge waterfall & back (it was worth it).

Skagway:
Did the railway up the pass & back, it was really cool & then the train dropped us off in town where i explored until the departure time.

Victoria:
i wheeled into city & just explored without any excursions, at the Parliament their normal ramp/elevator was getting worked on so a guard actually took us down below & around where most don't get to see, it was so cool & just lucky that we got to.

Seattle:
Pike Place Market & Space Needle; both were a lot of fun

the trip was so nice & a trip like no other

Edited by tmcph, 01 August 2010 - 05:43 PM.

[Bill Forrester]

Some of the Rhapsody of the Seas itineraries spend the last day in Victoria British Columbia. Apart from the magical inner harbour there is also the Butchart Gardens which are a must see destination whether it done as part of a shore excursion or privately. It is extremely accessible and worth the one and a half or two hours required to see it properly. I have just finished writing it up. Here is the link

[Ches]

My Summarized Summary,..

I've been on two Caribbean cruises on rhapsody and this one Alaskan, the Alaskan cruise is 98% senior citizens, be prepared. haha.
We spent 3 nights in Seattle beforehand and I fell in love. Seattle is super accessible for an older big city, only exception is the massive hill down to Pike Street-you WILL need help or a cab. Luckily I had my two brothers and a sister who loves to push me up big hills to work out her ass!
The ship itself was accessible, aside from the suite balconies. They have a 5inch sill and with limited space to get your speed/momentum going it was impossible for me.. (probably super easy for guys-with their man strength) I got around everywhere else just fine but I did have one retarded moment when exiting to the pool deck my caster got caught sideways in the threshold and being that its a slight ramp both ways I didnt have the option to 'pop' out of it, i tried rockin back and forth (drunk n brave) but I was totally wedged and stuck so I waited for someone to come along and made them just stand behind me as I did an intentional overkill on a wheelie n got out of it. I did that about 3 times on the trip (I never learn)
My one complaint, at the port of calls the ramps were occassionally (due to tide) to steep to do alone so the staff would offer to help but they are completely opposite in their approach.. for a steeeeeep decline they wanted me to go forward and then backwards back up there.. uhm,.. no and duh?!
Hop in a cab to reach Juneau city center, dont waste your energy getting there. We had an excursion planned to do some flightseeing, the staff was awesome n delt with crips all day long, everything went smoothly getting in, but unfortunately the weather was horrible that day and the plane was instructed to turn around long before we reached the glaciers
Skagway is super accessible n close, no transportation needed. I didnt get on the train although everyone recommended it, instead me n bro headed to bar to drink the local brews (a must!)
And lastly Victoria.. I couldnt believe how accessible the city was, its so old, with no current modifications, its like a wc users dream!
And thats bout it.

Edited by Ches, 15 September 2010 - 07:46 PM.

[edlee]

Guys,, you have forced me to put that on my soon to do list. Thanks
ed