5 replies to this topic

[Motor]

Hey guys in a few weeks I am going on my first cruise ever. My wife and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary in April so on the ship we are renewing our vows. With that said does anyone have info or advice. I'm a T-6 incomplete para who can transfer with ease to most anything and use a Quickie Ti manual wheelchair. I get in and out of a pool on my own and swim ok! We are sailing on Royal Carrebiean Cruise Line! (spelled wrong) on May 22nd. I live in S Florida so we are leaving from Ft Laurderdale and going to Key West and then Cozumel Mexico. They only offer a few excursions that are good for the handicapped. So does anyone have any knowledge of other excursions in Cozumel. Such as beaches with beach wheelchairs etc. Any info will be appreciated.

Thanks

Richie aka Motor

[Jsec64]

Hi Motor

I did similar Cruise with Royal Carribean from Miami to Belize Cozumel etc a couple of years ago and had our vows renewed on board as well. It was my first Cruise and I enjoyed it although we had some mishaps along the way. I was very nervous about long flight and Ship environment. Overall I loved the experience and would do it again. Heres some points we came across.
Flight from London - Miami and transfer to hotel was excellent. Transfer from Hotel to Ship we were forgotton about and sent 2 vehicles we couldn't use. 3rd attempt got it right but driver damaged wheels by forcing them into vehicle fixings. We had confirmed in writing and phoned the previous day also to confirm our requirements.
Ship was great - Voyager of the Seas. Be aware the isles to cabins are small and sometimes blocked with linen carts and thus makes it problematic at times to have an easy run to cabin. That said, nothing to worry about.
Be aware lifts are constantly being used when you want or need to access different floors by able bodied kids who can't be bothered to walk one flight of stairs. This is particularly an issue when dining and trying to get to tendering assembly points. Tendering I believe has changed in US in that staff wont lift you and chair together - maybe wrong but sure you will find way not to miss out.
My advice to you is dont necesssarily pay RCL prices for trips. Each port has locals there who we found to be excellent in trying to ensure great experiences with little discomfort. Best example we found was that RCL wouldnt take me on swiming with Sea Rays. We tendered to port and found local company who would for half the price-with food & drink also. Not saying dont use RCL but worth looking at local options if they are available.
We hired buggy in Cozumel and ventured all over - Excellent!!
I'm sure you'll have an absolutely fab time fella but you might come back 2 stone heavier from all the food and drink. Just make sure your needs have been put in writing re transfers to ship etc and you double check that vehicles arranged for pick ups can take wheelchair passengers. Best of Luck & let us know how you get on!!!

[Mike (c4-5) & Lorena]

Cursing! How lucky you are. We took a Carnival cruise in Aug 2000 and it was fantastic. The food, the shows, the ports of call and you can always find a place to be alone. We see the commercials and can‘t wait to go again.

We have heard that the Royal Caribbean ships are the best. Roll-in showers and just better accessibility all around. On our cruise we had a port where Mike needed to be carried down stairs in his e-wc to get on a small boat to go to shore. Very scary as Mike saw himself becoming anchor boy or fish bate.

I have heard that RC has many adventures on land for there disabled passengers. Sure you pay more for tours through RC but you avoid any issues. A couple on the next table went off on a “non” RC approved tour and were left stranded and penny less in Jamaica. Your first go around, I would stick to the basics and stay on approved tours.

We learned a lesson in buying on shore. In the Grand Caiman Islands and other ports of call, the ships provide a recommended list of stores to buy from. If any issues arise, the cruise company will be happy to investigate should you have a complaint. We bought some really nice gold and silver angles which the owner wrapped up very sturdily for safety getting them home. He wrapped them right in front of us. When we got onboard, and had already sailed away, we wanted to look at them. Guess what, you got it, we opened the strange feeling box to find a rock. We never noticed as Mike was the pack-mule and he carried the “Angles” on his chair. We had no recourse other then filing a complaint for others to see in the future. Guess what, the guy was on the list already. Damn!

From the airport to the ship the cruise companies have big busses that they will put you in. Everything on Carnival was pretty much assessable except when the laundry carts were left in the corridors. Mike just pushed them out of his way down the hall to past our door.

The only other suggestion is, if you drink alcohol, watch out. Your bill can climb quickly as you can spend, spend, spend on your room door key card. These cards make life so easy. Spa treatments, cigars, jewelry, etc. They are great at grabbing your cash.

Mike had no interest going on a cruise for our honeymoon 8 plus years ago. Today it was one of the best trips still. We both were so relaxed, we ate like royalty and we had tons of fun.

Enjoy!

[Tired of hurting]

Hey Motor, Glad to hear your going to celebrate an Anniversy. I haven't been on the cruise, but did spend time in the area. Cozumel is known for snorkling. It is something you can do! It is the most romantic thing my husband and I ever did. It's so beautiful under the water. You'll never forget... You can hold hands and just float around,and enjoy the beauty with no words. You wear life jackets, so it's no stress. Hope you have a great time, snorkel on. You both have been through alot and now is your time to Celebrate and be thankful you have each other!

Edited by Tired of hurting, 02 May 2008 - 04:48 PM.

[Emily C]

I can offer no advise, as I haven't been on a cruise since my dx, but I can tell u to HAVE FUN!! I've been on RC and it was an AMAZING TIME!!!
I toured Europe 2times with that cruise line and it was great.
Congrats to u and your wife!!

[Ches]

Hey Mouth,.. I havent been on any cruises post injury so I dont know about the first hand experience.. but if your cruising with RC you shouldnt have many problems so long as you already let me know the kind of room and access you will be needing. There are elevators all over the ship, they arent reserved for the handicap and yes you will probably spend alot of time waiting for one...but they again they are everywhere.. except the dining hall?!

I wouldnt worry about the ship too much, they are pretty prepared to cater to all walks of life.

What kind of excursions were you guys wanting to go on? The best ones are in Grand Caymen like Jsec said.. but you're not going there, bummer! As for Key West, that place shouldnt be a problem, still American property and requirements. Lots of bars and shops, all of which may be old and pain to get in, but there's some new ones there too! I dont remember what excursions were offered for that place but I had plenty of fun sticking close to the port. There sometimes (most of the time) so much to do see and do in the 'square' that time will pass you up. Theres a ton of local artist, vendors and street performers out there.. VERY similiar to Venice Beach in Cali. In fact one of performers there "William Dark" used to work with me in the sideshow, he's a great guy and act. If you see him tell him HELLO!

And Cozumel... I've only been there by ship once. Cozumel is an island, only part of it has a real beach, if you can make it to the nice beaches with the resorts Im betting you can find a beach chair around there somewhere. If you decide you wanna take a ferry to the mainland, you shouldnt have too much trouble, depends how rough the water is. The ferrys arent bad though, just a 45 min ride across the water with mexican soaps and tour destinations on the tv.

Now if you do decide to leave over rated cozumel behind you will be coming into Playa Del Carmen. its crucial you check the returning ferry schedule so you dont get trapped! In my opinion you've already stepped up a few notches, and there is some great and unique beach side restraunts to eat at around there. Now here's where it gets good.. If you have the time and want to make a really memorable, magical, romatic, and enlightening day out of it all you absolutely have to hop on a bus and head to Tulum. Its not far , another 30 minutes with a sea side drive. Tulum is still pretty low key, except for the Ruins,, which you can get around so long as your tough! They have beautiful beaches, privacy, its so authentic and its really a good place to stop and catch your breath. Google Tulum if it sounds like something that may interest you, I dont really know how to put it into words.. other than Worth it.

And again, Im thinking wherever the big fancy resorts and sea side hotels are located, someone will more than likley have a beach chair. You could always call around.