Cruising in a wheelchair

[allie_to_you]

My DH & I have thought a lot about taking a Disney cruise, but since he is confined to a wheelchair, we weren't sure how much we'd have to do, especially off the ship at the ports of call, since he can't do the water stuff.

Has anyone ever been on a Disney cruise in a wheelchair? What are the rooms like and the general accessibility.

Also, just some general questions about the cruise...

Once you make your final payment, what all does this cover? What things are extra OOP costs?

Any extra information or advice would be great!

 

[michelle9343]

My DD uses a WC and we have cruised twice on DCL. We have stayed in a cat5 handicapp accessible room and it was very comfortable. I felt it was pretty easy to get around on board. The elevators mid ship can be quit difficult .Disneys island Castaway Cay was very accessible . If you have any particular question you can PM me. We love cruising so much we have our 3rd ccruise booked for next Oct.

 

[Michigan]

I have 9 and 17 year old daughters with spina bifida. Both are para's and love to cruise. We haven't been on the DCL basically because I think it cost to much. We have however sailed on Princess several times and it's been great. We have noticed the DCL everytime we have been in St. Thomas and they have always been tendered while we have been docked. Tendering can be a bit of a pain if you have to do so and it depends on the seas if they will even let a wheelchair on the tender.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I have not done it, but have heard often that the elevators do not give priority to people in wheelchairs or ECVs. This can lead to very long delays in trying to change floors.

 

[Piper]

I've not gone on Disney, but I've done Royal Caribbean and Carnival. Elevators were a slight problem on both. Carnival just took a regular room and widened the doors and put in roll in shower. Very crowded. RC rooms were a little larger and much easier to navigate.

If you go, give yourself extra time to get the elevator for scheduled events (and don't plan on getting back to your room quickly after the event either!

 

[Michigan]

Again this is on Princess but the only time the eleveators are an issue is the first day when half of them are turned off because they are being used for sending the luggage up to the cabins. After that there are so many elevators and people eat so much that they take the stairs to burn off some of the fat they just gained it isn't a problem and that is with getting 2 wheelchairs in the elevator.

The wheelchair cabins on Princess are big they are the size of 2 cabins put together with big roll in showers and balcony rooms have ramps going in and out to the balcony.

The only draw back is if you want to go you have to book early since there is only a limited number of cabins that are accessible they fill up quick because cruising in a wheelchair is fantastic. Pools have lifts, shows have wheelchair seating, you receive priority getting during embarkation and debarkation. During the cruise at ports the crew pushs you off and on for your safety and if the ramp is to high they have a special chair that goes up and down stairs that they use.

Like I said it's the life everyone should cruise even if only once

 

[Vijoge]

You might want to check out the boards at
www.cruisecritic.com
for general cruising information and
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=167
for Disney Cruise info.

Lots of valuable information here but, like all boards, can get a bit rough at times. LOL