disAbilities or DCL forum - you decide

[Jodyfarmgirl]

If this needs to be moved I'm not offended at all - I just decided to jump in and give it a go.
I have several mobility issues and use a small Pride Go Go travel scooter. I can walk a little bit and stand a little but not too far or too long and sometimes against my own better judgement.
I peruse the excursion descriptions and really sense that there is nothing out there that would work for me, especially if the port requires tendering.
If a port isn't tendered, I can go off the ship with my scooter and see things on my own, but you know how it is with new ports and not knowing what the area right off the ship is like.
What do other people who love to cruise but use scooters or electric wheelchairs do, especially when excursion descriptions say specifically "...no ...scooters... allowed."

 

[Westcoastwild]

If this needs to be moved I'm not offended at all - I just decided to jump in and give it a go.
I have several mobility issues and use a small Pride Go Go travel scooter. I can walk a little bit and stand a little but not too far or too long and sometimes against my own better judgement.
I peruse the excursion descriptions and really sense that there is nothing out there that would work for me, especially if the port requires tendering.
If a port isn't tendered, I can go off the ship with my scooter and see things on my own, but you know how it is with new ports and not knowing what the area right off the ship is like.
What do other people who love to cruise but use scooters or electric wheelchairs do, especially when excursion descriptions say specifically "...no ...scooters... allowed."

You know- while I have no experience with this, I can't convince relatives to use a scooter- but it could be that they are specifically targeting scooters because they don't want masses of people using them. Perhaps you could call and find out if electric wheelchairs can be accommodated? Or maybe you could get a medical letter stating that the scooter was a necessity and the cruise line might approve that?

Or- although I don't know about your specific situation- maybe a rugged walker would be helpful?

I think it's fairly likely that at least some of those excursions are ADA accessible even if they say no scooters. Unless they have an activity rating.

 

[Jodyfarmgirl]

A walker actually exacerbates the problem so that's out but we have tried taking along a manual wheelchair and Disney has loaned them to us too, bt the best places (I mean historic and authentic) have stones or cobblestones and rough paths so that doesn't work out too well.
Being kind of a doofus I left out of my post the one thing that might make a difference:
My DH is always with me and he collapses the scooter and loads it into a vehicle if there is room or into baggage departments of buses. We can "manage" me quite well and don't expect anyone else to shoulder the task, we just need to know if it's doable.
I can sure see the problem of "too many" scooters, especially if people aren't inclined to want to handle their own issues themselves.
Thank you so much for replying. I really appreciate it.

 

[lanejudy]

If the excursion is noted "no scooters" but doesn't mention wheelchairs, it's possible s manual wheelchair is acceptable. You would want to confirm that, though. Scooters may be harder to transport (if they don't breakdown) and/or take more space than a folded manual wheelchair. Many historic sites in these countries are not accessible - cobblestones, stairs, etc.

If you let us know the specific ports of call, people may have suggestions or experiences to share. Feel free to ask on the Cruiseline forum as well since many people who cruise with mobility issues do not regularly visit the disABILITIES forum.

Fortunately DCL ships continue to offer full services and some programming onboard for guests who opt not to debark in port.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[cgncga]

If this needs to be moved I'm not offended at all - I just decided to jump in and give it a go.
I have several mobility issues and use a small Pride Go Go travel scooter. I can walk a little bit and stand a little but not too far or too long and sometimes against my own better judgement.
I peruse the excursion descriptions and really sense that there is nothing out there that would work for me, especially if the port requires tendering.
If a port isn't tendered, I can go off the ship with my scooter and see things on my own, but you know how it is with new ports and not knowing what the area right off the ship is like.
What do other people who love to cruise but use scooters or electric wheelchairs do, especially when excursion descriptions say specifically "...no ...scooters... allowed."

We don't cruise with a scooter, but we do cruise with a customized manual wheelchair for my 13 year old--and previously used a medical stroller. All the cruises we have been on (we're booked on number 5 next month) have had some excursions that allowed wheelchairs--as long as they were collapsible. The chair does have to be collapsed to fit in the bus/van that we travel in. Normally my youngest (with the wheelchair) and I tour together while my eldest tours with my husband. Some of the buses they have used to get from the port to the actual excursion would not have had room for a folded wheelchair, let alone a scooter.

You may want to bring a wheelchair with you along with your scooter. Then, once you're on board, you could see if they would consider a collapsible scooter the same as a collapsible wheelchair, but if they don't, at least you will still be able to take part in the excursion using the wheelchair.

Hope this is helps a little.

 

[Jodyfarmgirl]

Thank you so much for responding and sharing your experience.
As I hoped it would, my frustrated brain is being refreshed with the feedback.
This CAN be figured out

 

[PBB]

Thank you so much for responding and sharing your experience.
As I hoped it would, my frustrated brain is being refreshed with the feedback.
This CAN be figured out

I don't use a scooter or wheelchair, so, I can't offer any specific advice. What I can offer is our son is getting married in 13 days to a lovely young lady whose father has a disability that has him utilizing a scooter very similar to you. In conversations with them over the past year, I know that they have cruised on DCL numerous times mainly because DCL goes the extra mile in helping them with their challenges. I recall one challenge was at Castaway Cay. I am not sure if it was the sand or some other challenge. (sorry my own challenges affect my memory with the meds I take ) What I do recall is they spoke to the concierge about their challenge the day before and DCL arranged a golf cart that took him from the ship to their chairs and back. Before speaking to the concierge, he was just planning on staying on board. Asking for suggestions or help ahead of time allowed DCL to create some personal magic for him.

I think cruise lines are pretty good about working with customers who have challenges because the longers cruise have more disabled passengers. We went to Canada on the Disney Magic from NYC in 2012. There was a British Cruise Ship that was shadowing our ship. When we were in ST. John's New Brunswick the ship was unloading a ton of walkers and scooters and such. They were on a 30 day cruise and a fellow passenger stated pretty much only retirees and seniors are on these type cruises because no one working or with kids can get 30 day vacations. It made a lot of sense.

Your quote......."this CAN be figured out" is spot on. I just wanted to let you know that the Cruise industry especially DCL,IMO, embraced their disabled customers needs. Good for them.......I hope you have a great Cruise. The important question is.......What is your destination?

 

[Jodyfarmgirl]

I don't use a scooter or wheelchair, so, I can't offer any specific advice. What I can offer is our son is getting married in 13 days to a lovely young lady whose father has a disability that has him utilizing a scooter very similar to you. In conversations with them over the past year, I know that they have cruised on DCL numerous times mainly because DCL goes the extra mile in helping them with their challenges. I recall one challenge was at Castaway Cay. I am not sure if it was the sand or some other challenge. (sorry my own challenges affect my memory with the meds I take ) What I do recall is they spoke to the concierge about their challenge the day before and DCL arranged a golf cart that took him from the ship to their chairs and back. Before speaking to the concierge, he was just planning on staying on board. Asking for suggestions or help ahead of time allowed DCL to create some personal magic for him.

I think cruise lines are pretty good about working with customers who have challenges because the longers cruise have more disabled passengers. We went to Canada on the Disney Magic from NYC in 2012. There was a British Cruise Ship that was shadowing our ship. When we were in ST. John's New Brunswick the ship was unloading a ton of walkers and scooters and such. They were on a 30 day cruise and a fellow passenger stated pretty much only retirees and seniors are on these type cruises because no one working or with kids can get 30 day vacations. It made a lot of sense.

Your quote......."this CAN be figured out" is spot on. I just wanted to let you know that the Cruise industry especially DCL,IMO, embraced their disabled customers needs. Good for them.......I hope you have a great Cruise. The important question is.......What is your destination?

Oh,my gosh, your reply is so helpful and I thank you for it.
We are bound for the Panama Canal from San Diego to Galveston.
This will be our 50th anniversary trip and I've always chosen our itineraries. One day my DH mentioned the Panama Canal was high on his bucket list.
This man is so good and I love him so much I swore the next trip would be all his.
I have such an embarrassing DCL story from CC when my scooter got stuck in the sand and my DH was on an excursion and I assured him I'd be fine on my own.
I got off the scooter and tried to push it. I stalled it trying to drive it out. I missed my own excursion. Some wonderful men tried to help and then here came the DCL CMs. They loaded my dead scooter on a golf cart and me too and we went way around "backstage." They took me back to the ship and the scooter and I back to our room and were amazing all the way around. And I was SO embarrassed.
But DCL won my heart that day.
Thank you again for your reply and considerate help.

 

[Jodyfarmgirl]

Well, speaking of "embarrassed...." How do I delete all the extra replies I just created?

 

[lanejudy]

Well, speaking of "embarrassed...." How do I delete all the extra replies I just created?

No problem -- I took care of it for you!

 

[Jodyfarmgirl]

No problem -- I took care of it for you!

Thank you

 

[PBB]

Oh,my gosh, your reply is so helpful and I thank you for it.
We are bound for the Panama Canal from San Diego to Galveston.
This will be our 50th anniversary trip and I've always chosen our itineraries. One day my DH mentioned the Panama Canal was high on his bucket list.
This man is so good and I love him so much I swore the next trip would be all his.
I have such an embarrassing DCL story from CC when my scooter got stuck in the sand and my DH was on an excursion and I assured him I'd be fine on my own.
I got off the scooter and tried to push it. I stalled it trying to drive it out. I missed my own excursion. Some wonderful men tried to help and then here came the DCL CMs. They loaded my dead scooter on a golf cart and me too and we went way around "backstage." They took me back to the ship and the scooter and I back to our room and were amazing all the way around. And I was SO embarrassed.
But DCL won my heart that day.
Thank you again for your reply and considerate help.

Your Welcome! Wow, I am jealous that you two are going on a Panama Canal Cruise. I keep wanting to go on a DCL relocation from Florida to Barcelona or vice Vera. From 2009 until last year, I had a Intrathecal Pain Pump implanted in me. The fear of the pump having an issue and me going into withdrawal in the middle of the Atlantic always kept us from considering it. Now, I have a high frequency spinal cord stimulator and if need be I can turn it off myself. A little easier to deal with pain than pain&withdrawal.

Congratulations on 50 years! We are going on 32 years in November!

 

[Jodyfarmgirl]

We are so excited - SO EXCITED!
It sounds like you deal with chronic pain as I do.
To ask questions and get responses would be off topic, but I wonder if you would consider starting a thread about the two devices and how they impact your travel and plans with DCL & WDW, pro and con?
Thank you

 

[PBB]

We are so excited - SO EXCITED!
It sounds like you deal with chronic pain as I do.
To ask questions and get responses would be off topic, but I wonder if you would consider starting a thread about the two devices and how they impact your travel and plans with DCL & WDW, pro and con?
Thank you

 

[PBB]

Jody,

Since you are the original poster, I don't think the moderators would mind. Also, feel free to send me a message.

A little background on me personally......We have been a Disney family it seems like forever. We live for in Atlanta. Career wise, a highlight for me was my involvment in Mickeys Philharmagic theater in both MK and Hong Kong. I had a fusion in 07 that turned into a nightmare infection well actually two infections. I have never been in so much pain. Picc line for 8 weeks and thankfully we were able to get rid of infections. Unfortunately, pain levels were higher than prior to the fusion. Several years, I was treated with Narcotics. Not much of a life due to the strength.

At age 45, I was concerned what the long term effect the Narcotics would have on my brain. So, we decided to have a Intrathecal Pain Pump implanted. The pump is about the size of a hockey puck that a catheter goes to the spinal cord and delivers Narcotics directly to the primary nerves in the spine. The spine is a closed system. So, the Narcotics remain in the system and does not enter the blood stream getting to the brain. The pump worked well for me for almost 7 years.

My condition does not allow me to sit, stand, walk,lie down for long periods of time. The OCD WDW planning app does not help me at all. I can't tell how I will feel 24 hours in advance much less 60 days. I can be in pain in the morning and be ok in the afternoon or vice versa. Weather can take its toll. I am a lot better at knowing when it is going rain than any weather girl with a perfect weather curl (for Jimmy Buffet fans). I was introduced to the GAC card by a DVC rep when I called in asking for a special request of being close to the elevator and lobby. This card made a huge difference for me. Even with it, I could only last 2-3 hours at the parks. People have recommended a wheelchair or scooter but sitting is just as painful as standing. In regard to the cruise ship. We have only done one cruise from NY to Canada. Not sure, what it was about the ship it made me sleep a lot. Which was good because I don't sleep well.

Last year, I had a Nevro high frequency spinal cord stimulator implanted and the pump removed. This a bit different than the older style SCS's because the high frequency (10 MHz) isn't felt by the body so you don't feel a constant buzzing. My condition has been changing from primary back pain to back pain and neuropathy. The pump did not help with neuropathy. So, far this has done well replacing the pump for back pain and 50/50 on the neuropathy. It is still better than walking around with 40 ml of Dilaudid in a pump. The biggest challenge at WDW is having to carry my remote. The security scanners keep turning it off for some reason. I never go through the scanners and ask to be wanded. Just being close will turn it off.

This has gotten longer than it should.....LOL. We are lucky to have our DVC Membership. We know if we don't get to a ride or show we will be back next soon . We have started to enjoy the resorts more and schedule afternoon or mornings off returning to a park for dinner and fireworks. Our Dumbo Do or Die days are over which is fine. Thankfully, I can still travel and enjoy the parks!

 

[Jodyfarmgirl]

Thank you so very much for being willing to share your experience. (We do get tired of taking about it,don't we)?
My pain has been increasingly worse and so far I've been able to avoid opioids. That's good too because after my last surgery the doc's rx had me seeing baby raccoons in the fireplace (just like being in a Disney cartoon.... Awesome!).
My wish for trainings and printed materials and sensitivity trainings and other things like that would be a little something about how hard it is to plan anything.
I rejoice in the good days (and usually end up over doing it).
Speaking of which, Happy 4th and thank you again.

 

[cmwade77]

In many of these countries they don't have accessibility laws. Most of the tourist areas do try to accommodate though. But what really prevents the scooters on a lot of these are that busses can't accommodate those who can't climb up the stairs in the bus as they don't have lifts.

That being said, the special requests line (I forget the number and email address, but I am sure someone can provide it) can provide a list of excursions that scooters can be accommodated on. From what I have heard from some, these may not all be listed on the regular activities page, as they want to make sure that those who need the accessible excursions are able to get them.

As for tenders, in general if you can't transfer on your own, you can't use a tender, although I have heard that some ports have accessible tenders. Not sure as I don't need a scooter myself, but this is what some that I know that do use them have told me.

 

[Jodyfarmgirl]

In many of these countries they don't have accessibility laws. Most of the tourist areas do try to accommodate though. But what really prevents the scooters on a lot of these are that busses can't accommodate those who can't climb up the stairs in the bus as they don't have lifts.

That being said, the special requests line (I forget the number and email address, but I am sure someone can provide it) can provide a list of excursions that scooters can be accommodated on. From what I have heard from some, these may not all be listed on the regular activities page, as they want to make sure that those who need the accessible excursions are able to get them.

As for tenders, in general if you can't transfer on your own, you can't use a tender, although I have heard that some ports have accessible tenders. Not sure as I don't need a scooter myself, but this is what some that I know that do use them have told me.

Thank you so much for your reply. You really have highlighted some of the problems that have me fretting.
When we went to London, we left the scooter at homeand took our manual wheelchair. On the first outing on London's cobblestone streets, the wheels and spokes were broken and I felt like I had taken a tour in a blender. Also, though I have heard this has changed, "the gap" you're supposed to "mind" on the tube was a very difficult situation.
I hadn't even thought of calling the special requests line. It never even occurred to me.