Disney Cruise questions concerning being in a wheelchair

[mrsksomeday]

My b/f is in a power wheelchair. We are going on the Disney Wonder in Dec. 2009. I have read about some of the excursions in Nassau, but they either say you can't be in a wheelchair or not recommended if you are in a wheelchair. We thought the aquarium at the Atlantis would be something to see.

I was wondering if anyone in a wheelchair did any of the excursions? What did you do on the day in Nassau? Are there any wheelchair accessible taxi's or busses? I have read about Nassau and it has me a little worried about getting off the ship and just walking around.

Can you give me any stories or tips about your trip from a wheelchair standpoint? I am sorry for all the questions, I just want to be well informed.

 

[SueM in MN]

My b/f is in a power wheelchair. We are going on the Disney Wonder in Dec. 2009. I have read about some of the excursions in Nassau, but they either say you can't be in a wheelchair or not recommended if you are in a wheelchair. We thought the aquarium at the Atlantis would be something to see.

I have not been on a cruise, but I remember looking at the website for Atlantis when someone asked the same question before. I looked all over the website and couldn't find anything about accessibility.
I looked again and still could not find anything.
Hopefully, someone will know.

 

[Disneykidsdad]

Sorry, but we didn't go on any excursions in Nassau. We just walked around a bit. We didn't stay out long because it wasn't very "tropical". I think you need to get to the Paradise Island side for it to be enjoyable. If you take another Disney Cruise that goes to St. Thomas, there is a completely accessable tour company there. Seems I can't post their web address here.

 

[dinghydeb]

You will have no problem disembarking from the ship at Nassau and CC. however, getting around via a wheelchair or scooter might give you difficulty - depending on what you might choose to do and whether your better half is able to transfer.

I use a three-wheeled mobility scooter and I found it extremely difficult (not impossible) to maneuver through the straw market. Furthermore, the sidewalks are very shoddy and don't always have ramps at each block. I have not used the scooter for an excursion. I would email DCL & inquire to see if any excursions accomodate wheelchairs/scooters.

At CC, the trams have a special lift & will transport the chair/scooter with you in it. The special sand wheelchairs are difficult at best for someone else to push and impossible for one to do by themselves.

Even if you only get off the ship to stroll around Nassau, you'll find plenty to do on the ship. There are activities on board, movies, the pools, the spa (discounted on port days) and you have the ship practically to yourselves.

Whatever you do, enjoy!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I was in Nassau in November. However, I was unable to get any excursions since it was a matter of a last minute port change. (Something about a Tropical Storm/Hurricane passing within 60 miles of CC the night before and having 12 foot seas at the time we were supposed to dock.)

I did go into Downtown Nassua in my ECV. Many of the hills were very steep, and it was hard to find curb cuts. I know that at St Maarten and St Croix if I had wanted to take my ECV along on a tour I would not have been able to use one of the prearranged DCL tours but contracted directly with a company with an accessible van.

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

Atlantis is accessible. Do note that some of the surfaces in The Dig (aquarium) might be bumpy for a WC/ECV because they are designed to give you the feeling of being in a cave and all. Don't forget your camera - lots of great fishies to take pictures of!!

Although I don't use a WC/ECV, I go to Atlantis on vacation and have noticed ramps and such things, plus I know (from personal experience) they have chosen to follow the ADA in regards to service dog access. (The Bahamas don't have service animal access laws, although I've never been denied access anywhere after explaining to the businesses what my SD is and does and all.)

Also, the dolphin swim activity there does cater to ppl with disabilities, as I was told this by a man who worked there. (I did not do the swim, but I did watch a show they put on, which was neat!)