Handicapped Accessible Rooms

[pjpoohbear]

The special needs form is not to allow DCL to judge if you need a HCP room, but to allow DCL to determine if they can meet your special needs on the ship and provide equipment that you might require, i.e. sharps boxes, special foods, raised bed, raised height toilet seat (in a normal cabin) etc.

Anyone who needs special accommodations, from room layout to signing CMs at events/tours/shows to food restrictions/needs should be filling out a special needs form.

I read about a man on another cruise line that had extensive special needs and when his companion,who was to provide assistance during the journey, was unable to go on the cruise with him, he went anyways and the cruise line put him off the ship at one of the ports because they could not meet his needs and he choose not to hire a nurse to assist him.

While some needs cruisers can sail in a normal cabin with modifications, they just don't know about all the accommodations that DCL can provide in a normal cabin and many of the CMs at the call centre have no clue what is on offer.

DM gets a HCP cabin, as she needs the room to be able to use her walker within the rooms confines, but when she doesn't need the walker anymore, we will no longer request a HCP room no matter how roomy they are. Many times we have had to move up in category to be able to sail on a specific date due to needing a HCP room. I will be glad when that is no longer the case.

Pj

 

[SoCaOC-Mom]

So, just so I'm clear, my wife who has had double knee surgery and has a HA permit that hangs from our car mirror shouldn't be in one of these rooms because she's not in a wheelchair?

When we go to WDW, she walks when she can, but sometimes, we rent a wheelchair. I'm sure people look at her thinking we are doing this for some "front of the line" access. After all, we are both in our 30s.

Who are you talking to?

I think the general consensus was that HA should be reserved for those who actually need them. The wheel chair aspect came up because those rooms have extra floor space to allow someone in a chair to navigate in the room.

 

[Anjelica]

We had to provide a note from my brother's doctor several months ago for our May 31st trip. We were notified that to keep an HA room (at the time) you had to provide the medical form, etc. I knew that policy had changed but not before we had to submit the forms.

 

[VeroBeach]

While onboard we will rent a scooter and a wheelchair for her transport.

Scooters and wheelchairs cannot be rented while onboard, you need to arrange for them from an outside company to be waiting for you at the port before you board.

 

[plyeng2ff]

What year was this? Recently?

When I booked my current reservation back in October 2009, I was told to get my medical form in ASAP. My TA was told to tell us don't wait for the 30 day policy because we could be bumped from the room.

 

[Bethshaya]

The reason I posted this information is because I reserved a handicapped room for my mother and was concerned if if needed to provide medical documentation after reading several posts on this subject in other threads. My mother has mobility issues and uses a walker. While onboard we will rent a scooter and a wheelchair for her transport. She also has balance problems and needs the special shower facilities in the HA room.

Minnie, then why are you worried about providing a note that can be easily recieved from her doctor? One phone call and he can fax one to you to prove that your mother has mobility issues and needs the scooter/walker.

That way you dont need to worry or post about DCL taking the room away from you. And yes, there are NO wheelchairs for rent on board. My parents have been on many cruise lines and none of them have on board wheelchairs for regular use/rental. Contact your travel agent to get info on the company to call at the port to rent it. It isnt cheap either.

We rent a wheelchair for my father who has Alzheimers from an outside source and they drop it off at the terminal for us. However we dont book a handicapped room because we know that someone who really uses a wheelchair and cannot get from the chair to the bed will need the extra room. Dad can shuffle from the chair into the room and back to the chair when we go out of the room.

Save the room for someone who really will need to literally need to crawl or be carried into the room without it. If it were your mother who was paralyzed and couldnt get the room to enjoy her vacation because someone who didnt really need it got it, you'd be mad.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Unfortunately this must be true. My brother has CP and in a power chair. He needs extra turning room for his chair and a full HA bathroom. We booked our June cruise almost a year in advance, he wanted an inside room and none were available, he was forced to pay extra (alot more) for the oceanview. Now I can't imagine all of the inside views were taken by people who needed those rooms.

Actually, it's very possible that the few interior HA rooms were indeed taken a year in advance by people who actually needed them. There aren't many of them and for people who want to cruise economically, they are the first to go. Usually I find it's the HA balconies and the HA concierge level that are the last to go.

So, just so I'm clear, my wife who has had double knee surgery and has a HA permit that hangs from our car mirror shouldn't be in one of these rooms because she's not in a wheelchair?

When we go to WDW, she walks when she can, but sometimes, we rent a wheelchair. I'm sure people look at her thinking we are doing this for some "front of the line" access. After all, we are both in our 30s.

You may not want a HA accessible cabin - check out the locations first. On the Wonder and the Magic most of the are located at the very aft of the ship (and some at the very front). It can be a long walk (or a long push) to the shows, restaurants and pools.

On the Dream, there seems to be a bit better locations so I'd check out what bests for you. Trust me, on the ship there's no such thing as "front of the line" access for wheelchairs.

When I booked my current reservation back in October 2009, I was told to get my medical form in ASAP. My TA was told to tell us don't wait for the 30 day policy because we could be bumped from the room.

I booked with a TA for Oct 2010 (HA balcony) and for this year (Oct 2011) and neither time did the TA tell me to get in the medical form. I did send the form for the cruise last October (on my own) - mainly to ask if it was okay to bring both my mom's regular wheelchair and a transport chair (and check the transport chair in the luggage getting on the ship).

 

[Bethshaya]

So, just so I'm clear, my wife who has had double knee surgery and has a HA permit that hangs from our car mirror shouldn't be in one of these rooms because she's not in a wheelchair?

When we go to WDW, she walks when she can, but sometimes, we rent a wheelchair. I'm sure people look at her thinking we are doing this for some "front of the line" access. After all, we are both in our 30s.

Technically yes. The extra width in that room is meant to accomodate someone in a wheelchair who needs to put the chair up to the bed to get out of it and into the bed, or from the chair in the bathroom to do their business.

Both my parents have mobility issues and both have handicapped permits for their cars. Father needs a chair when we go out because of his Alzheimers, as he continues to lose functions, shuffles and doesnt walk. So the wheelchair is for convienence. He can walk, but every so slowly. But I still wouldnt book the handicapped room on board. He doesnt need the chair in the room and can walk the short distance inside the room by shuffling and leaning on things.

If you dont need a wheelchair as your legs all the time, you are preventing someone who needs the width of that room to pull the chair in from even vacationing because their wheelchair does not fit in regular rooms, therefore they are stuck with needing someone to carry them from the chair into their room and out of it. For someone who is normally independent with their chair, that is defeating and humiliating when with the room they could do it themselves.

If you can walk in any fashion and are only using the wheelchair for convienence because you have slight mobility issues, but are not confined to a wheelchair for your life needs, then save the room for someone who is. It's just the decent thing to do.

 

[Bethshaya]

For wheelchair/walker rentals on the cruise, contact the Brevard Medical Equipment company at:

http://brevardmedicalequip.com/cruise_rentals.asp

or

1-866-416-7383

They also have other medical equipment like CPAP, oxygen, and scooters.

 

[flexsmom]

Technically yes. The extra width in that room is meant to accomodate someone in a wheelchair who needs to put the chair up to the bed to get out of it and into the bed, or from the chair in the bathroom to do their business.

Both my parents have mobility issues and both have handicapped permits for their cars. Father needs a chair when we go out because of his Alzheimers, as he continues to lose functions, shuffles and doesnt walk. So the wheelchair is for convienence. He can walk, but every so slowly. But I still wouldnt book the handicapped room on board. He doesnt need the chair in the room and can walk the short distance inside the room by shuffling and leaning on things.

If you dont need a wheelchair as your legs all the time, you are preventing someone who needs the width of that room to pull the chair in from even vacationing because their wheelchair does not fit in regular rooms, therefore they are stuck with needing someone to carry them from the chair into their room and out of it. For someone who is normally independent with their chair, that is defeating and humiliating when with the room they could do it themselves.

If you can walk in any fashion and are only using the wheelchair for convienence because you have slight mobility issues, but are not confined to a wheelchair for your life needs, then save the room for someone who is. It's just the decent thing to do.

In addition to providing additional width in the rooms to maneuver the chair, I also was of the opinion that that space provided a place FOR the chair. I have to disagree with the suggestion to leave the chair elsewhere. I hate to make assumptions, but my interpretation of your post is that people who need a chair to get around the ship, but not necessarily in their rooms, should leave the chair.....in the passageway? These are narrow passageways and they get downright congested - and dangerous - when people start using them as parking lots for chairs and strollers, particularly when you add housekeeping carts to that. The passageway isn't an extension of the room for storage.

I don't think there's a manual somewhere that dictates the "level" of disability required for someone to book one of these rooms. Maybe that's why DCL doesn't require "substantiation". Can you imagine the outcry if they started to make decisions about who is more "in need" than others? (OT - but that's also why they don't question service-animals - all you need is the note to say the animal is legit. They'd be getting sued constantly if they made an independent judgment.) If someone has had double-knee surgery and they are struggling to get around - go for it. You have as much right to book a room that will enable you to park your chair or additional equipment as anyone else.

Clearly there are some people who believe only those who can't get from bed-to-bathroom without assistance should have one. For others, they may need a chair for a variety of reasons - and that room accommodates having a chair inside of it. I don't begrudge anyone in the latter category from booking one of these rooms - even if that means someone in the former category doesn't have one available and therefore would have to choose another sail date.

On the flip side - even though many of these rooms are larger, there is a contingent that would be very upset if they were assigned one of these without asking for it, for practical reasons. There may be more room, but many don't like the bathroom lay-out, the bathroom floor got really wet easily, and they didn't have a tub. I've even seen some people complain about not having a place to bathe their child when they had one of these rooms. I've read of people asking for credits because they didn't have the same amenities as others in a similar stateroom category. So - it does go both ways!

 

[Bethshaya]

In addition to providing additional width in the rooms to maneuver the chair, I also was of the opinion that that space provided a place FOR the chair. I have to disagree with the suggestion to leave the chair elsewhere. I hate to make assumptions, but my interpretation of your post is that people who need a chair to get around the ship, but not necessarily in their rooms, should leave the chair.....in the passageway? These are narrow passageways and they get downright congested - and dangerous - when people start using them as parking lots for chairs and strollers, particularly when you add housekeeping carts to that. The passageway isn't an extension of the room for storage.

I don't think there's a manual somewhere that dictates the "level" of disability required for someone to book one of these rooms. Maybe that's why DCL doesn't require "substantiation". Can you imagine the outcry if they started to make decisions about who is more "in need" than others? (OT - but that's also why they don't question service-animals - all you need is the note to say the animal is legit. They'd be getting sued constantly if they made an independent judgment.) If someone has had double-knee surgery and they are struggling to get around - go for it. You have as much right to book a room that will enable you to park your chair or additional equipment as anyone else.

Clearly there are some people who believe only those who can't get from bed-to-bathroom without assistance should have one. For others, they may need a chair for a variety of reasons - and that room accommodates having a chair inside of it. I don't begrudge anyone in the latter category from booking one of these rooms - even if that means someone in the former category doesn't have one available and therefore would have to choose another sail date.

On the flip side - even though many of these rooms are larger, there is a contingent that would be very upset if they were assigned one of these without asking for it, for practical reasons. There may be more room, but many don't like the bathroom lay-out, the bathroom floor got really wet easily, and they didn't have a tub. I've even seen some people complain about not having a place to bathe their child when they had one of these rooms. I've read of people asking for credits because they didn't have the same amenities as others in a similar stateroom category. So - it does go both ways!

I didnt say anything about leaving the chair in the hallway and would never dream of doing so. Wheelchairs fold up - quite easily, I might add. No need to leave it in the hallway.

My own family orders a wheelchair for the cruise, I fully understand why one would need one for mobility issues. But mobility issues are far different then being paralyzed. For someone who needs the extra space, imagine having to crawl on the floor into the bathroom just to do your business to get into the shower because your legs don't work at all and your chair wont fit in a regular room and get you right into the bathroom to transfer into the seat in the shower. There is no tub in a handicapped room on purpose.

If you need the room, by all means book it. I wouldn't, even though I have two parents traveling that have handicapped permits and one needing a wheelchair for mobility issues. He isn't paralyzed.

If you want to book the room and can get the letter for it, and it wont bother your conscious, by all means go for it. If I found out that because I booked the room and someone who lived in a wheelchair due to amputation or paralysis couldn't sail because I hogged the room I didn't "really" need, I would be mortified. But that's just me. I guess there are people who wouldn't feel that way.

But for myself, I'll leave the room for those who really, really need it and I can make do with what we have in a regular room, and fold up the chair when not in use.

 

[pixie08]

The reason I posted this information is because I reserved a handicapped room for my mother and was concerned if if needed to provide medical documentation after reading several posts on this subject in other threads which seemed to indicate you could have your room reassigned if you did not provide medical documentation. My mother has mobility issues and uses a walker. While onboard we will rent a scooter and a wheelchair for her transport. She also has balance problems and needs the special shower facilities in the HA room.

Ok that's a little differentthe way you posted din't come off that way! i am happy you were able to secure a room for your mom who needs it. I know the scooters take up a lot of space and I am sure your mom needs the grab bars.

 

[Minnie Monellen]

Ok that's a little differentthe way you posted din't come off that way! i am happy you were able to secure a room for your mom who needs it. I know the scooters take up a lot of space and I am sure your mom needs the grab bars.

Thank you. Apparently what we think we write is not always what other people read. Therefore, other than responding to my meet group members, this will be my last post on these forums.

 

[mousetravel]

On the flip side - even though many of these rooms are larger, there is a contingent that would be very upset if they were assigned one of these without asking for it, for practical reasons. There may be more room, but many don't like the bathroom lay-out, the bathroom floor got really wet easily, and they didn't have a tub. I've even seen some people complain about not having a place to bathe their child when they had one of these rooms. I've read of people asking for credits because they didn't have the same amenities as others in a similar stateroom category. So - it does go both ways!

We are leaving on the DCL in a few weeks. DCL assigned a HC room to us and we didn't ask for it or request it. I don't really like the bathroom lay out and my DD would rather use a bathtub.

My first thought was hopefully if someone books the same cruise and asks for the HC room, they would re-assign my room. The extra space may be nice, but we are hardly ever in our rooms. So although some people may be excited about the extra space of a HC room, I'm not really thrilled with the idea that someone on our cruise may need it more than I do.

 

[pixie08]

We are leaving on the DCL in a few weeks. DCL assigned a HC room to us and we didn't ask for it or request it. I don't really like the bathroom lay out and my DD would rather use a bathtub.

My first thought was hopefully if someone books the same cruise and asks for the HC room, they would re-assign my room. The extra space may be nice, but we are hardly ever in our rooms. So although some people may be excited about the extra space of a HC room, I'm not really thrilled with the idea that someone on our cruise may need it more than I do.

maybe you can ask for a non HC room?

 

[Talking Hands]

Some wheelchairs fold up. I use a powered wheelchair and it doesn't fold up at all. While I do not need to use it all the time. I do need it for Castaway Cay as my husband cannot really push me in the heat due to his medical issues. So what do you propose I do with my chair if I cannot get a HC cabin.

 

[pjpoohbear]

Lisbet, I am sure that if you didn't have a room that had space for/door wide enough and DCL had your special needs form indicating your special requirements, they would contact you to work out a solution.

I personally wouldn't want to leave that special requirement to chance of possible accommodation on the ship at time of sailing, I would personally need to know it was taken care of before hand, but I am a planner that way.

I have seen EVCs parked near the elevators on past cruises, both for charging and most likely due to space issues.

Pj