HELP-wheelchair or scooter on DCL

[buzz&woody'smom]

Help! I called Disney cruise lines and they were not helpful at all! Last year we went on the 4 day Wonder and my Mom took her wheelchair which was fine.

This October we are going on the 7 day Magic. My Mom had a stroke 2 years ago at the young age of 56 and uses a wheelchair for long distances and just got a electric scooter yesterday.

She can not use her right hand at all and walks very short distances with her right leg dragging.

I am concerned about her being able to get off the ship in Key West. I know the dock (pier) is long and she needs to make it to the train/trolley depot. DCL says she can not take her wheelchair on the excursions and all of their excursions are not wheelchair accessible.

They told me she can take her collapsible wheelchair again and the scooter and they will store her scooter in the elevator area and charge it there but it seems if she wants to get off the ship she will need to take both her scooter and wheelchair????

In Key West we were going to take the train or trolley but I am not sure how to get her off the ship to the trolley or train.

In Grand Cayman she wanted to take the DCL trip Island Tour via AC Bus to Hell and the turtle farm. I called DCL and she can take her wheel chair to tender in but they made it sound like she could not take her wheel chair on the DCL bus to hell with 20 minutes there or to the turtle farm 40 minutes visit.

In Cozumel she was going to take the DCL trip that is a semi sub/boat.

Anyone have any suggestions for her to see something in Grand Caymen? In Cozumel we could take her wheelchair down the pier and a taxi to Chakanab if she can't do the DCL excursion???

In Key West if I can take her wheel chair, push he down to the pier and fold up the chair to ride the trolley or train we will be ok.

ANY HELP, she is scared and I need the info to reassure her so she can enjoy this cruise.

Thanks!
Tiffiny

 

[Mickiethepooh]

Take both. that is what I always do. I hope you booked a handicapped cabin you will need it.
What is she scared about?
use the scooter on board and use the folding wheelchair on shore. most excursions can handle the folding chair.
I will admit it is a bit of a pain getting the scooter and chair to the ship from airport of whatever but that's all, you can also rent both wheelchair and scooter to be delivered to the ship and picked up from it which saves some hassles.
If you need advice on flying with scooter just ask

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

Thanks for your speedy reply. After her stroke she has struggled so much with everything, relearning how to do everything so things out of her comfort zone scare her.

Have you done any excursions on the Western route in Key West, Grand Cayman or Cozumel?

It will be hard to take both the scooter and wheelchair. Can we check her wheelchair with the luggage at the sip and ride her scooter on board?

Is the info DCL gave me about storing the scooter by the elevators correct?

 

[Mickiethepooh]

Sorry don't have any excursions to suggest. I assume they only mean they will store the scooter in the area where you reboard the ship after shore excursions. normally scooters should not be left near elevators or in halls.
You can check the wheelchair with the baggage. and ride on the ship.

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

I called DCL this afternoon and they said once we board to check with Guest Relations and they will instruct us where to leave the scooter in a area near the elevators for storage and charging. I had the impression they meant a area behind the elevators not blocking the elevators.

 

[dclfun]

The problem with shore excursions is that Disney has no control over the companies that handle them. In foreign countries they don't have to follow the ADA rules. I know Matt Ouimet, president of DCL, was working with officials in Grand Cayman and Cozumel to try and improve accessibility issues for guests and in fact, one new dock was built which is much better. When we went on the Eastern Caribbean cruise I could only get out and "shop" at a nearby area in St. Thomas...St. Maarten had a local dock also but I couldn't actually get over to the main area since it required a tender. ( I cannot transfer to or use a manual wheelchair due to a ventilator and feeding pump attached to my chair). I've been told but don't know firsthand that there would be basically nothing I could do on the Western cruise as far as shore excursions. Your Mom though should be able to enjoy herself as long as she can transfer in/out of a manual chair and use it to get around while onshore. Leave the scooter on the ship. If you take the DCL bus, make sure to let them know you need a lift bus- she could ride the scooter on and leave the manual chair in the storage bay underneath the bus- no problem. I also agree with the suggestion to book an accessible stateroom as it will provide much more room inside plus a very large accessible bathroom and doors which open with slight touch. She could then leave her scooter in the room to charge where it's safer/not in a public area. --Kathy

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

Thank you so much for your post and information. I have found now that she can take her scooter and they will instruct us where to store it by the elevators and charge it. I arranged a rental wheelchair to be delivered to the port for shore days.

I also have come up with the idea for my parents to rent a car to tour Grand Cayman or take a taxi tour of the island which my TA recommended

 

[dclfun]

I've seen the scooters charging before out by the elevators in an alcove, but personally I'd prefer to have my medical equipment in my own room. You never know when someone might come by and inadvertently damage it by leaning on it, examining it out of curiosity, etc. The accessible rooms are large enough to keep the scooter with her but I'm not sure what category you've reserved since those rooms are limited. We had one on the 6th deck with a HUGE verandah that I enjoyed immensely. There were a table and chairs, two lounge chairs, I could fully recline and elevate my chair to catch the breeze.....and there was still enough room to play basketball out there! It was at the end of the ship though which did make navigating down the hallways a challenge. The idea of getting a taxi sounds great- hope you all have a great time, and please report back about your experiences. ---Kathy

 

[cupcake]

Ha!!!! to the idea that it is a "short walk" to the place where the trolley departs. It was a good 10 minute plus walk and there was nowhere to sit while we waited for the trolley. The trolley ride itself was nice, though. I should not have let myself get talked out of using the wc, I can do short distances and thought based on what they said it was OK. I *STRONGLY* recommend that your mom needs her wc to get to the trolley, it is a hike.

Cozumel has narrow sidewalks with a good amt of posts & obstructions in the middle of the sidewalks which would cause problems for a wc user. Many shops have makeshift ramps over steps to get in and out which are very steep.

We regret not renting a car in Cozumel. Given that I can do short distances, we could have driven around and checked out the island while minimizing walking & sun exposure. We got rained out of Grand Cayman on the Western so could not do the planned baby turtle tour. Did not try the beach type excursions anywhere as I am photo-sensitive.

At this point, my dh and I really enjoy spending time onboard and dispensing with the excursions. I guess it comes down to what you are trying to get out of the trip, and the fact that maybe we are just fuddy-duddies and are enjoying the peace and quiet rather than schlepping around in the heat & crowds. So I'm sorry I can't be of more help! I write to note that it is easy to just sign up for the excursions and plan every moment (and that can be a lot of fun) but that's not the only fun choice.

Cupcake

 

[Michigan]

We haven't been on the DCL yet because I'm afraid that there will be so many stollers on the elevators I won't be able to get both my girls in wheelchairs on them. So we sailed Princess instead.

Because your talking about leaving the scooter by the elevator that makes me think your not in a handicap cabin. If that's true I think you will have a lot of problems. First the doorway isn't large enough for a chair to go through and second the bathrooms are very small and your mother will be more likely to fall and get hurt. If your not in a handicap room I would call and request that you be moved to one. It won't cost you anything more if it's in the same category and she will be more comfortable.

When it comes to shore excursions life usually stinks. However, if you search the internet you can find companies that do wheelchair accessible tours. I copied one I found out there for you.

http://www.shoretours.com/Tours/USA+Mainland/Key+West,+Florida/~Ports~56~12

 

[AuntyBrat]

My DD and I are going on our first cruise, but my mom is talking about her and my dad going with us next year. She is in a WC/Scooter and I was not sure how that would work out on the cruise. You have made me feel better about booking a room with her in mind for next year!!!

Thanks!!! You are the best!!!

Laura

 

[dclfun]

Laura- I think you'll all enjoy DCL. The ship itself is fully accessible and there's plenty to do onboard. Activities don't stop just because the ship is in port. ---Kathy