Is there a disability guide for cruise line?

[abitjaded]

We have a copy of the disability guide for the parks, but is there one for the cruise ships? I have been trying to find anything written on getting around the Magic and onto shore excursions with a wheelchair. Would also be interested in how to get around Charlotte Amalie in St Thomas and where is accessible on St Martin. Anyone point me in a direction?

 

[teri]

Disney Cruise Vacations has a Medical Special Services Coordinator who can probably answer your questions. As of last September, I don't think there was such a guidebook, but that may have changed. If you call their reservation number, they can probably transfer your call. All I have is the fax number, 407-566-7739.

I have heard that they have special wheelchairs for use on the beaches, but that some shore excursions are not accessible. You might want to post your questions on the Cruise Line Board, where they have the latest information.

 

[abitjaded]

Thanks Teri,

There has not been a huge amount of info on the cruise line. There have been some responses there to my questions, I have been try to encourage a few folks who have cruised with wheelchairs to post more info for all to see.

 

[SueM in MN]

Sorry you didn't get a lot of info. There are a few regular readers/posters on this board that have been on cruises with wheelchairs (unfortunately not me). It seems that the wheelchair access for outside excurtions are still a work in progress. Hopefully one of people who have been on the cruises will see your post and respond.

 

[Wheelsie]

I have attempted w/o any luck many times to access handi info for DCL and many other cruise lines. No travel agents have info Disney doesnt have info. I guess someone will just have to be the guinnea pig to be able to write a book a/b it!

 

[abitjaded]

Dear All
I have even called DCL special services direct, and they will ask around, it seems, and can sometimes answer specific questions. The Indigo Guide for the US Virgin Islands does have a few side bar notes on some of the larger tourist attractions, such as Coral World and one of the plantation tours. Just seems strange that a company that is so careful about having info on the parks is so lousy about the cruise line. While I realize the shore excursion companies are all independent, you would think DCL could tell me which have partial-full wheelchair use and if we can even get over the curbs in St Thomas and St Marten. Especially since they want to book excursions 60 days in advance and then NO REFUNDS 7 days in advance. IF this trip finally comes off with my mom in tow I promise you all to take note of and report on such things as shopping district ramps, etc.

 

[mamajoan]

Carla, It has been a while since I cruised on the Magic. We went on a three day. The ship is very accessable. I had no problems on board except sometimes I had to wait a little longer for an elevator come by that was not filled with passengers. Nassau was ok, but there are no curb cuts so be careful. The drivers are wild and the roads are rough. Shops were not too accessable. I know your mom can transfer, so taxi's won't be too much of a problem... but TELL them FIRST you have to bring along the wheel chair. Some guys won't take you, others are happy to do so. The Atlantis resort was a nice place to visit. Castaway Cay has specialty w/c for beach use. You don't have to pay to use them, they are available when you leave the ship. Ask a CM where to find the beach W/C. The path at Castaway Cay is smooth. I am not sure about the 7 day cruise experience. I think that some of the ports have tenders and I am not sure if your mom would be able to go up and down the steps to the boats. Again I have no idea how steep the steps are... Lindadvc may be able to answer these ? much better than I.
Hope all goes well and that you all enjoy your adventure in paradise.
Joan

 

[abitjaded]

Thanks mamajoan. We will be on the 7 day eastern cruise. I have been combing guides, looking at the pictures trying to see what curbs and streets look like! DCL says they will help if it is their tenders, but mostly all the contractors will take you if you can do the lifting, transfers etc. Hopefully we will dock at each port and not tender. My mom can do most anything on good days, and not much on bad days. So... We had been in St Tom and St Mart many years ago and I remember rough streets and curbs. DCL has suggested calling the tourist info offices for each island. I will do so at some point. I figure there must be someone on each of the islands who can get me some answers! I'll post whatever I get (such as the nice sidebars in the Indigo guides). Have heard that the sand chairs at CC are great and also one comment that they were impossible to push across to the water!

 

[mamajoan]

You are going to have such a good time.. please do post when you get back. I am anxious to go on another cruise. I would love to be able to see some of the ports.

Your mom is tiny so the beach chair at CC won't be too hard to push on the sand. If your mom does not want to sit out in the sun... the pavillion is a great place to sit for the day. I spent most of my time there. Lots going on, people are sooo friendly, she will have many conversations.
btw how did the purchase of the new chair work out??

 

[abitjaded]

AAARRRGGhhh. The chair. Well, still nothing yet. Turns out that the script won't be covered by Medicare since she does not need it in the home, only to get out of the home. She has actually ventured out a few times in the last two weeks, and can go short distances on her own (they doubled her oxycontin and codeine, this made it possible.) So we are just going to get a companion-transport chair, hopefully this weekend (just got the check from the Sewage district-but that is a whole 'nother really long story). Her spinal specialist returns from vacation and we see her reg doc on Monday, and we also are going to court Monday to see the guy who snatched her purse tried (but that too is another really long story). Life has been a bit, ummmm... complicated lately (thank Heaven for DIS, keeps me entertained.)

I emailed "The Islander" today, a web site for USVI that hopefully can get me a few answers about St Thomas, such as cobbled streets and curb cuts. Also emailed the VI Natl' Park service with more questions.

Carla

 

[SueM in MN]

Good luck. I hope things work out for you.

 

[abitjaded]

Bumping for another cruiser with questions.