Mediterranean Disabilities Help needed

[leira1989]

Hi. I am really surprised that there aren't many threads concerning disabilities and the Disney Cruise Line in general, but I am hoping someone experienced with overseas travel can help.

My DF suffers from congestive heart failure and COPD. He is ambulatory but tires quite easily and due to poor circulation, his legs cramp when he walks too far.

Last Fall we took a 10 day cruise on the Disney Wonder and were not only able to take his mobility scooter onboard (never mind that it broke down & we left it parked in our stateroom), but we were able to rent oxygen for him to use.

We then fell in love with Disney cruising and booked the 14 day Western Repostioning cruise. It goes from Barcelona Spain back to Cape Canaveral. We plan to spend a week in Ireland before going to Barcelona.

I think I've talked him out of taking them mobility scooter and think I will rent a wheelchair, as Europe obviously is not compliant with Americans with Disabilities Legislation.

My question is this: Does anybody know or have any tips for us to rent Oxygen in Dublin Ireland or Barcelona Spain? Especially that would let us take the O2 tanks to Cape Canaveral, USA?

It's not like we can rent them and return them to the place we got them from like we did last fall.

Any help or advice would be appreciated!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I think the first thing to do would be contact DCL. As people with existing medical needs are requested to fill out certain forms in advance, there should be an office there related to medical needs. Since they work with this routinelym they would be a good place to start.

You also might want to contact the company which locally supplies your oxygen tanks; usually they are involved in some sort of network and can work with other locations to get what you need. There could even be an international component to this network.

 

[leira1989]

Thanks for the Super fast response.

We did notify DCL and have the printout of the needed forms for DF's Doctor to complete. DF is contacting his local supplier but did not get much help from them last year for the cruise. They are excellent when we stay at WDW, but fell a bit short for the cruise. DCL rescued us with the needed info last Fall.

Being that this is DCL's first experience with the European cruises, and especially since a Repo Cruise presents different situations, we will probably contact DCL once the Eastbound Repo cruise is complete.

Again, thanks so much! Love the help I can get from this board so much!!

 

[cupcake]

My dh and I are going on the Eastbound repo cruise!!!!!!!

I have mobility issues so cannot offer any words of wisdom for your DF's needs, but if you can think of anything that you would like me to be on the lookout for, do not hesitate to let me know. My dh and I would be delighted to help in any way we can. We can also try to answer mobility related DCL questions as we are repeat cruisers.

Have a wonderful time on your cruise!!

Cupcake

 

[leira1989]

My dh and I are going on the Eastbound repo cruise!!!!!!!

I have mobility issues so cannot offer any words of wisdom for your DF's needs, but if you can think of anything that you would like me to be on the lookout for, do not hesitate to let me know. My dh and I would be delighted to help in any way we can. We can also try to answer mobility related DCL questions as we are repeat cruisers.

Have a wonderful time on your cruise!!

Cupcake

Cupcake,
This is great! When you get back, please let me know how things went for you. If you book any excursions let me know how they worked out and if you have to tender, I'd like to know which ports were involved.

When we went last Fall and his scooter broke down, DF was able to walk from one end of the Wonder to the other without too much trouble, but took lots of rest stops & used more Oxygen than normal. We didn't book any excursions, but took a couple of taxi tours and shopped close to port.

We tried to visit all 4 islands that were scheduled for 4 days in a row and ended up seeing 2.5 of them. I think this cruise will be a lot easier since the port visits aren't as bunched up.

Can't wait to hear how you liked the Repo Cruise!

 

[dclfun]

DCL has a list of vendors that will be available for equipment and O2 rental for those going on the Med cruises. Call DCL and ask to speak with Carol in special services...she has all the information. I know they are recommending folding lightweight manual chairs due to the cobblestone streets, etc. Also be aware that many of the places you will visit on excursions have many narrow steps. Looking at the excursions online many are also very lengthy- a bit tough for someone with stamina issues. ---Kathy

 

[cupcake]

"If you book any excursions let me know how they worked out and if you have to tender, I'd like to know which ports were involved."

Will do! I also plan to purchase the latest Passporter DCL guide (I need to get on that, I think it's just come out). Apparently, they have detailed info on each Med port in terms of logistics (tendering, excursions, alternate excursions on your own, etc.).

I'm hoping the repo will be the best of all worlds--there are some neat places to see, hopefully the excursions will work out well in terms of allowing us to see sights w/o extensive walking, the "big days" are spaced out pretty well, and the days at sea will be fun and not too strenuous.

And in what has to be some sort of karma, I just noticed that you are going to be in Dublin. Oddly enough, so are we, but for only 1 night (trying to make it two, if seats bookable with airline awards open up). We can't get home directly from Barcelona, and Dublin had decent flights, so we are flying there when we disembark in Barcelona (doesn't cost us any addl miles), staying a night (hopefully 2) and then flying home. Haven't figured out where we are staying in Dublin, but if you have, please do PM me with details and your rationale.

I will also report back on the info in the Passporter guide once I get it re whether it has info that seems helpful in terms of figuring out what sounds not only fun but also viable in terms of excursions.

Cupcake