Proposal...We need a DCL FAQ

[Linda Bell]

It's hard to decide if you want to go on a cruise if you have special needs and the questions are always there. So can we do a cruise FAQ with pics?

I'm going in August and would be happy to try and take pictures of anything anyone wants to see. Try is the operative word here. I am not a digital photographer. We are doing a room tour and have 3 levels of ADA cabins covered so I can probably ask the cruisers if they will let me take pics. My son has a web board so we could host them there.

I wouldn't be so hot at write ups as I write and talk in fragments and just expect people to fill in the blanks....

While I'm asking for things a wheelchair emoticon would be nice too.

Linda

 

[SueM in MN]

That sounds like a good idea.
We have not been on a cruise, so I know little about them. I do know that there a lot of disABILITIES Board visitors who have been on cruises, so between you, there is probably a lot of good info.

I am willing to do some searches of past threads (after July, since my oldest DD is getting married in July).

 

[dclfun]

The only thing I would ask is that photos of the accessible staterooms are NOT posted. It's a real shame but there are many able-bodied guests who will try and reserve these staterooms because they are larger. Some are doing this only because they see the size on the deck plans and don't realize that those are for guests with disabilities due to the need for a turning radius for a w/c or a wider door or level flooring vs. the bathroom step-up, etc., but some are doing so because they want the space and don't care if it keeps someone else who IS disabled from being able to sail. Sad but true.---Kathy

 

[Selket]

We are sailing in October with William who is 5 yrs old with a peanut/tree nut allergy and type 1 diabetes. So I would be happy to help fill in info for those things as folks often have questions about how well the ship handles food allergies - and the kids clubs with food allergies. We don't generally request low-sugar meals as some Type 2's might.

We are hoping to leave him for short periods in the kids clubs (with us checking on him often - we plan to do his bgl monitoring ourselves of course).

I think a FAQ is a great idea because I've tried to do searches on cruising with peanut allergies/diabetes and not come up with a huge amount of info. I still am not sure if the childcare staff will keep his Epipen and if they would give it to him in an emergency - stuff like that (which could impact my decision to leave him there!).

 

[SueM in MN]

The only thing I would ask is that photos of the accessible staterooms are NOT posted. It's a real shame but there are many able-bodied guests who will try and reserve these staterooms because they are larger. Some are doing this only because they see the size on the deck plans and don't realize that those are for guests with disabilities due to the need for a turning radius for a w/c or a wider door or level flooring vs. the bathroom step-up, etc., but some are doing so because they want the space and don't care if it keeps someone else who IS disabled from being able to sail. Sad but true.---Kathy

I can really see your point. It's sad that something that might help someone who really needs the information might also be abused by people who only see it as an extra 'feature'.
I have seen posts from people without disabilities talking about these rooms and how much more 'roomy' they are, not realizing that the extra room is because a wheelchair needs all that extra room.

So, I agree with Kathy. It would be good to have people's comments about how well some of the features of the accessible staterooms worked for them and general descriptions of things - like how easy was it to get in and out of the room, was there enough room to transfer. Those things might be more helpful even than pictures.

 

[Linda Bell]

I can really see your point. It's sad that something that might help someone who really needs the information might also be abused by people who only see it as an extra 'feature'.
I have seen posts from people without disabilities talking about these rooms and how much more 'roomy' they are, not realizing that the extra room is because a wheelchair needs all that extra room.

So, I agree with Kathy. It would be good to have people's comments about how well some of the features of the accessible staterooms worked for them and general descriptions of things - like how easy was it to get in and out of the room, was there enough room to transfer. Those things might be more helpful even than pictures.

Darn you're right. Hate it; but you are. It was just so hard to find the pics when I went on my wild web hunt. I finally subscribed to a board where you pay a small fee to see the cabins.

I just got off of Cruise Critic where there is a thread where travel agents deliberately book these for their able bodied clients, found a web site that recommends you book them and a lot of justification of "gee I'll give it up if someone really needs it" threads.

Some of the cruise lines are now requiring the doctor's note prior to booking ADA rooms. I realize this would not necessarily stop everyone but it would make them pause and think.

I wonder if DCL actually bumps anyone out of an ADA if it is required by someone that actually needs it. I wish they would open up some kind of waitlist for those that have sent in confirmation. I can only keep calling and hope something becomes available.


Linda

 

[dclfun]

Because of the ADA, the cruiselines cannot require a Dr's note or even proof of disability in order for someone to reserve those few staterooms. They will NOT bump someone out of an accessible stateroom even if they know for sure that person is not disabled. The mentality is "first come, first served and if someone needs an accessible stateroom they need to book early". This is sometimes difficult when booking early means as soon as a date is released, often over a year ahead of time. ---Kathy

 

[Linda Bell]

Because of the ADA, the cruiselines cannot require a Dr's note or even proof of disability in order for someone to reserve those few staterooms. They will NOT bump someone out of an accessible stateroom even if they know for sure that person is not disabled. The mentality is "first come, first served and if someone needs an accessible stateroom they need to book early". This is sometimes difficult when booking early means as soon as a date is released, often over a year ahead of time. ---Kathy

When I'm Queen of the Universe I'll fix that. RATS!

Good info on the tubs. I no longer take baths. Gave them up to put in a roll in shower.


Linda