Wheelchairs on speciality cruises

[Camster0307]

We're thinking of trying to book one for our trip in November. Has anyone done this with a wheelchair? It says that they use pontoon boats which, if I'm picturing it correctly, doesn't seem like it would be roomy enough for a wheelchair - if we fill it with the 8-10 people max?

Also, it seems that the children in the party are required to wear the life vests. Because of my daughter's advanced scoliosis, I would never be able to get the life vest on her in her chair.

Has anyone done one of these cruises and faced these issues? Any opinions are welcomed! Thanks!

 

[Camster0307]

Anyone?

 

[pugdog]

Yes you can get a wheelchair on it. We have done 5 different ones.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

A friend of mine who is one of the Captains for the specialty cruises and does the Breathless and pontoon boats stated the following in reply to my question:

The pontoon boat door is wide enough for a standard width wheelchair.
The chair can be placed on the boat in the front center between the seated party. The maximum number of guests is 10 including adults, children and the wheelchair.
Policy is that all children 12 and under must wear a life vest.

 

[Camster0307]

The pontoon boat door is wide enough for a standard width wheelchair.
The chair can be placed on the boat in the front center between the seated party. The maximum number of guests is 10 including adults, children and the wheelchair.
Policy is that all children 12 and under must wear a life vest.

Thanks - great to get feedback from an insider! Since my daughter is 14, I shouldn't have to worry about the life vest then. I certainly want to keep her safe but I couldn't picture the life vest fitting on her because of the way her back fits into a cut-out in her wheelchair. She also has a trach so I was concerned about how a vest would fit in front of her also. I'm comfortable with taking her on the boat - just wanted to make sure we weren't breaking any rules.

 

[shermomof5]

We rented a pontoon boat for the fireworks cruise and took my 12 year old son's power wheelchair on board. He stayed in his chair and had a great time!!

 

[Camster0307]

Thanks for the feedback! Great to hear that it worked out for you!