Royal Caribbean known as Royal Caribbean International was founded in 1968 and is a company that owns a line of cruises. It is the biggest company in owning cruises by revenue in the world and the second-largest in the number of accommodating passengers. Its headquarters are in Miami, United States. The name of all the Caribbean ships after 1987 ends up with ‘of the Seas’. This is because, in 1987, Sovereign of the Seas entered the Royal Caribbean Group after which each ship added this phrase like the ‘Grandeur of the Seas’, launched in 1996. Let’s know here ‘Does Royal Caribbean Have Wheelchairs?’.
Does Royal Caribbean Have Wheelchairs?
Royal Caribbean owns two private resorts, Labadee and Coco Cay as a stop in between the trips. Royal Caribbean does provide wheelchairs for the disabled. The cost is different for different types of wheelchairs and also depends upon the number of days of requirement. Though you don’t need to inform in advance about the requirement of a wheelchair, still it will be helpful for the management team to assist you if you share some information about your needs.
Required advance information for some disabilities and needs:
You have to inform in advance about some special requirements and needs for the disabled, also you have to inform some days prior for certain kind of disabilities like-
- If you are traveling with a person who cannot listen or speak or if you have this disability then it is required to have a 60-day prior notice about the need for a sign language interpreter.
- If someone is traveling with a group of persons having any kind of disability, then 72-hours prior notice is required.
- A 30-day prior notice is required if you need some special types of equipment and services.
Below is the list of services and types of equipment that require thirty days prior notice:
- Shower stool
- Raised toilet seat
- Transfer bench
- Extension cord
- Commode chair
- Efficient listening devices
- Medical refrigerator
- Oxygen delivery supply
- Teletypewriter(TTY)
Cost of different types of wheelchairs:
Royal Caribbean provides different types of wheelchairs, having different costs according to their quality and features-
a) Standard wheelchair
This wheelchair costs $45 for one day and $125 for nine-day use. It can hold up to 200-250 lbs of weight. This type of wheelchair is used for a short period of time and is the most basic wheelchair( that’s why it is the cheapest), though this is a self-propelled wheelchair, it is advisable to use it with the help of a helper or a caregiver. Its weight is around 40-50 lbs and comes with a detachable leg rest and is wholly transportable.
b) Ultra Light Standard wheelchair-
This wheelchair can be half-folded with a swinging footrest that can be removed. Due to this reason, people would prefer to take it more as it is portable and can be easily fit in the trunk of the cars. It can hold a person up to a weight of 250 lbs. The seat width is 18 inches. The weight of this wheelchair is 25 lbs and it costs $55 for one day and $170 for nine days.
c) Extra Wide standard wheelchair
As it is clear from the name, the seat width is quite large, up to 22 inches. It can hold a weight of 500 lbs and can be folded into two halves with removable footrests, it also has removable armrests. The weight of this wheelchair is 40 lbs and the cost for one day is $50 and for nine days is $130.
d) Pediatric wheelchair
This wheelchair is for disabled children and holds up to 200 lbs of weight. The seat width is 14 inches and is collapsable which means it can be folded into two halves with removable footrests, it also provides elevated leg rests. This wheelchair weighs 200 lbs and costs $50 for one day and $130 for nine days.
Extra assistance provided by Royal Caribbean for disabled:
- Royal Caribbean provides an ‘Accessible stateroom’ for the disabled. You don’t need to bring any medical certificate for proof of disability, only you need to fill out a Guest Special Needs Form which the company provides you at the time of booking.
- The company provides ‘Accessible Shore Excursion’ to their disabled customers at their ports. They provide you with the best experience with a comfortable journey with experienced guides. Throughout the journey, they take care of the requirements like bathrooms with broad doors for the entrance of wheelchairs, and vehicles providing wheelchair lifts.
- They also provide Large print menus, tactile signage, and audio call signals for customers having visual or hearing disabilities.
- Royal Caribbean can help disabled customers to transfer from airport to pier or from ship to pier if the customer has informed the management team in advance.
Conclusion
Royal Caribbean provides wheelchairs for mobility disabilities or any kind of disabled person. For special equipment, you have to inform them in advance so that the company can provide you with the best and most comfortable experience. Their different wheelchairs cost different according to their features.
