How much would you pay for a wheelchair?
I was amazed recently when a customer of mine advised me that Holland America had charged him $380 for the hire of a wheelchair on a 10 night sailing on board the Nieuw Amsterdam. The gentleman in question does not always require a wheelchair and can get away without them but due to a health issue at the last moment had decided he would be better to have one so arranged it whilst on board.
To make matters worse the wheelchair had the hire companies name ‘Special Needs Group’ emblazoned on the back.
This is the first time that I have ever heard of a cruise line charging for wheelchairs although to be honest many cruise lines do not actually provide them so at least Holland America offer this facility.
But $380 seems a bit steep – what do you think?
One Comment on “How much would you pay for a wheelchair?”
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I have worked in the travel industry for over 25 years now since beginning as a holiday rep on a campsite in France and I have a real passion for travel. I've worked in all aspects of the industry including sales, marketing and management and I've specialised in most products…
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Yup…
That is a steep price.
All cruise lines have wheel chairs to enable helping passengers who need help to get on and off the ship especially at the start and stop of the cruise.
A large majority of like HA passengers are their bread and butter.
Most of the time they need a wheelchair to get them around the ship as it is a long walk to get to dinner or entertainment.
It is true they have a limited number and if the gentleman in question wanted the wheelchair for the whole cruise as in not allowing the staff to move a person than I could see a reason for a charge.
Though this should have been communicated to him prior so he could have had options. Regardless that is outright robbery.
He probably could have arranged it himself for a lesser price or even borrowed one from a local disability or Red Cross group, even rented a scooter.