Are Disabled Passengers Being Discriminated Against ?
From Summer 2013, P&O will be changing their policies on not allowing a disabled passengers to take a mobility scooter on board their ships unless they are actually booked in a disabled cabin or suite that will accommodate the vehicle. Now we all know that availability on disabled cabins are very limited on all cruise ships and this is going to cause a nightmare for a lot of disabled passengers that do need a scooter whilst on board.
Now what P&O are saying is :
If passengers are taking an electric wheelchair, you can book a standard cabin however, P&O have found that the electric wheelchairs are too wide to fit through the standard cabin doors as they generally do not collapse. The door width of a standard cabin ranges from 51cm to 55cm (depending on ship) so if their wheelchair is bigger than this, they cannot take it in a standard cabin. If this is the case, then passengers would need to be booked into an adapted cabin so that it can be stored safely as it cannot be left in the corridor.
P&O scooter policy will come into effect as of the following cruises:
Adonia – D302 (03.04.13)
Arcadia – J302 (14.04.13)
Aurora – R302 (24.04.13)
Azura – A308N (04.04.13)
Oceana – E305 (30.03.13)
Oriana – X304 (18.03.13)
Ventura – N307 (07.04.13)
Now the other side of this is :
Would a disabled passenger be ok with the facilities of a standard cabin?
The only problem here is, there is a 6 inch step into the bathroom and possibly a shower over a bath and passengers will not be able to use the wheelchair in a standard cabin? But If you have an electric wheelchair that collapses and can fit through the cabin door, then you’re ok to book a standard cabin.
To be honest my mum was a wheelchair user and I know how difficult things can be but personally I do also understand the reasons behind this new rule that has been introduced because some passengers do leave their scooters in the corridors and it is a big major safety issue especially for other passengers. Corridors on ships are small enough but when you have scooters and things like pushchairs outside blocking areas it’s a nightmare.
What are your thoughts of this new rule ?
About Me
My name is Michelle Fennelly and I have over 28 years of experience in the travel industry and cruising is my passion. I have worked for Cruise.co.uk for the last 6yrs which I absolutely love, before then I have worked for Air200 – Airtours / MyTravel – Tomas Cook. I…
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