Recently in Sea Travel Category

From USA Today:

This item was written by Johanna Jainchill, who covers the travel industry for Travel Weekly. Jainchill is serving as Guest Editor of The Cruise Log while USA TODAY Cruise Editor Gene Sloan is away.

An advocate for travelers with disabilities said that the recent mishap between Carnival Cruise Lines and a passenger's dialysis machine is a lesson that travelers should always keep medical equipment on their person.

As several Florida news outlets reported this week, a South Florida family was escorted off a Carnival ship last Saturday after the cruise line was not able locate one of the family members' dialysis machine.

According to a report on Local10.com, Lillian Hensley, her disabled daughter, her son and son's wife were all supposed to be on a five-day Carnival cruise from Miami this week, but instead were asked to disembark before it departed because the daughter's dialysis equipment was not located.

Hensley's daughter requires nightly dialysis, the report said, and Hensley received clearance from Carnival to bring a portable dialysis machine on board. Hensley said she she checked the equipment with the rest of her luggage and boarded the ship.

Carnival said that Hensley had advised the line that she would be bringing medical supplies, but that she would hand-carry them onto the ship, "per Carnival's standard procedures in these cases.

Full article:

http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/post/2012/05/carnival-destiny-missing-dialysis-machine/700715/1

The Daily Tribune reports a situation that bears further investigation. Public clarification of Celebrity Cruise's policy seems in order.

"I was in shock and couldn't believe it," he said. "Before I got onboard nobody raised any issue about my disability."

Jim Keskeny was left behind on a cruise -- intentionally:

What happened to Jim Keskeny, 66, a wheelchair user who has multiple sclerosis, is both shocking and scary.

Keskeny, who lived in Bloomfield Township for eight years, signed up for a 10-day cruise with the Miami-based Celebrity Cruises Inc., owned and operated by Royal Caribbean International, of the eastern Caribbean.

He paid $4,000 for his ticket so he'd have a larger stateroom for his wheelchair and also paid extra to have a butler assigned to him to help him since he was traveling alone.

Keskeny, now of Pinckney, who traveled extensively during his career on behalf of the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation, made sure he'd receive extra assistance on the cruise before he bought the ticket and flew to Miami on Feb. 13 to board the ship.

"When I went through check-in, everyone was aware I used a wheelchair because it was obvious," he said. "Cruise line officials knew I paid for extra assistance, if needed...

The ship left the Miami port Monday, Feb. 14.

But the next morning, when he asked the butler to help him get his wheelchair over a non-compliant ADA lip going into the bathroom, the butler refused.

The full story:

Related articles

• Return of the Class System - Concierge Everything (outsidethebeltway.com)

The Cunard Line has had at least two different classes on its ships for all of its 171 years. But President Peter Shanks says the industry's newest enclaves may provoke some backlash, particularly if they stick out as so much nicer than other parts of the vessel.

"When you create special luxury areas, it sort of doesn't gel with the rest of the ship," says Mr. Shanks. "If you're not careful, you can feel a bit imprisoned and at odds with the rest of the customers."

The phrase "feel a bit imprisoned and at odds with the rest of the customers" applied here to the privileged class might be the straightforward response to the experience. There is a revealing irony that this experience of being "excluded by design," which is the daily experience of the disability community, is also the experience of those segregated through privilege.  Still, no mention is made whether Universal Design permeates these enclaves or if the presumption is still that travelers with disabilities will be further segregated by limited access even when booking inside these ship-within-a-ship complexes:

Related articles

• River cruises: they're not for everybody (gadling.com)
• The Evolution of Cruising (chicagonow.com)
• APT is getting BIGGER and BIGGER (cruiseblogjohnpond.com)

Happy St Patrick's Day sailors!

At Access Tourism NZ read about new guidelines making maritime travel more accessible for people with disabilities published by Ireland's Department of Transportation and the National Disability Authority (NDA).

http://www.eturbonews.com/9500/traveltalkradio-interview-ken-carver-president-international-crui

Patricia Ribeiro at her About.com site Brazil Travel breaks a wonderful Geotourism story in English:

The famous coral pools of Pajuçara, in Maceió, are about to become more accessible to travelers with disabilities. A wheelchair-accessible jangada - the typical sailboat of the Brazilian Northeast - is to be launched at the end of January.

Designer Jorge Luiz Silva and supporters hope to collect funds to build three more jangadas. I'll be posting the bank account as soon as I have it. Read more about the accessible jangada.

Photo courtesy of Prefeitura Municipal de Maceió

Follow the story at:

http://gobrazil.about.com/b/2010/01/24/accessible-jangada-in-pajucara.htm

Failure to understand that the use of a wheelchair for mobility is as much a "medical situation" as the use of Nikes or Guccis (or a bicycle by a fish) may result in Voyages of Discovery being denied access to a large, lucrative, and growing market:

 

PASSENGERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Voyages of Discovery will always try to accommodate passengers with special needs.  However, the following conditions apply:

 

Medical Situations: Any physical disability or medical condition that requires special treatment or medical apparatus must be reported to the company's Reservations Manager in writing along with the first deposit, which is due at time of booking. These include, but are not limited to, wheelchairs, oxygen therapy, dialysis, guide dogs, etc.  Failure to disclose a medical situation at time of booking may result in your being denied boarding at port of embarkation.

Trying  to accommodate a demographic with "special (sic) needs" begins with succeeding at understanding the psychographics of that market.

Bon voyage, Geoff!

From his site:

Leaving today, 10th December 2009, Geoff Holt embarks on Personal Atlantic, setting sail on a 60ft, purpose-built, wheelchair-accessible catamaran on a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean.   The 3,000 mile journey will take him up to a month to complete, across some of the most hostile waters in the world.

In completing his Challenge, Geoff Holt will become the first quadriplegic to make the journey, unassisted in every aspect of the sailing.

Having sailed the Atlantic Ocean three times before an accident in 1984 which left Geoff confined to a wheelchair, this will be an emotional voyage for Geoff Holt as he attempts the journey for the first time as a disabled yachtsman.  But his overriding desire in attempting the voyage, is to inspire others to do something positive with their lives.

As Geoff says, "It's not about being disabled. It's not about sailing the Atlantic Ocean. It's about demonstrating that disability need not be a barrier to achieving something positive in your life"

It will be a matter of complex logistics for the shore-based support team and a feat of personal endurance and sailing skills for Geoff.  Although both physically able to navigate and sail the boat competently, Geoff is unable to look after his own physical requirements. He can not get himself out of his wheelchair to sleep, to use the loo or to shower without help. To overcome this, Geoff will be accompanied on the voyage by a professional, medically trained carer to aid him with the physical aspects of his life. The carer will play no part in the sailing of the yacht.

http://www.geoffholt.com/

From the video description:

"A very nice trip, also good suitable for wheelchair users. With good exotic food and fantastic music and dancers. "

Sailing Therapy Benefits

Benefits of Sailing as a form of Recreational Therapy: Social Interaction: Small environment/cockpit requiring close interaction. Helps counter physical and social boundaries and improves physical and emotional comfort in small spaces. Teamwork: Team building and collaboration. Participants encouraged to actively crew the boat to the best of their ability. Participants must cooperate to assist in pulling the lines, wrapping them around the winches and securing them. Learn importance of cooperation for man-overboard procedure. Cooperative environment of everyone having a job on the boat. Communication/Comprehension: Ability to listen to instructions and follow procedure. Communication required between crew and captain to identify and name potential hazards and to navigate. Motor Skills/Coordination: Eye-hand coordination to hoist sail or pull lines. Balance when ambulating around the boat, using hand holds. Visual stimulation to watch for hazards, and align boat with object in distance/horizon while steering. Confidence/Self-Esteem: Empowerment from sense of control while steering and maneuvering the boat as well as being part of team. Sense of accomplishment at facing fears and completing tasks Environmental awareness: Appreciation of nature and waterways. Observation and interaction with wildlife including birds/fish/mammals. Understanding of effects of pollution on environment and species. Relaxation: Reduced noise stimuli: primarily rhythmic sounds of waves lapping the hull and wind in sails. Rhythmic movement of boat is also comforting, yet heeling provides excitement. Concentration/Focus: children with limited ability to sit still or concentrate are able to focus on tasks on boat and are visibly calmer, relaxed and focused. Ability increases to concentrate on task(s). Adventure/Exploration/Imagination: Children dream of being explorers, pirates, etc. Opens up the world to them. Encourages imagination. International program and virtual programs provide opportunities to learn about faraway places.

For more information about Heart of Sailing or to learn how you can help, please visit www.heartofsailing.org.

Contact Information:

For further information: Complete the "Contact Us" form. Call us at 1(866) 368-5350 or 1(812) 935-SAIL (7245). Fax us at 1(866) 609-0807 or 1(812) 339-5595. Or e-mail us at info@heartofsailing.org.

http://www.heartofsailing.org/sailingbenefits.asp

Oxygen Onboard?  Clearing the Air about Cruising with Oxygen

 

By Andrew Garnett, Founder Special Needs Group

 

As a supplier of oxygen and other special needs equipment for travelers, I see first hand the uncertainty and confusion regarding traveling with oxygen, especially the rules and regulations for dealing with cylinders or other forms of portable oxygen on a cruise.

Like everything in life, cruising with oxygen is simple, once you know the guidelines.  After almost a decade of working with cruise ships and accessibility, here's what I've learned that can ensure smooth sailing for anyone traveling with oxygen.

All cruise lines welcome oxygen onboard.  However, each line has specific guidelines or requirements for guests to follow.

Princess Cruises requires a prescription, or note from your doctor with a diagnosis of your breathing problem and the prescribed dosage and flow rate. You are required to have this at least 30 days prior to sailing.  Some lines also require, or suggest, that you have a release form from your doctor.  We think it is a good idea for anyone traveling to have medical clearance.

Complying with paperwork and meeting specification can take time, so it is always a good idea to begin planning early and to contact the medical or access/special needs department of your cruise line at least three to four weeks before your sailing date.

It is important that you have enough oxygen for the entire voyage.  To help you calculate, assume you will spend 10 to 12 hours per day out of your cabin; that's the average based on statistics and feedback from our customers.  You do not want to end up confined to your stateroom because you do not have enough portable oxygen.

Keep in mind, you will not be able to "pack" your equipment in, or with, your luggage. Cruise line policy states that you are permitted to bring your own equipment with you.  However, you must bring it onboard yourself.  They will not be held responsible for any missing equipment or for damages.  In fact, you could be held liable if anyone were to get injured by it.  So, don't try to sneak it on in your luggage.

Why worry about the possibility that your equipment won't make it in one piece?  Special Needs Group/Special Needs at Sea delivers directly to cruise ships at ports around the world and works closely with almost every major cruise line.  We can handle all the details for you. The oxygen will be delivered in accordance with the line's requirements, and you can then carry the oxygen with you as you navigate the ship.

Importantly, learn everything you need to know about your portable equipment before you leave on your trip.  The middle of the ocean is not the place to start figuring out how things operate.

In working with and talking to the major cruise lines, the only universal restriction they have for passengers using oxygen on board ships is to avoid smoking and stay away from any areas where others are smoking.  There may also be limitations on taking certain quantities of oxygen on certain shore excursions.  This is best confirmed and handled with your cruise line when you book.

So start planning, and get packing to enjoy your cruise.

 

*******************************

ABOUT SPECIAL NEEDS GROUP, INC.  Special Needs Group, Inc.  (www.specialneedsgroup.com) is a one-stop resource for special needs travel around the world. We offer a broad range of special needs equipment including wheelchair, powerchair and scooter rentals with capabilities to support 500 pounds or more; oxygen rentals (liquid, cylinder, and concentrator); hearing impaired equipment, Braille printing, baby cribs and more.  Recommended by the world's major cruise lines and hotels for superior service and value, we also provide consultation services regarding special needs policy and new-build design.  Special Needs Group, a U.S. company, is not a travel agency and does not compete in any way with travel agents. 

 

Representantes de la fundación 'Un mar sin barreras' reclamaron hoy al delegado del Gobierno en la Comunitat Valenciana, Ricardo Peralta, un espacio físico en el Puerto de Valencia, y que las instalaciones tengan un diseño universal. Ante esta petición, el delegado se comprometió a darles esa "presencia física" para "desarrollar sus actividades".

   Así lo indicaron hoy en declaraciones a los medios de comunicación el presidente de la entidad, Carlos Laguna, y Ricardo Peralta, tras mantener un encuentro en la sede de la Delegación. En la reunión, Laguna le pidió un espacio en la zona del Puerto, en la que se produjo la remodelación con motivo de la America's Cup, para la fundación.

   Le indicó que, por ejemplo, la entidad necesitaría un espacio donde tiene 'La Sirenita', una embarcación adaptada a minusválidos, para instalar una grúa de transferencia y poder integrar todavía más "a las personas con discapacidad".

   Asimismo, le reclamó que todas las instalaciones portuarias "tengan un diseño universal", "no sólo para personas con discapacidad, sino para todos, para madres con carritos, para personas de la tercera edad, o para las que han sufrido un pequeño accidente".

   Al respecto, Peralta aseguró que su voluntad era la de que esta fundación tenga una "presencia física" en el Puerto, "para sus actividades, para implicar el mundo de la minusvalía con el del mar". "Son --agregó-- actividades importantes que cuentan con el apoyo de la Administración".

   En este punto, recordó que las instalaciones del Puerto fueron remodeladas "pensando en la America's Cup", aunque, dijo, "recientemente se ha despejado la incógnita de la segunda edición con la peor de las soluciones, y es que el evento no tendrá lugar en Valencia en 2009". Por ello, lamentó que ha habido una estrategia "que ha fracasado completamente", y afirmó que "alguien tendrá que dar explicaciones".

Fuente:

http://www.europapress.es/comunitat-valenciana/noticia-miembros-mar-barreras-piden-peralta-espacio-puerto-instalaciones-sean-universales-20090916150924.html