That's good info but I am wondering, specifically, how your husband did getting on and off the tender itself. My husband can walk a few steps quite slowly with a cane but is more comfortable in a chair so they sound ike they're at a similar level ability-wise.

Was the tender easy for him to get on and off? Did he require crew assistance?

Thanks!

Suzie

We had no problem getting into the boat. My husband can walk several feet with his cane, and as long as there are handrails or something to hold, he's fine with some steps. As with many of our vacation plans, sometimes people are more helpful then we require!

Just think of getting into a 25' or so boat - a few steps down, then getting to a seat. The chair was lifted onto the bow with the captain. It would definately be more difficult if the chair was heavy or large.

Shari

"We had no problem getting into the boat. My husband can walk several feet with his cane, and as long as there are handrails or something to hold, he's fine with some steps. As with many of our vacation plans, sometimes people are more helpful then we require!"

I can't remember what type of handholds or rails there are to get in the tender. To the best of my recollection, there were 2 steps up, then step over the edge on to an inside step, then down two more to the deck of the tender. I remember that they have crew on either side as you step in to assist but specifically what type of bar or grips do they have and where are they positioned? Does anyone remember?

It's such a specific question that no one at Carnival Special Needs has been able to answer me so I thought I would ask fellow cruisers. You'd think I'd remember but I was always too excited to take note!

Thanks again.

Suzie

What a great idea! I know some of the people sailing before our date in November (we're on the Spirit, though, not the Pride) and I'll bet they would do that very thing. Thanks so much.

It occcurred to me that my PVP sails often and has been on numerous ships. If he is going somewhere before November, I'll bet he'd do it. Meanwhile, I'll post on the Spirit thread and hope I get a response there.

Thank you!

Suzie

Hi Suzie    

I went to GOOGLE and typed in Carnival Pride tender photos. There are a lot of links and I just clicked on the first one. Lots of pictures popped up and I searched for one with tenders. I clicked on it and it popped up large enough to show details.

Hope this helps a little.

Karen

YIKES! Just got off the Spirit and MAJOR problem. After the DH practiced the 2 steps up and down for months, I went ahead to look over the situation on the Spirit before we tendered to Zihuatanejo. It's IMPOSSIBLE for anyone who uses a chair, walker or even just a cane unless he or she can climb up and down a very steep stairway of about 13 steps just to get to the tender level. On the Spirit, the elevator does not descend to the tender level so one must navigate this flight of steps that are exposed to the elements and can be very slippery. I took one look and realized the DH could not manage it, even with assistance.

It would be so simple for them to retrofit some sort of system to make it work, maybe one of those electric chairs that fit right into the stairs next to the bannister and glide up at the touch of a button, just like many people have at home.. Perhaps a sort of winch for a canvas seat that one could sit in, like a pool lift? That would be easy for Carnival and inexpensive. I've been in many hotels that have them, especially in California.

Lesson learned: The tender boats on the Spirit are NOT accessible. Oh, well....if anyone has info on which ships have easy tender systems, please let me know. Guest Services told me only the Fantasy class has the 2 step tender - hmmm, kinda sounds like a dance, huh?

Suzie

Suzie :

Guest Services told me only the Fantasy class has the 2 step tender

I want some of what they are smoking. The Fantasy class ships have many more than 2 stairs you must descend to board the tenders - you are descending about the height of an entire deck. Here's a picture of the Elation off Cabo. Sorry that it's grainy but I had to mega-zoom in on the shot which was of the whole ship.

Here's the Paradise off Catalina. Notice how it looks like the same ship. In a sense it is since both of them are Fantasy class vessels.

I don't think you're going to find what you're seeking unless you go on a ship that has its own marina, like the Seabourn ships.

~ MattInSoCal

OMG, Matt, I can't believe it. I am floored by this-thank you so much for the pix and the response.

I will cancel the Cabo trip immediately - what a drag. I had so wanted Fred to see San Jose del Cabo. I loved it and thought it would be a great place for a winter home and this was a great way to get there with 2 days to look the town over and get a feel for everyday life there.

I'm extremely disappointed and even more so with Carnival Special Needs staff. They don't seem to know what the situation is on their own ships and if I have to wait until we board to find out the tender is inaccessible like we did on last week's trip, it's a big waste of time and money.

We don't mind when he can't go to Cabo on the regular Mexican Riviera itinerary because Mazatlan and P.,V. are so much fun it makes up for it. But what's the point of going if he can't visit the one port we're going to?

Well, at least the Alaska trip on the Spirit is 100% accessible. Maybe I can move that up from August to the early part of the summer. I'll call my PVP tomorrow.

Thanks again, Matt - you're a good guy for clueing me in like that. Next time you and the GF come to Vegas, let me know and we'll crack open a few bottles of red juice from the ole vino cellar.

Suzie