Lucian A. Siepielski
December 16, 2004 and January 26, 2005 [Email]

December 16, 2004

Hi,

My wife is disabled. Due to knee injuries she requires the use of a cane and is limited when distance is involved or where impediment prevent smooth walking. In cruises we've taken it has been our experience that the following provisions would help the disabled:

• facilitate advanced registration or separate line for disabled to allow for wheelchairs etc.
• facilitate advance departure arrangements away from the milling of people trying to leave the ship
• provide wheelchair assistance at embarkation and disembarkation
• advance placement on tenders and seats for the disabled on tenders before the milling of people occurs
• ensuring that tour operators at the peers provide accessible tour buses including lifts accessible stair and assistance to the disabled to get on buses
• ensure that motor coaches to the ships are accessible and assistance is provided
• Accessible cabins; dining rooms, etc., aboard the ship
• elevators available for the disabled maybe through a special pass

One of the biggest problems is that people want to get on and off the ship and are milling all about. Then like a herd of cattle they just swarm to get on and off. A disabled person if not properly cared for can be seriously injured. On Caribbean International this almost happened to my wife. Unfortunately the president of that line never responded to my concerns when I sent him a letter twice. Thank you

January 26, 2005

hi

My wife is disabled needing to use a cane and wheelchair for distance. These suggestions are based on small vessel used as tender off cruise ships:

1. provide for handicapped ramp to tenders with preferential entry and accessible lift from vessel to tender;
2. accessible seating specifically to accommodate the disabled ;
3. preferentially exiting for the disabled from the tender;
4. assist in exiting and entering the tenders. thanks