Hey! I'm currently binging your videos (and the one of other creators) to learn and understand more about accessibility and other people with disabilities and how I can help. I have trouble to "put myself in others shoes" because of my autism, but you explain and show things really, really good! So a huge thank you to you!
So hope your videos goes viral to all cruise ship companies. I have close friends who are in wheelchairs and so wish they could go cruising and travel. Love your work..just don’t ask ‘Siri’ for anything as she will stop the video again like last time 😂😂😂
I have been on a few cruises and I must admit that Norwegian cruise lines have been my favorite, i went on a baltic sea cruise with them and thought it was amazing to experience. Maybe you could research a cruise to the baltic sea. Keep up the good work amd shedding light on issues in this world we all need to fix.
I would have been very easy for them to put a hoist over the pool and a ramp when building the deck and pool area too. I so hope they make these changes, but it would be very expensive for them, with all their ships! I do hope other cruise lines are much better and hope you get to go and experience these. So frustrating for people with disabilities, in wheelchairs, and also for those who have trouble climbing stairs and mobility issues. As you say, it's 20% of the population, it's crazy. There are so many hotels too that say they are accessible, but the pool areas can't be used because of no hoist or ramp, just big stairs. I have to say, your respectful and patient way of communicating with people about issues on your travels is to be commended 100%. You must have your angry reactions off camera lol, but your conversations are so calm and collected :)
I cruised in Sept to western caribbean. I'm legally blind. In advance, I requested large print menus and daily schedule of activities. Royal Caribbean did a great job for me!
@WHEEL_AROUND_THE_WORLD Alaska is very accessible. Also most ports that don't have tender ports. Holland America goes out of their way to be known as one of the best accessible cruise lines. They have lifts on the pools and on some ships lifts at the thermal spa to get in and out.
Watching your final version is going to be interesting, as your cruise has become somewhat legendary. I have seen your story on at least three cruising channels that I regularly watch. After watching I noticed a couple of things. I was on a cruise in late 2024, while the ship seemed mostly accessible (a service I do not need) I noticed that the hallways were very narrow and often blocked by carts. Several times I noticed mobility scooters left in walkways in the buffet because they did not fit near the tables. Most of my ports were in relatively modern cities, but there were lots of hills and stairs. As for the ship's pools, I did see a chair lift at one of the pools, I did not notice if there was one at the other. There were no chair lifts at the hot tubs. I am not sure which country's accessibility laws these ships operate under. I have a friend who is blind, as is his wife, and they were on the same ship a couple of months later and said the staff was very accommodating. His biggest complaint was one I also had, and that was the odor of cigarette smoke in many common areas and on his cabin balcony. I am glad to see that your cruise wasn't a complete disaster and that you got some enjoyment out if it. I would say that if you go on another cruise watch as many video tours of ships as you can and see what you can before picking a cruise. It seems ridiculous to me that you and I could pay the same for a cruise and you could not use all the features of the ship that I could.
Hey man I'm very grateful your videos are getting some traction and bringing attention to the issues and shortcomings. You definitely need to try out cruising again on someone other than MSC but you need to plan ahead of time lol I know you didn't actually think Tunisia was gonna be wheelchair accessible right? But for real though I do like your storytelling abilities and even inspired me to maybe get more into video making to support my wheelchair accessible cruise travel business. I've done over $1 million in sale selling wheelchair accessible cruises so I know a thing or two about it!
Great video, I really appreciate the camera from the wheelchair. It gives people a perspective from a wheelchair, the world is a bit different! Thanks for doing this. I was going to go on a cruise and I thought it would be limited for a wheelchair user and it is. We get treated very poorly when you are a wheelchair user.
the tiredness in your voice when asked if you can walk up the bus steps.... how you do not yell at these people amaze me, you have such patience and an all around calm aura.
@WHEEL_AROUND_THE_WORLD I think you would have a good time on a ship like the Carnival Celebration. It does Caribbean sailings out of Miami. And their ships are definitely way more accessible. I don't want your last experience to put you off from cruising because it can be a really fun experience.
I'm in a wheelchair but can walk a little bit (with pain) and I'm going on my first cruise from NZ next month on the Norwegian Sun. I'm determined to get into at least one spa pool....I might have to crawl up steps - also difficult and painful, and undignified but I am going to do it. I wonder how do you cope with luggage at airports? I have no idea how I'm going to manage it. I'm taking one light suitcase to be checked in and one small bag on my lap with my passport, cards, money, meds etc. My wheelchair is manual and hard to push without all the other paraphernalia. At my first airport I will have a friend helping me but once at Auckland airport I'll be on my own. I need to find a taxi to take me to my hotel which is right near the cruise terminal so I'll need help there - no doubt the hotel staff will help me when leaving the next morning for the terminal. I have to be out by 10am but not arrive at the cruise terminal until 2pm. I'll take a good book with me. I don't mind waiting in a cafe till it's time to go.
Mywife uses a wheelchair and we cruise on NCL. You need to contact your airline - they should have a specific assistance number or email. They will have someone help you from the gate, through whatever security, to your gate. Ditto getting onboard the plane. They will also have someone at your connecting flight and final destination to so the same. They can get you to the taxi area, if you haven't prearranged transportation - that's always the best option. Same with the cruise line. You need to contact NCL assistance, and they can help you with whatever you need. The spa pool (if you go to the spa) has assistance and rails to get in the pool. The deck pool also has handrails. I don't know where you are going, but if Naples, Rome, or Florence, the cobblestones are brutal with a wheelchair.
Thank you for your comments. My trick with luggage is to not take too much. I travel pretty light! I have a bag on my lap and a bag hanging on the back of my chair. It’s important to not hang too much on your back of your wheelchair as it affects the tippyness of the chair.
I commented this multiple times but PLEASE SUE THOSE PLACES in Europe who couldn’t give you the accessibility you deserved There are laws and if nobody sues there won’t be any change
2.5 out of 5 seems SO generous. I was absolutely sickened to see that clip of the woman in the wheelchair trying to get onto the bus… UGH. You were a great sport through all the incompetence and negligence 😢
Maybe it depends on the cruise line, I was on the NCL Prima, and there were disability lifts/elevators for everything. The stairs to the sun deck, the stairs to the water slide, the hot tub and pool, the theater. Does Europe not take disability accessability seriously? This boarding process seemed so unorganized. Also, barely any kids on the NCL cruise I took. Not sure if you know this but, MSC doesn't exactly have a great reputation in general for some of the reasons you mentioned. I hope if you decide to cruise again you have a better experience and I'm sorry you had to deal with that. I would be pissed for sure.
Thank you so much for your comments. I’m actually going to go on another cruise. Just putting all the details together now to make it happen. Hopefully the next one is more inclusive.
@@pileofstuff I'd say that MSC has some of the best food of the mass market lines (I've been on Carnival, Royal, Celebrity, NCL, and MSC), and we love their main-stage productions. I am not saying they didn't do a ton wrong here, they absolutely did; but we've had fabulous MSC cruises.
You have to plan in advance to book a wheelchair accessible cabin, you can pick which floor and where it is located. You booked your cruise 3 weeks before the sailing so you got the left over room that nobody wanted. Accessible rooms a double the size so they are also more expensive. I book my cruises more than one year ahead so I pick my choice of the cabin and the location on the ship.
@@WHEEL_AROUND_THE_WORLD But did you actually book an accessible room? Because that room looks like a solo cabin, or an add on family cabin; it isn't marked on the deck plan as being accessible. At the time of booking, is that the room number you selected? Other than the room, which I think your travel agent needed to be more clear that you have to book an accessible room, and the special needs form doesn't change your room; I think you brought up some really really big issues they need to fix. (And I also just think some universal design could be implemented- I've tripped out of a cruise ship bathroom so many times; why does it even need a step up!!) Cruise ships need to give elevator priority to those in wheelchairs, and accessible rooms should only be able to be booked by people who need them.
sadly its the reason they register these ships in shady countries with questionable laws so they can have ships that dont comply with EU or USA accessable requirements cause had this ship been registered in the EU or USA there would be a requirement by law to have facilities wheelchair users can use msc registers these things in panama virgin in the bahamas
In the medieval days at court and among the aristocracy they wore light linen underwear which they changed several times a day so their expensive outer garments wouldn't become sweat stained. Some of the ladies had cuts in their sleeves under the arms to let fresh air in. At home in their boudoirs when not on display the royal ladies wore long loose dressing gowns made of velvets and silks and satins with fancy embroidery and bejewelled, again with light linen underwear beneath the gowns.
@@WHEEL_AROUND_THE_WORLD They had servants who did back breaking work doing the laundry with lye soap. Some did laundry in the rivers and fell in and drowned as they were wearing heavy woollen garments which dragged them under the freezing water and they couldn't get out.
![25 Things Cruisers MUST Know Before Your First MSC Cruise [MSC Cruise Tips 2024]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/k0NLxi5ZzMI/mqdefault.jpg)
Hey!
I'm currently binging your videos (and the one of other creators) to learn and understand more about accessibility and other people with disabilities and how I can help. I have trouble to "put myself in others shoes" because of my autism, but you explain and show things really, really good! So a huge thank you to you!
So hope your videos goes viral to all cruise ship companies. I have close friends who are in wheelchairs and so wish they could go cruising and travel. Love your work..just don’t ask ‘Siri’ for anything as she will stop the video again like last time 😂😂😂
I know right about Siri! Every time I watch it I get to find out what the weather is in Naples. So funny!
I have been on a few cruises and I must admit that Norwegian cruise lines have been my favorite, i went on a baltic sea cruise with them and thought it was amazing to experience. Maybe you could research a cruise to the baltic sea. Keep up the good work amd shedding light on issues in this world we all need to fix.
I would have been very easy for them to put a hoist over the pool and a ramp when building the deck and pool area too. I so hope they make these changes, but it would be very expensive for them, with all their ships! I do hope other cruise lines are much better and hope you get to go and experience these. So frustrating for people with disabilities, in wheelchairs, and also for those who have trouble climbing stairs and mobility issues. As you say, it's 20% of the population, it's crazy. There are so many hotels too that say they are accessible, but the pool areas can't be used because of no hoist or ramp, just big stairs. I have to say, your respectful and patient way of communicating with people about issues on your travels is to be commended 100%. You must have your angry reactions off camera lol, but your conversations are so calm and collected :)
I cruised in Sept to western caribbean. I'm legally blind. In advance, I requested large print menus and daily schedule of activities. Royal Caribbean did a great job for me!
That is awesome! Whereabouts did you cruise to ? Love to know what your experience was like.
key words: in advance
For a great accessible cruise experience I would highly suggest Holland America Line.
For a good cruise experience. most experienced cruisers recommend *anyone* other than MSC.
So many people have mentioned this. Whereabouts is good to Cruise to?
@WHEEL_AROUND_THE_WORLD Alaska is very accessible. Also most ports that don't have tender ports. Holland America goes out of their way to be known as one of the best accessible cruise lines. They have lifts on the pools and on some ships lifts at the thermal spa to get in and out.
Watching your final version is going to be interesting, as your cruise has become somewhat legendary. I have seen your story on at least three cruising channels that I regularly watch.
After watching I noticed a couple of things. I was on a cruise in late 2024, while the ship seemed mostly accessible (a service I do not need) I noticed that the hallways were very narrow and often blocked by carts. Several times I noticed mobility scooters left in walkways in the buffet because they did not fit near the tables. Most of my ports were in relatively modern cities, but there were lots of hills and stairs. As for the ship's pools, I did see a chair lift at one of the pools, I did not notice if there was one at the other. There were no chair lifts at the hot tubs. I am not sure which country's accessibility laws these ships operate under. I have a friend who is blind, as is his wife, and they were on the same ship a couple of months later and said the staff was very accommodating. His biggest complaint was one I also had, and that was the odor of cigarette smoke in many common areas and on his cabin balcony.
I am glad to see that your cruise wasn't a complete disaster and that you got some enjoyment out if it. I would say that if you go on another cruise watch as many video tours of ships as you can and see what you can before picking a cruise. It seems ridiculous to me that you and I could pay the same for a cruise and you could not use all the features of the ship that I could.
Thank you for sharing. Yes, I really do hope that the video brings about change. Now I need to go on another cruise to see if they are all like this.
thanks for posting i am in wheelchair too and looking for a cruise with my wife she walks
we allways go to germany river mosel regio
Hey man I'm very grateful your videos are getting some traction and bringing attention to the issues and shortcomings. You definitely need to try out cruising again on someone other than MSC but you need to plan ahead of time lol I know you didn't actually think Tunisia was gonna be wheelchair accessible right? But for real though I do like your storytelling abilities and even inspired me to maybe get more into video making to support my wheelchair accessible cruise travel business. I've done over $1 million in sale selling wheelchair accessible cruises so I know a thing or two about it!
@@WheelieAwesomeAdventures oh we need to chat
MSC is far from representative of the entire cruise industry. They're regularly rated as the worst for guest experience.
I’m definitely learning that now! I’ve had so many people message me and share similar experiences.
Great video, I really appreciate the camera from the wheelchair. It gives people a perspective from a wheelchair, the world is a bit different! Thanks for doing this. I was going to go on a cruise and I thought it would be limited for a wheelchair user and it is. We get treated very poorly when you are a wheelchair user.
@@4707mick awwww thanks for your comments and for following
the tiredness in your voice when asked if you can walk up the bus steps.... how you do not yell at these people amaze me, you have such patience and an all around calm aura.
@@maddy8227 yea I was so drained by that point. 😔
Come to the states and sail with Carnival
I’ve heard good things. I will check them out! Where is good to Cruise to with them?
@WHEEL_AROUND_THE_WORLD I think you would have a good time on a ship like the Carnival Celebration. It does Caribbean sailings out of Miami. And their ships are definitely way more accessible. I don't want your last experience to put you off from cruising because it can be a really fun experience.
I'm in a wheelchair but can walk a little bit (with pain) and I'm going on my first cruise from NZ next month on the Norwegian Sun. I'm determined to get into at least one spa pool....I might have to crawl up steps - also difficult and painful, and undignified but I am going to do it. I wonder how do you cope with luggage at airports? I have no idea how I'm going to manage it. I'm taking one light suitcase to be checked in and one small bag on my lap with my passport, cards, money, meds etc. My wheelchair is manual and hard to push without all the other paraphernalia. At my first airport I will have a friend helping me but once at Auckland airport I'll be on my own. I need to find a taxi to take me to my hotel which is right near the cruise terminal so I'll need help there - no doubt the hotel staff will help me when leaving the next morning for the terminal. I have to be out by 10am but not arrive at the cruise terminal until 2pm. I'll take a good book with me. I don't mind waiting in a cafe till it's time to go.
Mywife uses a wheelchair and we cruise on NCL. You need to contact your airline - they should have a specific assistance number or email. They will have someone help you from the gate, through whatever security, to your gate. Ditto getting onboard the plane. They will also have someone at your connecting flight and final destination to so the same. They can get you to the taxi area, if you haven't prearranged transportation - that's always the best option.
Same with the cruise line. You need to contact NCL assistance, and they can help you with whatever you need. The spa pool (if you go to the spa) has assistance and rails to get in the pool. The deck pool also has handrails.
I don't know where you are going, but if Naples, Rome, or Florence, the cobblestones are brutal with a wheelchair.
Thank you for your comments.
My trick with luggage is to not take too much. I travel pretty light! I have a bag on my lap and a bag hanging on the back of my chair. It’s important to not hang too much on your back of your wheelchair as it affects the tippyness of the chair.
I know airport wise in Auckland - im kiwi fyi, they can help with luggage if you ask. Idk who or where to ask just that it is a thing
I commented this multiple times but PLEASE SUE THOSE PLACES in Europe who couldn’t give you the accessibility you deserved
There are laws and if nobody sues there won’t be any change
Please sue !!!! They broke so many laws
2.5 out of 5 seems SO generous. I was absolutely sickened to see that clip of the woman in the wheelchair trying to get onto the bus… UGH. You were a great sport through all the incompetence and negligence 😢
@@virginia_b yea it was so sad wasn’t it?
Maybe it depends on the cruise line, I was on the NCL Prima, and there were disability lifts/elevators for everything. The stairs to the sun deck, the stairs to the water slide, the hot tub and pool, the theater. Does Europe not take disability accessability seriously? This boarding process seemed so unorganized. Also, barely any kids on the NCL cruise I took.
Not sure if you know this but, MSC doesn't exactly have a great reputation in general for some of the reasons you mentioned. I hope if you decide to cruise again you have a better experience and I'm sorry you had to deal with that. I would be pissed for sure.
MSC has a pretty poor reputation for many things. Food, customer service, entertainment, staff training...
Thank you so much for your comments. I’m actually going to go on another cruise. Just putting all the details together now to make it happen. Hopefully the next one is more inclusive.
@@pileofstuff I'd say that MSC has some of the best food of the mass market lines (I've been on Carnival, Royal, Celebrity, NCL, and MSC), and we love their main-stage productions.
I am not saying they didn't do a ton wrong here, they absolutely did; but we've had fabulous MSC cruises.
You have to plan in advance to book a wheelchair accessible cabin, you can pick which floor and where it is located. You booked your cruise 3 weeks before the sailing so you got the left over room that nobody wanted. Accessible rooms a double the size so they are also more expensive. I book my cruises more than one year ahead so I pick my choice of the cabin and the location on the ship.
@@KarolinaKowalczyk-b8q mmmmm I’m about to put that to test with another cruise. It shouldn’t matter when you book.
@@WHEEL_AROUND_THE_WORLD But did you actually book an accessible room? Because that room looks like a solo cabin, or an add on family cabin; it isn't marked on the deck plan as being accessible. At the time of booking, is that the room number you selected?
Other than the room, which I think your travel agent needed to be more clear that you have to book an accessible room, and the special needs form doesn't change your room; I think you brought up some really really big issues they need to fix. (And I also just think some universal design could be implemented- I've tripped out of a cruise ship bathroom so many times; why does it even need a step up!!) Cruise ships need to give elevator priority to those in wheelchairs, and accessible rooms should only be able to be booked by people who need them.
@@WHEEL_AROUND_THE_WORLDof course it matters when you book, if you wait last minute you do not have many cabins to choose from
sadly its the reason they register these ships in shady countries with questionable laws so they can have ships that dont comply with EU or USA accessable requirements cause had this ship been registered in the EU or USA there would be a requirement by law to have facilities wheelchair users can use
msc registers these things in panama virgin in the bahamas
@@elevatorcentral this needs to change for sure
There's no real excuse to not have all the rooms be accessible for wheelchair users.
@@Paulxl yes totally. Or more than 2%
In the medieval days at court and among the aristocracy they wore light linen underwear which they changed several times a day so their expensive outer garments wouldn't become sweat stained. Some of the ladies had cuts in their sleeves under the arms to let fresh air in. At home in their boudoirs when not on display the royal ladies wore long loose dressing gowns made of velvets and silks and satins with fancy embroidery and bejewelled, again with light linen underwear beneath the gowns.
Several times a day? Are you for real? They must’ve had pretty big washing machine machines back then. 😂
@@WHEEL_AROUND_THE_WORLD They had servants who did back breaking work doing the laundry with lye soap. Some did laundry in the rivers and fell in and drowned as they were wearing heavy woollen garments which dragged them under the freezing water and they couldn't get out.
It’s a ship
@@WestCoastCultured BOAT