Carnival Cruise Line has commented on two sides of what is becoming the contentious issue of mobility scooters onboard their ships. In both cases, the answers are not necessarily what the initial commenters may have wanted.

The cruise line’s official Brand Ambassador, John Heald, addressed mobility scooters in his most recent livestream video on his Facebook page, a weekly feature he offers to answer questions and share cruise news. Two different concerns were discussed – elevators and the sheer number of mobility scooters onboard.

The first guest expressed concern over elevator etiquette, which involves mobility scooters and wheelchairs.

“Why on the new ships, can they not put a wheelchair/mobility scooter/etc. elevator only for those people on mobility scooters or in wheelchairs?” the guest asked. “People do not automatically let us in, and they jump on leaving no room for those on mobility scooters or who have walking challenges [or are in] wheelchairs. This is really a must-have.”

The commenter does not clarify whether they are referring to guests who may have already been waiting for an elevator before a person with a mobility scooter arrived, or if they mean guests who might cut in front of a mobility scooter to get on an elevator more quickly.

Heald responds, noting that most cruisers who see someone in a mobility scooter or wheelchair waiting for an elevator will hold the door and let them in without difficulty, though it is true that not all guests may do so.

To reserve an elevator for mobility devices, it would be necessary to station a crew member on each floor and at each elevator bank to ensure all guests complied with the policy.

“We just don’t have the manpower to take 20 crew members to do that because not everybody would adhere to it if we had a big sign,” Heald explained. “We’d have to have somebody there to manage it.”

It is important to note that using a mobility scooter or wheelchair does not give guests priority access to every elevator, and all travelers – whether they have a scooter, wheelchair, stroller, etc. – should wait their turn appropriately.

Are Scooters Medically Necessary?

The second concern Heald addressed is the sheer number of mobility scooters seen on some Carnival cruises.

“I know I’m going to get a lot of crap for this, but I have to say it. The amount of mobility scooters on your ships is ridiculously gross,” the guest explained, noting that they have been on four Carnival cruises so far this year. “[On] no other cruise line do I see the amount of scooters. Do other cruise lines ask for medical proof before they are allowed on with a mobility scooter?”

This commenter noted that they have witnessed different guests park mobility scooters outside dining rooms and restaurants, then walk to their tables.

“Carnival is empowering and enabling more people to be lazy and it’s plain wrong,” the guest said. “These are not meant for people to bypass walking the ship. They are meant for people who cannot physically walk. Why doesn’t Carnival do something to stop this?”

Heald states unequivocally that Carnival Cruise Line will not be asking for verification or medical documentation about mobility scooter or wheelchair use.

“There is nothing that says you have to tell us,” Heald confirmed.

It should be noted that the cruise line may not even be able to ask for such documentation, which could be a violation of medical privacy laws. Heald does say that there may be a few guests who only use a scooter or wheelchair for convenience rather than medical or physical needs.

“I would like to think that 99% of the people you will see on our ships on a mobility scooter need it because they need it,” he said.

Read Also: Carnival Cruise Line Notifies Guests of Mobility Scooter Policy

It should be noted that not all mobility issues are consistent. A guest who must use a scooter one day may be feeling well enough the next day not to need such assistance. Furthermore, some travelers may need scooters for longer distances, such as going from one end of the ship to the other, but can easily manage walking a shorter distance, such as to their table in the dining room or to a seat for a show.

Heald does reiterate Carnival Cruise Line’s policy that scooters cannot be parked in corridors and must be able to fit safely into staterooms, which the cruise line has been enforcing much more in recent months.

What are your experiences with mobility scooters and wheelchairs onboard Carnival ships? Share your thoughts on the Cruise Hive boards!

For one Carnival passenger, the trip of a lifetime has become the fight of her life. Shenae Monique Turner, a 47-year-old woman from Norfolk, Virginia, was enjoying her time on an undisclosed Carnival ship when she began to fall ill on July 7, 2024. 

Her initial symptoms included numbness in her lower extremities, chest pains, and difficulty breathing. Eventually, she suffered two seizures and cardiac arrest.

Thanks to quick action taken by Carnival’s onboard medical team, the woman is still alive – and is in a medically induced coma in Florida’s Tampa General Hospital.

Hopefully, Shenae will be able to make a full recovery. Her adult son, Demontae Turner, told local news outlet Bloom Tampa Bay (part of WFLA) that she has devoted her life to helping others, and still has dreams to accomplish, such as starting an organization that finds homes for animals by placing them with individuals in need. 

Thanks to the Carnival Cruise Line team’s efforts and efficiency, the Virginian is now stable in the hospital and may have a chance at overcoming her ailments – although she is still considered to be in critical condition. 

Her official diagnosis and related prognosis remain unclear.

Worth Reading: Cruise Ship Entertainer Saves Passenger’s Life Just Before Show

This isn’t the first time that Carnival’s quick actions may have saved a life, either. 

As recently as May 4, 2024, crew members onboard Carnival Venezia collaborated with the U.S. Coast Guard to successfully complete a long-range airlift mission while the Vista-class vessel was approximately 350 nautical miles off the eastern coast of the United States. 

The ailing patient who needed the rescue was successfully transported to a hospital in time to receive proper care. 

Ailing Passenger Is Stuck In Tampa

Due to the costs of medical transportation, Shenae is stranded in the hospital in Tampa, Florida – although her son desperately wants to bring her home. 

Tampa is approximately 809 miles from her family in Norfolk, Virginia, making this unfortunate situation extra difficult. 

According to a GoFundMe campaign started by Demontae, it will cost $33,700 in order to fly his mother back to Norfolk and then transport her to the hospital via ambulance – none of which is covered by insurance. 

He’s tried reaching out to organizations like the American Red Cross to secure the necessary funds, but so far has been unsuccessful. So far, the GoFundMe has raised $2,945, which leaves $30,755 to go until the family reaches their goal.

“Think of if it was your mother. Wouldn’t you do everything in your power to save her, to hear her voice, her laugh, to feel the warmth of her hugs and love? She is all that I have and my light in this dark world,” Demontae said in a passionate plea to Bloom Tampa Bay. 

“She has impacted countless lives with her vibrant personality and loving nature. Please help me bring her home and surround her with her loved ones,” Demontae continued.

Read Also: Are Cruises Safe? What You Really Need to Know

Indeed, special medical transports for severely ill patients can come with a hefty price tag, largely because of the specialized staff and equipment required to ensure the person makes it to their destination safely. 

Even earlier this year, a 54-year-old American named Loretta Cox became stranded after she fell ill on her Carnival cruise and had to seek emergency care from a hospital in the Dominican Republic.

According to the family, it would cost approximately $28,000 to bring Cox back to the U.S., with each day in the Caribbean hospital racking up an additional $4,000 that wasn’t covered by insurance. 

The Georgia grandmother did eventually make it back to the United States, where her condition was listed as stable.

Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to travelers departing on both Carnival Dream and Carnival Jubilee this weekend about an unusual, uncomfortable, and potentially dangerous homeport problem. Due to repairs necessary following the impact of Hurricane Beryl, the Port of Galveston has only limited air conditioning in some of its terminals.

Between the two Carnival cruise ships, this may impact as many as 20,000 or more passengers when both embarking and debarking guests are considered.

Guests are urged to strictly adhere to their arrival appointment windows, otherwise they may be turned away from embarkation and asked to return at the appropriate time.

Carnival Cruise Line has contacted booked guests with updates on the cruise terminal’s condition so they can be prepared during their embarkation.

“The ship will depart tomorrow as scheduled from Terminal 28. Areas of the terminal remain without air conditioning and the temperature may be less than ideal during check-in,” the email sent to Carnival Dream guests read. “To ensure a smooth embarkation, please adhere to your pre-selected terminal arrival appointment. Guests who arrive earlier will be asked to return later.”

The 128,250-gross-ton Carnival Dream will be departing on an 8-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, visiting Key West as well as Freeport, Half Moon Cay, and Nassau in the Bahamas.

Similar messages have also been sent to guests booked on the 183,521-gross-ton, Excel-class Carnival Jubilee, which will be departing from Terminal 25 for a 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary visiting Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel.

During the typical check-in and embarkation time frame from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., temperatures in Galveston are expected to be in the mid- to upper-80s or even the low 90s.

This can feel even hotter inside an enclosed terminal with limited air flow, especially for guests coming from northern areas who may be unused to the Texas summer heat and humidity.

While the Port of Galveston has fully reopened for cruise operations, the port administrative offices remain closed at this time “due to storm damage.” While that damage has not been disclosed, the disruption to air conditioning could very likely be the cause of the administrative closure. Meanwhile, repairs are being made as quickly as possible.

“Port staff is working with CenterPoint Energy to restore power today at cruise terminals 25 and 28 to be ready for arrivals of four cruise ships this weekend,” Port of Galveston posted in a social media update.

Other than Carnival Dream and Carnival Jubilee on Saturday, July 13, the other two ships are scheduled for Port of Galveston this weekend. Royal Caribbean International’s Mariner of the Seas also departs on Saturday – though later in the day due to an unrelated delay – and Harmony of the Seas departs on Sunday, July 14.

Both Royal Caribbean ships will depart from Terminal 10, which has been fully operational since Tuesday, July 9. That terminal is not impacted by the air conditioning issues at this time.

Beating the Texas Heat

Most of southeast Texas, including the Houston and Galveston area, has been under frequent heat advisories in recent days with heat index values making the temperature feel significantly higher than recorded highs.

Read Also: Galveston Cruise Terminal – Things You Need to Know

To counteract the heat, cruise travelers should be sure to adhere to their arrival appointment windows for both Carnival Dream and Carnival Jubilee. This will ensure the smallest possible crowds in the cruise terminal, minimizing the time guests may be in hotter-than-desirable conditions.

Wearing light clothing and staying hydrated will also be important for all guests. Furthermore, utilizing porter services can help so guests don’t have to tote their own heavy bags through the terminal. Families should be especially cautious with very young or very senior cruisers who may be more susceptible to overheating.