getting boxes of medical supplies on board

[david Evans]

My wife and I are planning a cruise out of Fort Lauderdale in Jan or Feb 2025. We need to have some kind of cart to bring medical supplies on board the ship. I think your port supplies a means of bringing the boxes (5 boxes 125 LB) to the ship. My question is 
how available are these carts?
where do we get one?
where and when do we return it?
is there priority boarding to the ship  when we are transporting these medical boxes? 6
Thanks

[3Sisters]

@david Evans I have never heard of this before actually! Are all of these medical supplies for personal use? You could potentially just drop them off from your car to the port personnel. I would imagine they could take the boxes instead of you having to walk them onto the ship. I haven't heard of carts being available to guests. If they were, everyone would want them and they would take up too much space in the stateroom halls. Can you imagine that? Those hallways are so narrow! I would contact the cruise line about this. I have yet to see a guest use a cart while getting on the ship.

[david Evans]

I am told by Royal Caribbean that the port supplies these "cart" but they are in short supply. My wife is on Peritoneal Dialysis and I have to get 4 boxes 125 LB from where the taxi dropped us to on board the ship.

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@david Evans That's surely a heavy load! You should be able to have the port workers check it in like a luggage and bring it up to your stateroom. That would be the easiest so you don't have to lug all of that around through security and through the elevators. Did you ask RCL if dropping it with your other luggage would be a possibility? This is definitely a port specific cart situation. Which port will you be cruising out of? 

[david Evans]

Thanks Kendall and 3Sisters

As stated by RCL it is a port specific thing not RCL . Cruise not booked yet but likely out of Fort Lauderdale. We have not been on a cruise before so I am unfamiliar and a bit apprehensive about his situation.

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@david Evans I can see why you could feel apprehensive. It's a lot to consider when you are traveling with someone who needs extra care. You have to do what you feel is right. If you are planning to be spending a lot of time in your stateroom, I would advise at least a balcony cabin for some private outdoor space. I think the stateroom could really make or break your time, along with room service. RCL is a great cruise line, but can feel fast paced. Have you considered any other cruise lines? Fort Lauderdale knows what it's doing for sure. I like cruising out of there,

[kefthecruiser]

@david Evans  I think what you are wanting to do for your wife is commendable, true love! The logistics are daunting with pitfalls along the way. But that’s not your question.

As someone who has travelled multiple times from Florida Ports, I recall seeing carts at the bag drop off. Unfortunately, these are exclusively for the porters and not passengers. So, if your thinking grab a cart, load up and push it on board, not going to happen.

If you want to carryon (not recommended), buy your own collapsible hand truck for about $100 (Home Depot). You then get to manhandle all the boxes through the terminal, place on the security scanner and then take on board, many ports have ramps up to the ship, so you better eat your Wheaties. Security will be baffled, it's not the typical CPAP machine they see. I don’t believe the crew is allowed to help.

As others have said, it’s much simpler to check the boxes in with the porters. Which brings into question – how strong are the boxes? If they’re cardboard ALL STOP. The baggage handlers are not, how does one say, careful. It’s not white glove service. Your boxes can end up under a pile 6 bags high. So, get something else to securely pack the medical supplies in, luggage would be a good choice.

So just some thoughts. I hope you have a wonderful cruise.

[Cruising Caribbean]

@kefthecruiser That's great advice! Durable totes are the best way to go to protect those medical supplies! 

@david Evans I think it's very doable to bring those necessary medical supplies for your wife. The port has to be able to help you get those necessities onboard. You will certainly need those muscles to get it there too. I think it's rare to bring that many things onboard so it's almost like a special request, but I do think it could be granted. Luggage with wheels may make the process easier. Maybe the cruise line can give you extra luggage tags for the porters to help load it?

[david Evans]

Okay, I see porters loading baggage on to carts, in videos, that are to be delivered to the cabin-correct? So you are saying that loading these 5 card board boxes filled with liquid is not advisable? They would have to put them on the bottom of one of these large carts. Now I have thought of getting one of those foldable grocery carts and wheeling them on but that would take about three trips. My wife (her 64 me 76) will be getting a walker because of the excessive walking entailed on board and I could use the walker to carry the boxes because she really does not need a walker in most cases. On that video I saw, passengers were not allowed to go to their cabin until about 1 P.M. I am not sure where to put them until then.

[david Evans]

The video I saw was Princess Cruise

[kefthecruiser]

@david Evans  

Obviously, I haven't seen the video, I've seen it live. Wherever the boxes are placed on the cart at the dock, they won't stay there. Everything goes through a scanner on board for security purposes. They are then sorted by deck and loaded onto new carts.

Only you can decide if the boxes are strong enough. Can you stand on them without damage?

I suggested something much stronger than a grocery cart or walker. BTW – when you embark, most cruise lines don’t have off / on privileges. Same thing when debarking.

Different lines have different times for cabin access. Just board closer to that time. It's a simple walk through the boarding process by then.

Again, these are just my thoughts, you can ignore them all and take any approach you want.

[david Evans]

Thanks kefthecruiser and cruising caribean

 

I think I am going to trust the luggage loaders. I have a tendency to worry too much. .I can also reinforce the boxes with tape..

This will be my last post on this subject. 

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@david Evans I wouldn't be too worried about the luggage getting to your room! It will definitely get there. I agree about the cardboard boxes. Those just aren't durable enough. A plastic tote or luggage would be better, something sturdier. I have always found boarding towards the end is the best. It's the best way to avoid long lines anyhow. When are you thinking to cruise? If you are anything like me, once you cruise, it's hard to stop. It's an unbeatable vacation experience!