ABOUT OUR SERVICES
I live far away from where your agency is located -- can I make travel arrangements through you?
Absolutely! 99% of our clients are long-distance clients. While most of our clients come from all over North America, we have disabled clients as far away as Australia and New Zealand. All travel arrangements can be made through e-mail, fax, or over the phone, so there is no need at all to come into our office.
back to more FAQ's
World On Wheelz vs. Frederick Travel -- what's the difference?
Nothing really. The easiest way to put it would be that World On Wheelz is the accessible travel department at Frederick Travel. Frederick Travel is a full-service travel agency with divisions specializing in Corporate, Leisure, and Accessible Travel (World On Wheelz).
back to more FAQ's
Do you charge a fee for your services? Is it more expensive to book through you than on my own?
Usually not. As a full-service travel agency, we earn commissions from hotels, tour operators, and cruise lines. So, when you book the bulk of your arrangements through us -- such as hotels, an all-inclusive package, or a cruise, there is no extra cost for you. You would pay the same cost through us that you would pay if you book it directly on your own through a cruise line or tour operator. Plus, you would have the added benefit of our experienced staff making sure that the most accessible arrangements are made for you. As specialists in accessible travel arrangements, we know which destinations, hotels, and cruise lines offer the best access for you.
Unfortunately, there are times when we need to charge a service fee. For example, most airlines no longer pay commissions to travel agencies. So, if you would like us to look after your flight arrangements only, we would need to charge a fee. This fee is usually waived if you book other components with us, such as your cruise or an all-inclusive package. We would also charge a fee in the instance where all you would like from us is information about a particular destination, such as the name of a hotel or the name of an accessible transportation company. Since we specialize in accessible travel and we are a for-profit business, we prefer that clients make their travel arrangements through us. Therefore, we do not give out free information.
back to more FAQ's
I'm just looking for information on accessibility at a particular destination? Can you help with that?
Please keep in mind that we are a for-profit business, not simply a free information source. If you have some general questions or are looking for some ideas on accessible destinations, by all means give us a call. We are always happy to discuss the accessibility of destinations in a general way. However, for those who do not book through us, we do not disclose the names of the resources that we use in specific destinations, such as accessible hotel names or the names of transportation companies. We would much prefer that you make your travel arrangements through us. Our travel experience and knowledge of accessibility issues will ensure that only the most accessible arrangements are made for you and that you experience a pleasant, hassle-free vacation.
back to more FAQ's
I was reading through one of your travel reviews -- can you tell me the name of the hotel that you stayed at? Where did you rent your medical equipment from?
We do not disclose the names of our resources to those who do not book with us. This includes names of accessible hotels, medical companies, and transportation companies. Please bear in mind that we are a for-profit business, not a free information source, and therefore we can not afford to simply give out free information if you do not intend to book with us. We would much prefer that you make your travel arrangements through us. Our travel experience and knowledge of accessibility issues will ensure that only the most accessible arrangements are made for you and that you experience a pleasant, hassle-free vacation.
back to more FAQ's
Do you provide caregivers to travel with?
World On Wheelz does not provide caregivers to travel with. Our best advice is always to travel with your own caregiver. It would be cheaper than hiring an attendant from an outside agency anyway, not to mention that your own caregiver would already be familiar with your needs.
back to more FAQ's
Do you offer "disabled discounts"?
Hotels, resorts, cruise lines, and most airlines do not offer discounts for disabled travelers (although there are a couple exceptions). The one area where there are discounts available is in the admission costs of many sightseeing attractions. For example, many tourist attractions throughout Europe offer free admission for a wheelchair user and one travel companion.
back to more FAQ's
Is it more expensive to book an accessible vacation than it would be to book a vacation for an able-bodied person?
It depends. The cost of an accessible hotel/resort room or an accessible cruise ship cabin is the same cost that an able-bodied person would pay for a regular room or cabin in the same category (even though the accessible room/cabin may be bigger). For most airlines, seats are also the same cost whether you are disabled or able-bodied (see a couple exceptions). Where an accessible vacation would become more expensive is when you require the rental of medical equipment at your destination, or when you require accessible transportation for airport transfers and tours. For example, for all-inclusive packages to the Caribbean, most tour operators charge an additional fee for alternate accessible airport transfers, even though transfers for able-bodied passengers are included in the cost of the package. For cruises, most cruise lines are able to arrange accessible airport-to-ship transfers in North America for the same price that they regularly charge able-bodied passengers; however, accessible transfers in Europe usually need to be arranged privately and cost substantially more than what a transfer by a regular vehicle would cost. Sightseeing excursions in Europe are also an additional cost since most sightseeing companies do not have accessible vehicles, and therefore private tours must be arranged through companies that have accessible vehicles.
back to more FAQ's
CRUISING
Are the wheelchair accessible cabins big enough for a wheelchair to move around in?
Most wheelchair accessible cabins are larger than a regular cabin (at no extra cost) to allow room for a wheelchair user to wheel around in the room. Accessible cabins are often 50-100% larger than a regular cabin, especially on newer ships. The bathrooms also have ample space for a wheelchair user to maneuver around in.
back to more FAQ's
Do the accessible cabins have roll-in showers?
Most of the major cruise lines have bathrooms equipped with roll-in showers in their accessible cabins. There are a few exceptions. Contact World On Wheelz to ensure that you are booked on a cruise that meets your needs.
back to more FAQ's
Can I rent medical equipment on the ship?
Yes. World On Wheelz is able to arrange for a variety of rentals in ports across the globe, including wheelchairs, hoyer lifts, hospital beds, and more. All medical equipment can be delivered right into your cabin so that it is waiting for you when you arrive on the ship. We also make arrangements for oxygen users--just let us know your requirements.
back to more FAQ's
Are there any accessible sightseeing excursions available?
While several cruise lines offer a select amount of accessible sightseeing excursions in North America, the Caribbean, and Hawaii, there are many other ports in the Caribbean and throughout the rest of the world where accessible shore excursions are not offered by cruise lines. However, for clients that book their cruise through us, World On Wheelz is able to arrange accessible sightseeing excursions through private companies in many of these ports around the world. These private sightseeing tours are conducted in wheelchair accessible vehicles and are customized to meet your interests and special needs. Of course, there are some ports where accessible transportation is just not available. Allow World On Wheelz to assist with your cruise arrangements to ensure that you are booked on an itinerary that visits the most accessible ports of call and allows you to get the most out of your cruise.
back to more FAQ's
How do I get from the airport to the cruise port at my destination? Is accessible transportation available?
For cruises departing from North America and Hawaii, most cruise lines are able to arrange accessible transfers via wheelchair accessible vehicles at the same rate that they charge for regular transfers. For cruises departing elsewhere in the world (Europe, Australia, etc.), cruise lines may be able to arrange accessible transfers, although they are often an additional cost. In addition, World On Wheelz is able to arrange accessible airport transportation at many ports throughout the world where accessible transfers are not offered by the cruise lines.
back to more FAQ's
Are some cruise lines more accessible than others?
Yes. Allow World On Wheelz to assist with your cruise arrangements to ensure that you are booked on the most accessible cruise that will meet your interests, budget, and special needs.
back to more FAQ's
FLYING
Can my attendant travel free?
No, although there are some breaks for people with disabilities flying with Canadian air carriers. For most airlines across the world, a person with a disability and their caregiver must each purchase a seat, and the cost would be no different than the seat that an able-bodied person would purchase.
In Canada, there are two exceptions. First, Air Canada offers a reduced attendant fare for a person with a disability who requires a caregiver in order to travel. The reduced fare is typically 50% off of the base price of the ticket, excluding taxes. However, the reduced fare is only offered on flights within North America, and it is only available on full-priced economy tickets. So, for seat sales or discounted tickets, the 50% off would not be applicable. It quite often happens that when you compare the lowest priced economy fares to 50% off of the price of a full priced economy fare, the reduced attendant fare is not even worth it.
The second exception is on Air Canada and WestJet flights that begin and end in Canada (with no international stops). As the result of a court ruling in 2009, Air Canada and WestJet are obliged to offer a free seat to obese passengers who require a second seat, as well as passengers with disabilities who require an attendant in order to travel. Keep in mind that while the caregiver's seat is free, they do still have to pay the taxes on the ticket.
back to more FAQ's
Can I sit in my wheelchair on the plane?
No. Life would be so much easier if they could just take out a row of seats and then have wheelchair users wheel in and be tied down for the flight. It's not going to happen anytime soon, though. The reason is because it is a safety hazard. Airplanes travel at a much faster rate of speed than a car or a bus, and therefore airplane crashes are much more violent than motor vehicle crashes. As such, airplane seats are built to withstand a certain level of G-force, which wheelchairs are not. In the event of a hard plane crash, many wheelchairs would likely disintegrate, making the chair and the person sitting in it a flying projectile that would endanger other passengers. So, until they design a wheelchair that can take as much force as an airplane seat, disabled passengers will have to transfer out of their wheelchair into a regular airplane seat.
back to more FAQ's
How do I board the plane? What happens to my wheelchair? Am I the first one on and off the plane?
In a perfect world, you will be able to sit in your own wheelchair or scooter right to the door of the plane. The important thing is to make sure that you tell the check-in agent that you would like to do this rather than transferring out of your wheelchair into an airport wheelchair right away. Once you are at the gate, they usually pre-board persons with disabilities so as to avoid the mad rush of people boarding the plane. When it is time to board, airport officials will escort you down the jetway to the door of the plane, where there will be a small onboard wheelchair (aisle wheelchair) waiting for you that you will have to transfer into. Unfortunately the aisles on an airplane are not wide enough for a standard wheelchair to fit through. Transfer assistance can be made available for those who require it, but always make sure to confirm this at the time of reservation. Once in the aisle wheelchair, they will wheel you to your seat and assist with your transfer if necessary. If you have a collapsible manual wheelchair, they may have room to store it in the cabin, which would be ideal for easy access at the end of the flight. If not, they will then wheel your wheelchair or scooter away to the cargo hold. At the end of the flight, people who require assistance getting off of the plane are asked to remain seated while all able-bodied passengers get off of the plane first. In a perfect world (again), they will then bring your wheelchair or scooter back to the door of the plane from the cargo hold. Then, once everybody is off the plane, they will bring the onboard wheelchair back to your seat and assist you off of the plane to your waiting wheelchair just outside the door of the plane.
In a not-so-perfect world, check-in agents will want you to transfer out of your wheelchair into an airport wheelchair right when you first check in (or soon after) so that they have more time to take your wheelchair or scooter away to the cargo hold. The important thing is to be assertive with the check-in agents to let them know that you want to sit in your wheelchair or scooter as long as possible because you would not be comfortable in an airport wheelchair. Sometimes they transfer you into an airport wheelchair right away, and then the flight gets delayed and you end up spending a few hours in the airport wheelchair. Likewise, in a non-so-perfect world, they will not bring your wheelchair or scooter back to the door of the plane when you arrive at your destination (often because there are no elevators nearby and it is inconvenient for them to do so). In this case, they would help transfer you back into the aisle wheelchair, and then into a waiting manual wheelchair outside the door of the plane. Then they would assist you through customs and all the way to the baggage claim for the transfer back into your wheelchair or scooter. This typically happens more frequently than it does that you would not be able to sit in your wheelchair to the gate at the beginning of your flight. In any case, if your wheelchair or scooter is stowed in the cargo hold, it typically takes about an hour from the time the airplane lands to the time you enter the arrivals hall with your mobility device and luggage.
Of course, the main thing to remember to ensure that everything goes smoothly at the airport is to clarify your special needs and requirements with the airline well in advance of the flight. Allow World On Wheelz to assist with your travel arrangements to make sure your flights goes smoothly. In addition, see our "Flying Tips" for more information on flying with a wheelchair and advice on how to protect your mobility device during the flight.
back to more FAQ's
Are the bathrooms on the plane accessible?
Not really. While there may be grab bars in the bathroom and a wheelchair sticker on the outside of the door indicating that it is "accessible," bathrooms on board airplanes are really not very accessible at all -- especially for someone who might require assistance from a caregiver in the bathroom. Airplane bathrooms are incredibly small and can really only fit one person with the door closed. The best advice I always give is to (1) watch what you eat and drink that day so that you do not have to use the bathroom during the flight, or (2) if you think it is inevitable that you will need to use the bathroom at some point, try at the very least to use the bathroom inside the airport just before you board the plane so that you hopefully won't need to use the one on the plane during the flight. The bathroom in the airport will be bigger and far easier to use than the one on the plane. If you do have to use the bathroom on the plane during the flight, it should not be a problem for most airlines. The general practice is that the flight attendant will bring the onboard wheelchair to your seat and help you wheel to the bathroom, although if you require help inside the bathroom and transferring into the chair, you must provide your own caregiver to assist you for that. If you think you may have to use the bathroom on the plane during the flight, make sure to follow up with the airline at the time of reservation and again a few days prior to the flight to clarify their policy and ensure that they will have an onboard wheelchair on your flight.
back to more FAQ's
|
