Hi there,
Booked our first cruise with my disabled son. Its on the Royal Caribbean Independance of the Seas.
My son uses a large electric Powerchair which uses a 220/240V 8amp charger to charge the 24v battery supply.
We have booked a 4 berth disabled access cabin and just want to make sure this charger will work with the onboard power supply in the cabin.
Depending on which web site I read I get different results. Some say the RC ships have 110V 2-pin sockets only, which will mean we have a major issue, and others say 110v/220V which I assume means dual voltage. Or is this just a low amp rated shaver socket.
I don't want to get onboard and find I blow either the charger, or trip the ships local circuit breakers (if that's possible).
All help appreciated
MD
I don't know about RC, but some ships have 220v sockets in the hallways.
I am sure that you have already had to explain about your son using a wheelchair when you made your booking, and if they don't have the right type of plug/voltage in your cabin, they may have something more suitable in the crew area or in the engineering section.
Maybe you could arrange for the battery to be collected by a responsible member of the crew for charging say in the evening when you go to bed and brought back in the morning before breakfast .... or they may have an inverter that will convert the current in your cabin to the correct voltage for recharging the wheelchair.
How long does the battery take to recharge? Might it be worth bringing a spare whilst the principle one is being recharged so your son is assured of mobility?
Have replied in the other thread you started on the 'disabled' forum:
The cabin power runs things like hair dryers and coffee machines which will be in the same ball park. 2kw range.
Not sure about the disabled access cabins but take a standard extension strip and a EU 2pin adaptor the socket is above the desk in regular cabins.
There will be a power point in the corridor that is used for the vaccums and other equipment like big dryer that will be no problem.
Often people park their scooter outside to charge to give more room.
I have discussed this with Gills who I booked through and they don't really know, although they have been trying their best to find out and will get RC to send a medical form on which I need to identify our requirements and powerchair details.
The point Alsacienne makes about removal of the battery and separate recharging is unfortunately not an option. This chair is very complex, weighs 140kg (!!!) and runs off two very large (like big car batteries) 12v gel batteries an I would need to take the chair apart to get at them.
The batteries can take many hours to charge and sometimes need to be left on overnight.
Maybe I'm worrying about nothing as I am sure lots of people have travelled this way with either powerchairs or mobility scooters. Its just as you are all aware cruising is expensive and I don't want to c*ck up on our first holiday this way.
In addition to contacting the company and making sure I have it all on paper, I will also do as Windjammer says and take an extension lead in addition to the travel adapter.
Thanks
MD.
Hi Meggiedude, I wasn't confused - just being lazy about replying in two threads
That sounds a very heavy chair, and my apologies for not having realised the complexity of the recharging operation. I think that contacting the cruise company is your best bet. I hope you get the reassurance and the service you are hoping for and both of you will have a lovely time.
Try emailing them at special_needs@rccl.com
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