[stylist] Meet the Blind Month Article by Cheryl Echevarria, President of the Travel and Tourism Division of the NFB

Fri Nov 4 12:50:52 UTC 2011

I would like to acknowledge Loraine Stayer for editing this story for me.

Meet the Blind Month Event in New York with Norwegian Cruise Lines

By Cheryl Echevarria 

Cheryl Echevarria is currently the Treasurer of the Greater Long Island Chapter; and the newly elected President of the Travel and Tourism Division.  Cheryl is also a travel agent and owns Echevarria Travel.

On October 9, 2011, members of the Greater Long Island, New York City and New Jersey went on a ship tour of the Norwegian Gem; which is located at the Port of NY City Terminal on 12th Avenue and 48th Street.

We met at around 10 AM in the terminal, and were supposed to be met by Cherry Bongcaras, Access Officer for the GEM, each ship has their own Access Team; in the meantime the staff was very nice and polite, assisted when needed. They took our IDs and gave us guest passes that we wore around our necks. All guests must have these IDs.

Finally around 10:30, Cherry, showed up, she was very nice, I asked her how long she had been with the cruise line, she said five years, and that this was the first time, that the cruise line has done this kind of ship tour, and I was informed later, that we can do this as many times as we would like; so it would not only be educational for them, but for us as well.  I told everyone when they got home and had a day to rest that I wanted everyone's input so I can send back to Ms. Vazquez, so that they can try and work out as many issues as possible.

The first thing that everyone does when they get onboard whether it is a guest or a passenger, is to go through a check in desk. They take your ID card and swipe it, so that they know you are on the ship. If they don't do this and there is a card that was assigned but not swiped could mean they are indisposed or maybe had to go somewhere, and will call out to those prior to sailing to make sure they are onboard.  When you leave at the end of your vacation you swipe it again.

>From there, we were finally inside the ship, Cherry was as descriptive as possible. We were in the main lobby area of the ship, Deck 7, and explained the different sides of the ship. The front of the ship is called the bow, the rear of the ship is called the stern, left side of the ship is called port side, and the right is called the starboard. We were Mid Ship. This can become a little confusing to even sighted people, so please do not be afraid to ask where you are.  We then met the front desk employees, which is similar to a desk at a hotel. For those who have never been on a cruise, it is like a floating resort hotel, they were very nice and explained what they do. That they are opened 24 hours, to help with any questions that guests may have and direct you to that department.  The main lobby also has a very nice lounge and bar area, and also the excursions desk.

>From there we walked toward the bow of the ship. We passed the photo area, and the souvenir shops, and went to our first area of the ship, the Bliss Ultra Lounge & Night Club. This was decorated very nicely. On the ceiling there were tiny lights that looked like stars.  The description she gave was: It is designed by all things spherical and out of space: Bubbles, the use of lighting, color and ultraviolet artworks throughout this room. It features the industry's 1st bowling alley and also is equipped with plasma TVs and slot machines.  This was not the casino; we didn't have time to see that.

>From here we went toward the stern of the ship, and towards the elevators. They are not in Braille on the outside of the elevators, which I have indicated already, but inside the elevators they are, and they also have voice in the elevators to let you know what floor you are on. Please let the staff know if you cannot hear this if you are sailing. They do have the capability to make them louder.

Our next stop was the fitness center and the spa area; as we were walking towards the fitness area, we also passed the Duty Free Shops, which means tax free, these shops are opened once the ships is 3 miles out at sea, in international waters.  You can buy anything there from sunglasses, alcohol (cannot drink it while on the ship, they hold it for you until day of disembarkation--or day you leave the cruise), clothing, jewelry, etc.

At the fitness area we got to try out some of the equipment (treadmills, bicycles, weights); they have the latest fitness equipment, as well. >From there we went into the Yin Yang Spa & Beauty Salon, where we had a presentation from the manager of the spa of all the treatments you can have done, men and women, the spa is extra, but you can purchase a weekly pass to come and use the Jacuzzi and hot tubs. They also have heated lounge chairs which we sat on and some didn't want to get off, because they are great on aches and pains. It smelled heavenly as well; the experience was an all senses experience, this is an adult only area.

>From there we went to the Pool area:

Two nice pools, one for the adults, one for everyone else including a waterslide, a hot tub, and lounge chairs all around, also, we were told that you do not need to bring your towels from your room there is a place you can pick up and return your towels, and  a bandstand where entertainment starts playing as soon as everyone is onboard. Food was also being put outside in the buffet area.

Onward, we were shown the restaurant areas, most of them are on the same deck, some are specialty restaurants where they charge a cover from $10-$25 per person depending on the restaurant..

We then saw the Stardust Theatre; it holds 1,700 people at one time. Someone asked how many people sail at one time on the ship. Cherry said, that the Gem carries at full capacity, 2,400 guests and a crew of 1,100.

>From there we went to eat lunch. We ate at the Grand Pacific Main Dining Room. We all enjoyed a variety of different foods, from delicious hamburgers to New York Strip. Lunch included appetizers, main entrées or salads, and deserts.  All included in the price of your cruise, they serve small portions, but you can have as many as you like.

Finally, we got to see two staterooms.  The first one was an inside accessible stateroom, which is wider than the others to accommodate a wheelchair, larger bathroom, and bigger bed.  Next, we saw a balcony stateroom, smaller than the accessible room, but had a nice table on the balcony and two chairs.

This was a wonderful experience for everyone. We also found out that a smaller group would work better, like 10-15 people instead of 20.

Norwegian Cruise Lines has offered to do this as many times in the future as we wish. I live in NY, but if your affiliate or chapter would want to do this in your area get in touch with me and we can work it out. Cities where they sail from are: Boston, NY, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, Orlando (until April 2012), Tampa, and Seattle.  Contact Cheryl Echevarria at 631-236-5138 or cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com<mailto:cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com> for more information.

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