New York Buffet Dinner Cruise
Written by Chillie Falls, October 2, 2024
CLICK HERE to book the New York Buffet Dinner Cruise
I arrived with my friend, Hot Air Tom, at Pier 61 for the New York Buffet Dinner Cruise on the Spirit of New York. Thankfully, we were plenty early despite a cab snafu. I was told, “You can’t take that electric chair on board.”
I said, “why not? This is an accessible cruise. We double checked on that.”
“Oh, it is accessible. You have to use our chair.”
Emphatically, I said, “Absolutely not. I am not going on your boat in your chair and leave my $5K chair out here on the sidewalk.”
“We will take your chair on the boat. You can use it there, we just have to transfer you.”
Then he showed me the ramp. One long run, at about 35 degrees, and a shorter run at at least 45 degrees, maybe more. Later I found that at the top, there is about a 4 inch lip to get off the ramp and on the deck. Next, they stuffed me in a wheelchair designed for a 110 pound person. I am SLIGHTLY heavier than that.
That got me on the boat and shortly we sailed.
Even if I am being critical of the accessibility, the cruise, the food, and the entertainment was delightful.
To book the Spirit of New York Dinner Cruise, CLICK HERE
By the time we arrived back at port, it had rained making the ramps even more slippery. The Captain, in white shirt, and crew members, decided they were using a 2 ton block and tackle to get me off the boat. Unfortunately, after they stuffed me in the 100 Pound chair, and positioned me at the top of the slope, they kept debating on how to do this, which did very little for my confidence.
My heart is still pounding. I don’t mind telling you, I was scared to death.
Do you agree this is not wheelchair accessible as advertised?
