If you are new to cruising you can expect first-class entertainment, a variety of international dining options and an amazing array of facilities and activities, that will keep you fully entertained for the duration of your cruise. Plus you also get to wake-up each day to a new and fascinating location that is just waiting to be explored.
Most of the major cruise lines have now taken into consideration the needs of a disabled passenger and have implemented accessibility for those who have mobility, visual or hearing impairment. It is important that if you have a physical disability and are looking to take a cruise holiday that you contact us as early as possible to discuss your particular requirements, and overcome any difficulties you may come across onboard a ship or at a port of call.
Many of the cruise ships that have been built over the last five years, notably the larger and more expensive ships have had purpose built staterooms for passengers with a disability that cover more than one category, and are located near to elevators for easy access. Please speak to one of our trained cruise consultants for further information on which ship and facilities would best suit your personal requirements.
Cabins which are adapted for the disabled passenger are usually better placed for access to lifts and public areas. Staterooms have wider doorways, low level controls, hand rails, specially designed bathrooms and low peepholes in cabin doors.
Cruise lines usually insist that a person who requires daily assistance in their everyday life be accompanied by a full-time carer, or a person who will take responsibility for the passenger’s requirements during the cruise. Although the ships crew are always on hand to help with anything you need to make your cruise as enjoyable as they possibly can.
Depending on where you cruise to in the world port accessibility can vary. For instance there are ports with shallow waters where the ship may dock further out to sea and transfer passengers to shore by means of a much smaller vessel. This may at times prove to be a problem for persons needing wheelchair access. Although most ships have now taken this into consideration but is well worth checking before you make your booking.
Braille facilities are now standard onboard most cruise ships. Deck numbers in lifts and cabin numbers are all in Braille and on request you will be given a dinner menu that is also in Braille.
Cruise ships accept guide dogs onboard, as long as they have the required documentation to accompany a person with visual impairments. As most cruises visit foreign ports is it important to remember that depending on which country you are cruising to, you many not be able to take your guide dog ashore. It is advisable, and to prevent quarantine that all guide dogs have their inoculations updated 7 days before sailing, and you should carry all your dog’s valid rabies and health certification with you when visiting foreign ports.
Hawaii is especially strict about importing animals. No dog, not even a guide dog, may step ashore without being quarantined for at least 30 days unless it arrives from an area recognized by the state as rabies-free.
Most of the major cruise lines now have cabins fitted with TTY kits which are an alert device for guests travelling who have a hearing impediment. These kits supply visual alerts through a flashing light which notifies the passenger of smoke alarms, knocking on a cabin door, or a bed-shaker and phone amplifier, so you will always know if your attention is required.
Cruise lines are incredibly adept at catering for all dietary requirements, such as gluten-free, diabetics, low sugar and fat-free cuisine. Most of the modern ships have state-of-the-art medical facilities, but it is key to remember that these facilities are not meant to treat on-going health conditions. An acceptation to the rule is Costa Cruises which offer cruises for those undergoing Kidney Dialysis. These cruises with Costa are offered at set times of the year. For more detailed information contact Costa Cruises directly or speak to one of trained cruise consultants.
P&O - Arcadia, Artemis, Aurora, Oceania, Oriana
P&O’s cruise ships offer a number of wheelchair accessible cabins. All of these cabins feature wider doorways into cabins and bathrooms, as well as sufficient space inside the cabin for wheelchair manoeuvrability. Balcony cabins have ramp access to the balconies, and bathrooms have a wet-room style shower with a flush threshold and grab rails.
NCL Cruises - Norwegian Dawn/Jewel
The Norwegian Dawn and Jewel both have 26 and 27 specialised accessible staterooms covering a variety of different categories. NCL’s newest ships offer good access for those cruising with limited mobility, facilities for those with hearing impairments and guests in wheelchairs.
Holland America - Amsterdam/Rotterdam
If you are an able passenger travelling with a disabled person, both the Amsterdam and the Rotterdam offer 4 out of its 23 wheelchair accessible staterooms with connecting doors to adjoing non-handicapped staterooms. The Amsterdam has 18 outside staterooms with wheelchair access. Holland America is also credited with installing the very first wheelchair-accessible tender transfer system onboard their ships.
Princess Cruises - Grand/Golden/Star Princess
Princess Cruises Grand-Class ships offer accessible cabins ranging in size from 233-312 square feet, and claim to have the highest number of wheelchair accessible cabins in the cruise ship industry. Most of their vessels are equipped with special wheelchair-transportation gangway mechanisms, with access to major ports of call in places such as Alaska, where you can expect to find lift-equipped coaches for land excursions. Their Alaska Midnight Sun Express railcars have been designed for wheelchair access, which incorporates viewing platforms and dining areas.
Royal Caribbean Cruises - Voyager/Explorer/Adventure of the Seas
The most accessible cabins on Royal Caribbean’s fleet are on the Voyager-class vessels, which have the widest doors, Braille numbers on cabin doors, lettering on lifts and public accessible areas including restrooms. Royal Caribbean has also installed pool lifts so that disabled guests can enjoy the swimming pools.
Celebrity Cruises - Millennium/Infinity/Summit
Most of Celebrity Cruises' ships have spacious corridors with ample room to allow a 180 degree turn for wheelchairs, and a large number of their cabins are wheelchair accessible. All have wide bathroom doors and bathtubs with grab rails.
Royal Caribbean - Radiance/Brilliance of the Seas
Radiance of the Seas has 26 wheelchair accessible cabins that cover a variety of categories. All have wide bathroom doors with grab rails. Ramp access is also provided.
Carnival Cruises - Carnival Pride/Spirit/Legend
Carnival’s ships offer wide doors with roll-in showers, elevators with reachable controls and audible signals. The Nautica Spa also offers accessible gym equipment.
Regent Seven Seas- Seven Sea Mariner
Regent Seven Seas newest and largest ship the Seven Seas Mariner offers 6 palatial suites with veranda, located in prime locations near the atrium of the ship. Please note that Radisson requires a doctor’s letter before being able to assign a disabled cabin or suite.