Cruising With A Disability

Recently a good friend of mine asked me a question, “can a person with a disability really enjoy a cruise as much as an able bodied person?” as he believes a cruise holiday is inaccessible to him.

Dave has been in a wheelchair for the past 10 years after a horse riding accident left him paralysed from the waist down.

Cruise travellers with disabilities have concerns that other cruisers might never consider. Can they open the stateroom door and smoothly roll a wheelchair in? Is it possible to get off the ship in port, or hear the theatre show? How easy is it to move round the ship OR I don’t think I would even be able to get on the ship to begin with.

There are of course many cruise lines who offer support and facilities for disabled travellers, to name a few:

Royal Caribbean – have some of the largest cruise vessels which benefit some of the roomiest spaces at sea, perfect for wheelchair mobility.  For those passengers who have hearing or visual impairments, Royal Caribbean also have sign language interpreters (at the moment on cruises sailing from the USA and Canada), portable room kits, assisted listening devices and close captioned TV as well as braille and large print menus, braille signs and lift buttons.

In the Solistice class ships of Celebrity Cruises, wheelchair users are able to tender in port which is an added freedom not afforded on all cruise ships. Service is provided for wheelchair users on board with assistance in initial boarding and gangway help at all ports.

Princess Cruises have placed a long standing priority on improving accessibility on board with its First Access Programme in 1992 and was the first cruise line to employ a manager of access compliance 10 years later. Today the fleet offers more then 350 wheelchair access staterooms.

Norwegian Cruise Lines promises that staff will be available throughout the cruise to see to your needs, including a access officer who will be the primary “go to” person for disabled passengers.

Cruising is a fantastic way to spend a holiday with beautiful destinations, constant entertainment and fantastic accommodation, and offer the most exciting, inspiring and best value for money holidays you can find.

Dave now tells me he feels more confident in choosing a cruise holiday, great news!  I for one also feel I have more empathy in understanding the different needs of a disability, thanks Dave!