How Accessible Is A Cruise?

For many years now, cruising has been a popular choice of travel for anyone using a wheelchair or mobility scooter. Most ships have some partially or fully adapted cabins and lifts and wide doorways to every public deck.

The only issue with this type of cabin is that they sell out very quickly as there are not many of them and some cruise lines require you to book an accessible cabin if taking a mobility aid on board.  The cabins typically have wide doorways, grab rails and bathrooms with fixed seats. Beds and toilet seats can also be raised and you can take extra equipment with you such as hoists if needed. Once a booking is made, you will be sent a medical questionaire which can be returned directly to the cruise company detailing your individual needs.

Fred Olsen’s Balmoral, for example, is a firm favourite with the more mature British traveller but with just 9 adapted cabins, can sell out quickly.

Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, has 46 accessible cabins out of a guest capacity of 5,400 so again will sell quickly. There is also wheelchair seating in every bar, lounge and dining venue .

Holland America Line’s newest vessel MS Koningsdam has 28 . They also have a wheelchair-accessible tender service which is much easier for anyone with limited mobility than the standard service.  Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Dream has just 25.

Braille signs and large print menus are now commonplace as are hearing loops in show lounges. As technology moves forward,  so do amenities on offer such as portable room kits for the hard of hearing which alert to smoke alarms. telephone ringing and door knocking. Computer software such as in the Explorations cafe on Koningsdam can read text to those with impaired vision.

If you need this type of accommodation, the general rule is book early! We can check any more information for you on an individual basis when booking so you can have your perfect cruise.