Accessible cruising

New cruisers can look forward to first-class entertainment, a wide variety of activities and facilities and a wide selection of international dining options. You will also experience waking up each day to a fantastic new location that is just waiting to be explored.
The majority of the major cruise lines have made significant steps in taking into consideration the needs of a disabled passenger. Greater accessibility has been implemented for those who have visual, hearing or mobility impairment. It is important that cruise passengers with any kind of physical disability contact us as early as possible so we can discuss your particular requirements. We will do everything possible to overcome any difficulties that you may encounter whilst onboard a ship or at a specific port of call.
The bigger and more expensive cruise ships, especially those built over the last 5 years, include purpose built staterooms for passengers with a disability that cover more than one category. These are commonly located near to elevators for easy access. Feel free to contact one of out trained cruise consultants for extensive information on which ship would best fit your personal requirements.

Wheelchair friendly

Specially adapted cabins which cater for the disabled passenger are generally better located for access to lifts and public areas. All Staterooms include features such as low peepholes in cabin doors, wider doorways, hand rails and specially designed bathrooms.
Port accessibility can vary depending on what part of the world you are travelling to. For example certain ports with shallow waters may require ships to dock further out to sea and travel passengers to shore by means of a much smaller vessel. This could potentially prove to be a problem for persons requiring wheelchair access. Many ships have now taken this into consideration although we would advise you to check with us prior to making your booking.
Cruise lines commonly insist that persons requiring daily assistance in their everyday life be accompanied by a full-time carer, or someone who can take responsibility for a passenger’s needs throughout the cruise. Although the ships crew will always be on hand to help with any of your requirements and ensure that you are enjoying yourself as much as possible.

Visually Impaired

Most cruise ships now have Braille facilities fitted on board. On request you will be given a dinner menu that is in Braille, as well as deck numbers in lifts and cabin numbers all in Braille.
Providing they have the required documentation to accompany a person with visual impairments, Guide dogs are accepted on board cruise ships. Seeing as a majority of cruises visit foreign ports, it is important that you remember that depending on which country you are cruising to, you may not be able to take your guide dog ashore. It is advisable, and also to prevent quarantine that all guide dogs have their inoculations updated 7 days before sailing. We also recommend that you carry all your dog’s rabies and health certification with you when visiting foreign ports. Hawaii is especially strict on animals being imported. No dog, not even guide dogs, may step ashore without being quarantined for at least 30 days, unless it arrives from an area recognized by the state as rabies-free.

Hearing Impaired

For guests travelling who have a hearing impediment, many major cruise lines now have cabins fitted with TTY alert device kits. These kits will supply visual alerts in the form of a flashing light which notifies the passenger of knocking on a cabin door or smoke alarms. Bed-shakers and phone amplifiers are also available so you will always know if anyone or anything requires your attention.

Dietary Requirements

All cruise lines take significant care when catering for all dietary requirements, such as diabetics, low sugar, fat-free and gluten-free cuisine. Many of the newer ships have state-of-the-art medical facilities, though it’s important not to forget that these facilities are not meant to treat on-going health conditions. Costa Cruises are an exception to that rule, offering cruises for those undergoing Kidney Dialysis. These Costa Cruises are offered at designated times of the year. Speak to one of our trained cruise consultants for more information on this.

Some of the most popular options

Princess Cruises – Grand/Golden/Star Princess

Princess Cruises Grand-Class ships claim to have the highest number of wheelchair accessible cabins in the cruise ship industry, ranging in size from 233-312 square feet.  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.

NCL Cruises – Norwegian Dawn/Jewel

NCL’s newer ships offer superb access for those cruising with limited mobility, facilities for those with hearing impairments and excellent wheelchair access. The Norwegian Dawn and Jewel both have 26 and 27 specialised accessible staterooms covering various categories.

Carnival Cruises – Carnival Pride/Spirit/Legend

Carnival’s ships offer elevators with reachable controls, wide doors with roll-in showers and audible signals.  The Nautica Spa also offers accessible gym equipment.

Holland America – Amsterdam/Rotterdam

For able passengers 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.  Holland America is credited with installing the very first wheelchair-accessible tender transfer system onboard their ships.
The Amsterdam has 18 outside staterooms with wheelchair access.

Celebrity Cruises – Millennium/Infinity/Summit

A majority of Celebrity Cruises cabins are wheelchair accessible and many of their ships have spacious corridors with ample room to allow a 180 degree turn for wheelchairs. All have bathtubs with grab rails and wide bathroom doors.

Celebrity Summit Wheelchair Cabin

Disabled Bathroom On Board Celebrity Infinity

P&O – Arcadia, Aurora, Oceana, Oriana

P&O’s cruise ships offer numerous wheelchair accessible cabins. All of these cabins include wider doorways, as well as significant space inside the cabin for wheelchairs to move.  Balcony cabins boast ramp access to the balconies, and bathrooms have wet-room style showers with a flush threshold and grab rails.

Regent Seven Seas – Seven Sea Mariner

The Seven Seas Mariner, Regent Seven Seas newest and largest ship, 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.

Royal Caribbean Cruises – Voyager/Explorer/Adventure of the Seas

Royal Caribbean have installed pool lifts so that disabled guests can enjoy the swimming pools. The most accessible cabins on Royal Caribbean’s fleet are on the Voyager-class vessels, which have Braille numbers on cabin doors, the widest doors, lettering on lifts and public accessible areas including restrooms. 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.