Cruises For Disabled People

Cruises present excellent value for money with flights, accommodation, food, activities and entertainment for an all-inclusive price and with modern vessels kitted out with all the mod cons and accessible features, those with disabilities can take full advantage! We're here to put you in touch with companies whose main priority it is to make sure you have a fabulous time and cruise is style. 

Cruises for disabled people are easier than ever, and when booking a cruise you will want to choose a ship that perfectly suits your needs, abilities and lifestyle. If you live with a physical disability or perhaps a medical condition that requires medication, dialysis or oxygen, then preparation and planning is the key to reduce unexpected problems.

Planning a Cruise

Todays cruise ships are pretty accessible throughout and you can expect newer cruise liners to offer accessible cabins and bathrooms with handrails and emergency call buttons, public areas with wheelchair access and elevators with reachable buttons. For the visually impaired passengers, Braille-coded restaurant menus are made available and for the hard of hearing, as well as those with speech impairments, text-messaging systems are in place for easy communication. Generally, cruise lines will accommodate any dietary or special requirements, provided they are for-warned, but do check with your travel agent or cruise line’s customer service department about any limitations. You can also check ship information in relation to cruises for disabled people with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) such as, the number of decks with ramps and other accessible features etc.

Arranging Wheelchair Accessible Cruises

As well as fixtures and fittings like wide enough doors, washbasins low enough for wheelchair users and no ‘lips’ at cabin and bathroom thresholds, you may also want to consider:

• What mobility equipment is available to hire on board
• Is there lots of hard flooring? (As carpeting can be difficult to wheel on)
• Are pool hoists available?
• Will special transportation be provided to transfer you from airport to ship?
• Will shore excursions be suitable for your disability? You may want to avoid itinerary that include small boats used to transfer passengers to shore, as they are not designed to carry wheelchairs.

Booking a Cruise

If you are cruising for the first time, you might be inclined to use a tour operator that specialises in cruises for disabled people. Being experts in this travel sector, they can offer sound advice and help select a cruise that is right for you. They will be familiar with cruise lines’ policies on travel insurance, guide dogs and whether disabled travellers are required to be accompanied by non-disabled companion. If you know what you're looking for, and what type of cabin will suit your needs, you can also get some great online deals! 

Whatever your disability, don’t let it keep you from enjoying a cruise!