best cruise ships for disabled passengers best cruise ships for disabled passengers

The ship features lower tables in the casino and guest relations, and wheelchair seating in the main lounge. From the moment you step into the cruise terminal to the moment you've disembarked, there will be assistance on hand should you need it. Personal amplifiers are available in theaters, and hearing impaired kits are provided upon request. Because all major cruise lines are required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, they are equipped with accessible accommodations, meaning that a cruise can be a great way to see the world without having to worry as much about logistics. None of them have a bath, though, only a shower. Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card. The best cruise lines for disabled people Some cruise lines stand head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to catering for disabled guests. Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. The fully accessible rooms have wide stateroom and bathroom doors with no sills and ramped thresholds, along with bathroom grab bars, roll-in showers with fold-down benches and handheld showerheads. The theatre offers a dedicated area for wheelchairs and mobility scooters, with seats nearby that provide a fantastic view of the unforgettable performances. Tender boats onboard Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure are wheelchair accessible to ensure the utmost safety for all passengers. Local: 954-585-0575. Otherwise, guests requiring physician-assisted dialysis may make arrangements by contacting Dialysis at Sea on +1 800 544 7604. Thanks to the helpful guide provided before you sail, guests will be able to book step-free excursions or, with the Explore Ashore service, tailor their onshore experiences to suit their needs. Elsewhere, there's wheelchair seating in all dining venues and bars; a lower counter at the Martini Bar, in the casino and at guest relations; and forward and rear wheelchair seating plus an assistive listening system at the Reflection Theater. Royal Caribbean provide accessible transport with knowledgeable guides who will take guests to step-free routes and attractions. Best time to book a cruise: early-bird or last minute; Event Cruises 2019 - Where the stars meet the sea; Tips for first-time cruisers: How to prepare for your first ever cruise; Around the globe: World Cruises 2020; The Best Time of Year For Each Cruise Destination; On Board the Norwegian Jade: an old ship with a brand new look! Many cruise ships are now fully accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities and provide some of the most exciting, inspiring and best value-for-money holidays that you can find. Cruisers requiring special equipment such as wheelchairs, scooters, walkers and canes should arrange to bring those devices with them or contact a rental company that will deliver those devices to the ship pre-cruise and pick them up at the conclusion of the sailing. Arcadia also features a number of partially adapted cabins which have wider doorways and a wheelchair accessible wet room (roll in bathroom). These rooms range from 159 to 298 square feet. Most ships now have large gangways, which allow passengers using wheelchairs and scooters to embark and disembark without issue. Select ships within the P&O Cruises fleet have pool hoists available: Guests will disembark to port via tender or gangway. For wheelchair and scooter users, there are fully accessible cabins. Jane Archer looks at accessibility in the cruise sector, and checks out disabled facilities on ships for the British market. All adapted cabins fleetwide have wide doorways into the cabin and bathroom; sufficient floor space for manoeuvring a wheelchair or mobility scooter; wet room-style bathrooms; grab rails for shower and toilet; pull-down shower seat; and flush thresholds between bathroom and cabin. Sand wheelchairs are available, and a tram accommodates manual and electric wheelchairs. The line also provides pagers for the hearing impaired, assistive listening systems and Braille/tactical signage. Whether you're onboard or onshore, you'll be sure to get the most out of your holiday. There are six wheelchair-adapted cabins on Deck 8 (two balcony suites, four with picture window) and three interior cabins on Deck 9. Of course, even on the biggest cruise ships space can sometimes be tight. 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. Credit ranges are a variation of FICO Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. Each of the wheelchair-friendly cabins has wide doors with no doorsill, roll-in showers and a fold-down bench with ramped bathroom thresholds, grab bars and additional turning space for wheelchairs or scooters. "In my experience, I've found that the newer the ship is, the more accessible it tends to be," Cory Lee, owner of wheelchair-accessible travel website Curb Free with Cory Lee and a TPG All-Inclusive panelist, told The Points Guy. To reach Celebrity's Access Department, cruisers can call 954-628-9708 or email special_needs@celebrity.com. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Accommodation details for the new Spirit of Discovery have not yet been released, but we do know that all 540 cabins have a private balcony and there will be wheelchair-accessibility across most grades. All ships also have pool lifts that can be used by appointment. View all cruises from UK, Cruise lines Those with disabled access requirements may prefer the panoramic coach tours or a leisurely guided visit to a range of landmarks. We have a 100% success rate at getting [], Cunard has been renowned for its luxurious voyages for more than 180 years. Related: The ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line ships and itineraries. Related: The ultimate guide to MSC Cruises ships and itineraries. Some ports may require a tender boat to get onshore. The fleet-wide amenities range from 27 wheelchair-accessible staterooms with grab rails in bathrooms to extra-wide doors for easy access and shower seats. Amongst these are: Royal Caribbean: Their ships are amongst the largest and have some of the most accessible cabins available. In addition, travelers with disabilities give high marks to Ruby Princess, which was refurbished in late 2015, and welcomes disabled passengers in 31 accessible staterooms. Some have bed access from one side only, while others have access on both sides. The line's older ships, Astoria and Astoria, don't have any adapted cabins. Celebrity Cruises have carefully chosen a wide range of accessible excursions to ensure all guests can get the most out of their fantastic itineraries. For help, questions or more information, cruisers can reach out to Holland America's Guest Accessibility Department at GuestAccessibility@HollandAmerica.com. Would you like to receive these? And if youre still unsure of where you want to go or what type of holiday to book, get in touchhereand one of the Designer Travel experts will be in contact to help you arrange your perfect tailor-made break. The best cruise lines for disabled passengers go above and beyond to ensure their utmost safety at all times, as well as complete relaxation and unrivalled experiences of fantastic destinations. The toilet is high and has collapsible arm guards, proving support and making it easier for transfer. The Italian-founded cruise line meets international accessibility standards, and the 4,132-passenger MSC Seaside has plenty to interest passengers who are disabled. Assistance dogs are allowed on board cruises where all ports of call fit into the EU's Pet Passport scheme. But its best to arm yourself with the brochures of the lines you are considering and check their websites, as most have pages dedicated to special needs and accessibility. For example, one cruise lines website boasts a selection of wheelchair-accessible tours, but on further investigation it transpires that very few are actually step-free. Millennium, which was last updated in 2012, also gets good reviews, although it's scheduled to be overhauled in February 2019. Viking Ocean Cruises Review Which Recommended Provider Viking: Scandinavia & the British Isles Itinerary Yet again, Viking has held onto the number one spot in our survey, earning an outstanding five stars in every category. With a combination of advanced planning and the special features available on the following ships, a physical disability should not prevent you from cruising. Yes Due to varying conditions in certain ports, it is not always possible for guests who require a wheelchair or scooter to disembark. Due to Explorer's relatively small ship size, passengers may find it easier to navigate the vessel. At least one pool and one whirlpool on each ship provide lift access to passengers with limited mobility. You can expect to see the following cabin sizes on Royal Caribbean, although exact size will differ by ship and stateroom type: Interior: 136-172 square feet. Its public computers even have screen-reader software to help the visually impaired. The friendly Access Officers will be on hand to assist you with any queries you may have 24 hours a day, ensuring your cruise holiday is as relaxing as can be. Thanks to their warm Italian hospitality, staff will be more than happy to assist you wherever possible. On Balmoral, the pool on deck 11 has a shallow 'end', as it were, making it easier for a person with mobility issues to be lowered gently into the water. Accommodations vary from ship to ship but include additional space as well as other special amenities, such as grab bars and flat thresholds. Although the line cannot provide wheelchair assistance at airports or train stations, it can arrange for lift-equipped transfers to the embarkation port. CMV recommends Mobility at Sea as a supplier of equipment for disabled passengers, but includes a fairly strongly-worded warning on its website that older ships can be challenging for wheelchair users and passengers with other disabilities. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Deciding which cruise line, and more specifically which ship, to book is one of the biggest decisions you have to make when planning your holiday. With 65 accessible staterooms, this bold, new ship, launched in 2018, includes plenty of options for disabled travelers. Fleetmates: Maasdam and its sister ship Veendam, in the line's Statendam (or S) class, also consistently get top reviews from disabled travelers. For the hard-of-hearing, there's a hearing loop facility at Southampton cruise terminals and at the reception desks on each ship, as well as an 'infra-red' hearing support system in some of the show lounges. Some ports of call on Norwegian Cruise Line itineraries will require taking a tender boat to shore, which may not always be accessible to those requiring the use of a wheelchair or scooter. If you're not bringing your own equipment, HAL recommends contacting Scootaround or Special Needs at Sea for rental options. In addition, Arcadia has a number of partially accessible cabins; there's less manoeuvring room in these, so they aren't suitable for full-time wheelchair users. Alaska cruisetour passengers will find the line's wilderness lodges meet ADA guidelines, with accessible rooms and public spaces. Our travel journalism is written and edited by independent experts to inform, inspire and advise our readers about the best choices for your holidays. Princess Cruises has long focused on accessibility, launching its first access program in 1992 and becoming the first cruise line to employ a manager of access compliance 10 years later. For a selection of cruises from our preferred partners, clickhere. With accessible cabins available on every ship in the fleet, an MSC cruise is a fantastic choice for those with mobility restrictions. Passengers requiring regular wheelchair or scooter use must bring their own assistive devices with them on board. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. .css-18jw8gc{-webkit-appearance:none;-moz-appearance:none;-ms-appearance:none;appearance:none;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;-webkit-user-select:none;-moz-user-select:none;-ms-user-select:none;user-select:none;position:relative;white-space:nowrap;vertical-align:middle;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;line-height:1.2;border-radius:var(--chakra-radii-md);transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-normal);height:auto;min-width:var(--chakra-sizes-10);font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);background:none;border:0;color:black;display:inline;margin:0px;padding:0!important;font-family:var(--chakra-fonts-Roboto);font-weight:500;padding-top:0.625rem;padding-bottom:0.625rem;-webkit-padding-start:1rem;padding-inline-start:1rem;-webkit-padding-end:1rem;padding-inline-end:1rem;}.css-18jw8gc:focus-visible,.css-18jw8gc[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-18jw8gc:disabled,.css-18jw8gc[disabled],.css-18jw8gc[aria-disabled=true],.css-18jw8gc[data-disabled]{opacity:0.4;cursor:not-allowed;box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-none);}.css-18jw8gc:active,.css-18jw8gc[data-active]{border:var(--chakra-borders-none);background:none;}.css-18jw8gc:hover,.css-18jw8gc[data-hover]{border:var(--chakra-borders-none);background:none;}.css-18jw8gc:focus,.css-18jw8gc[data-focus]{border:var(--chakra-borders-none);outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-none);}Cookie Consent, What to Expect on a Cruise: Boarding a Cruise Ship, Windstar Yachts vs. Windstar Sailing Ships. Wide gangplanks accommodate most wheelchairs and scooters. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. Disabled Passengers . Britannia has 33 wheelchair accessible cabins across all grades, from insides to suites. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Full board. Some rooms also have accessible balconies. Everything is carefully thought out, right down to highlighting which excursions are best for those who are less mobile. For those who can manage a few steps there is a good and varied choice of accessible tours, but for permanent wheelchair users choices can be more limited. The line's biggest ship, 3,046-passenger Celebrity Reflection, offers 30 accessible staterooms with automatic doors, an extra plus appreciated by those in wheelchairs. It permits service dogs and provides downloadable daily activities and menus for passengers with their own laptops or e-readers, allowing them to enlarge the type, or have it read to them by the device. In extreme cases, because of safety or operational issues, the line might deny you boarding. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. All dining and bar venues have wheelchair access, as does the video arcade. It's the line's first purpose-built vessel for the North American market, and offers an impressive 51 accessible cabins, one of the highest numbers (and percentage of cabins) available on any ship. 2x points on all other eligible purchases. Aurora is an older ship, launched in 2000, with a more intimate feel, as it only carries 1,874, but there's still a good selection of 18 wheelchair-accessible cabins, from insides to balcony accommodation. The 3,960-capacity Carnival Horizon has three types of accessible cabins: fully accessible cabins with approach to the bed from both sides, fully accessible cabins with a single side approach to the bed, and ambulatory accessible cabins for passengers that don't require a wheelchair, but can still benefit from accessibility features like grab bars. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. It is, however, your own responsibility to make the cruise line aware of any special requirements you have when making your booking, and failure to do so could result in assistance not being available when you need it. Most service animals are permitted. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. The gangway is wide enough for mobility devices, and dining and bar areas and public restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Norwegian Cruise Line has a long history of working with special needs passengers, employing trained access officers, and even providing passengers an embarkation day meeting with a staff member who will assist with accessibility needs during the cruise. Is it possible to get off the ship in port or hear the evening show? Wheelchairs and mobility scooters must be stored in cabins, not corridors. Accommodations vary from ship to ship but include additional space as well as other special amenities, such as grab bars and flat thresholds. Larger, newer ships are generally better but don't write off older ships before doing some research. It can be reached at 866-592-7225 or by sending an email to special_needs@rccl.com. Passengers with impaired mobility will also appreciate lifts at the pool and whirlpool. Holland America Line attracts a mature crowd, so it's highly attuned to passengers with mobility or other accessibility needs. River cruise ships have to be fairly low in order to pass under bridges, and for this reason, the sun deck is usually only accessible by stairs. Most accessible cabins have shower stools or chairs, raised lavatory seats and bath seats. The line's excursion listings indicate the level of access for each tour. Wheelchairs can also access the miniature golf course and the laundry. .css-hghiur{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-medium);border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;cursor:pointer;color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);border-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);}.css-hghiur:focus-visible,.css-hghiur[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-hghiur:hover,.css-hghiur[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;}P&O Cruises operates eight ships, with a ninth, a megaship, due in 2020. Bathrooms have grab bars, roll-in showers, handheld showerheads and high toilets. Phone: 800-513-4515. On Boudicca, there are four wheelchair-adapted Terrace Balcony cabins on the Lido Deck (7) but no wheelchair accessible toilets in the public areas of the ship. Top tips for booking a cruise as a disabled passenger. No, Michele Monro, author of a new book on sailing with a disability, shares her expert tips, Weve handpicked the best hotels with accessible rooms across the UK, from fancy London pads to rural countryside hotels, Make your journey as smooth as possible with our tips on everything from booking wheelchair spaces to the hacks you can use on the Eurostar, Our cruise editor takes you through all you need to know about rules, routes and whats coming up on the rivers and high seas, The world really is your oyster when it comes to choosing a cruise destination. They'll be happy to tell you more about our cruise destinations, the ships you'll travel on and our care and support packages. If you're a traveler with limited mobility, there are certain considerations that are necessary when planning a trip. Three ships, Arcadia, Oriana and Adonia, are adults-only while the remaining five are very popular with families. All dining and bar venues accommodate wheelchairs, and the showroom and casino are both accessible. Blackjack tables in the casinos are lowered for accessibility, as are sections of the guest relations desks. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Adapted cabins across the fleet have handrails in the bathroom area, but not the cabin itself. 6 Cruise Memories That Will Warm Your Heart, Accessible Cruise Ships (Photo: Ivan Cholakov/Shutterstock). In 2019, Saga Pearl II will retire and be replaced by a new flagship, the 55,900-ton Spirit of Discovery, carrying 999 guests in luxurious, modern style, with a second new ship on order, Spirit of Adventure. The best luxury cruise ships for disabled passengers Choosing the right ship is vital to make sure that you'll be able to experience your cruise to its full potential. Carnival Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas and Royal Caribbean are frontrunners when it comes to onboard facilities for the disabled. Top marks to P&O for having a clearly explained section on its website for cruisers with special needs, right down to sections on door widths on each ship and ports where the gangway might be too steep for a less mobile person to go ashore. Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Newer ships offer purpose built accessible cabins, entertainment venues and facilities, wide gangways and lifts whilst moving round the ship, and accessible embarkation and disembarkation. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, Choosing a Cruise Ship Room: What to Expect. Staff is attuned to travelers' needs, and. 70025, or by emailing access@carnival.com. Subscribe for weekly inspiration and deals from The Times and The Sunday Times. Most also have specially trained staff for physically and mentally challenged guests. Fax: 204-478-1172. P&O Cental Mediterranean Cruises. CMV operates a fleet of older ships from its home base, London's Tilbury, as well as other U.K. ports. Roll-in showers feature enough turning space for wheelchairs to enter and maneuver in the shower area. Fax: 800-513-4516. Boots Travel Insurance has single-trip policies with no upper age limit that cover any medical condition. Accessible cabins can be found throughout the Saga Cruises fleet, providing ample space for a wheelchair or mobility scooter. There's also an accessible route to the tender platform, again not standard on every ship. Those with auditory impairments will find a portable room kit and alert system upon request. An accessible cabana is also available. Disabled passengers can experience luxury cruising on the small Regent Seven Seas Cruises line, which offers all-suite ships and a high crew-to-passenger ratio. Best Cruises for Disabled People Azamara Accessible Cabin Cunard Royal Caribbean International Princess Cruise Norwegian Cruise Line Carnival Horizon Celebrity Cruises Best Cruises for Disabled People Azamara Accessible Cabin If you book an accessible stateroom, most cruise lines will ask you to fill out a special needs form, attesting to the need for accessible accommodations. For more information on mobility and other special access cruise queries, please see the Iglu Cruise Helpcentre, Setting sail in 2023 from Piraeus in Athens, Resilient Lady is the third ship to join Virgin Voyages [], You can now pre-book your P&O Summer 2025 cruise with us. Accessible cabins feature wider doorways, ample floor space, wet-room style bathrooms with grab rails, and ramped access to balconies for balcony cabins. Children or young travelers with special needs can be placed with a lower age group in youth programs, or can take part in specific activities with their parents, if required. Princess Cays, the line's private Bahamas beach, has ramps for easier access. 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. The cabin directory and emergency information are provided in Braille. Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Star that sails from Southampton is great for disabled passengers. They have roll-in showers, grab bars and wide turning spaces. P&O Cruises As one of the leading lines for classic British cruises, P&O Cruises have gone above and beyond to ensure they offer some of the best cruises for disabled passengers. Additional assistance can be provided at the pier upon request during embarkation and disembarkation. There are also lowered sink and stateroom vanities and a raised toilet, along with lowered closet rods, lowered safe, open bed frames, accessible balconies for select cabins and amplified telephones. Accessible ships with adapted cabins and accessible shore excursions. Free Spirit is one of the UKs largest specialist travel insurance providers and aspires to help people of any age who have been declined travel insurance cover elsewhere due to pre-existing conditions. This is an edited extract from The Autonomous Cruiser: The Complete Guide to Cruising for and with Disabled Travellers by Michele Monro, out now, Travelling with a disability: 16 tips to make holidays as easy as possible. Launched in 2014, 3,569-passenger Regal Princess is one of the line's newest ships, and offers an impressive 38 accessible staterooms -- especially welcome because most cabins on the ship are on the tight side. If you aren't bringing your own assistive devices, Royal Caribbean recommends renting one for the duration of your cruise via either Scootaround or Special Needs at Sea. A refrigerator and commode chair are available by request, and balconies are accessible for select cabins. Inspired to book a cruise? Wheelchair and scooter accessible staterooms feature throughout the entire NCL fleet, providing wider doorways, handrails, roll-in showers and shower benches. There are three different Carnival cruise ships that offer an Alaska trip: the Carnival Miracle with 10 day or 11 day cruises leaving from San Francisco, California, the Carnival Spirit with a 7 day or 8 day cruise leaving from Seattle, Washington, and the Carnival Legend with a 9 day cruise leaving from Vancouver, BC, Canada. While all cruise ships (even foreign-flagged ones) sailing in U.S. waters should be compliant with the U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), there aren't standards specifically addressing cruise ships, which means that some lines do more than others. They include entryways that are a minimum of 32 inches wide, emergency call buttons, open bed frames, ramped bathroom thresholds, bathroom and shower grab bars, roll-in showers with fold-down seats, hand-held showerheads and lower closet and towel bars. Several companies will cover pre-existing conditions to some extent, but you need to shop around to ensure your policy covers every aspect of your condition. Fleetmates: MSC Seaview is similarly equipped. Because a lot of the passengers are elderly, the crew are used to dealing with passengers with different abilities and are kind and sympathetic. Related: Everything you want to know about cabins and suites on Royal Caribbean ships. Throughout the ship, passengers will find Braille/tactile signage on elevator buttons, stateroom numbers and deck numbers on staircase handrails. Grab rails for shower and toilet Pull-down shower seat Flush thresholds between bathroom and cabin Balcony cabins have ramped access to the balcony. Aside from Americans with Disabilities Act requirements in the US, cruises for. In St. Thomas, the line helped develop tours featuring the island's accessible trolley. The Best (Free) Things to Do on Carnival Panorama. Additional equipment can also be provided. Related: 9 Best Ships for Cruisers with Disabilities Onboard. Committed to providing unforgettable disabled access cruises for all guests, Royal Caribbean have fitted their fleet of fantastic ships with innovative features to make them comfortable and accessible for guests with mobility, hearing and developmental disabilities. Black Watch, being an older ship, has steps on the pool deck, but there are ramps for wheelchair users. A lot of cruises depart from British ports, so there's no need to fly, and there are some long voyages in winter to exotic destinations, again, with no need to board an aircraft. Main photo: A wheelchair by the gangway of a cruise liner (Alamy).