The desk can be reached at 866-584-9756 or accessdesk@ncl.com. Fleetmates: You'll find similar amenities on Celebrity's Solstice class sister ships: Silhouette, Eclipse, Equinox and Solstice. We would also like to send you exclusive promotions, competitions and content from The Times and Sunday Times and selected partners. Thanks to extra touches such as chauffeur service and spacious, accessible cabins, a disabled access cruise with Saga will take you to unrivalled destinations in pure comfort. Olsen says: On Black Watch, scooters of any type are only permitted in fully adapted cabins. Anyone on board and can confirm.especially curious if it's all ships or just Oasis. 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. Staff is attuned to travelers' needs, and the ship offers 46 accessible cabins with wide stateroom and bathroom doors with low doorsills and ramped thresholds, roll-in showers, grab bars and turning spaces. Chair hoists are available at the pools on Ventura, Aurora, Azura and Britannia. Some fully accessible rooms come with access to only one side of the bed, while others have access on both sides. Find the right card for you. Additionally, ports on certain itineraries require tendering when the ship cannot dock. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. A selection of cabins for wheelchair and scooter users is available on each ship. These classic vessels have a loyal following and the cruise line is known for its competitive pricing. Plus, for those bringing the whole family, accessible cabins include suites that can sleep up to four people. 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. Information on accessibility is hard to find and the internet is filled with sites that arent updated. Holland America Winner of the Best Overall Facilities for Physically Challenged Passengers by Porthole Cruise magazine, Holland America provides accessible experiences for all disabilities. Elsewhere onboard Regal Princess, a wide gangway eases access, and a wheelchair assistance team can help with embarkation and debarkation. 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. Lifts at the pool make it easier than ever to enjoy sunbathing on deck, while those with audio disabilities can enjoy all the entertainment thanks to Assistive Listening Systems, sign language interpreters and much more. Most accessible cabins have shower stools or chairs, raised lavatory seats and bath seats. All public rooms have entrances with gradual inclines, and all hallways provide enough space for a 180-degree turn. And Princess' Midnight Sun Express railcars offer wheelchair access to the lower levels of the car, including dining areas and outside observation platforms. We also feature properties and itineraries from a specially selected list of trusted operators. Every modern cruise ship has a fully equipped medical centre that is designed to meet the care of its passengers. The current fleet varies from the small, 790-passenger Adonia (until March 2018, when it leaves the fleet) to the flagship, Britannia, carrying 3,647 passengers. Passengers will find 27 fully accessible staterooms on the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam, the line's newest, most technologically advanced ship. These buttons and adverts are clearly signposted, and provide direct links through to external sites. Larger, newer ships are generally better but don't write off older ships before doing some research. For those on regular medication, make sure you pack ample supplies because the ship might not be able to meet your prescription needs should you run out, and some medications can be difficult or impossible to find in port. The 5,518-passenger .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;}Symphony of the Seas debuted in 2018 as the world's largest cruise ship, but disabled passengers don't get lost in the mix. For example, Royal Caribbean offers lifts for at least one pool and one hot tub on board each ship in its fleet. If you click and buy a product, we may earn revenue. Due to some kids sending some inappropriate messages to everyone on board Oasis last week, I am seeing reports of the message option being disabled on this weeks cruises. Saga holidays are specifically for the over-50s and the ships are known for their fine food and friendly, caring atmosphere. Service dogs are welcome. 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. Saga currently operates two ships, the contemporary and very smart Saga Sapphire and the more intimate, traditional Saga Pearl II. Meanwhile adapted means the cabin has been modified based on its original specifications, which could pose a problem to a full-time wheelchair user, as accessible cabins are generally larger than standard rooms to allow for wheelchair manoeuvrability. Is The White Lotus breaking up with Four Seasons ahead of Season 3? Sign language interpreters can be requested at least 60 days before sailing for U.S.-based cruises, and are available on some European sailings. Terms and Conditions Apply. Cruises from UK By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, Choosing a Cruise Ship Room: What to Expect. Royal Caribbean Royal Caribbean's Freedom Class and Oasis Class ships feature some of the most up to date amenities at sea, including those for disabled people. These staterooms are adapted with ramps and easier access to the en suite bathroom, as well as a more spacious balcony. In recent years, they have continued to implement a focus on accessibility across the fleet, with accessible cabins, wheelchair-friendly venues and dining rooms, lifts and more, as well as assistance for those with audio and visual impairments. The ship has accessible public restrooms and wide elevator openings. I have been cruising for more than 40 years, the last 12 working as a guest speaker for cruise lines such as Celebrity, Princess Cruises, Cunard, Fred Olsen and Royal Caribbean. Dialysis at Sea specialises in the treatment of haemo-dialysis care while onboard on select Royal Caribbean sailings along with trained doctors and nurses and provides dialysis equipment and supplies. View all ships. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. The term wheelchair-accessible usually means it has been designed for purpose, often with wider doorways and a roll-in shower. Tender boat accessibility is often limited. Most cruise lines accept gel, dry cell, sealed lead acid or lithium-ion battery-operated wheelchairs, but it is your responsibility to check with your booking agent before you travel that your wheelchair is allowed on board. We also call out a few fleetmates, older ships that get consistently positive reviews from travelers with disabilities. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. The line's excursion listings indicate the level of access for each tour. Across the ship, guests will find pool lifts, accessible restrooms, wheelchair ramps and lowered gaming tables. 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. Life onboard For 2018, Fred. Passengers who wish to rent assistive devices for use on board, rather than bringing their own, can contact Scootaround, which is Norwegian's authorized vendor. 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. Shore excursions list outings suitable for travelers who are mobility impaired. Three ships, Arcadia, Oriana and Adonia, are adults-only while the remaining five are very popular with families. Most service animals are permitted. Try these out: 1. All wheelchairs and scooters will have to be stored in cabins, rather than left in corridors, and no storage will be provided onboard anywhere else for mobility devices. Can they open their stateroom door and smoothly roll a wheelchair in? Everything is carefully thought out, right down to highlighting which excursions are best for those who are less mobile. One of the leading cruise lines for providing affordable, stylish holidays, MSC Cruises have ensured that their disabled access cruises are enjoyable and safe, meeting international accessibility standards. Saga will print the daily programme and onboard newspaper in extra-large type and provide Braille playing cards. 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. Accommodations vary from ship to ship but include additional space as well as other special amenities, such as grab bars and flat thresholds. Three ships, Arcadia, Oriana and Adonia, are adults-only while the remaining five are very popular with families. Some have bed access from one side only, while others have access on both sides. Bed blocks are also available to raise the bed. Boasting a fleet teeming with innovation, comfort and style, it's no wonder that Celebrity Cruises have enhanced their stunning ships to provide some of the best disabled access cruises. Other touches include lowered sink and vanity, a fold-down shower bench, handheld showerheads, higher toilet and lowered closet rods. 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. 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. E-mail: info@specialneedsgroup.com. A refrigerator and commode chair are available by request, and balconies are accessible for select cabins. 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. To reach Celebrity's Access Department, cruisers can call 954-628-9708 or email special_needs@celebrity.com. The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Due to Explorer's relatively small ship size, passengers may find it easier to navigate the vessel. 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. Due to varying conditions in certain ports, it is not always possible for guests who require a wheelchair or scooter to disembark. For disabled passengers, bigger may really be better. Covid-related restrictions may be in place. Because a lot of the passengers are elderly, the crew are used to dealing with passengers with different abilities and are kind and sympathetic. Featuring wheelchair accessible staterooms with spacious corridors, step-free access and carefully designed roll-in showers, your time onboard your chosen disabled access cruise ship will be comfortable and enjoyable. 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. 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. Once these finer details are all taken care, all that's left to do is enjoy your cruise holiday. Equipment like commodes, raised toilet seats and shower stools can be supplied if you request it at the time of booking. All dining and bar venues have wheelchair access, as does the video arcade. Assistance dogs are allowed on board cruises where all ports of call fit into the EU's Pet Passport scheme. Staff will also be able to provide assistance with disembarkation and embarkation, however, some ports of call will require tender boats to shore. 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. 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. In extreme cases, because of safety or operational issues, the line might deny you boarding. The ship can also provide a bed board (which can be helpful to people with a back injury or arthritis), a bed rail, portable toilet, raised toilet seat, shower stool and transfer bench. There's also an accessible route to the tender platform, again not standard on every ship. Amongst these are: Royal Caribbean: Their ships are amongst the largest and have some of the most accessible cabins available. Guests who are hard of hearing can request assistive listening devices for the main theatre to enjoy the shows. On Boudicca, no scooters will be allowed in cabins on decks 3 and 4. Celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III in style by booking your next Cruise online with EXCLUSIVE Discounts. P&O Cruises' homeport is Southampton, so there are year-round departures from. For questions about or help with planning travel as a person with limited mobility, Disney Cruise Line Special Services can be reached at 407-566-3602 or by emailing SpecialServices@disneycruise.com. Raised toilet seats and extra mattresses can be requested at the time of booking. Holland America Line attracts a mature crowd, so it's highly attuned to passengers with mobility or other accessibility needs. 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. Collapsible wheelchairs can be taken into most cabins, but you should ensure that your chair, when collapsed, will fit through your cabin door. These facilities include roll-in showers, grab rails, fold-down shower benches and raised toilet seats. 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. Scooters up to 56cm wide will only be allowed in cabins suitable for non-collapsible wheelchairs and scooters, while larger scooters will only be allowed in fully adapted cabins. Before booking make sure you read the description of each tour and the small print as there are sometimes discrepancies. Cabin specifics vary by ship, but there are three types of accessible rooms for passengers with limited mobility. Each MSC Cruises ship is outfitted with accessible cabins for passengers with limited mobility, including wheelchair users. These excursions can include: Assistance can be provided on request for embarkation and disembarkation, however, for safety reasons, staff cannot lift guests or equipment. Simply call or email one of our specialist travel advisors on 0800 711 7232. It can be reached at 866-592-7225 or by sending an email to special_needs@rccl.com. There are rails to assist with use of the toilet and fixed seats in the showers. For example, one woman I know planned a dream trip to Venice as a surprise for her husband, who is a permanent wheelchair user, only to discover when they arrived that several bridge lifts had been dismantled. There are also lower closet rods, a portable visual/tactile alert system by request, and accessible balconies for select cabins. 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. Yes Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. The ship features lower tables in the casino and guest relations, and wheelchair seating in the main lounge. Cruise travelers with disabilities have concerns that others might never consider. Subscribe for weekly inspiration and deals from The Times and The Sunday Times. With an emphasis on accessible shore excursions, Celebrity Cruises offers special amenities on select cruises to disabled passengers. For hard-of-hearing passengers, visual alarms can be requested in cabins, while most entertainment areas have hearing loop systems installed. Disney Fantasy's 25 accessible rooms offer wide cabin and bathroom doors with low doorsills and ramped bathroom thresholds, along with roll-in showers, bathroom and shower grab bars and open bed frames, allowing access from both sides. Top tips for booking a cruise as a disabled passenger. If you need a commode, bed blocks or a hoist, you are invited to bring your own or to arrange for them to be delivered to the ship by contacting an independent supplier. For a selection of cruises from our preferred partners, clickhere. There are only four wheelchair adapted cabins, all on Deck 7, all Terrace Balcony category. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. Whichever cruise line you decide to choose, you must ensure that you inform us of any special requirements you have for mobility equipment and medical assistance. The Best (Free) Things to Do on Carnival Panorama. CroisiEurope: All of CroisiEurope's premium-rated ships offer accessible cabins with wide doors and equipment for passengers with mobility issues. Best Ships for Travelers with Disabilities All Best Bets Amsterdam, Holland America Line Ruby Princess, Princess. Cruise news: whats the latest affecting your holiday? A kit with strobe door knocker, strobe light telephone and vibrating alarm clock under pillow or mattress is also available. Once onshore, Norwegian Cruise Line do their best to ensure excursions provided are accessible to all guests, however, this cannot be guaranteed. With plenty of floorspace and wider doorways to allow for mobility equipment, wheel-in showers, bath-distress alarms and lowered handrails, guests will feel safe and comfortable throughout their stay. On embarkation day, NCL also organizes a meeting with onboard staff dedicated to making sure your voyage is enjoyable and that your needs are met. They offer wide cabin and bathroom doors, with low doorsills and ramped bathroom thresholds. In addition, the 1,992-passenger Grandeur of the Seas has many fans, who praise the personable crew. If you're a traveler with limited mobility, there are certain considerations that are necessary when planning a trip. Within these types of cabins, there are three bathroom types available. "Holland America is a great cruise line for wheelchair users," he said. 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. Would you like to receive these? Struggling to find the right cruise ship for a disabled passenger? 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. Fleetmates: Maasdam and its sister ship Veendam, in the line's Statendam (or S) class, also consistently get top reviews from disabled travelers. Wheelchair-accessible or modified staterooms are available on most ships but they are in extremely high demand, so you should book well in advance if youre unable to enjoy a standard cabin. Searching for the best liner to look after you? 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 visually impaired passengers, assistance at check in, embarkation and disembarkation can be provided. They are also unable to provide help with bathing, dressing, toileting, feeding or other daily tasks. Roll-in showers feature enough turning space for wheelchairs to enter and maneuver in the shower area. There are accessible public restrooms, and a sign-language interpreter can be provided with request several months before sailing. 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!