Traveling with a disability can be challenging and stressful. You're always wondering if an accessible taxi will show up at the hotel on time or whether you'll have to navigate a flight of stairs to the restaurant's bathroom. When you choose a cruise for your vacation, it is possible to eliminate some unwanted surprises and reduce the level of stress. Cruises provide the traveler with more control of the situation in a structured environment.
Cruise ships, even vessels sailing under foreign flags, that dock in U.S. ports are required to abide by the Americans with Disabilities Act (the law doesn't apply to international ports). You'll find wheelchair-accessible cabins, public bathrooms, theaters and restaurants. The newest ships go even further to make more ship amenities available to passengers with limited mobility and other disabilities.
A cruise can be a rewarding and enjoyable vacation for travelers with disabilities, but it's imperative to do your research and planning before setting sail. Here are our tips to make the most of your vacation at sea.
On This Page
Choosing the Right Cruise Ship
After You Book
Once you're booked, the line's accessibility department will ask all passengers with disabilities to complete a form describing their limitations and needs -- the more information you can share and the earlier you submit it, the better.For example, Royal Caribbean requires 60 days' notice before sailing for passengers requesting sign language interpreting services and 30 days' notice to provide such items as a shower stool or commode seat. Norwegian Cruise Line staffs each ship with an access officer, who is the go-to person for passengers with disabilities.Onboard the Ship
Tenders
While ships can be quite accessible, the same isn't always the case for tenders, ports and shore excursions. When a ship pulls into a port of call, passengers cross or walk down a gangway to the shore, and it is often at a steep incline.Sometimes, because of lack of dock availability, the ship cannot dock at specific ports and the ship anchors offshore. In those instances, passengers are shuttled to shore in small boats called tenders.Ask the cruise line about its tender policies if you'll be using a wheelchair or have other mobility issues. Rough seas and other specific conditions may make it impossible for some travelers to leave the ship at specific tender ports. Most lines also have a maximum weight that the staff is allowed to lift to assist passengers (Princess Cruises put the limit at 50 pounds).Princess Cruises also gives a detailed explanation on their website of the embarking and disembarking difficulties for those with limited mobility. The line states that being unable to disembark can be disappointing, but "there will be no refund or credit for missed ports." The maximum weight of the wheelchair including passenger cannot exceed 600 pounds on transportation lifts."The most common mistake people make is booking a cruise before they research the accessibility of the ports," says John Sage, founder of Sage Traveling. "Often, it turns out there is a ship sailing one week later with a different itinerary, and they could have gotten off at every port. Instead, they have to stay on the ship half the time." The best advice is to choose itineraries that feature ports of call with cruise piers.Shore Excursions
The Bottom Line
As the population ages and baby boomers retire, cruise lines are improving accessibility and creating an accessible-friendly environment. With these changes, more people who have disabilities or mobility concerns are choosing to cruise. The options continue to grow and advance with the new high-tech ships and significant refurbishment projects of existing vessels. As mentioned before, investigate all of your options, do your research and be sure to book your cruise far in advance for a stress-free and memorable vacation.Updated January 15, 2019
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