Large print communication is available, and theaters provide assistive listening systems. If youre keen to give cruising a try, heres what you need to know. On This Page P&O Cruises Princess Cruises Carnival Cruise Line Royal Caribbean International Scooters and Service Animals on Cruises P&O Cruises P&O has accessible cabins in all categories (inside, outside, balcony and suite). The ship has accessible public restrooms and wide elevator openings. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Editorial disclaimer: 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. Its fleet even features a specially designed lift system for tender transfers. The accessible bathrooms are smaller, which means wheelchair users may require more assistance than usual to manoeuvre once inside. 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. Of course, even on the biggest cruise ships space can sometimes be tight. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. It can be reached at 866-592-7225 or by sending an email to special_needs@rccl.com. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. 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. The majority of cruise ships are mostly accessible, with the general rule being the newer the ship the more facilities will be available. On the line's private island, Castaway Cay, paved paths provide access to shops and wheelchairs. 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. Fred. Here is our pick of the best. Travelers looking to cruise with NCL can contact the line's Access Desk for more information and answers to questions. Assistance dogs are allowed on board cruises where all ports of call fit into the EU's Pet Passport scheme. 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. I'd also say that the larger the cruise ship is, the more accessible it is. Most ships in the Princess Cruises fleet feature outstanding systems to make disembarkation and embarkation in numerous ports around the world much easier. Accessible Cruises for Disabled Passengers | Limitless Fleetmates: Seven Seas Mariner, though smaller than Explorer, is similarly equipped and has six cabins for passengers with disabilities. Subscribe for weekly inspiration and deals from The Times and The Sunday Times. Terms and Conditions Apply. 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. To reach Celebrity's Access Department, cruisers can call 954-628-9708 or email special_needs@celebrity.com. Adapted cabins across the fleet have handrails in the bathroom area, but not the cabin itself. Accommodations vary from ship to ship but include additional space as well as other special amenities, such as grab bars and flat thresholds. These buttons and adverts are clearly signposted, and provide direct links through to external sites. 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. Are Viking Ocean Cruises Handicap Accessible Elsewhere onboard Regal Princess, a wide gangway eases access, and a wheelchair assistance team can help with embarkation and debarkation. 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 line also provides pagers for the hearing impaired, assistive listening systems and Braille/tactical signage. The ship only has one accessible toilet in the public areas, outside the Neptune Lounge on Deck 6. Magellan only has one and Marco Polo, two. The deck plans on the Saga website are not especially helpful if you're planning a cruise; its easier to call the cruise line. The rules regarding scooters are complicated and vary from ship to ship but essentially, Fred. Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card. Fleetmates: MSC Seaview is similarly equipped. Related: The ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line ships and itineraries. Otherwise, guests requiring physician-assisted dialysis may make arrangements by contacting Dialysis at Sea on +1 800 544 7604. Full board. At least one pool and one whirlpool on each ship provide lift access to passengers with limited mobility. Grab rails for shower and toilet Pull-down shower seat Flush thresholds between bathroom and cabin Balcony cabins have ramped access to the balcony. 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. Throughout the rest of the vessel, disabled cruisers will find accessibility to all stunning venues, with lifts available for wheelchairs and scooters. The Italian-founded cruise line meets international accessibility standards, and the 4,132-passenger MSC Seaside has plenty to interest passengers who are disabled. Public areas, such as restaurants and theaters, are designed to be accessible, and pool lifts are available on some (but not all) ships. Can they easily take a shower? Tender boat accessibility is often limited. For hard-of-hearing passengers, visual alarms can be requested in cabins, while most entertainment areas have hearing loop systems installed. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. 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. Another plus: a roll-in shower in the spa's wet treatment room. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. Celebrity Cruises offers airport transfers for travelers who need wheelchair lifts, provided arrangements are made in advance. Here are the top ships that travelers with disabilities should consider. If you're not bringing your own equipment, HAL recommends contacting Scootaround or Special Needs at Sea for rental options. The EU Regulation defines a 'disabled person' or 'person with reduced mobility' as: 'any person whose mobility when using transport . P&O Cruises' homeport is Southampton, so there are year-round departures from. Bed blocks are also available to raise the bed. Additionally, ports on certain itineraries require tendering when the ship cannot dock. For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter. Here are the best options from Princess Cruises* and Imagine Cruising*. Accessible P&O Cruises - Disabled Holidays View all ships. Airfare, accommodations, all meals,. Is it possible to get off the ship in port or hear the evening show? Please check Foreign Office advice and testing/quarantine requirements in your destination before booking. Throughout the vessel you'll also find wide corridors and automatic doors to ensure those with wheelchairs can easily access the array of glamorous venues. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. For 2018, Fred. Royal Caribbean's Access Department can help with planning and answer questions you might have. Email us Message: Name: * Tel: * Email * Postcode: An accessible cabana is also available. 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. They have roll-in showers, grab bars and wide turning spaces. P&O Cental Mediterranean Cruises. All access to the quayside is by a narrow, stepped gangway. Searching for the best liner to look after you? Most accessible cabins have shower stools or chairs, raised lavatory seats and bath seats. The ship also has 13 ambulatory accessible cabins, which have a small step to the shower and are designed for passengers with limited mobility who do not use a wheelchair, scooter or similar device. 6 Cruise Memories That Will Warm Your Heart, Accessible Cruise Ships (Photo: Ivan Cholakov/Shutterstock). Fleetmates: You'll find similar amenities on Celebrity's Solstice class sister ships: Silhouette, Eclipse, Equinox and Solstice. Additionally, the line can provide assistance at boarding and disembarkation. Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas Royal Caribbean International is a leader in providing disabilities-friendly ships that can accommodate those with special needs. The 750-capacity Seven Seas Explorer, the largest ship in Regent's fleet, has three accessible cabins, which can sell out quickly. Other touches include lowered sink and vanity, a fold-down shower bench, handheld showerheads, higher toilet and lowered closet rods. Raised toilet seats and extra mattresses can be requested at the time of booking. 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. 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. 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. The older, 2,394-passenger Norwegian Gem, which has 27 accessible cabins, also gets consistently positive reviews from passengers with disabilities. On Braemar and Balmoral, collapsible scooters will be permitted in most cabins, while non-collapsible scooters will only be allowed in fully adapted cabins, or depending on the size of the scooter, cabins suitable for non-collapsible wheelchairs. Accessible cabins can be found throughout the Saga Cruises fleet, providing ample space for a wheelchair or mobility scooter. Find the right card for you. "Holland America is a great cruise line for wheelchair users," he said. Passengers with impaired mobility will also appreciate lifts at the pool and whirlpool. 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. 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. Accessible cabins on Black Watch have a small lip in the shower, to keep the water in, which may be challenging to a wheelchair user. Related: The 8 classes of Norwegian Cruise Line ships, explained. Passengers requiring a wheelchair for excursions but not for use onboard can ask for the chair to be stored. 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. They'll be happy to tell you more about our cruise destinations, the ships you'll travel on and our care and support packages. Accessible travel: the best cruises for those with mobility issues ADA kits are available featuring telephone amplifiers, visual smoke detectors, door knock sensors and text telephones. In addition to accessible public restrooms, wheelchair seating in restaurants and the theater, automatic doors, wheelchair-friendly elevators, lowered machines and tables in the casino, lowered counters at guest services and pool lifts for at least one pool and one hot tub per vessel, Celebrity's ships provide a number of accessible cabins. Cruise news: whats the latest affecting your holiday? Plus, for those bringing the whole family, accessible cabins include suites that can sleep up to four people. Alaska cruisetour passengers will find the line's wilderness lodges meet ADA guidelines, with accessible rooms and public spaces. These comfortable cabins feature grab bars in the bathroom, a roll-in shower bench, lowered surfaces, accessible balconies and refrigerators on request. Princess Cruises have made it easy to distinguish the level of accessibility for each tour in their handy excursions guides onboard. Staff will also be able to provide assistance with disembarkation and embarkation, however, some ports of call will require tender boats to shore. But if you stick to the big cruise lines, at least some level of accessibility is guaranteed.". We offer cruises sailing from Southampton, as well as fly cruises to over 270 of the world's most wonderful destinations. These facilities include roll-in showers, grab rails, fold-down shower benches and raised toilet seats. Cruise lines will provide accessible tours at selected ports wherever possible, and you should consult with the staff at the excursion desk for assistance when purchasing tours to make sure theyre suitable for you. In addition, Reflection's accessible staterooms offer extra-wide stateroom doors without sills, and bathroom doors provide ramped thresholds, grab bars and roll-in showers with fold-down bench and handheld showerheads. 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. 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. Additional assistance can be provided at the pier upon request during embarkation and disembarkation. 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. 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. There's a special seating area in each theatre for wheelchairs, and across the fleet wheelchair-accessible loos are featured in all the main public areas. Thanks to careful mobility tests, P&O Cruises ensure all guests are able to get onshore safely. Most also have specially trained staff for physically and mentally challenged guests. Please note that mobility scooters are not permitted in standard cabins. Inspired to book a cruise? Can they open their stateroom door and smoothly roll in on a wheelchair? For wheelchair and scooter users, there are fully accessible cabins. Would you like to receive these? CMV operates a fleet of older ships from its home base, London's Tilbury, as well as other U.K. ports. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. Alaska Cruises for the Disabled Cruise Reviews Questions about special requirements can be answered by calling 954-772-6262. Related: 9 Best Ships for Cruisers with Disabilities Onboard. Fax: 204-478-1172. Further, most deck spaces employ automatic doors. Some have bed access from one side only, while others have access on both sides. Which Are the Best Cruise Lines for Disabled Guests? | Cruise1st Blog Handicap Accessible Cruise Tips - Cruise Critic Although Disney doesn't have a partnership with any particular company, it does reference Scootaround and Special Needs at Sea as providers who can make sure necessary equipment is delivered to your vessel. 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.