| Most of the newer ships offer wheelchair | | | | - Stateroom and cabin doorways wide |
| assessable state rooms and can provide | | | | enough for wheelchairs (at least 30") |
| dining room seating arrangements to | | | | - Stateroom dimensions and floor space |
| avoid stairs and raised areas. Just be | | | | for maneuverability and bathroom |
| sure your travel agent notifies the | | | | dimensions adequate for maneuvering |
| cruise line of your wheelchair usage and | | | | - No "lips" or sills into bathrooms |
| any other special needs prior to sailing | | | | - Sink positioned so wheelchair can roll |
| when making your cruise vacation | | | | under it |
| reservations. Cruise travelers with | | | | - Roll-in shower wit a fold-down stool |
| physical challenges should check with | | | | in shower with detachable showerhead |
| the onboard tour office to ensure that | | | | - Bathroom walls with handrails |
| all pre-reserve tours can accommodate | | | | - Raised toilet seat, at least 17" |
| their needs. | | | | inches high |
| Cruise travel may be the ideal vacation | | | | - Pull-down clothing racks |
| for an individual using a wheelchair, | | | | - Light switches at wheelchair level |
| since it provides the opportunity to | | | | - Adjustable mirror above sink |
| visit a number of destinations in a | | | | - Portable telephone |
| relatively short time. A cruise vacation | | | | - Blinking lights in staterooms for the |
| provides effortless travel between | | | | hearing challenged |
| locations without the inconvenience of | | | | In some ports, ships must anchor |
| packing and unpacking. You'll appreciate | | | | offshore due to size of the port or |
| the choice of experiencing the ship's | | | | because of extreme weather (if the |
| destinations or relaxing and enjoying | | | | weather is too extreme they won't stop |
| the comfort of being pampered at a | | | | at that port at all). They "tender" |
| "resort at sea." | | | | guests to shore with small boats that |
| Is important that if one of your party | | | | may not be accessible to guests in |
| uses a wheelchair you want to ask the | | | | wheelchairs. You'll want to check with |
| following questions: | | | | the shore excursions department to |
| * How many wheelchair accessible cabins | | | | determine which shore excursions are |
| on the cruise ship? | | | | most suitable for you. In some |
| * Are the doors to the rooms and | | | | destinations, particularly those outside |
| elevators wide enough to accommodate a | | | | of the United States, you will not |
| regular wheelchair? | | | | always find accessible transportation |
| * Can I get my wheelchair out on deck | | | | and facilities. |
| and into the public rooms during my | | | | Some of the Princess cruise line ships |
| cruise vacation? | | | | have hoists by the pool so a physically |
| * Will I be able to access the dining | | | | challenged passengers can enjoy the |
| areas? | | | | pool. Some of Holland American ships |
| In some ports of call, where the ship | | | | have the ability to tender wheelchairs |
| must anchor, access via wheelchair may | | | | into ports where they do not dock. Ask |
| not be possible. | | | | your travel agent to inquire with those |
| Ships generally stock a limited number | | | | lines to find the ship that is suitable |
| of wheelchairs but please be aware they | | | | for you. |
| must be pre-reserved at the time of your | | | | There is no reason that anyone who is |
| booking. | | | | physically challenged should avoid a |
| Due to S.O.L.A.S. (Safety of Live At | | | | cruise vacation. Just remember when |
| Sea) Regulations, physically challenged | | | | you are looking into cruise travel that |
| passengers must have partial mobility, | | | | you have your travel agent find the |
| and a traveling companion who can assist | | | | cruise ship that caters to your needs. |
| them, should an emergency arise. | | | | Now that you know that a cruise vacation |
| You'll find that the newer, larger | | | | may be perfect for you, call your travel |
| cruise ships have been built with the | | | | agent and start packing. |
| goal of full-accessibility. A new ship | | | | Happy Cruising! |
| will have wider corridors, more spacious | | | | Copyright © 2006 Mary Hanna All Rights |
| cabins, more, and larger, elevators and | | | | Reserved. |
| ramps where needed. In addition, the | | | | This article may be distributed freely |
| designated "accessible" cabins on newer | | | | on your website and in your ezines, as |
| ships are outfitted with many of the | | | | long as this entire article, copyright |
| following features that will make your | | | | notice, links and the resource box are |
| cruise vacation a more comfortable | | | | unchanged. |
| experience: | | | | |