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