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