Cruising can be one of the best ways for people with reduced mobility to travel the world. Conventional vacations can throw up all sorts of obstacles, from limited accessible transport to poorly adapted hotel rooms (especially the bathrooms) to wasting much of your well-earned break trying to find restaurants or other venues that you can comfortably access. Cruise lines in the majority of cases just seem to have got it right with accessible cruising. From the moment you book, to your final disembarkation cruise lines ensure all the boxes are ticked and all your needs are met.
Plain sailing
If your mobility limitations mean you require an accessible stateroom, I recommend you book as early as possible. Cruise ships have a limited number of fully accessible rooms and these can get booked up very quickly. While any good travel professional will ensure they book the correct type of stateroom for your accessible cruising needs, I would still recommend checking the stateroom category which can easily be done by viewing the deck plans on the cruise line website. Unfortunately there are no industry-wide standards when it comes to stateroom categories so you need to rely on the key which you will find on the deck plans page. For extra peace of mind a quick visit to the chat line on the website is an easy option.
If you have a reasonable number of accessible staterooms to choose from, do a little research on the ship to see which venues you are likely to want to spend most time at and try to choose a stateroom at the end of the ship nearest to those. That being said, with today’s mega ships the distance from forward to aft and between venues is so vast, you are unlikely to find a stateroom that is close to everything. My advice is simply this – remember you are on vacation, there’s no rush to get anywhere, take your time, take a breather (or a cocktail) en-route and allow yourself plenty of time if you have theatre or restaurant reservations at the other end of the ship.
Accessible cruising staterooms
Accessible staterooms differ from regular staterooms in a number of ways. Firstly you will notice the card reader at the entrance is lower and the door will open automatically without needing to push it. The rooms themselves are much wider with much more space around the bed. The bathrooms are larger and will likely have a roll in shower/ wet room style with low level shower adapters, grab bars will be located on the walls and alongside the toilet. Some bathrooms will feature a low level basin. The balconies are usually larger as the room itself is wider than average and there will be a ramp to avoid the raised door track.
For users of electric mobility scooters, you will be advised on the cruise line’s policy on charging the scooter, all cruise lines I have researched have the policy that the scooter must be charged and stored inside the stateroom and not parked in the hallways. Most cruise line staterooms will have both US 110v and European 220/240v power outlets but I would recommend you double check prior to your cruise. This information is based on standard accessible staterooms, for accessible suites in the ‘ship within a ship’ concept such as Norwegian Haven or MSC Yacht Club, these luxury suites will vary in location, size and layout and you would be well advised to consult your travel professional for more information.
Ticking all the boxes for accessible cruising
Once you have chosen your cruise and booked your accessible stateroom, within a few days you should receive communication from the special services department of the cruise line. This will usually include a form where you must first confirm that you actually need an accessible stateroom (yes, there are people out there who try to secure an accessible stateroom to take advantage of the extra space, despite being fully able bodied – don’t even get me started). Also in the form, that you must complete and return, you will be asked what special assistance or adaptations you may require. My advice is, if in doubt tick the yes box, it will save any inconvenience if you have to ask for items once on board.
If you require additional mobility items other than your own wheelchair or scooter, there are a number of companies which specialise in renting mobility items to cruise passengers. You can easily pre book these items and they will either be delivered directly to your stateroom prior to your arrival or the representative will meet you at the port. At the end of your cruise, the items will be collected by the company. My parents have used Scootaround previously and the service was excellent.
Embarkation day
The big day has arrived, hopefully your journey to the port has gone smoothly and you are full of anticipation to get onboard and start this fabulous vacation at sea. All major ports have a special assistance team who will take your suitcases and escort you through a special line though security and to the check in desk. You will be helped onboard and if your stateroom is ready you will be escorted to the room by a friendly crew member. (It’s handy to have a few Euros/Dollars handy to tip the crew members who assist your embarkation.)
Once inside your stateroom, take some time to familiarise yourself with how things work, you may find a baffling number of strange buttons and lights that you have no idea what purpose they serve. My parents on a recent NCL cruise, couldn’t work out why my dad kept getting himself locked out of the room and why the room steward only appeared when they were actually in the room. They finally discovered that they had inadvertently pressed the secure lock button on the automatic door which rendered the keycard invalid from outside.
Time to discover
Once you are familiar with your stateroom it’s time to explore the ship. Without turning the experience into a military mission, it’s a good idea to work out how long it takes to get to different places, especially if you have a set meal time in a particular restaurant or a show reservation. Life onboard is pretty laid back and time begins to have no meaning but you wouldn’t want to miss out or be late. Most ships will have a map or deck plan located by the elevators and you may also be able to get a paper copy you can keep with you.
On the subject of elevators, this can be a hot topic on cruise forums, with much discussion of elevator etiquette! The general unsaid rule is to allow people to get off before you get on, and courtesy with regard to scooters and wheelchairs works both ways, nobody wants their freshly polished shoes or fancy pedicure squashed by a scooter wheel and scooter users should take care when reversing out of the elevator – a friendly smile and polite thank you goes a long way, that way we can all get to where we need to be with no injuries to our toes or our pride.
The onboard experience
Modern cruise ships are huge and even the older, smaller ships are well designed and many have been refitted to allow for accessible cruising and to ensure that wheelchair or scooter users can access every part of the ship. Restaurant hosts for the formal dining rooms are well used to seating passengers with accessibility requirements and there are usually tables set aside with more room around them to allow wheelchair users to be seated comfortably. In the buffet area you are likely to find tables in a dedicated area with seat covers featuring a wheelchair symbol denoting them as only to be used by those who need the extra space.
If you are making reservations in a speciality restaurant at a specific time, it is a good idea to tell the host that one of your party is a wheelchair/scooter user. Cruise ship theatres are vast venues, usually taking up two decks of the ship. The accessible seats are usually at the top of the theatre but some ships will allow wheelchair passengers to be escorted through the lower deck entrance to be guaranteed a front row seat, it’s definitely worth asking if you want to be in the thick of the action! After all that fun and followed by a few fabulous cocktails you may need to use the restroom! The restrooms are usually located by the stairs and elevators and there is usually an accessible restroom alongside.
Going ashore
While cruising is one of the best ways to see the world with a different port each day, I can’t stress enough the importance of doing your research on your ports of call. As with regular land-based travel, countries around the world vary very much in their facilities for travellers with restricted mobility. Some ports are ideally located right in the heart of the city meaning a few minutes walk will take you into the best part of town. Other cruise ports are combined with the freight port and can be located in an insalubrious part of town or miles from anywhere which will inevitably require the use of a shuttle bus.
For travellers who are unable to climb onto a bus or into a mini bus due to the high steps you would need to hope that the shuttle bus is equipped with a ramp. These facilities are not standard in every destination and you may be disappointed to find you are unable to explore the port of call. Equally the ship’s official excursions often involve large coaches which may not be easy to board, check with the port excursion representative at the time of booking.
If you are travelling with someone who is comfortable driving overseas, renting a car for the day is a great option. Plug in the sat nav and away you go, explore at your own pace and see places off the beaten track that official tours are unlikely to visit. In some destinations you will find private tour companies which offer wheelchair accessible vehicles, definitely worth looking into.
Something else to bear in mind is ports where the ship is too large to dock and the use of tender boats to take passengers ashore is necessary. Cruise lines each have their own rules on wheelchair users and tender boats. In some cases the tender boats are accessed by steps and on frequent occasions in tumultuous weather, getting on and off the tender boats, even for the able bodied can be a challenging experience. Again, do your research, check with the crew onboard and if in doubt, stay onboard the ship, order your favourite cocktail and enjoy all the lovely space while hundreds of your fellow passengers are traipsing round old ruins in the sweltering heat!
What you make it
A vacation is what you make it and that also applies to cruising. While cruise enthusiasts will all have their own opinion on different cruise lines and everyone will have their particular favourite, one thing cruisers generally agree on is the crew. Cruise employees are renowned for their helpfulness and friendliness, of course there are always exceptions to the rule, but overall, crew members will go out of their way to make your cruise enjoyable. This is especially evident in their care of passengers with special requirements – from cabin stewards to restaurant and bar staff.
Although the buffet is self service, it can be difficult to manoeuvre your wheelchair or scooter while balancing plates and cups, or perhaps there is a section you can’t reach, don’t hesitate to ask a crew member to help you, they will gladly offer assistance. If you sleep better with extra pillows or need a mattress topper to make the bed softer, your room steward or guest services will be able to help. In a busy bar, the staff will be happy to move a chair in order for you to access a table in your wheelchair. If there is anything that would make your cruise more comfortable, never be afraid to ask.
Disembarkation day
All good things must come to an end and disembarkation day will soon be upon you. The day before you will be able to choose your disembarkation time, usually by going to guest services and selecting a baggage tag colour-coded relating to different disembarkation groups. I would recommend choosing an early group, especially if you have a flight to catch to return home. You will need to put your suitcases outside your stateroom before you go to bed so ensure you have any medication or important items in your hand luggage.
If you need assistance leaving the ship, just let a crew member know the day before. Remember to tip any crew members who made a difference to your holiday, service charge is usually part of your cruise fare or will be added on to your onboard account but it is nice to reward those crew members who gave that extra service.
Once you have left the ship, you will be in the hands of the port authority and you should easily be able to find a porter to help you with your luggage, through customs or immigration and to your ground transportation. If you need an accessible vehicle to take you to the airport you should pre book this before your cruise to avoid any stressful delays.
Now your cruise is over, it’s time to reflect on what you enjoyed and anything you may do differently next time. It’s also time to think about booking your next cruise!
Handy accessible cruising checklist
- Ensure you book an accessible stateroom which will include adapted bathroom and ramp to balcony.
- Choose a stateroom in a location which meets your needs ie close to elevator or specific venue.
- Fill out the special needs form and contact the special assistance team for any special requirements.
- Pre book any special equipment either with the cruise line or outside supplier.
- Do your research on ports of call and plan ahead if you wish to do any sightseeing.
- Ensure you have any special adapter required for charging your electric wheelchair or scooter.
- If you are unsure of how anything works in your stateroom as your room steward on the first day.
- Once you have settled into your stateroom, explore the ship and work out timings between venues.
- Relax and enjoy!
Get more handy tips for travelling with limited mobility here.
Everything mentioned here is accurate. As I have recently returned from a cruise taking a scooter. Especially the amazing staff, who go out of their way to help if needed. Don’t be too embarrassed to ask One other thing I would add is DON’T take too many clothes Honestly, mos of the time you can dress casually, As you will see others mostly in casual wear Just the the odd s smart or dressy item also a warm shrug of jacket, as it can get cool. Just enjoy yourself no one will be bothered what you are wearing especially after a few cocktails.!
I had no trouble with the lifts, everyone was very understanding, just be patient, and enjoy .