Cunard Special Needs Facilities - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

PagodaSwan · 11-18-2005, 02:32 PM

Queen Elizabeth-2

Operator................Cunard Line
Phone...................800-528-6273
Phone2..................212-880-7500

The QE-2 has four fully accessible cabins and many more that are partially accessible. The numbers of the four accessible cabins are 1048, 1051, 1062 and 1064. They range in size from 289 square feet to 385 square feet. The cabin doors are 33" wide as are the bathroom doors (the bathroom doors are sliders) and there are no sills. The bathrooms are large enough to make a 360 degree turn, they have both tubs and showers with hand showers and grab bars. The sinks are 31.5" high, the toilets are 17" high and have grab bars. The cabins have pull down closet rods and electronic packages for the lights, controls and the doors.

All decks are accessible except the Signal and the Sun Decks. There are accessible public restrooms.

Queen Mary 2

Operator................Cunard Line
Phone...................800-528-6273
Phone2..................212-880-7500

On Friday 26 December 2003 the largest, longest, tallest, widest and most expensive ocean liner ever built sailed into her home port of Southampton for the very first time. Cunard Lines presents the Queen Mary 2, a 2,620 passenger vessel that made her maiden 6-day eastbound Transatlantic crossing in tandem with her royal sister the Queen Elizabeth 2.

The sheer size of the QM2 allows for a variety of passenger spaces. Athletes will find one of the best equipped playing fields anywhere. Sybarites can enjoy the rejuvenating treatments of the world renowned Canyon Ranch Spa. If you’re into health and fitness, there’s a state-of-the-art gym. Or how about a visit to the planetarium? A wine tasting seminar? Or a walk down history lane at the Maritime Quest Exhibit? The Queen Mary 2 is a veritable City at Sea, they even have a kennel so you can bring your best friend along.

When it comes to wheelchair accessibility there are many amenities. There are 30 accessible cabins in a wide variety of categories. You can choose an inside or ocean view cabin, deluxe balcony cabin, junior suite or even the Queen Victoria Suite. The doorways in each of these accessible cabins are 36” wide with offset hinges and a small ramped threshold. Throughout the room where carpet meets other surfaces you will find it flush for easy rolling. There are lowered shelves and all controls are reachable from a seated position. The bathroom doorway is 36” wide with a ramped threshold, there is a roll in shower with grab bars, fold down bench and hand held shower head. The toilet is raised and has grab bars.

You can expect to find furnishings and premium amenities such as a fluffy bathrobe and slippers in your cabin/suite. You can receive and send emails, chose from dozens of movies, review a seminar you thought you might have missed right from the comfort of your cabin. The Queen Mary 2’s brand of elegance and innovative technology makes her one of the finest ships on the sea.

PagodaSwan · 11-18-2005, 04:26 PM

Guests with disabilities are welcome aboard Cunard vessels. Due to the configuration of our ships, however, wheelchair users and individuals with sight impairments may experience some difficulties in accessing certain areas. Where such individuals would be unable to de safely and comfortably accommodated due to such barriers or other criteria, we may suggest that the guest be accompanied by a companion. For safety reasons, guests in wheelchairs cannot be carried on launches in ports where the ship is at anchor. Upon notification by a guests with a disability, Cunard Reservations will provide written specifications detailing cabin and doorway widths and other pertinent access limitations on board the vessels. Cunard is pleased to permit individuals to bring service animals on board.

In order to make appropriate arrangements, notice that a guest traveling with an animal must be provided at the time of booking. Local laws or customs may prevent animals from disemabrking at particular ports and countries. It is the guest's obligation to obtain all documents/health certificates that may be required. Consult local custom authorities for information and requirements.

Guests with conditions requiring ongoing medical assistance may be asked to have their physician provide a confidential certification form to ensure that they may travel safely. If guests have special dietary needs, Cunard muste be advised at time of booking, or, at the latest, six weeks before sailing. Every effort will be made to comply with such requests.

PagodaSwan · 12-01-2005, 12:17 PM

All info regarding the ships and their facilities came from company websites and Hotwire.com and will be updated as info comes to light.

Cruise Lover · 01-29-2006, 11:23 AM

One of the tender platforms has an elevator for handicap passengers. If your tender boat stops at the one without an elevator, they will take you to the other one after all the passengers are off. I saw several people in wheelchairs that were able to get onto the tenders.

There is one section of the ship where the deck is between floors. There is an elevator on each side of the ship that will take you up that half deck. However, if the last person off doesn't completely close the door the elevator will not work. I am unable to climb stairs, so I had to wait until someone came along and I shouted up to them to close the door.
Basically, the ship is very handicap friendly and the crew in the buffet area was very helpful in carrying the food for those who need help. If anyone has any specific questions I will try to help.
We were on this ship on its 2nd voyage 1/31/04, and are booked again for 12/9/06.