Limited Mobility cruising - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

Char · 03-06-2008, 03:50 PM

Limited mobility needn’t keep you from cruises. With some planning, users of wheelchairs and scooters can find cruise ships that meet their needs.

By Catharine Hamm, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
February 26, 2008
For disabled passengers, the skies aren't always very friendly
Under ruling, disabled cruisers will get wider accessibility

Question: I have some mobility limitations and use a battery-operated scooter that is somewhat portable. I'd like to consider a cruise, but I have trouble visualizing how I would navigate narrow corridors. Is a cruise even viable for me?

Answers: Get out the suitcase and take the tux to the cleaners. Your ship has come in.Which is not to say that you call up and book and away you go. It takes planning.

In fact, what you probably need is a travel agent who specializes in helping those with disabilities. Two good places to start: the American Society of Travel Agents' website, www.asta.org, which has an advanced search function that lets you choose "disabled/accessible" under specialties; and www.sath.org, website of the Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality, or SATH, which offers suggestions on agents. (Type in "travel agent" in the search engine.)

But before you make that call, do a little research on your own.
Begin by going to the website of the Cruise Lines International Assn., www.cruising.org, and clicking on "Vacation," then "Plan Your Cruise," then "Special Interest Guides." Under "Wheelchair Travelers," you'll find a comprehensive guide to ships' features, including the number of cabins and whether the decks have ramps.

When you've chosen some ships that will work for you, peruse the line's website. (To obtain a listing of websites, go to latimes.com/cruiselists.) Look especially at the age of any ship you're interested in; the newer the vessel, the more likely it can accommodate you fully.

Consider, too, the destination. If you're planning on shore excursions, be aware of which destinations require passengers to disembark by tender. Sometimes, those little boats can't accommodate a disabled passenger and a scooter.

As with most things in life, timing is everything. Because accessible cabins are limited in number (and are available in various categories and prices, from the least expensive inside cabins to the more luxurious staterooms with balconies), you may need to reserve early, especially for popular itineraries, says Candy Harrington, editor of Emerging Horizons, a magazine about accessible travel.

....continued

Char · 03-06-2008, 03:53 PM

To read the whole article click here--> Limited mobility neednâ€™t keep you from cruises - Travel - LATimes.com

nealberk · 03-06-2008, 05:48 PM

I have yet to find any of the contemporary ships mobility limited in any way. In fact, HAL and Celebrity (and probably others) bend over backwards for those people who require wheelchairs or scooters.

Char · 03-06-2008, 05:56 PM

The newer ships are very good for mobility limited guests.

Some of the older ships have raised thresh holds and no ramps to the outside decks, making it very difficult for wheelchairs & scooters.

They made a very good point about choosing the itinerary that has ports that the ship docks at rather than tendering.

Sequim88 · 03-07-2008, 01:03 PM

The biggest difference we have been hearing about is in "assistance" from the staff and crew more than barrier issues. Especially in the buffet settings with availability of trays or persons to help carry items. But generally the lines are very accomodating. Some message boards have long threads about AB passengers taking accessible staterooms for the extra space, thereby limiting availability, but with newer/larger ships and more of these coming it is getting better all the time.

sue miller · 03-07-2008, 01:18 PM

I always thought if a passenger books an assessible cabin, and a mobility impared passenger needs it , the first passenger loses it, is that incorrect??