If you are disabled or have particular special needs, you can still have a cruise ship adventure. If you fall into this category, your best bet is to seek advice from a travel agent to obtain the best cruise line that will cater to your needs.
No two cruise lines are quite alike, thus comparison shopping is required when choosing your options. Your particular disability could be the determining factor on which cruise to take. For instance, not all cruise ships can cater to wheelchairs very easily. Cabins are notoriously small, thus you need to get dimensions to figure out if your wheelchair will actually fit inside your room.
Fortunately, a few of the larger cruise lines have specially designated cabins that have wider doorways. The bathrooms are big enough for a wheelchair to roll right inside. The closets are built for a lower reach and the elevators have controls easily accessible for those people sitting in wheelchairs. Some cruise lines will have collapsible wheelchairs available, but it is highly recommended that passengers bring their own. If motorized wheelchairs are in use, you must bring your own charger that is adaptable to a normal 110 volt plug.
Part of going on a cruise is experiencing the various ports of call. Small boats known as tenders are utilized to carry the travelers from the cruise ship to shore. Every effort is designed to make sure that wheelchair bound passengers get to experience these ports of call. However, the tenders that take passengers to shore are not always accessible or safe for the disabled. If the wheelchair bound does manage to safely get to shore, particular ports of call might not always be equipped to handle special needs.
Hearing impaired passengers may also request special accommodations. Some cruise lines will offer ADA (American Disabilities Association) compliant rooms. They'll have tele-typewriters (TTY) or telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD). These cabins might have ADA approved kits which consist of visual smoke alarms, door sensors so you know someone is at your door and even alarms that vibrate.
Travelers with guide dogs or other service animals will have a harder time finding a suitable cruise. Each port of call has various rules and regulations regarding animals. Your travel agent can check with the Department of Agriculture for each port of call to figure out their guidelines. At times the services animals could be denied permission to leave the cruise ship.
Special nutritional needs also are accommodated on many cruise lines. Vegetarians have alternatives as do those passengers who need low fat, low salt or low cholesterol diets. Guests with lung impairments that require oxygen can cruise too, but must ensure that they have a plentiful supply of oxygen for their travels.
One of the caveats for disabled guests or those with special needs is that you need to be autonomous and travel with another companion in case any support during the cruise is needed. No matter what infirmities you may have, the cruise line should be notified upon booking. However, with special planning for your special needs, you should be able to have an extra special adventure!
No two cruise lines are quite alike, thus comparison shopping is required when choosing your options. Your particular disability could be the determining factor on which cruise to take. For instance, not all cruise ships can cater to wheelchairs very easily. Cabins are notoriously small, thus you need to get dimensions to figure out if your wheelchair will actually fit inside your room.
Fortunately, a few of the larger cruise lines have specially designated cabins that have wider doorways. The bathrooms are big enough for a wheelchair to roll right inside. The closets are built for a lower reach and the elevators have controls easily accessible for those people sitting in wheelchairs. Some cruise lines will have collapsible wheelchairs available, but it is highly recommended that passengers bring their own. If motorized wheelchairs are in use, you must bring your own charger that is adaptable to a normal 110 volt plug.
Part of going on a cruise is experiencing the various ports of call. Small boats known as tenders are utilized to carry the travelers from the cruise ship to shore. Every effort is designed to make sure that wheelchair bound passengers get to experience these ports of call. However, the tenders that take passengers to shore are not always accessible or safe for the disabled. If the wheelchair bound does manage to safely get to shore, particular ports of call might not always be equipped to handle special needs.
Hearing impaired passengers may also request special accommodations. Some cruise lines will offer ADA (American Disabilities Association) compliant rooms. They'll have tele-typewriters (TTY) or telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD). These cabins might have ADA approved kits which consist of visual smoke alarms, door sensors so you know someone is at your door and even alarms that vibrate.
Travelers with guide dogs or other service animals will have a harder time finding a suitable cruise. Each port of call has various rules and regulations regarding animals. Your travel agent can check with the Department of Agriculture for each port of call to figure out their guidelines. At times the services animals could be denied permission to leave the cruise ship.
Special nutritional needs also are accommodated on many cruise lines. Vegetarians have alternatives as do those passengers who need low fat, low salt or low cholesterol diets. Guests with lung impairments that require oxygen can cruise too, but must ensure that they have a plentiful supply of oxygen for their travels.
One of the caveats for disabled guests or those with special needs is that you need to be autonomous and travel with another companion in case any support during the cruise is needed. No matter what infirmities you may have, the cruise line should be notified upon booking. However, with special planning for your special needs, you should be able to have an extra special adventure!
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