Top tips for booking an accessible cruise

Thoughts of going on a cruise are undoubtedly inviting – a glamourous ship to board, the zing of fresh sea air and new horizons, superb catering alongside a luxurious cabin, and an assortment of exotic ports to frequent along the way – ahh, it sounds good, doesn’t it?

But then, as you sit down at either a computer or within the office of your travel agent, in comes the logistics of making it happen. You find yourself wondering which cruise line best suits your requirements, which cabin should you go for, which itinerary appeals most, and what the potential cost could become. It can somewhat sour the blissful serendipity of choosing to go.

Factor in the added complication of disability and accessibility needs and those initial considerations might now seem simple. Especially compared to establishing secure mobility access, whether suitable storage will be available for medication, as well as being certain that upcoming ports can provide you with a true holiday experience; rather than just leaving you behind.

Additionally, you might have a carer who needs accommodation and guidance while on the same cruise, or perhaps niggling concerns might exist about what’s in the food on board and where you can get a table.

Day-to-day life with accessibility requirements is testing. When booking a cruise, intended to provide a relaxing experience, those same niggles can feel even more inconvenient. After all, what do you do if you run out of medical supplies far out at sea, or if you find that a nominated tender cannot facilitate your access to a nearby port?

In light of these complications, many individuals with accessibility needs often choose to deal with things alone. For example, a Type 1 diabetic must judge how much insulin to take with every meal.

The amount is determined by food types and the carbohydrates contained within. This is difficult to know without nutritional information being on hand. Instead of asking the restaurant for this information - usually because it is not easily available (especially when served at the buffet) - a diabetic will instead take a calculated guess and hope for the best.

The underlying assumption is that the medical condition is their own problem. Consequently, a diabetic will usually handle the lack of information alone, in turn potentially wreaking havoc with their blood sugar levels and feeling quite ill afterwards. Talk about spoilers and yet it needn’t be this way.

In recent years, cruise lines have made impressive progress towards recognising disability, and providing what those with accessibility needs require. As a result, the experience on board should be as comfortable, safe and pleasurable as it is for everyone else. Of all transport, it is already recognised that cruises are currently the most accessible option.

Granted, with most medical conditions, a cruise is a complicated obstacle to get round. However, it is entirely possible. The key is to acknowledge and speak up about what you need combined with the ability to be savvy when booking your dream excursion. Here are our top tips for booking your accessible cruise…

Don’t get overwhelmed - cruising is fun for all

When faced with the complications of a disability or medical condition long-term, it becomes easy to launch straight into problem-solving upon mention of something happening. Be it a day out, a quick trip on public transport or a holiday, those with accessibility issues are geared to instantly formulate how they will achieve an objective despite routine difficulties.

This is entirely natural, but it can also quickly turn planning a cruise into a headache, for there will be many things to consider. There also remains a keen desire to have as good a time as everyone else. This pressure may become such that it can overwhelm the spontaneous decision to go on a cruise, resulting in either an unsuitable cruise or no cruise at all.

Before selecting any cruise line, modified cabin or costly accessible-friendly shore excursion, remember that cruising is fun. Instead of being overwhelmed by how you would get a wheelchair on board, or how an autistic child would cope with a compulsory muster, try to home in on what you would want if accessibility was not something that was required.

Ponder what kind of cruise ship would appeal, which destinations would most excite you and which elements of a cruise (e.g., fabulous catering) you most desire. This will provide a foundation upon which to build your dream cruise while ensuring that disability is not the leading determinant of where and how you go.

Avoid unnecessary pressure by booking early

One of the best tips for booking an accessible cruise, without stress, is to book early.

It’s a simple strategy that makes a huge difference. By doing so, you will have the best choice of available cruises as well as modified cabins and other facilities that will make your experience as pleasant as possible.

One of the main reasons for getting ahead is that all cruise ships have a limited number of accessible staterooms. This is particularly true if you plan to book for peak season or to coincide with date that has meaning to you such as a wedding anniversary or a birthday.

The same logic applies if you plan to book with a cruise line renowned for excellent accessibility provision. If the cruise line is receiving rave reviews on the accessibility front, chances are many others with disabilities or medical conditions will be eyeing up the same cruise as you.

Another factor to consider at this stage is whether you will need passenger assistance in order to board. If so, aim to allow at least 45 days or more to have passenger assistance in place upon arrival. Additionally, should you wish to bring your guide dog along, you may need to give a cruise line up to three months advance notice.

This is also the stage at which to investigate how your proposed cruise will dock at the ports in its itinerary. Will any of the ports listed require a tender for ferrying passengers across to the shore and does that tender cater for mobility?

If not, this may not be the cruise for you or you may plan to do something different at that specific port. Many cruise ships offer quiet yet refined dining while everyone else is away or you could book a special onboard spa treatment.

Similarly, if you will require specific equipment once aboard your cruise ship, alert your cruise provider in good time. This might include a refrigerator within your cabin for storing temperature-sensitive medication or an interpreter in particular scenarios.

If flying out to initially meet up with your cruise ship, it may be easier to hire mobility equipment from an outside agency rather than risk potential damage to your own. Even now, airlines still attract notable criticism for how difficult it is to travel with a wheelchair so now is the window to bypass these difficulties.

You may also find booking a ship orientation tour helpful for when you first board so that you know how best to get around the ship and where to find specific facilities.

Finally, if dietary factors are a concern, you can book restaurant tables and quieter dining areas in advance as well as requesting restaurant menus, nutritional information and any necessary modifications to meals.

Investigate accessible shore excursions

Half the fun of going on a cruise is the new and exotic locations that await on your itinerary.

However, if there is one area that the cruise industry still needs to work on, it is the provision of accessible excursions. While some are provided, the majority are tailored to address mobility issues only and therefore, despite all of the good intentions, these packages still leave much to be desired. If you are trying to find an accessible shore excursion that caters for visual impairment or autism instead, you may yet find your options are frustratingly limited.

With this in mind, begin by investigating what your cruise line can offer when it comes to shore excursions. Find out if they cater for your specific requirements and how. You can do this via online research, contacting your chosen cruise line’s customer care or special needs department or through a travel agent who specialises in accessibility cruising.

If these efforts yield unsatisfactory results, you may wish to look into local excursion providers at given ports who have adapted transportation and/or equipment. It is easiest to find options like this online, particularly for ports within Europe as well as throughout the Caribbean.

Google is an excellent starting point – try searching for ‘accessible shore excursions in’ and add your destination at the end. You may also be able to find further accessible options via www.viator.com and www.getyourguide.com

Before booking, correspond with the company you like the look of and ensure to research the port at which you will be disembarking at to meet them to ensure you can bridge the gap. Also take note of any cancellation policies in case of an unexpected itinerary change or if you yourself become unable to partake in the booked excursion.

Finally, another factor to be mindful of is timing. When booking a private excursion, ensure that you will be able to return to your cruise ship on time before it leaves port. You don’t want to find yourself becoming a dreaded pier runner or being left behind by your cruise ship, which can prove to be a tricky and expensive situation to rectify.

DIY planning for your accessible cruising

In planning your perfect accessible cruise, meticulous research is your best guarantee of finding a match that perfectly fits and provides everything you need. Detailed planning also helps to avoid any unwanted surprises; such as a tender that cannot take a wheelchair, or an accessible tour that does not offer an audio guide in your preferred language.

There are many ways to conduct your research before selecting and booking a cruise. Try searching for the terms ‘accessible cruising’; ‘accessibility’ or ‘guests with disabilities’ on the website of the cruise line you have in mind.

If this doesn’t provide suitable results, you may also wish to contact either the customer care or special needs department of your chosen line. You can likely do this online or by telephone.

On some cruise websites, you may also find free downloadable resources that can help prepare for your chosen cruise. For example, Royal Caribbean offer a social story booklet that helps families with autism prepare for the cruise holiday.

Ideally, you want to combine researching your preferred cruise line in combination with visiting www.cruisedeckplans.com if the dimensions and offerings of an accessible cabin is key. You may be able to see plans, photographs and videos of a given stateroom to help you establish whether it will suit.

Another helpful tool is online cruise line reviews as well as blog posts from those who cruise regularly with disabilities. Accessibility blogs worth consulting include Blind Girl Adventures, Cruising Wheelchair and World on Wheels.

While doing so, be mindful that the cruise industry is moving fast in improving their accessibility access so compare what it is written in blog posts over a year old with what you can find out from the cruise provider directly in-order to have a more rounded viewpoint.

Finally, it is an excellent idea to email or phone the ports that you will be travelling through to make them aware that you are an accessible needs passenger as well as establishing what support they can offer before you get there.

Specialist travel agents can work wonders

While it pays to be both informed and methodical in your research as you investigate accessibility cruising, it is perfectly understandable if booking alone is not for you. Researching many cruise lines, ports and shore excursions can become time-consuming, frustrating and confusing.

If precision planning ahead of a cruise doesn’t float your boat, speak with a travel professional. Ideally you want to look for a travel agent who specialises in accessible cruising.

A travel agent will have their finger on the pulse when it comes to what will soon be available and what accessible options exist. They may offer to make specific requests on your behalf and, better still, they may even haggle to negotiate a better, more cost-effective deal for you.

For those with visual impairments, we recommend Mind’s Eye Travel and Vision Cruise. Meanwhile, families affected by autism can consult Autism on the Seas. For those seeking mobility provision, the Wheelie Good Travel Company is an excellent resource.

Play your part in your accessibility cruise

While your chosen cruise line and ports along the way have much to offer when it comes to accessible cruising, aim to also play your part in making your cruise as sleek as possible.

For example, if you are travelling a significant distance to the port at which you will board, it is often a good idea to arrive at least a day early. This allows for unexpected travel delays as well as the delivery of medical equipment from rental agencies before your ship leaves.

Companies such as Special Needs at Sea can deliver mobility and medical equipment directly to your stateroom or hotel, so it is best to be ahead of the arrival of these items to prevent complications at boarding.

Additionally, it is generally deemed polite to be ready to board before your official boarding time and this particularly applies if you have requested boarding assistance or priority access.

Cruise lines are increasingly keen to help those with access needs. Set the example by playing your part also.

Be heard before, during and after your cruise

As attention and investment on accessibility provision continues to be forthcoming from the cruise industry, it is important for those with disabilities or special needs to ensure that they are heard. After all, how else can the industry best serve those requirements without first being told what they are?

While many of us enjoy the privacy of shielding our conditions from others and managing by ourselves, if you are to get the most out of your cruise experience, aim to be heard before, during and after your cruise. Despite instinctual reservations that may come into play, don’t hesitate to ask for what you need before you book or once aboard your chosen ship. It is your best opportunity to have the greatest time that you can.

Cruise lines are eager and willing to help, with staff on hand to assist where required, but you must speak up. For example, it is commonplace for a cruise ship to have a pool lift available at the swimming pool. However, because it takes up notable space, it may not be out at all times. All you need to do is ask, and the crew can set it up.

While you may feel you are being a nuisance, you most certainly are not and, even if you’re embarrassed to ask for yourself, ask for everyone else who faces the same disability or medical conditions. By working together, the disabled and special needs community can ensure that cruise lines know what is needed and how best to provide it.

It’s a win-win situation for both you, the cruise lines and everyone else who wishes to make the most of accessible cruising.