If you're disabled or have certain special needs, you are able to still have a cruise ship adventure. If you belong to this category, your best bet is to seek advice from a travel agent to find the best cruise line that will cater to your needs.
No two cruise lines are quite alike, thus comparison shopping is needed when choosing your options. Your particular disability might be the deciding factor on which cruise to take. For instance, not all cruise ships can accommodate wheelchairs easily. Cabins are notoriously small, thus you must get dimensions to determine if your wheelchair will even fit inside your room.
Luckily, a few of the larger cruise lines have specially designated cabins which have wider doorways. The bathrooms are large 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 encouraged that passengers bring their own. If motorized wheelchairs are in use, you need to bring your own charger that's adaptable to a normal 110 volt plug.
Part of going on a cruise is experiencing the various ports of call. Small boats called tenders are used to carry the travelers from the cruise ship to shore. Every effort is designed to ensure that wheelchair bound passengers get to experience these ports of call. However, the tenders which take passengers to shore aren't always accessible or safe for the disabled. If the wheelchair bound does find a way to safely get to shore, certain ports of call may not always be geared up to handle special needs.
Hearing impaired passengers may also request special accommodations. A few 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 may come with ADA approved kits which include visual smoke alarms, door sensors so you know someone is at your door and even alarms which vibrate.
Travelers with guide dogs or other service animals will have a tougher time looking for a suitable cruise. Each port of call has different 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. Sometimes the services animals might 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 require low fat, low salt or low cholesterol diets. Guests with lung impairments that need oxygen can cruise too, but must make certain 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 should be autonomous and travel with another companion in case any support during the cruise is required. No matter what infirmities you may have, the cruise line should be informed upon booking. Nevertheless, with special planning for your special needs, you need to be able to have an extra special adventure!
No two cruise lines are quite alike, thus comparison shopping is needed when choosing your options. Your particular disability might be the deciding factor on which cruise to take. For instance, not all cruise ships can accommodate wheelchairs easily. Cabins are notoriously small, thus you must get dimensions to determine if your wheelchair will even fit inside your room.
Luckily, a few of the larger cruise lines have specially designated cabins which have wider doorways. The bathrooms are large 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 encouraged that passengers bring their own. If motorized wheelchairs are in use, you need to bring your own charger that's adaptable to a normal 110 volt plug.
Part of going on a cruise is experiencing the various ports of call. Small boats called tenders are used to carry the travelers from the cruise ship to shore. Every effort is designed to ensure that wheelchair bound passengers get to experience these ports of call. However, the tenders which take passengers to shore aren't always accessible or safe for the disabled. If the wheelchair bound does find a way to safely get to shore, certain ports of call may not always be geared up to handle special needs.
Hearing impaired passengers may also request special accommodations. A few 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 may come with ADA approved kits which include visual smoke alarms, door sensors so you know someone is at your door and even alarms which vibrate.
Travelers with guide dogs or other service animals will have a tougher time looking for a suitable cruise. Each port of call has different 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. Sometimes the services animals might 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 require low fat, low salt or low cholesterol diets. Guests with lung impairments that need oxygen can cruise too, but must make certain 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 should be autonomous and travel with another companion in case any support during the cruise is required. No matter what infirmities you may have, the cruise line should be informed upon booking. Nevertheless, with special planning for your special needs, you need to be able to have an extra special adventure!
About the Author:
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