Cruises present excellent value for money with flights, accommodation, food, activities and entertainment for an all-inclusive price and with modern vessels kitted out with all the mod cons and accessible features, those with disabilities can take full advantage.
Cruises for the disabled are easier than ever and when booking a cruise, you will want to choose a ship that perfectly suits your needs, abilities and lifestyle. If you live with a physical disability or perhaps a medical condition that requires medication, dialysis or oxygen, then preparation and planning is the key to reduce unexpected problems.
You can expect newer cruise lines to offer accessible cabins and bathrooms with handrails and emergency call buttons, public areas with wheelchair access and elevators with reachable buttons. For the visually impaired, Braille-coded restaurant menus are made available and for the hard of hearing, as well as those with speech impediments, text-messaging systems are in place for easy communication. Generally, cruise lines will accommodate any dietary or special requirements provided they are for-warned but do check with your travel agent or cruise line's customer service department about any limitations. You can also check ship information in relation to cruises for the disabled with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) such as, the number of decks with ramps etc.
As well as fixtures and fittings like wide enough doors, washbasins low enough for wheelchair users and no 'lips' at cabin and bathroom thresholds, you may also want to consider:
? What mobility equipment is available to hire on board
? Is there lots of hard flooring? (As carpeting can be difficult to wheel on)
? Are pool hoists available?
? Will special transportation be provided to transfer you from airport to ship?
? Will shore excursions be suitable for your disability? You may want to avoid itinerary that include small boats used to transfer passengers to shore, as they are not designed to carry wheelchairs.
If you are cruising for the first time, you might be inclined to use a tour operator that specialises in cruises for the disabled. Being experts in this travel sector, they can offer sound advice and help select a cruise that is right for you. They will be familiar with cruise lines' policies on travel insurance, guide dogs and whether disabled travellers are required to be accompanied by an able-bodied companion.
Whatever your disability, don't let it keep you from enjoying a cruise!
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