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Cruise holidays are now a genuine option for all. Today's cruise ships are virtually barrier-free in terms of being able to get from your accessible room to restaurants, bars, swimming pools, theatres, nightclubs..the list goes on! How many holiday environments can provide this?
Choosing The Right Cruise
This could be one of the most memorable experiences of your life, so choosing
the right cruise is essential. The first and, perhaps, most important step,
is to talk with a cruise agent who is able to understand your needs, and
knows which cruise ships are genuinely accessible.
Access
Today’s new superliners have ‘accessibility’ built-in,
- many include staterooms with wheel-in showers and balconies, some offer
accessible suites. Access onto and around the ships decks is also an important
consideration, as is the ability to make shore-visits. And don’t
forget the transfer to and from the ship and pre/post cruise accommodation.
Cruising for sensory impaired passengers
New ships will often provide aids and equipment to assist the visually impaired
whilst on board. Services include Braille, large print and service dog
provision. Hearing impaired facilities include close caption tv and video,
audio-visual alert systems, amplified telephones and sign interpreters
on request on certain cruises. You should check which services are available
before booking your cruise. Specialist cruise agents will answer any questions you may
have regarding your special needs.
Getting on and off the cruise ships
An obvious area of concern for those yet to experience the delights of cruising.
Don’t worry, embarking and disembarking is a well praticed procedure
for ship’s crews dedicated to your safety and comfort. The ship either ‘dock’s
in each port of call or weighs anchor offshore.
Docking
This is where the ship ties up at the quayside and disembarkation will be
down a gangway. The angle of the gangway will be determined by tide levels
and will change through the course of the day. If the angle is too steep,
crew may carry those in manual wheelchairs down the gangway. Electric powered
wheelchair users may be transferred to a manual chair for the carry on
and off. Many ships carry special equipment to aid embarkation and disembarkation.
Tender
The ship may ‘weigh anchor’ off-shore. In this case, transfer
to and from port will be by the ships tender (launch). The procedures for
tender transfers differ from ship to ship and are also influenced be prevailing
weather conditions. The ship Captain always has the ultimate sanction as
to whether transfers by tender go ahead. Sea conditions, tidal flows and
mechanical problems may prohibit passengers from disembarking the ship by
tender.
Ship ‘Culture’
You will probably want to sail with ‘like-minded’ souls, so choose
your neighbours carefully. Some ships are strictly ‘formal’,
some not-so-formal, and others ‘party-time!’
And the kids?
Kids love cruising. Hardly surprising, with a morning till night programme,
jam-packed with accessible fun and activity. Night nurseries and cabin
monitors too. And cruise ships with their dawn till dusk activity programmes
for kids of all abilities are the ideal choice when you want your precious
things included and not excluded from the holiday fun!
The Caribbean (October - April)Scandinavia, Baltic and Arctic Circle
Summer schedules (of course). But what exciting destinations! Visit the land
of the midnight sun. Explore the classical cities of northern Europe.
Panama Canal (Jan - May and October)
A truly unique experience. Visit the tropical rain forests of Costa Rica
and step back to the Mayan civilisations and then sail north to San Francisco!
Alaska (May - September)
Sail the Inside Passage north from Vancouver to natures most spectacular
showcase. This is the land of glaciers, fjords and the Whale. Of towering
peaks and soaring eagles. All this and luxury too!
Round the World
Whilst most of us battle to see through our New Year resolutions, the very fortunate
are steaming off into the blue yonder in the lap of luxury. World Cruises
normally leave our shores in the January gloom, soon to pick up the warmer
climes as they head towards their first ports of call in places exotic.
Wonderful.
Have we whetted your appetite for cruising?
We hope so... find and book your accessible cruise now with Richard Thompson, our Travel Counsellors accessible cruise specialist.