Chris Rich can only walk short distances at a time, but he has traveled around the world on his scooter.
The 57-year-old U.S. Army veteran has limited mobility due to a leg injury sustained in the 1980s and related complications, which cruises have helped him explore destinations like Alaska and the Caribbean. I found it to be an easy method. Just this month, he, his wife, and friends took a weeklong Royal Caribbean International cruise to Belize, Honduras, and Mexico.
Rich, who is based in Lakeland, Florida, needed to drive to Tampa to ride Enchantment of the Seas. “I think it's a no-brainer,” he told USA TODAY. They also booked an accessible stateroom for the first time.
“It was really big,” Rich said. Rich documents his cruises and other travels on his YouTube channel, Scootin' Around the World. “I had no problem getting my scooter into the room.”
Cruise ships provide an accessible and efficient way to travel for guests using mobility devices. However, with some extra planning, your trip can go smoothly. Here's what you need to know:
How this adults-only cruise line worksIntegrate accessibility into your experience
Does the cruise ship have accessible staterooms for transportation equipment?
Cruise lines offer accessible staterooms, but not all are the same. “Make sure you get the accessible room that works best for you,” says Joy Burns, organization and PR manager at accessible travel booking platform Wheel the World.
For example, some staterooms may be suitable for power wheelchair users, but some staterooms may be suitable for power wheelchair users, said Bert, whose husband has been paralyzed since 1982 and has been on more than 20 cruises. It may not be suitable for passengers who .
“If you get a wheelchair-accessible room that’s built for a power wheelchair with a Heuer lift, the bed is pretty high up,” he said. “I can't transfer to a high bed. I use a manual wheelchair, so it's in a low position.”
Standard staterooms may also accommodate transportation equipment, but guests should familiarize themselves with the cruise line's requirements.
Passengers booking standard cabins on Carnival Cruise Line ships must have a device that allows them to pass through a 22-inch wide doorway, according to the company's website. The device must also be foldable or foldable so that it can be safely exited from the room (passengers are not allowed to store their devices in corridors or public spaces).
“Customers with scooters over 21 inches (53.34 cm) wide, or those traveling with multiple scooters in the same stateroom, will be accommodated in a fully accessible stateroom with a wider doorway (32 inches, 81.3 cm). You may need to purchase a room or rent a smaller scooter. You may need to check the size of your scooter at check-in to ensure it will fit properly in your stateroom. ” the line says on its website.
Sylvia Longmire, an accessible travel writer who runs the blog and travel brand Spin the Globe, said major cruise lines typically have accessibility departments to help guests navigate the process.
“Speak to the accessibility department, ask questions, and let them know what equipment you're bringing if you're bringing your own,” says Longmire, who has multiple sclerosis and has been on more than 30 cruises. says. She was on a scooter or wheelchair. “Let them know what your abilities and disabilities are, what your level is, what your accessibility requirements are. That way they can tell you what kind of cabin you need before you call to make a reservation.” We can tell you everything about the ship, the location, the ship, etc.”
She said she would “strongly” encourage anyone booking through a travel agent to work with a person with a disability or an accessible travel specialist.
What cruises are best for those with transportation?
Some destinations may be more suitable for customers with mobility devices than others.
Once, while on a cruise in New Zealand, the Burns' boat encountered rough seas, causing Bart to fall off a casino and crash into a bar (though no one was injured). Joy recommended investigating the situation at sea. (Click here for his USA TODAY guide to the best times to cruise by region.)
He added that expedition cruises can be less accessible because many activities require guests to get on and off the Zodiac boat.
Which cruise ship is best for guests with transportation?
Burns and Longmire say newer ships tend to have more features to make travel easier for guests with mobility devices. These include automatic sliding doors in public spaces, locks in staterooms that allow passengers to open doors with a swipe of a key, and elevators in pools.
“The newer the ship, the better the access,” Longmire said.
Can I get a mobility device through my cruise line?
Guests can arrange mobility device rentals through vendors such as Scootaround and Special Needs at Sea (Longmire is a Scootaround contractor).
Longmire said rentals may be available at cruise terminals, and some routes have a limited number of scooters and wheelchairs available on board. She estimates rental fees will range from approximately $80 to $250, depending on the type of equipment, how long guests need it, and other factors.
Does the cruise line offer accessible tours?
Yes, but your options may be limited. Joy said there are “very few” shore excursions available on cruise lines, and she and Bart have taken cruises to places where there were no cruise lines available.
“Cruise lines are completely dependent on the availability of tours with the people they have contracts with,” Longmire said. For example, if a wheelchair taxi is not available at a particular destination, the cruise line's services will be limited.
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When available through the line, Longmire said, many of them are what she calls windshield tours, buses that include one or two 15-minute stops for photos with groups of other passengers. It's a tour. “All that's left is to look out the window at everything,” she said.
But she added that cruise lines “are getting a little bit better” at their offerings every year.
Joy said passengers can also book shore excursions, which are accessible through companies such as Wheels the World. At Longmire, we have been fortunate to be able to book shuttles and tours directly through various port providers, but guests must be careful to be on time for their ship's departure time.
Is the bidding port accessible?
“It's not really black and white,” Longmire said, regarding ease of access at the tender port, where guests have to travel from ship to shore in small boats. Cruise ships can carry passengers on tenders, and some ships have technology to help board passengers in wheelchairs, but port capabilities may vary.
“Just because you can go from a ship to a coal truck doesn't mean you can go from a coal car to a pier,” Longmire said.
Rules may also vary, with some lines allowing guests in manual wheelchairs to bid, but prohibiting the use of motorized equipment. She recommended checking with the accessibility department about these policies.
The Barneses generally feel that tender ports are difficult to access, and Joy suggested travelers review their itineraries to see how many ports are included.
Overall, Ms. Longmire said her experience on the cruise was “really good,” both in terms of accessibility and convenience (for example, you can visit multiple locations, but only unpack once. ). “I always recommend it as a first travel experience for wheelchair users. If you don't get seasick and are okay with cruising, then cruising is the way to go.”
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. Please contact us at ndiller@usatoday.com.
