| In the past, people who were disabled but loved to | | | | accommodate service animals, for example a "puppy |
| travel had very limited vacation choices. There were | | | | passport." |
| accessibility issues, inadequate facilities and lack of | | | | Great changes have been made for guests with |
| staff training to accommodate their special needs. | | | | mobility issues. Wheelchairs are available on board ship, |
| However, for the past 20 years since the instituting of | | | | however if you have your own wheelchair or |
| the ADA, major cruise lines in particular took notice | | | | motorized scooter, you will be encouraged to bring |
| and implemented sweeping changes in order to cater | | | | your own with you. Ships now have wider doorways |
| to those with special needs. The results have been | | | | and special bathroom facilities to make sure all ADA |
| wonderful for all those who thought that it would not | | | | requirements are followed. The result is a safe, |
| be possible for them to enjoy a wonderful, relaxing | | | | comfortable, stress-free vacation for passengers to |
| cruise. | | | | enjoy themselves on and off board ship. |
| Special access cabins are often available with | | | | There are many travelers who suffer from very |
| refrigerators to store medicine, bathroom grab bars, | | | | serious food allergies. Since a cruise is also an |
| ramped thresholds, low sinks and roll-in showers. You | | | | experience in gourmet dining, can a cruise ship meet |
| will want to book your travel plans early enough to | | | | any dietary restrictions you may have? The answer is |
| insure that you will have the best cabin to suite your | | | | yes, however you will have to let them know ahead of |
| needs. Tender systems are in place for boarding and | | | | time so that they will be prepared with delicious food |
| disembarking with careful V.I.P. treatment and | | | | for you when you set sail. Meals such as vegetarian |
| assistance given to each guest with any limitations. | | | | entrees, low sodium, low cholesterol, sugar-free and |
| The good thing is that these services do not cost any | | | | fat-free are also available upon request. For guests on |
| extra. | | | | a gluten, glucose, lactose, sodium or dairy-free diet, you |
| The #1 disability worldwide is hearing loss. Changes | | | | will have to give the cruise line approximately 2 months |
| were made to make cruise travel possible for the | | | | notice so they may make the necessary provisions |
| hearing impaired such as under-pillow vibrating alarms | | | | for you with the chefs on board the ship. |
| and staterooms with a special indicating light system | | | | There is also state-of-the-art medical facilities onboard |
| which will alert guests to a fire alarm, doorbell, smoke | | | | most major cruise lines in the event you may need |
| detector, and telephone. Cabins are sometimes | | | | medical attention. Most of the time, medical care can |
| equipped with Telecommunications Device for the | | | | be conducted successfully for a customary charge. In |
| Deaf (TDD) which will advise the guest of fire, smoke, | | | | the event that a more serious condition arises, you |
| door knock, telephone and a wake-up service. Most | | | | may need to be airlifted to a land-based hospital. For |
| ships are equipped with audible arrival sounds and | | | | either case, I always recommend that it is wise to |
| infrared lighting systems in common areas of the ship. | | | | purchase travel protection insurance "just in case." |
| In some cases, with notice, sign language interpreters | | | | As you can see, many wonderful policies have been |
| can be provided. | | | | implemented in order to make cruise travel possible for |
| About a quarter of those with a disability also have | | | | people with disabilities thanks to the ADA. Most major |
| some form of vision loss. You will find Braille in most | | | | cruise lines have an 'access desk' that handle special |
| locations on a ship on stateroom doors and elevators, | | | | reservations in advance. Careful, advance planning is |
| as well as large print braille menus in the dining areas. | | | | necessary so that you will have the best vacation |
| Service animals are also allowed on the ship, such as | | | | possible. |
| guide-assisting dogs and many other animals | | | | It is strongly recommended that you utilize the |
| designated to help people with vision or mobility issues. | | | | expertise and knowledge of a professional travel |
| It is important to check with the cruise line you are | | | | agent who can do the majority of your planning for |
| interested in sailing with to see if they have any special | | | | you. I am well trained in the planning of cruise vacations |
| requirements that will need to be met to | | | | with special needs, and would be happy to help you! |