Diversity and Inclusion of persons with special needs

How to Cruise more comfortably with Special Needs

With Cruise Ships being built bigger each year, holiday goers, may incorrectly assume Cruise Cabins are as spacious as Hotel Rooms. In reality, cruise ships are very confined spaces, and the most accurate comparison first time Cruisers should expect their Cabin experience to be, would be to an 'RV' or Camper, 'Caravan' like experience. These confined spaces can present additional challenges to both larger bodied and persons with special physical needs.

Showers & Lavatories:

You can go on a cruise with a wheel chair. Cruising for people with disabilities or larger bodied persons don't have to be uncomfortable. The standard shower and lavatories are very small (see below), however cruise companies can provide larger accommodations, but proper proof of special needs may be required, as these staterooms are limited (see diagram below).

In addition to wheel chair accessible staterooms with Roll-In Showers, Cruise Lines will provide electric scooters upon request which can be left just outside your cabin when not in use

Cabin location:

The larger, wheel chaired accessible staterooms with Roll-in Showers are available upon request, and if you take my suggestion of selecting cabins located, mid-ship and closer to the main dining /entertaining decks you can save countless minutes of commuting. You can compound your time savings by being as close to the elevators or stairways as possible (see PINK outline in diagram below).

Ideal Cruise Ship Rooms

Best Cruise Ship Cabins for Persons with Disabilities

My favorite location is circled in YELLOW, but if you must have a balcony view, then try to secure cabins in BLUE, and near the LIDO deck, where you can still be centrally located, and have both the gorgeous vistas plus reduced foot traffic, giving you a great nights rest.

Shore Excursions:

Some of the most beautiful vistas are unfriendly to those with special physical needs, including children's strollers. Many locations throughout the Mediterranean and parts of the Caribbean such as Jamaica's famous Dunn's River Falls have steep, uneven surfaces that may be inaccessible for some. Understanding potential restrictions, available alternatives and transportation at each location can maximize your enjoyment. (See related article on '7 Tips you need to know about Shore Excursions')

My name is Adriana Da Silva, I am a Travel Advisor in Longwood, Florida. I write traveling tips to help my clients plan the best vacation getaways. I focus on Popular Resorts, Cruise Companies and Tropical Places that remain the top adult picks for the money. Do you know a busy person who needs a holiday? Will you be their hero and forward this post.

Was this story helpful? Comment below or !

Follow on Instagram @adriana.explores

Are you interested in my other stories?

See (Cruise Lines) (Tropical Places) (Resorts) or (All Three)

Visit: adrianaexplores email: adasilva@dreamvacations.com