Cruises Accessible To All, What Do You Need To Know?
Most people can plan their vacation without much planning, people with special needs have many things to think about before completing their vacation. While some additional planning and organization may be required, people with special needs can certainly travel and enjoy themselves like everyone else.
One of the best vacations for people with physical disabilities is a cruise. Many major cruise lines offer accessible travel for people with limited mobility.From port to cabins and everything in between, every aspect of the ship is accessible to people with special needs.
Traveling With Accessible Seniors
If you are traveling with seniors who may have special needs, here are some tips to consider to help you plan a fun and hassle-free trip for people with disabilities:
1. Call well in advance of your trip, research a suitable charter service provider that you may need for yourself or an elderly member of your family. This gives them leeway to prepare and organize their equipment in good time: wheelchairs, electric scooters, oxygen equipment, beds, walkers, etc.
2.Be clear: Make your needs clear to the service provider to ensure you get the right type of gear and preferred size (e.g. electric scooters come in different sizes).
3. Stock up on medication – bring extra medication on board, you don’t want to miss a dose if you change routes and travel longer than your arrival time at your destination port.
4. Special Rooms – When booking a cruise, be sure to ask for rooms that are easily accessible for people with special needs. They must also be large enough to be easily maneuvered with an electric scooter or wheelchair.
Accessible travel with children
1. Accessible travel agency – find travel agencies that can organize trips for people with disabilities.They have experience in organizing activities for people with disabilities of all ages and can suggest the best solution for you and your special needs child.
2. Look for larger ships – when selecting available cruises, make sure you choose newer and larger ones as they have more services; spacious doorways, roll-in showers, outdoor theater, easy access to pools, etc.
3. Service Dogs – If you have a service dog for yourself or a loved one, make sure your cruise line accepts one on board.All major cruise lines accept, but it’s always a good idea to check. You may need to have your guide dog vaccinated and have documentation ready before booking a trip.
Knowing the details and requirements before planning an accessible trip can make the trip enjoyable for both the person with a disability and their loved ones. Special Needs at Sea understands the needs of those with physical limitations or disabilities which is why we provide special equipment on board.
