Image via Wikipedia

The time has passed when a disabled traveller found it hard to enjoy a vacation on a cruise ship. Although some of the smaller and older ships may still leave a bit to be desired, the larger vessels owned by the more prominent shipping lines are usually fitted out to be disabled friendly. They usually have at least 20 or more wheelchair friendly staterooms which have widened doorways, wheelchair enabled showers, lower placed sinks, more accessible furniture and handrails.

It is advisable that when booking cheap cruises for disabled people you make certain enquiries such as:

• Are there any additional fees required to get access to handicapped friendly staterooms?
• Are elevator buttons low enough to reach?
• Are corridors wide enough to pass through?

It is always advisable to ask for a copy of the ship’s deck layout. This will allow you to ask for a cabin that is best suited to your particular situation, e.g. near the lounge or elevator.

Cunard Cruises are a cruise line that will be happy to help you understand a particular ship’s limitations concerning an individual’s specific disability.

An important matter to consider is that not all ports of call are at the side of a wharf. On some occasions small boats are used to take passengers ashore from where the ship is anchored out at sea. These smaller boats are not always capable of accommodating wheelchairs and it would not be in your interests to join such a cruise.

The safest way to make sure all your needs are met, and that your voyage will be memorable for all the right reasons, is to make your booking through a reputable travel agent, or directly through the cruise company’s special service department.