Cruises are the preferred mode of travel for those who have a mobility disability. While the level of accessibility may vary from ship to ship and line to line, they’re still far more comfortable than other modes of travel. When the weather is rough however, you may not be able to go ashore.
Some cruise lines don’t allow wheelchairs or scooters aboard ship tenders, and there are restrictions on those that do. Neither Royal Caribbean, nor Norwegian Cruise Lines allow motorized scooters or wheelchairs that weight more than 100 pounds without the battery aboard their tenders. Even if your cruise line does allow disabled passengers aboard, and your mobility device meets the requirements, rough weather may prevent you from being able to board. This can cause missed—and nonrefundable—excursions.
Bad weather may well be the true test of a ship. It’s difficult to have fun on the same day you missed an activity and are out a few hundred bucks. So what exactly is a cruiser who depends on a mobility aid going to do when aboard the ship?
The Pool and Whirlpool with a Mobility Disability
Rough weather doesn’t always mean cold and raining. Nearly all cruise ships have at least one lift equipped pool on board. Often this is the ships main pool. A mixed blessing aboard some ships. The Carnival Sunshine has a main pool that is rather small for its size, meaning that disabled swimmers may find themselves uncomfortably—and possibly hazardously—crowded. There is usually at least one whirlpool with an accessible lift, but the same sort of crowded conditions may apply.
During port days, if tendering is an issue because of a mobility impairment, then it is also your chance to enjoy having a pool or whirlpool to yourself.
The exception to this is Disney Cruise Lines. Disney has done many things to better accommodate cruisers with disabilities. Unfortunately, one of the things they have yet to do is install a pool lift on their ships. To their credit though, they do have some of the biggest and best staterooms for disabled cruisers, and their private island Castaway Cay is well equipped for hosting those with mobility issues. It’s also equipped with a dock, so it should be accessible to the mobility disabled under all but gale force conditions.
Casino Time & Gambling
One of the things that isn’t talked about too often is accessible gambling. Most cruise ship casinos have things like lowered gaming tables to make gambling more accessible to those in wheelchairs. Which, now that we’ve mentioned, isn’t exactly the noblest use of the Americans with Disabilities Act we’ve heard of.
Nevertheless, most cruise ships do have them and if you are disabled onboard you can play a few hands of poker, or try your luck at blackjack. The casinos accessibility isn’t universal across all of its games, and if you want to play the slots you may be out of luck. Even on newer builds, we didn’t find mention of lowered slot machines. That doesn’t mean they aren’t there, just that they aren’t mentioned.
While we can’t really recommend spending all day in the casino, if you’re onboard, the option is there. Often the cruise lines do offer reasonably priced buy-ins of $2 dollars or so. Keep it within reason, and enjoy. Most cruise ships also have bingo games. While bingo isn’t usually counted as gambling there are buy-ins and cash prizes involved. There are other options too. Restaurants and clubs offer trivia contests, also on a daily basis, and also for cash prizes. These games can be surprisingly competitive and fun, as the know-it-all you cruise with, or the know-it-all you just happened to be teamed with, has to put his money where his mouth is.
Gaming
Not all games require you to gamble.
There is the card room, but the name is something of a misnomer. When you hear card room, you’re most likely thinking of a smoke filled room with gentlemen smoking cigars, drinking snifters of brandy, and making illicit wagers, and the décor definitely matches that preconception on most ships. The card room is, in fact, the classiest place you’ve ever played board games. While we’re certain you didn’t pay for a cruise to play board games, it can turn out to be very fun. Many cruises have been saved from the weather by finding lifelong bridge partners in the cardroom. If you’re traveling with friends and family you’ll finally have time to finish a game of Risk.
Give Things a Try
Cruise ships have activities constantly. From trivia contests to wine tasting the ships have something going on around the clock, even on port days. Now, when you have a mobility disability some activities aren’t going to be for you. Some though may surprise you.
Royal Caribbean explicitly lists its Flow Rider surfing simulator, and zip lines, as not accessible. A the same time there is also more than one account of the staff going the extra mile for someone. For example, a young person with chronic muscle weakness who got to try out the wave rider after normal hours with the staff holding the board steady, and with her fellow passengers cheering. Another account is about a man who got to try out the zip line, even though he needs a scooter to get around. Every disability is different, and some people who need mobility aids in everyday life can do more than they might think with little in the way of assistance.
It can’t hurt to ask.
Prior to sailing, get in a day early to make sure you don’t miss the boat. Go Port offers packages for users with a mobility disability as well. Whether it’s a fly snooze cruise, snooze park cruise, or just transportation, give us a call at 855-755-4637! We take care of everything for everyone.
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