Tips For Shipping A Wheelchair To The Cruise Ship
When planning a cruise vacation for a disability, planning is one of the most important details to consider. Most cruises do have
special rooms that are wheelchair accessible, however its good to ask in advance how the ship is set up to accommodate a wheel chair as well as what barriers may be unavoidable.
In the travel brochure, some cruise lines will indicate wheelchair accessible rooms. It’s a great advertising feature however the information may not be reliable. Check with your travel agent or directly with the cruise line about their accessibility and what restrictions the brochure may not have indicated.
Shipping your wheelchair ahead is a good idea. Not all cruise ships have rental wheelchair equipment, and even when they do, the equipment may not be in very good condition. Shipping your wheelchair ahead has the advantage of taking the wheelchair to the dock of the cruise ship – and most airports have porters who can escort you via wheelchair within the airport.
Not having to worry about whether your wheelchair has made it to the destination should be a great relief.
Ask the cruise line directly about the width of doorways and also about any impediment to your ability to move your wheelchair freely through the cruise ship. Most cruise ships have a lip or raised sill by many of the doors that separate the outside elements from the interior spaces. This is typically done on ships to prevent water from sloshing inside, but it could be a barrier for a wheelchair. The best source of good information about how this may affect your ability to maneuver is the cruise line itself.
Also important is to ask for seating that is accessible for meals. Some cruise ships have elaborate dining areas on multiple levels. Best to ask in advance for seating that is on the main level and near the entry to assure that your requirements are met.
Ports of call vary in the depth of their harbor and whether the cruise ship can dock or not. Day excursions and tenders are another potential situation that you should inquire about. Tender are used when the ship can not dock in the port. This could be due to the depth of the port, the size of the ship, the number of ships already in the port or other factors. What this means is that passengers are ferried or tendered back and forth between the ship and the mainland. Sometimes the ramps to the small tenders are steep and may not be able to handle a wheel chair. Ask in advance whether there will be any problems with accessing the ports of call – this may determine your itinerary.
Knowing what to ask and planning ahead can make cruising a real pleasure. Notifying the cruise line in advance of your needs is a smart travelers best advice.
