In this day and age there’s often no better way to travel if you have a disability than with a cruise ship. These fully kitted hotels on water are almost always state-of-the-art and fully equipped to deal with any individual’s mobility needs.
From accessible cabins to disabled toilets on all decks, almost every detail is well thought out and equipped to tackle even the most intricate of needs.
The very fact that these cruise ships offer so much in a condensed space, make travelling on the water all the more appealing and sensible. This mode of transport is made even more epic if you’re naturally inclined to travel and have a keen sense of adventure, then travelling via cruise is the obvious choice, as you’ll get the chance to explore a great number of locations along the way, as the ship will dock in various ports en route. And for those who just like to kick back and relax beside the pool – well depending on the type of cruise ship you’re on, there’ll be plenty of room for that too.
From a personal standpoint, I often take a mini-cruise from Newcastle to Amsterdam, on a quest to discover more about the Dutch capital. Even on these smaller ships, designed for only a single night’s travel – you’ll find cabins that are spacious and suitable for wheelchair users to enjoy.
Cruises are often synonymous with the elderly, and so with that, it comes as no surprise that cruise ships are fully adapted for those with mobility needs. It goes without saying that many people that are elderly have similar needs to those that are disabled. That’s not to say that cruises are only for pensioners – far from it in fact. People from all ages and walks of background enjoy cruises every single day, so it’s certainly something that can be enjoyed by all the family.
What you’ll need for a great time on your disabled friendly cruise?
- Prepare to bring your sea legs. It goes without saying that sometimes a trip on a ship can be quite rough – so if you find it difficult to deal with motion sickness, then don’t forget to pack your medication and everything will be perfectly fine!
- Take lots of spending money! Whether that be for when the boat docks and you need money to spend on all your prized nik-naks, or whether it be for items on the ship if you’re travelling half-board – it’s wise to make sure you take plenty of money (which is good advice for any vacation, really!).
- Come prepared with all your medical supplies. Of course there are medics on board, but with days on end at sea, it’s important to ensure you pack everything you might need to combat any unforeseen emergencies whilst you’re cruising by ship.
So is a disabled cruise right for you? Well if you’re a fan of the open sea, and picture yourself as the next Jack Sparrow, then most definitely you should check out cruise ships as an option. So too should you give the idea some thought if you’re looking for a way to visit several different cities/countries on one individual trip, and the constant docking at new places opens up your horizons and allows you to see much, much more.
If you’d like to find out more from the Passionate People blog, and also find more on different travel options, such as hiring a Disabled Friendly Cottage then feel free to browse through the travel and entertainment category.
Author: Anthony Tipling-Bower
