Cruise Review: An Accessible Journey to Alaska on the Carnival Spirit
When most people dream of an Alaska cruise, they imagine glaciers, whales breaching against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, and unforgettable family memories. For Scott Snouffer, a member of The World is Accessible community, this June’s voyage aboard the Carnival Spirit was exactly that — but it also came with some hard-learned lessons about accessibility at sea.
Scott generously shared his experience with us, highlighting both the joys of the journey and the practical realities of traveling with a power wheelchair.
Why Alaska, Why Carnival?
This trip was all about family. Scott’s mother booked the cruise as a family reunion, so the choice of cruise line wasn’t his. While Carnival wasn’t his first pick, the destination more than made up for it.
“Overall the cruise was great and I had very few issues maneuvering around in my power wheelchair. The only real issue was in the hallways — they aren’t wide enough for two mobility devices to pass each other. Sometimes you had to duck into a doorway to let another chair go by. And if people left scooters or wheelchairs outside their cabins, it made things impossible.”
Food and entertainment were, in his words, disappointing, but the magic of Alaska shone through.
Accessibility Onboard
When it comes to public areas, Scott felt the ship was mostly manageable. Elevators worked well and public spaces generally had enough room for maneuvering, provided other guests were mindful.
Cabins, however, posed a bigger challenge.
“The doorways on a standard room are only 22 inches wide. We had to fold my chair, and my wife carried it through so we could store it. This was because accessible cabins were already taken. In future, I’ll definitely insist on a cabin with a full-size doorway.”
Dining rooms, restrooms, and lounges were usable, but it was a reminder that not all “accessible” rooms actually meet practical needs.
Shore Excursions & Ports
The excursions themselves — from wildlife spotting to a tour in Skagway — were fantastic. But getting on and off the ship proved difficult every single time.
“The gangplanks had too steep a rise for my wheelchair. Crew members had to help me every time I boarded or disembarked. It worked out thanks to their help, but the system needs improvement for mobility-impaired travelers.”
Once ashore, though, Scott found Alaska’s wild beauty to be the highlight of the trip: whales, dolphins, seals, and sea otters turning up almost daily.
The Crew’s Support
If there was one consistently positive element, it was the staff.
“Everyone was excellent, very accommodating and helpful when they noticed my disability. They always looked for ways to make things easier for me.”
Their assistance smoothed over what could have been much more difficult moments.
The Highlights
Beyond the family memories, Scott singles out the wildlife as unforgettable. Watching whales breach, spotting playful sea otters, and exploring Alaska’s rugged scenery were experiences that outshone any issues on board.
One especially memorable stop was Skagway, where Scott and his family enjoyed a tour out to a small island for lunch — surrounded, once again, by the raw beauty of Alaska’s wildlife.
Excursions & Exploring the Ports
One reader asked what specific excursions Scott joined during the cruise — and his experiences add valuable detail for future travelers.
In Skagway, the original plan was the famous White Pass Train journey. Unfortunately, the engine broke down about 30 minutes into the trip due to a seized bearing. Carnival quickly offered alternatives, and Scott chose the Skagway Street Car Tour (skagwaystreetcar.com).
“Highly recommended and personal, with a very accommodating driver. It gave us a great overview of the history, plus a nice tour of Skagway including the lookout.”
The tour’s accessibility worked well, and the timing allowed Scott and his family to explore Skagway independently afterward. In his power chair, he was able to get around much of the town — including a stop for lunch at the Skagway Brewery and a visit for fresh scones.
In Ketchikan, time was short, with only about four hours in port. Rather than booking an excursion, Scott and his group explored on their own, visiting a local donut shop and browsing the town. However, he notes that accessibility here was more difficult:
“It was by far the most touristy place, full of souvenir shops. But the narrow streets, rough sidewalks, and lack of crosswalks made it more of a challenge.”
While Skagway proved to be a highlight, Ketchikan was less accessible for independent wheelchair users, though still manageable with some effort.
Advice for Future Travelers
Scott’s bottom line? Don’t hesitate.
“Do it. An Alaska cruise is a great experience, and they are very accommodating. Just make sure to confirm the ADA access of your room before you book.”
In closing…
Scott’s review underscores something important: while accessibility at sea still has room to grow, the rewards of cruising — especially in a destination as spectacular as Alaska — can be well worth it.
The Carnival Spirit provided enough space and staff support to make the journey possible, even if certain areas (like cabin access and gangways) were far from ideal. For anyone considering an Alaskan cruise with accessibility needs, Scott’s experience is a reminder to plan carefully, advocate strongly for the right cabin, and prepare for both challenges and unforgettable moments.
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Looking for more cruise reviews? Check out ‘CRUISE REVIEW: MSC Virtuosa — “Serious Accessibility Issues.“
Or take a look at our entire Accessible Cruises Archive!
A Note on Community Stories
Our website is home to both detailed accessibility guides and community-shared experiences like this one. While this review reflects a personal story rather than a full access audit, it adds to the wider picture of what travel is like for disabled travelers. Both types of posts matter — and together they help us build a richer resource for the community.
TWIA
Although all hotel and vacation rental information on this site is thoroughly vetted, we recommend calling ahead to ensure your needs are met.
3 Responses
A lot of “Glittering Generalities” but very little specifics. Is the bed height adjustable? Are there grab rails in the staterooms or just the bathroom? Are there enough/properly placed grab bars in the bathroom. How about the toilet height? What about wheelchair accessible excursions? Places to put toiletries you can reach from a wheelchair. Last cruise my wife fell in the bathroom and couldn’t reach the emergency cord.
Trivial things unless you’re trapped in a wheelchair.
If you are advertising an “Accessible Cruise” shouldn’t you be addressing accessible issues.
Final comment ADA guidelines are next to useless and are empty promises that don’t address the real issues.
Hi Victor, thank you for your thoughtful feedback. This post is part of our community stories, where members share their personal experiences rather than full access audits. You’re right — details like grab bars, toilet height, and bed access are crucial, and that’s why our site will include both in-depth guides and community perspectives. We’d love for you (or your wife) to consider sharing your own experience too — those details would be incredibly valuable to others planning their travels.
We did an Alaskan cruise August last year. We went from Vancouver to Anchorage. I found the ships crew to be very helpful. We were not able to go into Ketchikan as I got Gastroenteritis caused by food poisoning. I spent 3 and a half hours in the hospital and the rest of the day in bed. We went into Juneau and Skagway. I use a battery powered scooter. It was easy to get around the towns. On board the ship I could go anywhere I wanted. The only hassle was that my wife had to tip the scooter slightly onto its side to fit through the door. We had a fantastic trip.