Cruising as a wheelchair user has been an enjoyable travel method for me over the years. I’ve cruised many times in the Caribbean and now multiple times in the Mediterranean. But it isn’t a perfectly accessible travel method yet, so there are considerations for whether cruising may be right for you. Here are a few things to consider:
Pros:
– Once aboard a cruise ship and assigned an accessible cabin, it can be really nice to travel from place to place as a wheelchair user and not have to worry about changing hotels, room accessibility, and transportation accessibility.
– Taking a cruise means a lot of the logistics are taken care of, so you can cruise without spending a lot of energy working on these details daily.
– US law requires accessibility on the ships, so there is a reliable baseline of accessibility offered with the cabins and also for the public areas and amenities. Since most cruise lines operate their ships from (or circulate them to) US ports this means they must comply with accessibility rules.
Cons:
– When cruising as a wheelchair user it can be really hard to get an accessible cabin. Cruise lines generally don’t require documentation for a disability, so anyone can book these cabins and there are folks who take them because the rooms are larger, even though they don’t require the accessibility features.
– Unfortunately, cruise lines are notoriously terrible at providing accessible shore excursion options. They either don’t offer many choices or don’t have them at all at specific ports. Accessible excursions can be hard to book and, if offered, may be canceled at the last minute. There are private accessible travel companies that do provide accessible excursions, but the cost can be prohibitive.
– While there is baseline accessibility on cruise ships, there can be aggravating gaps. For example, pool lift batteries go dead or long waits to get the battery installed for using the lift. Some areas of ships may just not be made accessible, such as whirlpools or pools in the adult-only section of a ship. The issues may be challenging to learn about before a cruise, so it may be disappointing when you encounter them unexpectedly on a trip.
A Few Other Thoughts on Cruising as a Wheelchair User
For many years cruising was my preferred method of travel due to convenience and accessibility. However, now with accessibility practices spreading internationally to provide more hotel accessibility and transportation options, my feelings have changed.
Additionally, after every cruise I have provided feedback, on how they can improve and be more accessible to travelers with disabilities. Yet, in significant ways, the cruise lines have not improved or have even worsened their accessibility. When there are plenty of accessible excursion operators out there, why can’t they provide these options? When accessible rooms are few, why can’t they guarantee them for disabled passengers? Why can’t all of the pools on the ship be easily accessible? And so forth. For me, there has been too little progress (or backsliding) from cruise lines regarding accessibility, especially when compared to improvements in other aspects of travel.
Let’s face it, accessible travel needs are only growing in demand and any company not keeping up and competing for our business is losing out. Cruising as a wheelchair user may be nice, but isn’t without its challenges. Travelers with disabilities have more choices than ever and we are eager to make them!
Kelly Mack is a wheelchair user who loves to travel. Subscribe to Kelly’s newsletter Rolling with It or follow her on Instagram @mskellym36.
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I recently cruised with MSC on Virtuosa. I did my usual research beforehand and really thought it’d be ok. The ship was built in 2021, so I assumed that they would have modern accessibility for wheelchair users. I am a full time powerchair user. There were a lot of accessibility issues and I wouldn’t sail with MSC again
Can you specify the issues. We usually cruise with Royal Caribbean and have sailed on Princess and Celebrity. Royal is our favourite but the prices have increased substantially.
Royal is much more accessible compared to the two lines we have been. Can’t say anything about the pools though as my husband doesn’t like to go in the pool.
Hi Marlene, we’ve sailed with Royal a few times and have found they have one or two pools with a lift. Unfortunately it can be time consuming to use because we have to alert them when we want to use then wait for a battery to be brought and installed for use, then the same process to get out. We also would prefer to use the quieter adult pool, but those never have lifts. We
Would like using one of the many whirlpools in ship but they usually don’t have lift access. So even though we love using the pools on a cruise, it’s not easy and convenient for accessibility. Best, Kelly
Shirley, so sorry to hear this. We haven’t cruises with MSC, so can’t provide any insights myself. Sounds like they are failing on accessibility if even a newer ship has issues. If you haven’t sent them feedback, recommend that you do. As a full time power chair user I concur that planning for access can be time consuming and yet we still face barriers fresque rely on travel. I had better experiences with Royal and Celebrity, but still experienced problems—especially with on shore experiences. Best, Kelly
I’m hoping to go on a cruise in 6 years for our 40th wedding anniversary. I am a full time chair user outside my home and a crutch user in my bungalow. I certainly couldn’t walk around a cruise ship they are too big. .
We are looking at sailing to Norway to see the Northern lights. Has anyone ever done this type of cruise before using a wheelchair.
We just got back from Norway. My husband is full time scooter user. The scenery was fantastic and worth it even if we couldn’t do a lot of outside excursions. The ports are very small so they don’t have the ability to provide accessible excursions. There are a few but not many. In Bergen we were able to do the funicular and a fjord cruise. We had a walking tour scheduled in Trondheim, but we didn’t feel up to it so cancelled. If we had docked in Olden, I had arranged an outside accessible tour to the glacier and the skylift in Leon, but the cruise line changed and we tendered. My husband wasn’t allowed to drive his scooter onto the tender so we couldn’t do that. Another traveler was able to find an accessible excursion in Tromso I believe. The ports were small enough to just get off and walk around and enjoy the calm serenity of Norway. I would highly recommend it if you don’t have to have excursions to enjoy the trip.
Thanks so much for sharing this great info Kari! Adding to my bucket list!
Kelly you do have some brilliant thoughts both for and against cruising in a wheelchair, I’m also in a wheelchair so feel exactly the same as you do when it comes to making ships accessible, we SHOULD be treated exactly the same as other people as we DO have money to spend. I think it is despicable that in 2023 we should be marginalised by cruise companies
Thanks Patty! Agree 2,000 percent! Travel companies like cruise lines miss out on $$$ by continuing to ignore accessibility. Best, Kelly
We sailed on Royal Caribbean in March 2023. Horrible experience all around with the only exception being the cabin. It was very accessible and pleasantly surprising. However, with luggage required to be outside the doors by 8 pm the last night, I was trapped in my cabin the entire night. There was no pool lift anywhere on board, despite advertising that there’s a minimum of one on each ship across the fleet. No directions or assistance for the pool lift at CocoCay. No access to the ocean unless you have an able bodied person to push you in a beach wheelchair. I didn’t. Crew kept referring to my power chair as a scooter and the hostess at the dining room insisted that I leave my “scooter” at the door to get to our dining table.(That was not happening). At every port the gangway was such a steep angle that it took 3-4 crewmen and a lot of manhandling to get on/off the ship. Two times, I had to crawl back up to board the ship. RCL has refused to refund even a portion of our fare. They’ve offered 20% off a future cruise which will never happen!
Hi Julie, that sounds absolutely awful and I am so sorry you went through that. Royal is definitely in the wrong and should be compensating you for such terrible accessibility and service. It’s just not right and shameful in their part. I hope that if people keep complaining that they will eventually listen. Best, Kelly
I’ve done quite a few cruises, the last three as a semi ambulant ( mainly char) wheelchair user. You have to plan ahead, ensure you ask how many port stops are “tender stops” (where you go ashore via small boats, not usually w/ch accessible), you have to ensure your cabin is accessible unless you can fold your chair and walk in. Always declare your chair, don’t assume that if you can walk a little without your chair and you can fold it, that it will be ok- they are only allowed so many wheelchair users on board for safety in emergency evacuation.
If you are in your chair 24/7, accessible cabins are fairly good, the wet room showers also usually have a fold down seat if you don’t want to get your chair wet, but they don’t have a seat belt to hold you in, obviously.
Corridors can be bumpy, as you have to go through various watertight door spaces, and they have little bumps like the speed bumps you find when driving.
Restaurant dining is usually fine, they will usually place you on the outer ring of tables so that you don’t have to make everyone get out of your way, and even at the self service buffet, staff will carry and stack your plate for you while you push yourself. Make sure you tell them about any dietary needs before you fly ( I need gluten free/ diabetic) and they will make sure there are choices for you, although your choices will obviously be a little more limited🙄
There are usually a number of disabled access toilets on board, but not the full changing room style, you go back to your cabin if you need that.
Disembarking at ports and using arranged tours is very much a mixed bag- the ships crew will try their best, but facilities and port services are not fully under their control, so you can expect the occasional frustration.
Overall/ well, I cannot currently get a fitness to fly letter, due to heart and lung problems, so unless I want to drive to France, staycations(already do loads of them) or cruises are my only option, and I board ship for the Canary Islands in 3 weeks, and I’m looking forward to it 👍
Thanks for sharing all this great information Ian! Really useful. Hope you have a great cruise to the Canary Islands! If you can, let us know how it went. Best, Kelly
Cruise ships are an environmental disaster and are being banned in some cities due to carbon dioxide emissions, waste emissions and ocean pollution. Wheelchair accessible or not they are just one of the many human indulgences we are paying for through climate change and global warming. As a wheelchair user I would never set foot, if you know what I mean, on one and I urge readers to think again before booking a cruise ship holiday.
I recently went on the Disney Cruise (the Wish Ship to the Bahamas and Disney’s Castaway Cay) and it was amazing! It was my first cruise and I had such a great time. Aside from all the fun stuff, two things stood out: the accessible room and the overall way they kept accessibility in mind. During the mandatory safety drill, I normally kind of roll my eyes by the end of these drills since I assume I will be the last one out (if I get out!) if it is a real emergency and I am not with someone I know that can carry me. On this cruise, they said that a trained worker would come to the accessible rooms to assist in evacuation. I have never experienced this in a school, workplace, etc. Not sure if this is on every cruise? Also, the room was so spacious -I had no problem maneuvering my mobility scooter. The door to the room was powered (hardly ever see that at a hotel), and the bathroom was great.
I vlogged it all, but right now the videos I am posting are from the days before in the parks. Feel free to subscribe to my YouTube channel if you want to be notified when the cruise videos drop – (probably in 3 weeks). youtube.com/@daniellevates/
That’s terrific Danielle! Sounds like a terrific experience! Disney as a company does some great work on disability accessibility and inclusion, so glad to hear that extends to the cruise line. Best, Kelly
Hi, I wonder if anyone has experience of having to request oxygen on be supplied on board any cruise ship ? I have to use oxygen to get about ( also part ambulant part W/chair) I have a cruise booked March 2025 understood the cruise company would assist with this and the hire of a scooter for the trip. The company, Azamara , are not able to help with this now so I’m going to have to cancel and come up with a better plan. I am aware some of the other US cruise companies can be more helpful with this. I’m Doing lots of research and welcome comments from anyone with information or experiences they’d like to share. Thanks