WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE CARIBBEAN CRUISING

WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE CARIBBEAN CRUISING

By Steve Wright

You know the joys winter can bring: slippery roads, frozen fingers and car doors that won’t budge.

So why not keep the winter blues at bay and plan some fun in the sun on a Caribbean cruise?

Easier said than done when you’ve got accessibility needs.

Dreams of sipping fruity drinks while sunning poolside can fade faster than a winter tan if the cruise you’ve chosen can’t meet your access needs or doesn’t mesh with your idea of a swell time.

To help in making that all-important decision of how to spend your hard-earned dollars on a trip to remember, here are some tips on winter Caribbean cruising.

First, decide what you want out of a cruise.

Do you prefer subdued décor, a refined atmosphere and sophisticated diversions?

Or is your idea of a good time hitting the bars, casino and nightclub partying the night away?

Each cruise line caters to a particular demographic and you need to match your taste to the right one.

How you plan to spend your time on the cruise makes a big difference in the accommodations -- and price point – that are right for you.

If you expect to be out on deck while at sea and exploring the sights while in port, a small cabin with no view can work just fine.

Some of the lines have ships with small but very accessible inside cabin featuring wide cabin and bathroom doorways, roll-in showers and more.

Such accommodations are typically quite affordable.

All the major cruise lines that sail the Caribbean out of the Port of Miami, or Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, have accessible cabins in all price ranges -- allowing people to choose an experience that matches their budget.

For those who shun crowds and prefer quiet time for relaxation, it’s advisable to spend more for a larger cabin, especially one with a balcony verandah.

Typically, the newer the ship, the more balconies there are. Portable flip-down ramps provide access to the verandah, where a clear-glass wall provides safety and a good view of the blue waters for people seated at wheelchair height.

Like hotels, the rule of thumb is the newer the ship, the better the overall access.

TOMORROW: ACCESSIBILITY SPECIFICS