WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE CARIBBEAN CRUISING
By Steve Wright
When you’re planning your cruise, make no assumptions about wheelchair access.
Be sure to ask specifics about stateroom door widths, dimensions and thresholds, as well as access to public areas.
Some ships have areas that are not accessible, but perhaps you can have a wonderful vacation even if you can’t negotiate the steps to the lap pool.
Find out if there are automatic doors to public areas. Inquire if there’s a pool lift. Ask before you book if the ship has raised lips on the floor at door thresholds.
Research the specific ship you’d like to sail on, and ask specific questions about the features that interest you.
Most cruise lines strongly advise people with disabilities – especially wheelchair users – to travel with an able-bodied companion.
In a perfect world, this wouldn’t be necessary. But just because a situation isn’t perfect doesn’t mean you can’t have a great time.
Having someone to lend you an arm into the shower or bump your chair up a step or two to the pool deck can make all the difference.
If you decide to heed this advice, be sure to find out if your cabin will have one bed or two -- so you’re comfortable with the sleeping arrangements, especially if you are traveling with an attendant who is a professional caregiver but not your significant other.
Sometimes cruise lines make cabins more roomy for wheelchair users by equipping them with only one bed. Many feature queen or king beds that can be broken into a pair of small individual beds.
TOMORROW: THE TROUBLE WITH TENDERS
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