Porthole...

ROLLIN' ON THE WATER

More so than any other segment of the travel industry, cruise lines make it easy for those in a wheelchair to hit the high seas. In fact, a cruise vacation is in many ways inherently more enjoyable for those in wheelchairs, in that it’s easier to travel to and visit varied destinations throughout the world. Thanks to continued advances in cabins, ships in general, and ports of call, cruising by wheelchair is easier than ever.

“The cruise industry has long been proactive in accommodating guests,” says James G. Godsman, president of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). “As new ships are built, design features have been added that take into account wheelchair access. It is very important that those with special needs make that information known to their travel agent very early in the booking process. That way, we can provide the ultimate vacation experience.”

Linda Allen, a Harrison, Arkansas-based Master Cruise Counselor and wheelchair cruising expert, couldn’t agree more. She says, “From specifically designed cabins to convenient dining room seating, cruise lines are better than ever at helping those in wheelchairs. However, it’s crucial that travel agents and the lines be informed as early as possible of special requirements, whether that means special cabin needs or embarkation help.” Allen also says that potential passengers should check whether tenders will be required in some ports of call and how wheelchair-friendly the ports are in general.

Most of the cruise lines in the world have addressed the concerns of wheelchair travelers on both their new and older ships. In fact, ships have generally been ahead of the times in meeting standards set by the American Disabilities Act (though most ships aren’t required to follow this groundbreaking code).

CLIA’s helpful website (www.cruising.org) has an excellent chart called ‘Cruise Guide for Wheelchair Travelers,’ which has the amenities for about 150 ships currently sailing--with information about the number of wheelchair-accessible cabins, elevator accessibility, door widths, ramps, public room and deck accessibility, and more. As the chart reveals, each line and ship can greatly differ and it’s crucial for passengers and travel agents to confirm details.

Long an advocate and supporter of travelers in wheelchairs, Holland America Line has set cruise industry standards on many levels. Spokesman Erik Elvejord says, "The company is at the forefront of the cruise industry in providing the facilities and services to give guests as much assistance as possible within the limitations of a seagoing resort."

For guests using wheelchairs, Holland America Line ships have several staterooms with roll-in showers in bathrooms, which are also equipped with ramps and heavy-duty handrails. Four such staterooms are on board the Noordam, while six such staterooms are on-board the Statendam, Maasdam, Ryndam, and Veendam.

The Rotterdam has 21 wheelchair-accessible staterooms, including four with connecting doors to non-handicapped staterooms to accommodate families of physically challenged and non-challenged who are traveling together. The Volendam and Zaandam, with 22 accessible staterooms, and the Amsterdam, with 23, are similarly equipped. Entering the Holland America fleet late this year, the Zuiderdam will have 28 accessible cabins.

As with most modern ships, all public rooms on Holland America’s vessels are wheelchair-accessible. Elevators onboard can accommodate wheelchairs, as do designated public area restrooms. The maitre d' will arrange for a table in the dining room easily accessible for a wheelchair. A limited number of on-board wheelchairs are also available, through advance request.

As the first to address the tender situation for passengers in wheelchairs, Holland America currently has five ships with a ‘tender-transfer’ system installed. Called the Shore Tender Accessibility Project, the custom-built systems provide a safe and dignified means of transporting a guest using a wheelchair down the gangway and onto the tender while still in the chair.

The guest’s wheelchair is locked into place on a lift that runs on an inclined track from the top of the gangway to the tender. A ramp allows the chair to be wheeled directly aboard and locked into place atop a specially designed scissor-lift. That lift is then raised to provide the guest a clear view through the tender’s windows. Once dockside, the tender has a hydraulic leveling system that allows the wheelchair to be rolled directly off the tender and onto the dock.

“This innovative new system will make it possible for guests who previously were unable to go ashore to enjoy our ports of call and participate fully in our shoreside activities,” says Kirk Lanterman, Holland America chairman. “Our new tender-transfer system is just another example of Holland America’s commitment to having the most accessible ships in the industry.” The Rotterdam will be outfitted with the system this year, as will the new Zuiderdam.

Every Holland American Line ship has an on-board infirmary equipped with emergency medical facilities, a well-stocked pharmacy, and oxygen for emergencies. Each cruise is staffed by one physician and three nurses. Guests are advised to bring their own prescription medications with them in their carry-on luggage, as well as copies of relevant medical records and their physician's telephone number in the event a ship-to-shore consultation is needed.

Recognized by many organizations and publications for their efforts, Holland America Line is at the forefront of cruise industry efforts to provide appropriate facilities and services for disabled guests. But many other lines have also made incredibly successful strides in their efforts.

For instance, Princess Cruises has been another line successful at providing excellent facilities for those in wheelchairs. In fact, they were the first line to employ a full-time Access Compliance Manager dedicated to monitoring and expanding onboard accessibility and the company was also honored in 1999 by the National Business & Disability Council with the prestigious Valued Customer Award of Honor in recognition of their programs to improve shipboard access and accommodations.

Through ‘Love Boat Access, which was established in 1992, Princess ships feature wheelchair-accessible accommodations ranging from two (Pacific Princess) to 28 (Grand Princess). On the line’s Grand Class ships, the accessible cabins are available in a variety of categories, including inside, outside, balcony, and mini-suites. By the end of 2004, Princess will add another 154 accessible cabins, thanks to the delivery of new ships.

However, like Holland America and other lines, Princess goes well beyond simple cabin changes. Princess has designed ships with accessibility in mind, including numerous ramps, convenient elevators, and changes to make a wide array of public areas accessible, including beauty salons, boutiques, casinos, dining rooms, laundry rooms, restrooms, lounges, spas, and more.

This program continues ashore, as Princess has equipped all its ships with stairclimbers and made crew available at all times for assistance during embarkation, shore excursions, and debarkation. Tendering issues have also been addressed and the reports from passengers have been excellent. It’s all part of the line’s obvious commitment to making the experience for passengers in wheelchairs as easy as possible.

Carnival Cruise Lines, which has more ships at sea than any other single line, has made an obvious effort to accommodate passengers in wheelchairs. Carnival’s president Bob Dickinson says the line offers a large number of wheelchair-accessible cabins aboard all of their ships, ranging from 14 to 27 on each.

The special cabins have wider doorways and appropriate furnishings, like strategically placed hand bars and controls, a lower cabin door peephole, lower telephones, and a remote control for the television. Cabins are also placed in close proximity to elevators. Dickinson says Carnival even has a ‘Guest Access Desk’ within its reservations department that is designed to handle specific requests and provide assistance in booking.

As travel agent Linda Allen emphasizes, it’s important for passengers to confirm that not only will ships accommodate wheelchairs, but that ports will be receptive as well. As the largest operator in the Eastern Mediterranean, Royal Olympic Cruises has new state-of-the-art ships that boast excellent amenities for those in wheelchairs and itineraries and ports that are generally ensured to make it as easy as possible for those passengers.

The new Olympia Voyager and Olympia Explorer both offer four spacious wheelchair-ready staterooms and offer incredible itineraries in the Mediterranean and elsewhere. In fact, Royal Olympic’s seven ships sail in the Med, Aegean, Caribbean, and Central and South America, with cruises ranging from 3 to 48 days departing from Ft. Lauderdale, Houston, Rome, Athens, Venice, and Genoa.

Sister companies Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises welcome wheelchair cruisers in a big way. At Royal Caribbean, wheelchair cruisers find well-furnished cabins on all ships and an attitude of inclusion from the line that encourages active vacationing for all passengers. For Celebrity, ramps and wheelchair-accessible elevators are available fleetwide, as is easy access to the line’s renowned restaurants, featuring the fare of Michel Roux.

Luxury liners are also wheelchair-friendly in a very upscale way. All-suite, all ocean-view Silversea offers two wheelchair-accessible suites aboard early sister ships Silver Cloud and Silver Wind. They are in the Vista category, offering all of the luxury amenities for which Silversea is known. Aboard their two newer sister ships, Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper, the two wheelchair-accessible suites were moved up one deck--though they remain Vista-priced, they also feature floor-to-ceiling windows and verandah access!

The modern fleets of Silversea, Celebrity, and the like have allowed lines to design ships with wheelchairs in mind. However, all of the lines have made efforts with their older ships as well. For instance, Cunard offers classic ships like Queen Elizabeth 2 and Caronia--the QE2 features four fully accessible cabins, while the Caronia offers two cabins with wider doors, a larger shower, and expanded space in general. Most public areas are accessible and Cunard staff members are always helpful to their many passengers in wheelchairs. Of course, Cunard’s upcoming Queen Mary 2 will feature wheelchair accessible cabins in various categories (30 in all!).

CLIA officials and travel agents emphasize that potential passengers in wheelchairs go further than simply confirming wheelchair accessibility onboard--whether it’s a classic liner or brand new ship. Ports of embarkation and debarkation are equally important, as are ports on the itinerary. One port needing tenders might not be too bad, but an itinerary requiring several tender transfers might make the cruise unpleasant. However, with such great strides by the lines and ports, it’s never been easier for wheelchair cruisers!