Cruises offer the ultimate fun, exciting and convenient vacation experience for travelers from around the world. However, for guests with disabilities, there can be several obstacles and inconveniences that can make cruising difficult. Luckily, there have been serious advances in accessibility throughout the cruise industry over the last few years, with new ships designed to ensure every guest has the ultimate vacation experience.
Here are some of AAA’s top recommended cruise ships that have gone the extra mile and make our list as the top cruises for the handicapped.
1. Celebrity, Celebrity Reflection
This world-class luxury liner is the pride and joy of Celebrity Cruises, offering cruises in both the Caribbean and Europe. The largest ship in the fleet, Reflection, offers 30 accessible staterooms with automatic doors for quick and trouble-free entry.
The stylish accommodations paired with award-winning onboard experiences have helped make this one of the world's top cruises, and guests needing easily accessible opportunities are not being kept in the dark. The exquisite dining options, high-end boutiques and an unbelievable spa are all accessibility friendly. Additionally, Celebrity has paired with several on-shore partners ensuring that their disabled guests can enjoy a wide range of excursions in all of their destinations.
Celebrity believes that that every guest should have the opportunity to explore the world, and they have implemented autism-friendly initiatives, including a highly-trained staff, onboard autism-focused programs and additional considerations for guests.
Accessibility:
- Celebrity arranged transportation between the airport and the pier
- Accessible boarding and departure assistance
- Easily accessible on-shore excursions for an enhanced experience
- Exceptional autism-friendly initiatives
2. Royal Caribbean, Symphony of the Seas
One of the world’s largest cruise ships, the Symphony of the Seas brings 5,518 guests on deluxe fun-filled journeys throughout the Caribbean. Their onboard Broadway productions are known as some of the best in the business, and the ship's main theater offers several easily accessible entrances.
The Symphony of the Seas is also filled with high-end dining destinations, boutique shopping and a central park where guests can relax and unwind, all of which can be enjoyed using wheelchairs or any other mobility device.
Believing that everyone deserves the opportunity to discover and explore the world around them, this top-quality ship offers 46 accessible staterooms with roll-in bathrooms, lowered doorsills and closet bars, as well as ramped thresholds for easy movement throughout the room. Their onboard assistance program is incredible, with highly trained staff going above and beyond to make this a dream vacation for every guest.
Accessibility:
- Accessible staterooms with a five-foot turning radius, 32” door width, lowered sinks and vanities, roll-in showers and lowered safes for easy access
- Various easily accessible shore excursions with verified tour groups
- Autism-friendly accommodations, including early check-in, special dietary considerations and professionally trained caring staff
3. Princess Cruises, Regal Princess
A glass walkway extending 28 feet beyond the ship's edge is just one way this cruising titan has made itself one of the most sought-after ships on the seas. With one of the longest-running accessibility programs in the world, this cruise line guarantees every one of its guests will have the vacation of a lifetime.
In addition to some of the most beautiful staterooms on any cruise ship, the Regal Princess is also filled with unparalleled dining options, a wide range of onboard activities and numerous top-quality entertainment opportunities all of which are designed to be easily accessible to guests in need of mobility, hearing and any other necessary accommodation.
Princess's incredible on-shore excursion packages come with several different difficulty ranges to really complete the perfect package and create extraordinary experiences for every guest on their ship.
Accessibility:
- 38 accessible staterooms with significantly wider doorways, roll-in showers, grab bars and turning space.
- Embarkation and debarkation assistance
- St. Thomas tour with an accessible trolley as well as several on-shore excursions with accessible options
- All dining and bar venues have available wheelchair seating
4. Carnival Cruises, Horizon
With three different designs of accessible staterooms, the Carnival Horizon is one of the best cruise options for travelers with disabilities and their families. The ship itself is decked to the nines with IMAX and 3-D theater options with easily accessible seating. They even offer an onboard waterpark and a biking trail above the seas with accessible routes to ensure no guest is left behind. Their range of onboard entertainment and luxury shopping opportunities is second to none. Their exceptional dining options, including wheelchair-accessible seating, range from Guy Fieri’s Smokehouse to Bonsai Tappenyaki. These award-winning eateries are guaranteed to delight your tastebuds during every meal.
Accessibility:
- 65 accessible staterooms with accessibility from both sides of the bed, from one single side, or for guests who do not require the use of a wheelchair but would benefit from added considerations such as grab bars and higher toilets
- All dining areas and the main theater offer easily accessible seating
- Sign Language interpreters can be provided with a 60-day notice
5. Holland America, Koningsdam
Holland America has always made accessibility a priority aboard their ships. Continuously voted one of the top ships on the seas, the Koningsdam offers elegance and magnificence that can be difficult to find on other cruise lines. Combined with their state-of-the-art technology and world-class dining options, trips on this luxury liner are guaranteed to be a dream come true.
With 27 fully-accessible staterooms, many of which come with wheelchair-accessible balconies, guests can relax and unwind in luxury. The ship's array of world-class dining options are all wheelchair accessible, and if guests inquire ahead of time, both large print and Braille menus can be made available in every restaurant.
Accessibility:
- Portable visual/tactile alert systems are easily available upon request
- Widened gangway to accommodate mobility devices
- All dining, bar areas, and public restrooms are wheelchair accessible
Choosing a cruise where you can build the perfect vacation for you and your loved ones is sure to be a moment filled with excitement and anticipation, and that shouldn’t be different for people with disabilities. Luckily, the cruise industry now agrees, making accessibility a priority on many new ships. Rather than focusing on possible obstacles, keeping these fantastic accessible cruises in mind will guarantee everyone in your group will have an unbelievable experience.
Your dream cruise vacation is just around the corner. Plan the perfect trip with our Trip Canvas research tool, and use your membership to get the best discounts on hotels, rental cars, and entertainment tickets to enjoy before you set off.