Travelers who have limited mobility, or those dear to them who are planning their trips, will be glad to learn of Princess Cruises' partnership with a St. Thomas company, Accessible Adventures, in making shore excursions available for visitors in wheelchairs or otherwise unable to get around easily. And the price is just $32 for adults and $22 for children.
The two firms started this new venture on June 26 of this year and expect to continue it for all Princess Cruise ships calling at the U.S. Virgin Island port. Guests travel aboard a colorful trolley, fully equipped with lifting devices and four-point tie-down systems. Each vehicle has flip-up seats accommodating up to three wheelchairs. Accessible restrooms are available at two stops along the route, and on the island's famed Mountain Top, where there is a platform lift to reach the observation area.
From the mountaintop, guests can see Magens Bay and the Atlantic Ocean from the 1500-foot elevation. At Drake's Seat, passengers are told about Sir Francis Drake, who used to perch here, it is said, to watch his fleet sail the passage and to spy on vessels entering the channels. Traveling along Skyline Drive, passengers can see the neighboring island of St. John and the nearby British Virgin Islands.
Future tours are being developed for more Caribbean destinations, a Princess spokesperson said, and additional facilities to assist other passengers, such as the hearing impaired, are also under consideration. The line considers itself to have one of the cruise industry's most comprehensive programs for guests with special needs. Princess Access provides several onboard features, including more than 145 wheelchair accessible cabins across the fleet. The first cruise line to employ a manager of access compliance, Princess was happy to see this person appointed recently by President Bush to the U.S. Architectural & Transportation Barriers Compliance Access Board. More information is available at www.princess.com. To learn more about Accessible Adventures, go to www.accessvi.com
