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How Wheelchair-Accessible are Cruise Ships?

Those with impaired mobility can still enjoy a cruise ship vacation. All of the cruise lines have accessible public areas, with large corridors, automatic doors, and special seating. They also offer accessible staterooms with wide doorways, ramped entrances, roll-in showers with a seat, grab bars in the bathroom, a hand-held shower head, and a lower sink and closet rods.

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By Laura Brothers

  Published: May 29, 2015

  Updated: Jan 25, 2017


Embarkation and disembarkation assistance is also standard on the majority of lines, but most ships’ tender platforms have stairs. That means a collapsible wheelchair weighing fewer than 100 pounds, and the ability to walk a few steps, is required to visit ports that use tenders. Beyond that, services vary. Here’s what sets the lines apart from one another:

Cruise Line:How They Differ:
Azamara Club Cruises

They offer transfers to the airport using accessible vehicles at domestic ports by request, at no extra cost. The line also offers accessible shore excursions.