Cruising with Limited Mobility

If you use a cane, walker, wheelchair, or other equipment to support your mobility, cruising can be a good way to see the world. Cruise ships must abide by international standards for accessibility, and cruise ships that dock in U.S. ports must meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Even older cruise ships have accessible cabins, bathrooms, restaurants, and common spaces. Newer ships are designed to make even more features easily accessible to passengers who have limited mobility or other disabilities.

To help ensure an enjoyable and happy cruise, here are a few tips:

Bigger and newer may be better. Bigger, newer ships usually have more space to work with when maximizing accessibility. However, some older ships – especially those that have been renovated – may fit your needs just as well. Ask your professional travel advisor to help you look at deck plans for ships you’re interested in; it’s important to be sure that your top choice will meet your needs.

Check for tender ports. For passengers with limited mobility, the best cruise itineraries may be those where the ship can pull up to a dock in all ports of call. When a cruise ship can’t dock (usually due to its size), it anchors off the coast and uses smaller boats, called tenders, to take passengers to shore. It can be difficult for passengers who use mobility equipment to get on and off tender boats.

Book early. Even on the biggest ships, the number of accessible cabins may be limited, so make a reservation as early as possible. If you need to check on details, such as the width of cabin and bathroom doorways, your professional travel advisor or the cruise line’s staff can help.

Consider renting the equipment you need. Instead of packing your own mobility aids and other equipment that may be difficult to bring with you, look into renting what you need. Cruise passengers can rent anything from wheelchairs to hospital beds and shower chairs to commodes from suppliers that make sure everything is waiting for you when you board the ship. Ask your professional travel advisor or cruise line to recommend an equipment rental company.

Your cruise line may ask you to complete a form that will tell them more about your mobility and your needs. Be sure to provide complete and detailed information, which will help the crew to accommodate you and ensure a terrific vacation.

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Interesting New Ports

The continuing popularity of cruising means more beautiful places at the water’s edge are becoming new ports of call or adding to their cruise ship capacity, providing new experiences even for seasoned cruisers.

Port Cabo Rojo in the Dominican Republic is the newest cruise ship port in the Caribbean. The port welcomed its very first cruise ship, Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Pearl, to the dock on January 4, 2024. When development is complete, the port can accommodate up to four ships simultaneously. It’s a gateway to the Pedernales Province, the Dominican Republic’s southernmost province. There are plans to develop resorts and attractions here, but for now, there’s untouched beauty and a laid-back vibe.

Cabo Rojo is close to pristine beaches of white sand, including Bahia de las Aguilas. This gorgeous, remote beach with clear turquoise water and coral reefs that makes it lovely for swimming and snorkeling. But, you can spend an entire day just relaxing in the sun and watching for endangered hawksbill, leatherback, and green sea turtles.

Bahia de las Aguilas is inside Parque Nacional Jaragua, part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It encompasses islands, caves, and at least 400 species of flora, 130 species of birds, and rare iguanas. The park’s Laguna de Oviedo is a coastal saltwater lagoon popular with birdwatchers, who can see flamingos, herons, pelicans, and other winged species.

Far north of the Dominican Republic, Stornoway Port in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides Islands has welcomed small cruise ships for some time, but a new, deepwater port that can accommodate larger ships is scheduled to open for the summer 2024 season.

Stornoway, capital of the Lewis and Harris islands, is a center of culture in the Outer Hebrides, known for their stark and unspoiled beauty. There are beaches and rocky bays along the North Atlantic; 5,000-year-old standing stones and historic castles; calm lakes and peat bogs, grassy plains studded with flowers and rugged hills.

Stornoway has a vibrant arts scene and a museum, located in a castle, that shares the islands’ history. In local mills, fleece from Cheviot and Scottish Blackface sheep is carded, spun, and woven into warm Harris Tweed fabric crafted into shirts, jackets, handbags, and more. It’s also fun to sample local delicacies like Stornoway black pudding, kippered herring, and smoked salmon.

To find out how to sail to these or other new and growing ports, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

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Homeports You’ll Want to Explore

When selecting a cruise, consider the homeport – the port city your ship calls home, where you’ll embark on your cruise. Many passengers plan to arrive at their ship’s homeport a day or two before the cruise begins so that if there’s any travel delay, they can still reach the ship on time; but if all goes well, they’ll have a day or two to enjoy the port city.

This isn’t a complete list, but here are some homeports that are great destinations in themselves:

Boston, for cruises of New England or the Eastern Caribbean. Stroll the Freedom Trail, which starts in Boston Common and links 16 of the city’s historic sites, including Faneuil Hall, the Paul Revere House, and Old North Church. Visit the North End neighborhood for a delicious Italian meal before catching a Red Sox game at Fenway Park, home to home runs for more than 100 years.

New York, for cruises of Bermuda, New England, Maritime Canada, or the Eastern Caribbean. You can’t go wrong visiting iconic attractions like Central Park, the Empire State Building, Grand Central Terminal, and the Statue of Liberty. Explore unique retail neighborhoods like the Garment District, the Diamond District, and Times Square, where you can find discounted tickets for Broadway shows at the TKTS booth.

Miami, for cruises to The Bahamas, the Caribbean, Riviera Maya, the Panama Canal, or South America. Take a walking tour of the Art Deco District or see the Mediterranean Revival buildings along Espanola Way. Sample Latin restaurants in the Allapattah neighborhood or tour the Institute of Contemporary Art in the Miami Design District. Enjoy the beaches, visit Cape Florida Lighthouse, or take a tour of Everglades National Park.

New Orleans, for cruises to the Caribbean, Mexico, The Bahamas, or the Panama Canal. The flavorful blend of Creole and Cajun cuisine alone is a reason to visit; rev up for a tour of the French Quarter, the Garden District, or Mardi Gras World with a dish of gumbo, red beans, and rice or crawfish etouffee.

Seattle, for cruises to Alaska. Ride the monorail to the Space Needle for stunning views of the bays and forests that surround the city, then see the blown-glass sculptures at the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum. Pike Place Market is a great place to enjoy fresh seafood and shop for artisan wares.

To plan a pre-cruise stay in your ship’s homeport, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

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Cruising the South Pacific

If you’re looking for an island-focused cruise outside the Caribbean, look toward the South Pacific. This vast area of ocean is dotted with beautiful islands, calm blue lagoons, and coral reefs teeming with sea life.

Several cruise lines sail there, sometimes as a segment of a world cruise or during a repositioning cruise. At least two cruise lines – Paul Gauguin Cruises and Windstar Cruises – sail the South Pacific year-round. Others include Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Oceania, Princess, Regent Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean, and Seabourn.

Given the time it takes to get there, South Pacific cruises tend to be at least seven to 14 days. If your cruise departs from a North American port, it’s likely to be an adventure of a month or more. With a cruise of any length, you could consider extending your vacation with a stay at a South Pacific resort (just think of relaxing in one of the charming bungalows perched over the water of Bora Bora’s lagoon).

The three main regions within the South Pacific are Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia. Of the three, Polynesia may be the best-known cruise destination; it includes French Polynesia (where you’ll find Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora), the Cook Islands, Tonga, Samoa, and Tuvalu.

Melanesia includes Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia. Many of the islands are mountainous, with some active volcanoes. Fiji, a cultural treasure, is also the gateway to the Yasawas, an archipelago that’s a haven for lovers of unspoiled nature.

Micronesia is a collection of small islands scattered across the northwestern South Pacific. It includes the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the Marshall Islands and Kiribati. Most ships that cruise there are smaller expedition ships, and most cruises of Micronesia also include stops in Melanesia.

Wherever you sail in the South Pacific, you’ll find opportunities for active adventures like kayaking, snorkeling, and diving; hiking and swimming; and four-wheeling through lush tropical settings. You’ll also be able to learn about local food and culture and shop for locally-made crafts.

The tropical climate of the South Pacific is balmy all year, but there are seasonal differences. Some cruise lines sail there only during the dry season, from May through October; November through April sees more rain showers and humidity, which often enhances the beauty of the islands.

To learn more about cruising the South Pacific and the variety of available itineraries, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

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There’s a Theme Cruise for Everyone

If you have a favorite interest or hobby, there’s probably a cruise for that. Theme cruises that immerse passengers in their favorite things are incredibly popular, and they tend to sell out quickly. Theme cruises celebrate a wide range of interests, including musical genres, crafting, TV shows, motorcycles, sports, LGBTQ+, the ‘80s, food and wine, comedy, cats, poker, and much more.

Part of the fun of a theme cruise is sailing with people who all have a passion for the same thing, creating an instant community at sea. Some people even take the same theme cruise each year.

If a theme cruise sounds like fun, here’s a quick sample of upcoming sailings:

Avid runners will board AMA Waterways’ AmaMora for a Run For Fun Cruise, departing October 14 from Basel, Switzerland, for seven nights on the Rhine River. Passengers can take part in guided runs in the ports of call, which include Strasbourg, Rudesheim, Lahnstein, and Cologne in Germany, and Amsterdam in The Netherlands.

Musical genres celebrated on theme cruises range from emo to hip-hop and rap, pop, classical, country, rock, heavy metal, and more. For example, fans of the blues will sail on Holland America Line’s Eurodam for the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, departing from Fort Lauderdale on October 26. The seven-day cruise includes more than 120 shows on seven stages, with autograph sessions and theme nights. The ship will call on the Southern Caribbean islands of Aruba and Curacao, too.

The Norwegian Poker Challenge will depart from Miami on October 27 on the Norwegian Jade. In addition to an onboard tournament, two World Series of Poker professionals will put on a clinic. This seven-day Caribbean cruise includes calls in Honduras, Belize, and Mexico.

Lovers of literature will sail on Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 for the Cheltenham Literature Festival, embarking on November 13 from Southampton, England, for an eight-day transatlantic voyage to New York. Authors, poets, journalists, critics, and historians will be on board for book signings, Q&A sessions, and panel discussions.

Comic-Con: The Cruise will sail the Caribbean on Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas, embarking on February 5, 2025, from Tampa. This four-night cruise will feature comedy stars, creators, and writers who will perform on stage, and then mingle, dine, and party with the passengers.

For guidance through the robust world of theme cruises and to find one that speaks to your passion, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

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Incredible Things You Can Do on a Cruise Ship

Cruise ships are much more than a way to move from one port to another. They’re like floating resorts, bursting with features designed to please – and some of these features are truly surprising. Here are a few of the amazing things you can do on a cruise ship:

Get the feel of a Formula 1 race car. Some MSC Cruises ships are equipped with Formula 1 simulators that feel (and sound) like the real thing. You don’t even need a driver’s license to try it.

Watch a starry show. Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 has the only planetarium at sea. To enjoy the show, take a seat in the Illuminations theater and gaze up at a suspended dome where distant stars and galaxies sparkle.

Float in mid-air. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s Quantum-class ships introduced the first skydiving simulators at sea. These vertical, glass-enclosed wind tunnels provide the floaty, thrilling feel of skydiving, with the bonus of ocean views.

Sip a cocktail expertly prepared by a robot. Some Royal Caribbean ships feature the Bionic Bar, where the bartenders are a pair of mixologist robots. They reach up to select ingredients from a forest of hanging bottles, then pour, stir, and shake up delicious concoctions.

Sip a cocktail from a glass made of ice. The temperature is a cool 17°F in the Ice Bar on some Norwegian Cruise Line ships. The bar itself – as well as the barstools and cocktail glasses – are sculpted from crystal-clear ice (there are parkas for passengers who come in wearing shorts and t-shirts).

Stroll through a park. Celebrity Cruises’ Solstice-class ships have a half-acre of live, green grass on their top decks, perfect for a game of bocce or croquet. Royal Caribbean’s newer ships feature the Central Park neighborhood, where pathways wind through real, growing trees, shrubs, and flower beds.

Hang ten (or just hang on). Royal Caribbean scores again with the surf simulators found on some of its ships. Daring passengers can ride a boogie board or surfboard over the waves, created by more than 25,000 gallons of water rushing over the simulator’s platform.

Watch a movie in 4D. Some Costa Cruises ships have theaters that provide a four-dimensional cinematic experience (the fourth dimension consists of visual effects and sensory effects like vibration, scent, wind, precipitation, and temperature changes).

To try one or more of these fabulous shipboard experiences for yourself, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

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Cruise Ship Internet Service

Some who cruise see their time on board as an opportunity to unplug from daily life, disconnect from work or school, and put their digital devices away. But others want to stay connected while they cruise, whether it’s to stream a favorite TV show, update family and friends at home, check in with colleagues at work, or even work remotely. If you’re in the second category, here’s what you should know about internet availability on cruise ships.

Internet service at sea has been improving, and most ships now provide service through their wireless networks (with the exception of some that sail to remote locations).

On many ships, WiFi access is an extra – it’s not included in your fare, so you’ll need to pay for it. If you want access for the duration of a cruise, you may be able to purchase a discounted WiFi package in advance. But if you know you’ll need to be connected for only part of a day or two, wait until you’re on board to purchase access at an hourly or daily rate.

Some cruise lines offer different levels of service. If you just want to check your email, you may be able to purchase a lower-cost level of access. If you want to stream TV or conduct video chats, you may need to purchase the strongest, highest-priced internet access.

Cruise ships get their internet service from multiple sources, including land-based signal towers when they’re closer to shore, and satellites when they’re out at sea. In either case, signal strength can vary, and the connection is likely to be slower than what you’re used to. Because signal strength is usually stronger when the ship is near the shore, you may want to do any streaming or video chatting when you’re close to a port. Regardless of the ship’s location, you may experience better signal strength very early in the morning or late in the evening, when fewer passengers are using their connected devices.

Even if you purchase the best and strongest internet service package you can remember to put your phone in airplane mode for the duration of your time onboard. You can turn on your wireless feature separately to connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi, and you’ll avoid unwanted data and roaming charges.

For more information about internet service on your next cruise and advice on making the best use of it, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

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