Adapted cabins across the fleet have handrails in the bathroom area, but not the cabin itself. For seniors cruising solo, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria each have nine midship single-occupancy cabins; eight are ocean-view cabins, while the ninth is a standard inside cabin. Royal Caribbean offers a variety of options for seniors who want to see some of the Last Frontiers most beautiful scenery. This includes the Anchorage Museum, which can be visited at your own pace. The warm weather is a great appeal and many different cruise lines offer trips in the Caribbean so there's a lot of choice. AmaWaterways pioneered river ships with double balcony staterooms, with one traditional step-out balcony side-by-side with a French balcony door, allowing indoor seating that's ideal for inclement weather or for passengers with mobility issues. Legal Information | Privacy Policy. There are rails to assist with use of the toilet and fixed seats in the showers. DH and I are hoping to go on our first Alaska cruise next May 2024. You can choose an all-inclusive option, you wont have to worry about money and can instead simply focus on the vacation. Here are seven great destinations where handicapped seniors will be welcome and comfortable. Top Senior Travel Tours & Vacations 2022-2023 [reviews - Travelstride The all-inclusive costs allow you to relax and enjoy your journey. Tour guides will even arrange car or van service if a passenger is too tired at the end of a tour for the return walk back. On Balmoral, the pool on deck 11 has a shallow 'end', as it were, making it easier for a person with mobility issues to be lowered gently into the water. In addition, Arcadia has a number of partially accessible cabins; there's less manoeuvring room in these, so they aren't suitable for full-time wheelchair users. Which Royal Caribbean Suite Should I Book? And no one wants to miss the traditional tea in the Queens Room, or the fish and chips in the Golden Lion Pub. Passengers are allowed to bring on their own equipment but it must be approved by the cruise line in advance. Disney Cruise Line offers both pre- and post-cruise transfers with lifts if requested in advance.. All of the line's ships offer accessible staterooms in a variety of categories. 8. A cruise is also a great way for seniors to journey through scenic swathes of Germany, Austria, and Hungary, courtesy of iconic European waterways such as the Danube and the Rhine.. "River cruises allow you to have a more intimate experience and see more places," the AARP's Gillen points out, referring to itineraries that string together . New ships boast S.A.L.T., a culinary adventure program that delves into local cuisines. The cruise was actually 9/25 to 10/2/2022 round trip from Seattle. Our fax number is ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE MORE INFORMATION Call our Access Department at (866) 592-7225, or send an e-mail to special_needs@rccl.com, or have your local travel agent or International Representative contact us. All Rights Reserved. Take a helicopter ride over the city to see whales playing in the freezing waters, or go into the forest for a closer look at flora and fauna. The ship only has one accessible toilet in the public areas, outside the Neptune Lounge on Deck 6. Collapsible wheelchairs can be taken into any cabin, provided their width when collapsed is less than 51cm. The ships themselves are gorgeous, with high-end artwork and sumptuous furnishings. Wheelchair-accessible cabins book up very quickly so please always book in advance. Accommodations and transfers are included in the package. You'll find both wheelchair-accessible cabins and elevators to all passenger decks. A visit to the Alaska SeaLife Center, Alaska's prime marine wildlife rehabilitation facility, is a perfect complement to a day cruise. River cruises . Princess Cruises Diamond Princess Cruise Reviews for Cruises for the Disabled to Alaska, Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Sun Cruise Reviews for Cruises for the Disabled to Alaska, Princess Cruises Regal Princess Cruise Reviews for Cruises for the Disabled to Alaska, Disney Cruise Line Disney Magic Cruise Reviews for Cruises for the Disabled to Alaska, Royal Caribbean International Mariner of the Seas Cruise Reviews for Cruises for the Disabled to Alaska. 5 tips for going on a cruise as a wheelchair user - The Points Guy Onboard entertainment is often geared to the ship's itinerary. These bus tours allow you to experience all Denali National Park has to offer, from spruce forest and tundra, to bears, Dall sheep, caribou, and moose. Consider private journeys, which are highly personalized excursions, small group tours, or destination tours that take you straight to a citys most iconic sights and landmarks in a wheelchair-accessible van. More information! Alaska Tours for Seniors Alaska Shore Tours All of Celebritys luxurious cruise ships have accessible staterooms, and each is specially designed for travelers with disabilities. European River Cruise The European river cruise is a leisurely way to see the back waterways of Europe. Guests using peritoneal dialysis should have all the required solutions and equipment delivered to the ship at least two hours prior to sailing on embarkation day. CRUISE DEALS FOR SENIORS. Hopping on a cruise in Alaska and exploring the frozen north can be exciting whether you are headed out alone, with a spouse, or with a group of friends. The best way to experience the mountain is via a fixed wing flightseeing tour. Cruise Wheelchair Rentals | Scootaround Anchorage is Alaska's largest city and home to about 40 percent of the state's population. All wheelchairs and scooters will have to be stored in cabins, rather than left in corridors, and no storage will be provided onboard anywhere else for mobility devices. Constellation Class Virtual Ship Tour | American Cruise Lines This department will provide several outside companies the line works with and help coordinate the process before departure. All adapted cabins fleetwide have wide doorways into the cabin and bathroom; sufficient floor space for manoeuvring a wheelchair or mobility scooter; wet room-style bathrooms; grab rails for shower and toilet; pull-down shower seat; and flush thresholds between bathroom and cabin. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Onboard, the ships have a so-called riverlorian who gives lectures about historical topics, such as the Mississippi River or Lewis and Clark. 10 EPIC Wheelchair Accessible Cruises + Disabled Cruises to Consider Youll to spend more time in each destination than with other cruise lines. All dining, bar, and lounge venues offer wheelchair seating, as do our onboard theaters. Youll appreciate learning about Alaskas rich history and Native traditions, feasting on some of the best Alaskan seafood, and visiting places you never thought youd see! You can easily and conveniently arrange for the rental of scooters or wheelchairs by calling 888-494-7303 or click here for more information. On Alaska cruises to Glacier Bay National Park, enjoy privileged park access and talks from rangers and Huna Tlingit guides. The Myth of Europe in Accessible Travel Often when considering an accessible vacation, travelers can make the mistake of thinking "western world" equals comfort and ease for wheelchairs, walkers, and senior travelers. The cruise lines all have different rules on who qualifies for their military rate. Accessible staterooms are held for travelers with disabilities until all other non-accessible staterooms in that category are fully booked. Cruise Critic is not responsible for content on external web sites. 20 Things To Avoid At All Costs When You Live In Alaska - OnlyInYourState Viking River Cruises is a top recommended river cruise line for accessible travel. You must provide 72 hours advance notice if you are traveling with a group of 10 or more passengers with disability. Princess Alaskan Cruises Alaska Full board Cruise liner Explore the rugged Inside Passage and breathtaking Gulf of Alaska, and marvel at spectacular marine life and dazzling glaciers from the vantage of a magnificent Princess cruise ship. Reduced hours for some holidays. If youre lucky, you may even catch a shot of some of the spectacular wildlife calling the state home. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. The onboard pharmacy does not have the ability to fill prescriptions, so make sure to bring a sufficient supply of your medication and place it in your carry-on luggage so that youll have access to it as soon as you board. The 3,100-passenger Azura has 25 adapted cabins, including one of the top suites on Riviera deck, while the 2,016-passenger Oceana has 17, again, across all grades. 800-208-0200 or 907-245-0200. Cruises for seniors arent that different from cruises for younger generations. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Taxes, fees and port expenses not included. This website is a participant in the Amazon Associates affiliate program. Alaska Cruises | Alaskan Cruise Deals | Carnival Cruise Line P&O Cruises' homeport is Southampton, so there are year-round departures from here, as well as a comprehensive fly-cruise programme. Ok, where to start: Soaked cabin floor, had to move. Raised toilet seats and extra mattresses can be requested at the time of booking. Call a tour coordinator to help plan your Alaska Senior Tours package today. There are wildlife/glacier cruises (Kenai Fjords) from Seward, about 125 miles south of Anchorage. Related: What It's Like Sailing the Great Lakes With Viking. Senior cruisers want a memorable experience with cultural enrichment, sophisticated dining, a bit of low-impact adventure and bucket list destinations. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. The line does warn, however, that its wheelchair accessible cabins are adapted from the original specification, rather than purpose-built, so depending on your needs, ask very specific questions when you book. With a combination of advanced planning and the special features available on the following ships, a physical disability should not prevent you from cruising. Youll find accessible seating in most of the ships lounges and theaters, making it easier for seniors with disabilities to enjoy the journey. Knowing that the specifics of physical access are particularly important for travelers with limited mobility, Alaska Tour & Travel reservation agents are available to answer questions and help plan an inclusive and bucket-list-worthy travel package. CMV recommends Mobility at Sea as a supplier of equipment for disabled passengers, but includes a fairly strongly-worded warning on its website that older ships can be challenging for wheelchair users and passengers with other disabilities. Norwegian also has specific employees that assist seniors and other travelers who require special assistance. View our itinerary pages for more exclusive 2023 offers, including family and solo traveler savings. This was our first post-pandemic cruiseso, there I will be making some comparisons - especially because (in September 2019) we took a HAL Triple Denali land/sea trip, which ended with a 7 Day (southbound) cruise in the same suite (7088) on, We chose this cruise for access to glaciers and we're not disappointed in this regard. Princess ($) Princess Cruise Lines is considered by many to be one of the best cruise lines for seniors offering many options and including things to do onboard and off, multiple restaurants and shows, and ships are easy to navigate with a wheelchair. All of Silversea's ships (except expedition vessels) accommodate wheelchairs and scooters. We upgraded to a balcony suite. This Alaska cruise is one of my favorite Alaska itineraries. Alaska cruises are notorious for selling out of accessible staterooms in record time, so keep an eye out for on-sale dates if there's a specific cruise you'd like to book. Alaska cruises will do it with quaint seaside towns like Ketchikan and Skagway, and with stunning harbor vistas like Juneau's. Cruising Alaska will also give you a first-row ticket to the best of nature including fjords, wildlife and mountains galore. New Directions is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization providing high quality national, and international travel vacations and holiday programs for people with developmental disabilities. Advantages of booking early include having the choice of cabin grades, low deposits and much more. AmaWaterways does allow children over age 8, allowing for multi-generational river cruises with the grandkids as well. Cruise deals for Alaska, Hawaii, Bahamas, Europe, or Caribbean Cruises. You can travel 30 miles on the Natural History Bus Tour, 62 miles on the Tundra Wilderness. Senior Citizen Cruises: Everything You Need to Know - Celebrity Current Olsen recommends Boudicca as the most wheelchair-friendly of its ships, as the adapted cabins are larger. Choose a cruise line that works for you Moved to worse cabin location at the very aft of the ship. Olsen's fleet of four classic, mid-sized ships could be the answer. Read on for our list of the best cruises for seniors and find the line that checks all of your boxes before booking your next cruise. Celebrity Cruises not only offers stellar trips to Alaska, but seniors with special needs will love the fact that this cruise line has been awarded for taking care of its special needs passengers. Spouses/dependents do not qualify for Alaska cruise discounts for military and . There are only a limited number of accessible rooms on board, so its always a good idea to book early and fill out the required special needs form or when you book with one of our vacation specialists. Equipment like commodes, raised toilet seats and shower stools can be supplied if you request it at the time of booking. Seeing three glaciers up close was just great! Each motorcoach can accommodate up to two wheelchair passengers at one time. A cruise is a top options for those that are looking to travel to different places without having to worry about constantly moving around and walking.Many cruise lines offer various accessibility features that can accommodate guests with all kinds of disabilities including seniors with limited mobility. Teletypewriters (TTY), portable room kits with a visual-tactile alert system for door knocking, telephone ringing, alarm clocks, and smoke detectors are all available onboard. Azamara also accommodates special needs passengers with accessible cabins. Silversea has even been named the best cruise line for senior citizens, and the service is sure to leave you speechless. Regatta offers an onboard day spa, lounges, cocktail bars, a casino, and suites with your own private balcony to enjoy the ocean air for a more intimate experience. Learn More >, Alaska Tour & Travel Disabled Cruises in Alaska Disabled Holidays > Accessible Cruises > Alaska Description Wheelchair-accessible cabins book up very quickly so please always book in advance. The line targets well-traveled adults 50 years of age and older who are interested in history, art, science, local culture and cuisine. Related: What to Know About HAL's Private Island, Half Moon Cay. Summer cruises to Alaska are great for a memory-making multigenerational vacation when the kids are out of school and parents can use up their vacation days. Celebritys luxury cruise ships sail to over 300 destinations and 79 countries on all seven continents of the world. Likely black mold! Our travel agent recommended Regent as the most luxurious cruise line. Dine on five-star cuisine in one of the many restaurants and view Broadway-quality plays and performances. Explore Glacier Bay, Alaska Alaska Up Close Deepen your connection to this incredible land with our exclusive Alaska cruise programming. Saga currently operates two ships, the contemporary and very smart Saga Sapphire and the more intimate, traditional Saga Pearl II. From theme parks to national parks, Alaska to Hawaii, cruises and international destinations . Each ship has a few wheelchairs that can be borrowed, but they can't be reserved. Cruises For Disabled People | Wheelchair Accessible Users Cruise Seeing Alaska by rail is a real treat for seniors with mobility issues or not. There are not only accessible accommodations on offer but also accessible excursions! The Best Cruises For Limited Mobility Seniors Dara is a travel writer, political news junkie, and part-time actress. Top handicap accessible tours and destinations - Travelstride They can help you rent wheelchairs and scooters to get on and off the ship, as well as provide accessible accommodations if you let them know your needs ahead of time. Regent Seven Seas Cruises' five all-suite ships travel to more than 450 destinations around the globe and boast the world's most inclusive cruise experience. All public spaces, dining venues, bars and casinos are also easy to navigate and accessible. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. With so much of the state untouched and untamed, it is no surprise that Alaskas trails, beaches, and waterfalls appeal to the adventurous, Seward, situated on the Kenai Peninsula south of Anchorage, is a popular tourist destination. Guests choose between regular-paced walking tours, gentle-paced walking tours, and tours with full transportation provided. During dinner hours, you can order meals from the dining room directly to your suite through room service. One of the most peaceful places to live in Alaska is also one of the safest - Ketchikan. Viking takes you on an incredible journey from the mountains to the rainforest. At an American cemetery in Luxembourg, for example, passengers may be given a rose to place at the gravesite of a veteran. All scheduled rest stops are also wheelchair accessible. Alaska Disabled Tours : Tours.com None of them have a bath, though, only a shower. The staff treats passengers like royalty on this cruise line, and offers exclusive encounters. All-Inclusive Vacation Tours for Adults with Intellectual It marks the entrance to Denali National Park and is host to most activities both outside and within the park. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters must be stored in cabins, not corridors. Alaska is a pristine state with unparalleled natural beauty that draws thousands of travelers from all over the world every year. Viking does not have casinos, and much of the onboard entertainment focuses on cultural enrichment (not to mention one of the best spa thermal suites at sea). A cruise is an excellent way to visit the Last Frontier. Accessible cabins on Black Watch have a small lip in the shower, to keep the water in, which may be challenging to a wheelchair user. While the Queen Mary 2 specializes in crossings between New York and Southampton, the other two ships in the fleet bring the line's British flavor to other regions of the world. Why Viking Is Great for Senior Cruisers: Viking goes deep on education, both with its shore excursions and onboard programming. Related: Regent Seven Seas' Loyalty Program Explained. On board, you'll find beautifully appointed accessible staterooms and public spaces on our easy-to-navigate cruise ships. If youre in a wheelchair, Princess Cruises are easy to maneuver. Top Ships for Cruisers With Disabilities - Cruises - Cruise Critic Braille signage is included in elevators and public areas throughout, while Celebrity Today, our daily newsletter, is available in Braille and large font. Princess ships offer a variety of activities for seniors, including multiple restaurants serving a variety of cuisines, shows to see, spas, and numerous areas to simply sit and relax while sailing the ocean. Which Are the Best Cruise Lines for Disabled Guests? - Cruise1st Blog Televisions in all staterooms have closed captioning. California. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, Choosing a Cruise Ship Room: What to Expect. Is it possible to get off the ship in port or hear the evening show? Azamara Club Cruises has been named one of the top cruise lines for seniors, and one of the reasons for this honor is that they provide senior discounts. Disabled access provisions by cruise line Five of the Best Disabled Friendly Cruise Ships Tips Modern cruise liners are equipped with a comprehensive range of facilities to accommodate disabled or less mobile passengers - including specially adapted cabins, Because the ship is a new build, accessible cabins will be custom-designed, rather than adapted. There are only four wheelchair adapted cabins, all on Deck 7, all Terrace Balcony category. All access to the quayside is by a narrow, stepped gangway. Cruise Scooter Rentals | Scootaround Considering accessibility when accessing Alaska. About TravelnessContact usBrand AssetsRecent Posts, HotelsFlightsTours & ActivitiesTours in EuropeDigital SecurityDepositphotos, Alaskas capital, Juneau, is the sole state capital that is inaccessible by roads. On your cruise to Alaska, you can explore the Inside Passage, Glacier Bay National Park and all Alaska has to offer. Cruise fares include a pre-cruise night at a hotel, transfer to the ship, dining (including alternative venues and 24-hour room service), soft drinks, coffees and bottled water and complimentary wines and beers at dinner, as well as use of the line's hop-on, hop-off bus in ports and unlimited Wi-Fi onboard the ship. http://www.seward.com Look under Top Questions and read thru some of the 2012 trip reports to get some ideas for an itinerary. If you need assistance getting to the boat, please contact us in advance. Enjoy a flightseeing trip over a glacier in Juneau or have a crab feast in Ketchikan. Accessible shore excursions in private, adapted vehicles can be arranged via the cruise line, but you need to send in a questionnaire in good time before cruising. But we had really hoped to learn more about Alaska: its native culture, industry, and current issues and were disappointed that Royal Caribbean had nothing at all on board, either live or on the tv, for us to learn more. We live in South Florida and flew to Seattle for the 20 day cruise back to Miami. Rates are in GBP and valid for UK and Ireland residents only. The accessible bathrooms are smaller, which means wheelchair users may require more assistance than usual to manoeuvre once inside. Airfare, accommodations, all meals, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, gratuities and most shore excursions are included in fares. Food and entertainment onboard the ship reflect the areas where the ship is sailing, with guest entertainers and lecturers coming on board at various times during the cruise. Staterooms specially . And while it is still a remote, and oftentimes, wild place to visit, our tourism infrastructure has grown to accommodate travelers with mobility limitations. These cruises offer a variety of activities and amenities that are perfect for those who are looking to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Alaska. 10+ Cruises Age 70s Sail Date: October 2022 Cabin Type: Mini-Suite Helpful Terrific itinerary and amazing service on NCL Jewel Review for Norwegian Jewel to Alaska SookeBC 10+ Cruises Age. Olsen says: On Black Watch, scooters of any type are only permitted in fully adapted cabins. In addition, average cruise prices are updated nightly. Born in south, she spent her childhood hopping around the U.S., even venturing as far away as Kodiak, Alaska. Chinitna Bay National Park Bear Viewing Flight, Traveling with Limited Mobility in Alaska. These cruises offer a variety of activities and amenities that are perfect for those who are looking to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Alaska. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. There are so many great ship options when it comes to sailing the Inside Passage, and you can choose the one that hits the spots you want to see most. The line's four original paddlewheel ships ooze charm, with Victorian touches and history-heavy itineraries. You can rent a mobility scooter on a cruise ship with Scootaround. Many visitors opt to experience the park's coastal fjords, tidewater glaciers, and abundant marine wildlife aboard a day cruise. Why Tauck River Cruises Are Great for Seniors: Tauck prides itself on doing everything for its guests, from the time you touch down to the time you leave. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. In this article, I'll show you the top 10 best Alaska cruises for seniors that will be enjoyable and memorable. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. But the following are some great cruises for seniors to consider. Bigger room and balcony, but all the suites on the 11th floor are the noisiest on the whole ship! These experts act as guides as well as historians, and they provide a local perspecitve. Viking cruises offer inclusive pricing, covering all meals, beer and wine during lunch and dinner, port charges, internet access, lectures, activities and at least one shore excursion in every port. Treat yourself to a magnificent trip aboard this ship, which has a guest-to-staff ratio of 684 to 400, guaranteeing that you are pampered to your hearts content. At CruiseExperts.com, you can find the best cruises for seniors with destinations that include North, South and Central America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Africa, New Zealand and Australia. The two largest day tour operators both run boats accessible to manual wheelchairs. The current fleet varies from the small, 790-passenger Adonia (until March 2018, when it leaves the fleet) to the flagship, Britannia, carrying 3,647 passengers. Take in everything there is to see in Alaska, including the Tongass National Forest, the Hubbard Glacier, and the celebration of other cultures. The line earns top ratings from websites like Special Needs at Sea, ensuring they provide an enjoyable experience for all passengers. For passengers with disabilities, accessible suites are available on all ships and can accommodate a wheelchair or motorized scooter. Disney thinks of everything on this fun-for-everyone cruise. They offer lots of different deals and specials, such as creating a land and sea trip like this 10-day cruise with rail service to Denali National Park. The line also has gentlemen hosts to act as dancing and dining companions for single ladies. Your dining options include flavors from all over the world at restaurants like Manfredis Italian and the Chefs Table. Nightly entertainment is lively, and often embraces American classics. There may be local culinary experiences like a lobster bake while on American Cruise Lines coastal New England cruise, or a Cajun cooking demonstration on Mississippi River cruises. On Braemar, the adapted rooms are very small for a passenger who is completely wheelchair bound. You will be cared for off the ship just as well as you are on the ship since Royal Caribbean tours are guided by a local Adventure Specialists. Adonia, the smallest ship in the fleet, has particularly high door thresholds and steep ramps. Are cruises suitable for disabled people? Royal Caribbean International is a leader in providing disabilities-friendly ships that can accommodate those with special needs.