January is the month to start setting your sights on that long awaited cruise vacation.  Part of the fun of vacation is in the planning.  For those who cruise, you know planning is a most important part of getting the best value for your dollar – the farther out you plan – perhaps the better the price and amenities.  Now multiply that one hundred fold for anyone who needs to focus on accessible travel.  The longer you plan – the better the outcome of the vacation. 

Cruise travel has always been surrounded with the romantic notion of “being the most accessible vacation option” in the travel industry.  Author, Candy Harrington, of “The Definitive Guide to Accessible Travel” can tell you otherwise.  Those who require powerchairs, wheelchairs, and multiple assistive devices to get from one location to another may find “cruise travel” to be the least accessible, especially when it comes to shore excursions.  Because of the “neat packaging” by cruise lines and travel agents, it is difficult to get the real facts at times about a particular ship and its sponsors for shore excursions at port.  This is where the real “up to your elbows” in research is going to pay off.  Mind you, if it is the cruise you’re after and not the shore excursions, then many of the newer ships built in the past ten years are going to be accommodating – especially those closely associated in providing accessible travel for the modernized countries.  The Americans for Disabilities Act has brought about a revolutionary trend in modernizing restaurants, hotels, public venues, and serves as the leader for other nations to emulate in accessible travel.  

While this is all good for those who travel throughout the United States, even taking a cruise based from the United States may be difficult when it comes to shore excursions.  For example – during my Holland America cruise to Alaska (the cruise was fantastic) I noted that at one particular port we had to be transported from the cruise ship by way of water taxis into a shallow bay area where ramps awaited us on shore.  Now the idea of the ramp is great; however, getting down into the water taxi was difficult for me, mobile as I am, but yet still challenged with a neuromuscular disease.  I required helping hands to steady me and support me as I climbed in and out of the water taxi.  Those who needed wheelchairs or powerchairs just couldn’t make this particular port and enjoy the beauties of what the city or village had to offer.  

Don’t be dissuaded to take a cruise – heavens no!  Just be aware that with needing accessible travel also comes the reality that some experiences just have to be tailored to your abilities.  It’s your responsibility to ask questions in a way that will get you the answers you need.  If you find that the travel agent you’ve started working with is not getting the necessary information to you, then find one who will.  “No matter how luxurious the staterooms or decadent the food is – if you can’t get off the ship – it’s just a long boat ride.” states Candy Harrington.  Remember that this is more so when traveling in foreign countries.  You must dig for the information – the more you know and are prepared for – the more you’ll enjoy the vacation!

“The Department of Justice (DOJ) has long held that cruise ships are covered under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  The ADA is supposed to apply to foreign flag cruise ships which dock at United States ports.  Seems simple right?  Candy relates a story of one woman’s saga of a much publicized experience with Premier Cruise Lines back in 1998.   Seeing an advertisement for a four-day cruise aboard Premier’s SS Oceanic, the woman contacted a travel agent for more details. She was assured by the travel agent that the cruise ship was indeed wheelchair accessible, so she plunked down her deposit and paid for the cruise.  After the SS Oceanic set sail, the woman discovered that her cabin wasn’t wheelchair accessible.  To use the bathroom, her mother and sister had to physically pick her up and put her on the toilet or set her in the shower.  Humiliated, bruised, and discovering that many of the ship’s interiors and even some exteriors were not accessible by wheelchair thus began the legal process of Stevens v. Premier Cruises, Inc.

After appealing a district court ruling, the appellate court ruled that Stevens should have had the opportunity to amend her original pleading and that the Title III of the ADA does apply to cruise ships, including foreign flag carriers.  This case actually established case law on the subject of cruises and accessibility.  The downside of this is that the United States Access Board has not established any accessibility standards for passenger vessels (cruise ships)- this information was published in 2005 and the changing of laws does move slowly. 

For those who need barrier free travel and want more information in the area of a guide to accessible travel, Candy’s book will be just what you need to keep close by.  Published by Demos Medical Publishing, 386 Park Avenue South – New York, NY 10016, USA, visit their website for more information on Candy’s book plus other books by Candy Harrington.

Happy Barrier-Free Traveling!

(photos courtesy of stockx.chnge.com members; book – by Candy Harrington)