These are the most accessible cruise lines sailing the seven seas – because travel knows no limits.
Travelling with a disability or impairment can be daunting and stressful. Questions fly: Are there accessible rooms? Will I need to bring a carer to assist me? Are service animals allowed?
Don’t stress! Many major cruise lines are accessible to make your sail as smooth as possible. So whether you have reduced mobility or are hard of hearing, ramps to board the ship, wheelchair-accessible cabins and captioned movies can be available so you won’t miss out on a thing.
Searching for the best liner to look after you? Try these out:
1. Holland America (via CruiseAway)
Winner of the Best Overall Facilities for Physically Challenged Passengers by Porthole Cruise magazine, Holland America provides accessible experiences for all disabilities. Its fleet even features a specially designed lift system for tender transfers.
- Available for limited-mobility passengers: Accessible staterooms; wheelchair assistance during embarkation, disembarkation and emergencies; alternate transfers for shore excursions and lifts between ship and tender.
- Available for the vision or hearing impaired: Room kits with visual and tactile alerts, closed-caption TVs, amplified telephones, assistive listening systems, screen reader computer software, large-print/braille menu and ship familiarisation tours.
- Good to know: Holland America’s Vista class has 28 accessible rooms. A screen reader in the Explorations cafe allows visually impaired passengers to read Internet text.
Go to Holland America (via CruiseAway) website View coupon codes for Holland America (via CruiseAway)
2. Norwegian Cruise Line (via CruiseAway)
Norwegian is so committed to assisting its special needs customers that it has a dedicated Special Needs at Sea team to help personally coordinate your trip.
- Available for limited-mobility passengers: Accessible staterooms, wheelchairs for embarking and disembarking only and pool lifts on every ship. Barrier-free transportation to the ship on request.
- Available for the vision or hearing impaired: Pagers for announcement alerts, hearing aids, visually-tactile kits and braille/markings onboard. Cabled cabins with optical and tactile stimuli and sign language interpreters on some ships.
- Good to know: Sky, Sun and Pride of America have cabled cabins for guests with limited hearing,
Go to Norwegian Cruise Line (via CruiseAway) website View coupon codes for Norwegian Cruise Line (via CruiseAway)
3. Carnival Cruises (via CruiseAway)
Young or old, Carnival Cruises provides accessibility options for all.
- Available for limited-mobility passengers: Modified and accessible cabins, wheelchairs for embarkation and disembarkation, and accessible elevators and routes throughout the ship.
- Available for the vision or hearing impaired: Braille signage and large-print menus. Audible signals and portable ADA room kits upon prior request.
- Good to know: Ports with tenders (small boats which are used when the ship can’t access the port) that are not wheelchair accessible include Belize, Catalina Island, Half Moon Cay, Cabo San Lucas and Kona.
Go to Carnival Cruises (via CruiseAway) website View coupon codes for Carnival Cruises (via CruiseAway)
4. P&O (via CruiseAway)
P&O offers assistance to passengers with limited mobility both on board and on shore with personalised escorted shore excursions.
- Available for limited-mobility passengers: Accessible rooms and a limited supply of wheelchairs available on board for embarkation, disembarkation and emergencies.
- Available for the vision or hearing impaired: Specialised kits for the hearing impaired.
- Good to know: P&O offers escorted limited-mobility shore tours upon request so you won’t have to miss out.
Go to P&O (via CruiseAway) website View coupon codes for P&O (via CruiseAway)
5. Royal Caribbean (via CruiseAway)
Royal Caribbean pulls out all the stops to make sailing with limited mobility a breeze. Think automatic doors, early boarding and pool lifts. Talk about the royal treatment.
- Available for limited-mobility passengers: Accessible staterooms, spacious corridors, automatic doors, ramps, pool lifts and accessible transfer vehicles.
- Available for the vision or hearing impaired: Large-print menus, service animal relief areas, braille/tactile signage and buttons, orientation tours, hearing room kits, assistive listening system and closed-caption televisions.
- Good to know: Serenade of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas both feature over 30 accessible staterooms and pool lifts.
Go to Royal Caribbean (via CruiseAway) website View coupon codes for Royal Caribbean (via CruiseAway)
6. Celebrity Cruises (via CruiseAway)
Whatever your needs, Celebrity Cruises accommodates for all, including complimentary assistance getting on and off the ship.
- Available for limited-mobility passengers: Accessible staterooms, accessible excursions, spacious corridors, early boarding, automatic doors and wheelchair assistance during embarkation and disembarkation. Some ships feature pool lifts.
- Available for the vision or hearing impaired: Large-print menus, qualified readers (a crewmember who will read written material), tactile/braille signage and elevator buttons on some ships, ADA kit on request and closed-caption televisions.
- Good to know: Pool lifts on Solstice class and Celebrity Century. Tactile signage on Solstice class, Celebrity Constellation and Celebrity Infinity. Accessible routes to tender platform on Solstice class.
Go to Celebrity Cruises (via CruiseAway) website View coupon codes for Celebrity Cruises (via CruiseAway)
7. Disney Cruise Line (via CruiseAway)
Accessible staterooms and auxiliary aids are just a few facilities this ship of dreams offers its special needs passengers.
- Available for limited-mobility passengers: Accessible staterooms and public rooms. Bed boards, bed rails, portable or raised toilet seats, shower stool and transfer bench on request.
- Available for the vision or hearing impaired: Auxiliary aids, stateroom communication kits with bed shaker and TTY. Sign-language interpreters may also be available.
- Good to know: Dream class ships have 24 accessible rooms and feature youth counsellors experienced in working with children with needs.
Go to Disney Cruise Line (via CruiseAway) website View coupon codes for Disney Cruise Line (via CruiseAway)
8. Cunard (via CruiseAway)
Cunard is as transparent as a cruise line can be and provides you with a full list of accessible cabins so you know exactly what you’ll get when booking.
- Available for limited-mobility passengers: Accessible staterooms and wheelchairs available for embarkation and disembarkation. Benches and shower stools on request.
- Available for the vision or hearing impaired: Visual alert system.
- Good to know: The Queen Mary II has 32 fully accessible cabins and over 100 non-adapted cabins for cruisers with partial mobility. Wheelchair assistance available at Southampton port.
Go to Cunard (via CruiseAway) website View coupon codes for Cunard (via CruiseAway)
Accessible cruise lines compared
| Cruise line | Accessible cabins | Accessible ship areas | Wheelchair accessible excursions | Wheelchair accessible tenders |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princess Cruises | 250 wheelchair-accessible cabins across the fleet, min. 31 cabins per ship | Princess has an access-friendly design with wheelchair seating in communal areas and large, wheelchair-friendly elevators | Yes | Guest must transfer out of wheelchair. |
| Holland America Line | Modified and wheelchair-accessible rooms across its fleet | Accessible routes are available through most of the ship | Alternate transportation can be arranged for a more accessible shore excursion | Guest must transfer out of wheelchair. |
| Carnival Cruises | Modified and wheelchair-accessible rooms available | Accessible routes are available through most of the ship | Yes | Guest must transfer out of wheelchair |
| P&O | Wheelchair-accessible rooms across its fleet | Accessible routes are available through most of the ship | Yes, specially designed limited mobility shore tours available | Guest must transfer out of wheelchair |
| Royal Caribbean | Accessible staterooms across its fleet | Accessible routes are available through most of the ship; some ships have pool lifts | Yes – shore excursions are given levels of difficulty to help determine suitability | Guest must transfer out of wheelchair |
| Celebrity Cruises | Accessible staterooms across its fleet | Accessible routes are available through most of the ship | Customised tours and easy excursions available | Accessible gangway to tender platform on select ships |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Accessible staterooms across its fleet | Accessible routes are available through most of the ship; pool lifts and barrier-free public toilets are available on all ships | Some | Guest must transfer out of wheelchair |
| Disney Cruise Lines | Accessible staterooms across its fleet | Accessible routes are available through most of the ship | Yes | Guest must transfer out of wheelchair |
| Cunard | Fully accessible cabins and non-adapted cabins across its fleet | Accessible routes are available through most of the ship | Yes, limited activity shore excursions are recommended | Guest must transfer out of wheelchair. |
What do wheelchair-accessible rooms include?
Wheelchair-accessible rooms are designed for wheelchair maneuverability. They can include widened doorways throughout the cabin, wheel-in showers, lowered sinks and vanities, handheld showerheads, grab bars, shower seats, turning space, lowered dressing tables and wardrobes, ramped thresholds, benches, bath distress alarms and accessible balconies.
What are ADA kits?
ADA compliance kits aid the deaf and hearing impaired. They may be available on cruise ships and in hotels and can feature telephone amplifiers, visual smoke detectors, door knock sensors and text telephones (TDD).
Do I need to bring a companion with me?
If you have reduced mobility and require aid, many cruise liners advise you bring a companion or carer with you to assist you on board and on shore. Depending on your level of mobility, companions may also assist you in embarking and disembarking from tenders for shore excursions.
Are tenders wheelchair accessible?
Most tenders are not wheelchair accessible. If you have some level of mobility and can embark and disembark from the tender with minimal assistance, you may collapse your wheelchair to bring it on the tender for use on shore. Steps are usually present to embark and disembark from a tender.
How do I book a cruise if I have accessibility needs?
If you require accessibility assistance during your cruise, contact the cruise line direct to acknowledge your needs. Cruise lines are more than happy to provide assistance to passengers with accessibility requirements with advance notice.
When contacting the cruise line, you will also need to advise of any equipment you plan to bring, or require on board, to aid you during your trip. This includes wheelchairs, scooters and hoists.
Which ports are best for mobile accessibility?
Not all ports will have the infrastructure to allow for mobile accessibility. If you have limited to no mobility, these are some of the most popular and wheelchair-accessible ports to consider including in your itinerary:
- Sydney and White Bay, Australia
- Adelaide, Australia
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Brisbane, Australia
- Cairns, Australia
- Melbourne, Australia
- Fremantle, Australia
- Singapore
- Southampton/London, UK
- Barcelona, Spain
- Monaco
- Naples, Italy
- Athens, Greece
- St Thomas, Virgin Islands
- Princess Cays, Bahamas
- Alaska (various ports are accessible), USA
- Castaway Cay, Bahamas
Which ports are not mobile accessible and/or are tendering ports?
If you have limited to no mobility, you may consider avoiding cruises that dock at the following ports as they are either not accessible or require tenders to disembark:
- Airlie Beach, Australia
- Bay of Islands, New Zealand
- Benoa, Bali
- Bora Bora, Polynesia
- Christchurch (Akaroa), New Zealand
- Isle of Pines, New Caledonia
- Lembar, Lombok
- Lifou Isle, New Caledonia
- Mare, New Caledonia
- Moreton Island, Australia
- Mooloolaba, Australia
- Moorea, Polynesia
- Mystery Island, Vanuatu
- Port Arthur, Tasmania
- Port Douglas, Australia
- Wala, Vanuatu
- Yorkeys Knob, Australia
- Catalina Island, California
- Half Moon Cay, Bahamas
- Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
- Kona, Hawaii
- Avonmouth, UK
- Liverpool, UK
- Rosyth, UK
Best cruise deals
Uniworld
Up to 20% off select river cruises
Valid on select 2018 and 2019 departures. Destinations include India, Egypt, Vietnam and Cambodia. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal expires
Gate1 Travel
Up to $1,100 off European river cruises
Valid on select dates from March 2019 - November 2019. Destinations include Budapest, Munich, Prague, Berlin, Krakow and more. Note: Deposit must be paid by 7 November 2018 to receive discount.
Last verified
Deal expires
CruiseAway
50% off second passenger with MSC
Valid on select MSC cruises worldwide including Europe, Mediterranean and the Middle East.
Last verified
Deal expires
Fred. Olsen
Up to 35% off cruises + flights
Valid for cruise from October 2018 - March 2019. Destinations include Manchester, Mauritius, Seychelles, India and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal expires
CruiseAway
Up to 23% off cruises + free flights with Holland America
Valid November - December 2018 and March April 2019. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal expires
Fred. Olsen
Up to 40% off adult-only cruises
Valid on select cruises from September - November 2018 and January - August 2019. Destinations include California, Panama, Southampton, Newcastle and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal expires
Flight Centre - Cruises
9-night Pacific Islands cruise from $625
Valid on 28 January - 6 February 2018, departs from Melbourne. Includes 9 nights on the Carnival Legend in an inside quad share cabin, all meals, entertainment onboard, kids sail for free and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal expires
Flight Centre - Cruises
Kids sail free with Carnival
Valid from January - February 2019. Destinations include Noumea, Melbourne, Sydney, Wellington and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal expires
Nexus Holidays
$1,00 off 17-day USA and Alaska cruise + flights
Valid from May - August 2019 with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises. Includes accommodation, flights, tours, transfers and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal expires
CruiseAway
Up to US$1,000 OBC + free upgrade
Valid on select 2018 - 2020 cruises with Seabourn. Destinations include Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal expires
CruiseAway
Up to $1,000 off + US$500 OBC with Royal Caribbean
Valid from March - October 2019. Destinations include Melbourne, Hobart, Sydney, Noumea, Auckland, Wellington, Bay of Islands and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal expires
CruiseAway
Up to 33% off cruises + kids sail free
Valid from January - August 2019 with Carnival. Destinations include Melbourne, Hobart, Sydney, Noumea, Auckland, Wellington and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal expires
Uniworld
Up to 5% off single supplement for 2019 Europe cruises
Valid on 2019 cruises for solo travellers, including river cruises. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal expires
Uniworld
Up to $2,800 off 2018 cruises
Valid until 23 December 2018, including river cruises. Destinations include Amsterdam, Paris, Vienna, Budapest, Basel and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal expires
Uniworld
Up to 10% off 2019 cruises
Valid for 2019 cruises, including river cruises. Destinations include Egypt, India, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Amsterdam, Paris, Vienna and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal expires
Flight Centre - Cruises
$1,000 air credit with Princess cruises
Valid for cruise between January - March 2019. Destinations include Darwin, Lombok, Phu My, Nha Trang, Hong Kong and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal expires
Fred. Olsen
20% off Amazon river cruises
Valid for cruise on January 2019. Destinations include Braemar, Balmoral and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal expires
U by Uniworld
8-day Germany cruises from just $1,499
Valid for cruise on select 2018 dates. Includes welcome party and meals onboard. Destinations include Frankfurt, Regensburg and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal expires
Flight Centre - Cruises
30% off cruises + up to $1,000 OBC with Royal Caribbean
Valid for cruises between November 2018 and January - March 2019. Destinations include Noumea, Mystery Island, Bay of Islands, Sydney and more.T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal expires
CruiseAway
$85 deposit + $85 OBC with P&O cruises
Valid from November 2018 - December 2019. Destinations include Noumea, Mystery Island, Sydney, Brisbane, Tasmania, Auckland, Christchurch and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal expires
CruiseAway
Up to 50% off on second passenger with MSC cruises
Valid for cruise from December 2018 - March 2019. Destinations include Caribbean, South America, Central America and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal expires
Fred. Olsen
Fjords cruises from £679 + up to £100 tour credit
Valid for travel on select 2018-19 sailings. Choose from a complimentary all-inclusive drinks upgrade or up to £100 pp shore tour credit. T&C's apply.
Last verified
Groupon
11-day European Christmas market cruise from $2,298
Valid for cruise on 10 December 2019. Includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal expires
Let's Ferry
20% off Super economy tickets
Valid on routes to Mykonos, Greece. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal expires
Let's Ferry
Greece: €20 passenger tickets with Blue Star Ferries
Valid on select dates of sailings. Destinations include Mykonos, Paros, Santorini, Karpathos, Leros, Samos, Lesvos, Kea and more. T&C's apply.
Last verified
Deal expires
Fred. Olsen
No single supplement
Book select cruises as a solo traveller and pay no single supplement.
Last verified
