Straight to your inbox
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:
| Cruise line | Accessible cabins | Accessible ship areas | Wheelchair accessible excursions | Wheelchair accessible tenders |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Cruises | 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. |
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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:
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, which can be a bit difficult depending on your condition:
There's a lot to consider when it comes to planning a holiday, and cruise travel insurance shouldn't be skipped over - especially if you're travelling with any sort of disability or have a pre-existing condition that compromises your ability onboard or may require some medical attention.
When it comes to manoeuvring into tender boats, getting around the close quarters of a ship while it's slightly moving with the sea or just enjoying the benefits a cruise has to offer it's important to make sure that you're covered in case anything doesn't quite go to plan on board. Medical care on a cruise doesn't come cheap, especially if there isn't a Medicare doctor on board, and having the right level of cover can really save you if something does happen.
Uniworld
Fly free to Europe or get up to $1,500 off cruises
Valid for travel on select dates in 2020. Destinations include Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Basel, Budapest and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
P&O Cruises
Australia coastal cruises from just $249 per person
Valid for travel on departure date in 4-7 September 2020 departing from Sydney. Includes dining, entertainment and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
MSC Cruises
Mediterranean cruises from $804
Valid for travel on 10 November 2019 with MSC Grandiosa. Destinations include France, Italy, Malta and more. 5% off from members and and addition 5% off for early booking. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
CruiseAway
50% off deposit + Up to $500 OBC with Holland America cruises
Valid for travel on select dates in 2020-2021. Includes $25 beverage card for kids, complimentary pinnacle grill dinner and more. Destinations include Auckland, Sydney, Christchurch, Tasmania and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
P&O Cruises
4-night Whitsundays cruise from $669.56
Valid for travel on 12-16 November 2019 and select 2020-2021 dates with Pacific Dawn, departing from Brisbane. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
P&O Cruises
$99 deposits on cruises + ice cream and drink package
Valid for travel on select 2019-2020 sailings. Offer includes daily New Zealand ice cream, unlimited soft drinks and blue pass to Edge Adventure Park. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
CruiseAway
$25 deposit on cruises with flights + hotels
Valid for travel until 15 August 2020 on hotel, airfare and cruise packages. Destinations include Hawaii, New Zealand, Sydney, Bora Boram Honolulu, Singapore and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
G Adventures
Up to 30% off worldwide tours
Valid for travel on select 2019-2020 dates. Destinations include Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Flight Centre - Cruises
Australia P&O cruise from $549
Valid for travel on selected dates in 2020. Sample fare is for a 4-night cruise, from Melbourne, onboard Pacific Dawn in an inside twin share cabin. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
CruiseAway
Extra $200 OBC on 2020 sailings with Seabourn cruises
Valid for travel on select 2020 dates booked by 31 October 2019. Offer includes upgrades, additional OBC, air credit and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
CruiseAway
Up to $1,200 air credit + up to $500 OBC with Seabourn cruises
Valid for travel on select 2019 and 2020 voyages booked by 20 November 2019. Includes extra $1,000 shipboard credit for suite or penthouse bookings. Destinations include Auckland, London, Bali and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Cudo
Sydney Harbour Cruise with lunch in $29
Offer valid until 29 February 2020. Voucher valid for 80 minutes with three course lunch. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
My Cruises
Up to $3,000 in extras with 19-night Mediterranean cruises + flights
Valid for departure at 13 March 2021 sailing with MSC Cruises. Includes daily meals, return flights, entertainment and more. Destinations include Egypt, Italy, France, Paris and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
My Cruises
Get up to $3,000 in extras with MSC Japan cruises + flights
Valid for departure at 10 October 2020. Includes return flights, daily meals, entertainment and more. Destinations include Osaka, Tokyo and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Princess Cruise Lines
Up to $1,000 air credit + up to $400 OBC
Valid for cruise on select 2019 and 2020 dates. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the South Pacific. Air credit and on-board credit varies, depending on the duration. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Princess Cruise Lines
Become a Princess Cruise member to receive added benefits
Members can receive discounts, deals, special upgrades on amenities and vacation protection. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Flight Centre - Cruises
7-night P&O Tasmania Cruise from $899
Valid for travel on 7 December 2020. Sailing from Melbourne aboard the Pacific Dawn. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
My Cruises
Up to $4,000 free in extras with 10-night Europe cruises + return flights
Valid for travel on 1 October 2020. Includes $200 deposit, return flights, meals and more. Destinations include Italy, Croatia, Greece and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
My Cruises
Up to $2,000 free in extras with 12-night Cunard cruises + flights
Valid for departure at 4 November 2020. Includes $400 deposit, sightseeing of northern lights, return flights, meals and more. Destinations include London, Norway and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
CruiseAway
Up to 50% off Africa cruises
Valid for travel on select dates in 2019-2021. Includes free meals and drinks in select destinations across Africa. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
CruiseAway
Up to $1,000 air credit + up to $400 OBC with Princess Landmark cruises
Valid for select 2019-2020 travel dates booked until 12 December 2019. Destinations include Europe, Alaska, Japan, Asia, New Zealand, South Pacific, Australia, Caribbean and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
CruiseAway
Up to 45% off 2nd guest + kids cruise from $19 each
Valid for travel between 3 October 2019 - 8 May 2021 booked until 31 October 2019 on all international sailings with Royal Caribbean cruises. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
CruiseAway
Up to $400 OBC with Celebrity cruises
Valid for travel from April - October 2020. Destinations include London, Rome, Barcelona, Vancouver, Hawaii and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Nexus Holidays
Up to $1,000 off 16-day Canada and Alaska cruises
Valid for travel on select dates in 2020. Destinations include Banff National Park, Blue River Safari, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Canyon USA, and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Uniworld
Up to 10% off worldwide cruises
Valid for travel on select dates in 2020. Destinations include Europe, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Egypt, Asia and India. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
CruiseAway
Free double upgrade on Cunard cruises
Valid for new booking on select Cunard Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Asia voyages between 01 October 2019 and close of business on 30 November 2019. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
CruiseAway
Carnival Australia free upgrade
Enjoy a free upgrade when you book select Carnival Australia cruises sailing between 14 October 2019 and 30 December 2020. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Flight Centre - Cruises
4-night P&O cruises from $499
Valid for travel on select dates in 2020 - 2021. Sample fare departs from Adelaide. Destinations include Kangaroo Island, Melbourne, Tasmania, Brisbane, Cairns, Isle of Pines and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
CruiseAway
Up to 34% off Cunard cruises
Valid for travel on March 2021 across Sydney. Includes reduced deposits, onboard credit and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Cudo
Sydney: Christmas lunch or dinner harbour cruise from $69
Valid for travel on select dates in November - December 2019. Upgrade for free-flowing beer, wine, summer cocktail, sparkling wine, soft drinks, tea and coffee, as selected upon purchase. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
CruiseAway
Up to $1,000 air credit with Holland America
Valid on select 2019 and 2020 sailings. Destinations include New Zealand, Australia, Northern Europe, South Pacific and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
P&O Cruises
Up to $200 on board credit on last-minute cruises
Valid for travel on select dates. Destinations include Moreton Island, Noumea, Hamilton Island, Vanuatu, Brisbane, Sydney and more. Cruises start from $315 per person for 3-night comedy cruises. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
CruiseAway
Up to 46% off Celebrity cruises
Valid for travel on select 2020 dates. Destinations include Mediterranean Sea, Southern Europe, Pacific, Hawaii, Canada, USA East Coast and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Flight Centre - Cruises
Up to $500 OBC + free drinks package
Valid for cruise on select dates in 2020 - 2021 with Cunard Cruises. Destinations include Japan, Alaska, New Zealand and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
CruiseAway
Free 2-category cabin upgrade with Azamara Cruises
Valid for travel on select dates in 2020. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
CruiseAway
Free Europe flights with Viking River Cruises
Valid for 2020-2021 sailings. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
CruiseAway
Up to 18% off cruises + free flights
Valid for travel from November 2019 - February 2020, including over Christmas with Viking Ocean Cruises. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand and Asia. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Uniworld
10% off 10-day Danube & Prague cruises
Valid for travel on select dates. Discount applies for pre-bookings for up to 3 days prior the cruise departure date. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Cudo
Sydney: Harbour cruise from $29
Valid for travel on select dates. Includes a three-course lunch. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
CruiseAway
20-night USA cruises + flights from $3,799
Valid for travel on select dates in 2020. Destinations include Honolulu, Hawaii and more. Includes flights from Sydney, accommodation, daily meals and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
| Last checked | Code description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Oct 2019 | Fly free to Europe or get up to $1,500 off cruises | ******** |
| 18 Oct 2019 | Australia coastal cruises from just $249 per person | ******** |
| 11 Oct 2019 | Mediterranean cruises from $804 | ******** |
| 21 Aug 2019 | 50% off deposit + Up to $500 OBC with Holland America cruises | ******** |
| 18 Oct 2019 | 4-night Whitsundays cruise from $669.56 | ******** |
Latest sales from P&O, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and more.
Get the best weather and the best price with these tips.
Compare top luxury liners for your river cruise.
Make sure you're covered and compare your options before you set sail.
