Comments on: Cruising – A Convenient Way to Travel as a Wheelchair User

By: Victor Malafronte

Victor Malafronte — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 01:35:42 +0000

Hey Luc thanks for the info, my son became a quad in july 2011, before that we took a few cruises and are planning another next july. your info was very helpful thank you.

By: Greg

Greg — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:03:31 +0000

what you share here is pretty cool.
my parents in law are also handicapped and like to travel, I share your tips to them and they told me all they are useful.

By: Marica

Marica — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 16:56:25 +0000

Thank you so much for sharing your insights. From what you said, I think that it would be best to get a wheelchair for her then.

Your comments were very helpful because I now know what to expect. Thanks again! Much appreciated.

By: Luc

Luc — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:30:36 +0000

Hi Marica,
I have been on several cruises and I my experience has been that the entrance for boarding with or without a wheelchair is the same. I do want to point out that the ramp to get on the ship was steep on a few occasions, pending the tide. But it was always manageable in my power wheelchair. Boarding a tender is a different story. In many cases you are not allowed on when you use a wheelchair, pending weather conditions, for example.
But I do recommend bringing a wheelchair for your mom because, as you mentioned, cruise ships are big.

By: Marica

Marica — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 06:55:11 +0000

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences on cruises and also for all the valuable tips you provided in this article.

I have a question about the actual boarding on a cruiseship. I am planning on taking my mother on a cruise – she has Parkinsons Disease and although she still can walk a few steps (if she’s holding on to us) I am thinking that it would be better if we got a wheelchair for her for the cruise. My question is do people in wheelchairs have a “special” access to the ship? I would love to see/know how it looks like? I’ve never been on a cruise myself so don’t know.

Also because cruise ships are so big I think if we got a wheelchair for her it would make it easier for her. Once I was on a big ferry boat and the sea was quite rough and I found it quite hard to walk on the ship.

Sorry for the long post. Any advice you can give me is greatly appreciated! Thanks a lot for your help.

By: Luc

Luc — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 23:00:03 +0000

Hi Laura, I doubt that any of the cruise lines provide hospital beds. At least I have never heard of such thing. I will send you an email for your other questions.

By: laura scanlon

laura scanlon — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 18:40:02 +0000

i have a couple more questions regarding disability wheelchair bound cruises. Can you email me so that we can correspond?

By: laura scanlon

laura scanlon — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:07:08 +0000

Luc, thank you so much for your great article. We are trying to find a cruise that will accomodate my mother-in-law (wheelchair bound parapalegic) who uses a hoya lift to transfer to bed also. what do you recommend from the florida area? do cruise lines also offer hospital beds that raise and lower. We would also be traveling with my family of 5. any help would be appreciated.

By: Luc

Luc — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 01:57:10 +0000

Hi Megan,
Thanks for your compliments and glad to hear you were able to pick up a few tips. I love cruising and we are thinking of doing a Mexico cruise next time. What is your destination? I wish you have a wonderful time!

By: Megan

Megan — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 20:01:52 +0000

I just wanted to thank you for all your tips you have given for cruisers. My parents and I are going to be taking our first cruise soon and being in an electric wheelchair we had lots of questions. You have helped us a lot. We now know what questions to ask when we make our reservations. Thanks so much