Accessible staterooms are held for travelers with disabilities until all other non-accessible staterooms in that category are fully booked. Born in south, she spent her childhood hopping around the U.S., even venturing as far away as Kodiak, Alaska. Enjoy exclusive senior savings and rates when you book a vacation with Carnival Cruise Line! Then select the date for . AmaWaterways has a fleet of 26 river ships, focusing primarily on the Danube and the Rhine rivers in Europe, but also offering sailings in France and Portugal. .css-hghiur{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-medium);border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;cursor:pointer;color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);border-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);}.css-hghiur:focus-visible,.css-hghiur[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-hghiur:hover,.css-hghiur[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;}Viking Cruises offers river, ocean and expedition sailings. Why AmaWaterways Is Great for Seniors: Senior cruisers on AmaWaterways will appreciate the extra attention taken to offer tours for every ability. The Silver Shore Concierge can make arrangements for individually curated tours as well as Mid-Cruise Land Adventures tours that are arranged between ports of call so cruisers can meet the ship at the next destination. Contact us to find out more information on the oxygen storage requirements of each ship, since our policies differ depending on the ship. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, What It's Like Sailing the Great Lakes With Viking, What to Know About HAL's Private Island, Half Moon Cay, Regent Seven Seas' Loyalty Program Explained, What It's Like to Sail American Queen's First Expedition Ship, On AmaWaterways, the Transformative Impact of Wellness. Taxes, fees and port expenses not included. Trips, Inc. provides all-inclusive vacation packages for travelers 18 and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Customer Support Hours. While any cruise line could be a great choice for seniors, here are our picks for the five best cruise lines for senior citizens. Saga currently operates two ships, the contemporary and very smart Saga Sapphire and the more intimate, traditional Saga Pearl II. This includes the Anchorage Museum, which can be visited at your own pace. This department will provide several outside companies the line works with and help coordinate the process before departure. You can rent a mobility scooter on a cruise ship with Scootaround. These tours run wheelchair accessible buses when requested in advance. 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. If you require the regular use of a wheelchair during the cruise, you would need to bring your own or rent one from a service provider. The Alaska line is considered their crown jewel. Olsen's fleet of four classic, mid-sized ships could be the answer. Fuel supplement may apply. Moved to worse cabin location at the very aft of the ship. Throughout the ship, youll find wide corridors that can accommodate wheelchairs and power scooters, conveniently located elevators, and power doors on Solstice-class and Edge-series ships. Forced to move during Panama lock run Missed two hours of Panama Canal Screaming balcony door all night Rattling, We wife and I booked this cruise as a getaway! Cruise travellers with disabilities have concerns that other cruisers might never consider. Cruise Day 5: Skagway, Alaska (Saturday: August 5, 2023 / 7:00 am 5:00 pm) In a single year from 1896 to 1897, this remote town along the Inside Passage grew from a few tents to a city of 20,000 gold seekers. The same applies to destinations like Greenland and Iceland, South America, and the South Pacific. Many of our onboard activities can be enjoyed by all guests, from trivia challenges and wine pairing classes to destination seminars, thrilling entertainment, and silent meditations. You can choose an all-inclusive option, you wont have to worry about money and can instead simply focus on the vacation. More active senior cruisers can enjoy complimentary bicycles and themed golf cruises. Bigger room and balcony, but all the suites on the 11th floor are the noisiest on the whole ship! Whether youre looking for a cruise with great food, amazing views, or plenty of activities, weve got you covered. Arranging a holiday suitable for a Disabled Person can be difficult, and often extremely stressful. The quaint, historic village of Talkeetna is the base of activity for North America's tallest peak, Denali (formerly McKinley). Youll to spend more time in each destination than with other cruise lines. Men of a certain age are onboard many cruises to serve as gentlemen hosts, socializing, dining and dancing with the single ladies onboard. 1. But we may travel with 2 other couples so I'm trying to get as much information right now as possible. Weekend getaways and great cruise specials. Because a lot of the passengers are elderly, the crew are used to dealing with passengers with different abilities and are kind and sympathetic. Aurora is an older ship, launched in 2000, with a more intimate feel, as it only carries 1,874, but there's still a good selection of 18 wheelchair-accessible cabins, from insides to balcony accommodation. When youre ready to enjoy the sun, a chair lift will help you get into the pool or hot tub. The main dining room and themed dining options are impressive. Royal Caribbean's Freedom Class and Oasis Class ships feature some of the most up to date amenities at sea, including those for disabled people. Book by April 30, 2023, and receive a $700 air credit per person on select departures. Regent Seven Seas dining options are top notch and plentiful, with all dining options included in the fare. Celebrity welcomes service dogs aboard for seniors with disabilities. Britannia has 33 wheelchair accessible cabins across all grades, from insides to suites. Fuel supplement may apply. Ship was in good shape, staff was excellent, food ok, entertainment ok with a couple of excellent people. On all ships, cabin numbers are in Braille, as are lift buttons, and the daily programme and restaurant menus can be provided in large print. Visit Seward, Skagway and the breathtakingly beautiful Hubbard Glacier. Our partners who list cruise pricing on Cruise Critic are required to provide prices for cruise only or cruise packages, per person, double occupancy, and are based on specific cabin types and sailing dates, and may not be available for all cabin types/sailings. The Park Connection, a deluxe motorcoach transportation service, running between the Denali Park area and Seward, operates lift-equipped buses. Holland America The main dining room on Nieuw Statendam. If you're looking at a well-known Alaskan city that's safe, head to Juneau. In addition, average cruise prices are updated nightly. View All Deals. 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. Saga holidays are specifically for the over-50s and the ships are known for their fine food and friendly, caring atmosphere. Cruise Critic is not responsible for content on external web sites. Related: What to Know About HAL's Private Island, Half Moon Cay. Cabins with sunrooms and windows that lower for fresh air, as opposed to balconies, mean that senior cruisers can stay cozy, even in chilly conditions. Furthermore, Cruise Critic makes no guarantees for availability of prices advertised on our site. Olsen says: On Black Watch, scooters of any type are only permitted in fully adapted cabins. 1. Raised toilet seats and extra mattresses can be requested at the time of booking. Theyre particularly known for their cruises to Alaska, so you know youre in good hands here in fact, theyve won awards for their Alaskan cruises! Celebrity Cruises not only offers fantastic trips to Alaska, but seniors will appreciate that it has been recognized for its exceptional service to guests. When looking for the best cruise lines for senior travelers, Cruise Critic sought out lines that cater more to adults than children, though several of our choices feature activities for seniors as well as families. It's a common cruise line and can be a solid opportunity for a wheelchair cruise, a cruise for seniors with disabilities, or even cruising with kids, as Carnival has a kid's club and many activities are geared toward children . The lovely ship feature accessible staterooms and can accommodate passengers with vision and hearing impairments as well as mobility concerns. Queen Mary 2, meanwhile, has 15 ocean-view single-occupancy cabins. The gorgeous state capitol is home to just under 33,000 and had only 134 violent crimes in 2013. American Queen Voyages, formerly American Queen Steamboat Company, now includes coastal ships formerly sailing under the brand of Victory Cruise Lines. The river cruise ships in particular lean toward the luxury end of the spectrum, with drinks, Wi-Fi, transfers, excursions and gratuities included in the fare. Fairbanks, Alaska's "Golden Heart City," is the last stop on the northbound Alaska Railroad. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, Discover the rich history, fascinating culture, Cruise Critic Award for Best Cruise Service, Complimentary 65 pp Shore Excursion Discount, Admire stunning landscapes and explore Greek. There are accessible suites as well as suites with a gorgeous balcony where you can enjoy your morning cup of coffee. 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. 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. These experts act as guides as well as historians, and they provide a local perspecitve. Review for .css-nczv9q{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);cursor:pointer;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;color:inherit;font-weight:500;}.css-nczv9q:hover,.css-nczv9q[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-nczv9q:focus-visible,.css-nczv9q[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}Norwegian Sun to Alaska, Cabin Type: Deluxe Ocean-View Verandah Stateroom, Review for Serenade of the Seas to Alaska. The Denali Husky Homestead tour, which takes guests to a working sled dog kennel, requires light walking and standing. Renting a mobility scooter with Scootaround is easy. 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. Trying to find accommodation that meets accessibility needs, let alone the suitability of the surrounding area, can be long and tiring, particularly when so many holiday venue owners aren't equipped to deal with even the simplest of needs that a Disabled holidaymaker may have - cruises for . Taxes, fees and port expenses not included. All of Celebritys luxurious cruise ships have accessible staterooms, and each is specially designed for travelers with disabilities. On Braemar and Balmoral, collapsible scooters will be permitted in most cabins, while non-collapsible scooters will only be allowed in fully adapted cabins, or depending on the size of the scooter, cabins suitable for non-collapsible wheelchairs. Accessible staterooms are conveniently located near elevators. They also make sure that the mostly American passengers are comfortable; on a Ponant-chartered ship, this means having menus that appeal more to U.S. tastes than French, for example. Even a year or more in advance is great, especially for cruises to Alaska. 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. Oxygen cylinders are allowed on board. The line also has a fair number of bucket-list trips through the Panama Canal, South Pacific, Australia and Africa, as well as a World Cruise that is more affordable than most. The ships are easy to get around, and typically do not have many young children (although Holland America Alaska cruises attract multi-generational families cruising together). On your cruise to Alaska, you can explore the Inside Passage, Glacier Bay National Park and all Alaska has to offer. 23 Senior Citizens Vacation Ideas. These classic vessels have a loyal following and the cruise line is known for its competitive pricing. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. Before you book your cruise, you can review the ships deck plans to see where theyre located and select one thats nearest to the public areas youre most interested in. If youre in a wheelchair, Princess Cruises are easy to maneuver. Whether youre admiring the green hills of Ireland, getting up close to koalas and kangaroos down under in Australia, seeing the magnificent mountains and glaciers of Alaska, exploring the temples of busy Hong Kong, or unwinding on the white-sand beaches of a sunny Caribbean Island, youll sail to your destination on one of our luxury ships with fully-equipped and thoughtfully designed accessible features for seniors with disabilities. All ships hold under 200 passengers and most have cabins and suites that are among the largest among river ships. The same is true on a Denali Wilderness Side by Side ATV Tour. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Travel with Alan had a killer deal on a 21 day Panama trip. Celebrity Cruises does not have the ability to administer hemodialysis treatments or provide assistance for dialysis treatments needed while on board. The friendly Europe accessible trip planners at Sage Traveling use our expertise in European accessible travel to create custom accessible holidays for people with all types of mobility issues, including wheelchair and scooter users, cane and walker users, and senior travelers. All Viking ships are adults-only, making them ideal senior cruises for those looking to escape the more child-friendly vibe of other lines. Listed prices may have blackout dates, qualifications or restrictions. These tours run wheelchair accessible buses when requested in advance. All of Silversea's ships (except expedition vessels) accommodate wheelchairs and scooters. Chair hoists are available at the pools on Ventura, Aurora, Azura and Britannia. Why Regent Seven Seas Is Great for Seniors: Regent offers a true luxury experience, with personalized service, the convenience of all-inclusive pricing and a high ratio of staff members to passengers to increase the pampering factor. The Best Wheelchair Accessible Cruises and Disabled Cruises to Consider. Why American Cruise Lines Is Great for Seniors: All of the ships in the American Cruise Lines fleet have been built at the company's own American shipyard and the crew are also American. Hop on board a senior-oriented tour through Alaska Adventure Unlimited. River cruises . However, we found the standard of the food to be dissapointing, the main difference in mainline cruises and, Cruises for the Disabled Cruise Reviews to Alaska on Other Cruise Ships. If anyone has cruised on Princess - (combination land, water, train ride), I would love to hear about your experience. All links to Amazon should be considered affiliate links and the owner will receive a commission for each item purchased. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. Department of Transportation. NOTE: Azamara paused cruises to Alaska due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they should offer Alaskan destinations again soon! From 2018, passengers with collapsible wheelchairs or scooters will be allowed to book non-adapted cabins, while those with non-collapsible wheelchairs will only be allowed to book adapted cabins. Is it possible to get off the ship in port or hear the evening show? Which Royal Caribbean Suite Should I Book? Imagine an alpine frontier, where jagged peaks descend to cool, clear waters. Off-boat excursions can also fill your days! Visit exclusive locations that were the recipients of the New Testament letters. AmaWaterways does allow children over age 8, allowing for multi-generational river cruises with the grandkids as well. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. New ships boast S.A.L.T., a culinary adventure program that delves into local cuisines. For smaller crowds, cruise during shoulder season months in April or May. And Princess' Midnight Sun Express railcars offer wheelchair. Maybe we just expected to much. 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. The same applies to destinations like. Tauck also offers chartered expedition sailings to bucket-list destinations like the Arctic and Antarctica. (Photo by Teddy Sczudlo/Getty Images) Disney. Assistance dogs are allowed on board cruises where all ports of call fit into the EU's Pet Passport scheme. On a cruisetour visit Denali National Park, Fairbanks, Anchorage & more. All Rights Reserved. The accessible bathrooms are smaller, which means wheelchair users may require more assistance than usual to manoeuvre once inside. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. Public areas feature open and inviting spaces with gradual inclines for easy access, as do our public bathrooms. Glaciers advancing and retreating in an endless cycle of rebirth. Wheelchair seating is available in their show . Scooters up to 56cm wide will only be allowed in cabins suitable for non-collapsible wheelchairs and scooters, while larger scooters will only be allowed in fully adapted cabins. Alaska cruises are popular for travelers of all ages, especially senior cruisers and multigenerational families. Alaskan cruises cater to a wide range of interests, and Royal Caribbean is noted for its senior-friendly policies. Whether you're looking for a quick getaway, or an extended vacation, an accessible Mediterranean cruise from Rome is a great way to see some of Europe's finest cities, experience fantastic accessible shore excursions, and relax knowing your cruise ship is waiting to take you to your next destination! Additional features, like lowered clothes bars in the closet, a roll-in shower with handheld showerheads, grab bars, and a fold-down shower bench are standard in accessible rooms, as are lower sinks and vanities, higher toilets, and ramped thresholds in the bathroom. 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. Contact us to find out more information on our policies and procedures regarding dialysis on board. 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. Accommodation details for the new Spirit of Discovery have not yet been released, but we do know that all 540 cabins have a private balcony and there will be wheelchair-accessibility across most grades. In general, the cruise lines will only allow the military discount to be applied to the cabin which contains the member of the military or to just the military member themselves.