Cruising With A Person With A Disability

I'm beginning to consider myself an expert on traveling with a person with a disability.  Ron is in a wheel chair most of the time, but that doesn't mean he wants to give up on having a good time and doing the things he's always done.

We took a wonderful cruise on Crystal in December, and with a little help, he could do just about everything he wanted.  First, we brought our own wheelchair on board.  Wheelchairs ship free on all airlines, so there was no added expense.  Second, we found the service on Crystal superior.  A bell man was available any time of day or night, to push Ron wherever he wanted to go.  This freed me up to relax and give my body a rest.  In less than 5 minutes Ronald, Joel or Chris was there to take Ron to the Spa, Poker, Bridge, restaurants, or the room.  How wonderful.  So, for those cruising with someone who is unable to walk, be sure the cruise has people available to help.  Most don't, but Crystal does, and will be the only line we travel on in the future.

Here are a  few observations I made about the ship.  Handicapped staterooms are at the far end of the ship.  This means the walk to anywhere is very long.  For someone on a walker or cane this might make the distance too much for them.  Why they have handicapped rooms so far away is beyond me.  Also, public bathrooms (and staterooms for that matter) have extremely heavy doors.  No automatic door openers.  It is impossible for someone in a wheelchair to open the door alone, let alone maneuver into the handicapped stall.  These matters are not well thought out and make it impossible for someone in a wheelchair to go to the restroom without help.  Finally, bars in the handicapped staterooms are put in unreachable places.  I wonder if disabled persons are consulted when designing staterooms and bathrooms.

The service on Crystal shined above all else, and made our trip super enjoyable.  Disabled or not, anyone can enjoy a cruise today.