Cruises are becoming an ever increasing popular holiday choice. A cruise offers everything one would want under the one roof - restaurants, theatres, shops, pools - not to mention the wide blue sea.

A number of the large cruise liners have services and facilities specifically designed for passengers with a disability.

If you decide to take a cruise, it is best to discuss your needs with the shipping company, and ask their advice on which of their cruises provide the best facilities for you. If you are booking your holiday through a travel agent, ensure that the agent informs the shipping company of your needs.

It is also important to consider the shore excursions you will be able to join.

To ensure that your needs are fully met, you may ask the cruise company to write to you to confirm the accessibility of their services and facilities.

If you are considering a cruise, there are some factors to consider:

• the cruise company may require you to be accompanied




• some older cruise ships are not accessible, so it may be better to choose a new cruise liner


• there may be steps, narrow doorways and gangways to negotiate
  

• bad weather at sea can be very unsettling, not to mention unstable


• check ports of call. Shore excursions may be difficult if the ship has to anchor outside the port, and passengers are ferried in small boats to the shore. This can entail getting down steps into a lifeboat. Cruises without these sort of landings are more suitable (check with the cruise company)


• once ashore, excursions are usually by coaches which may not have wheelchair access. In this situation, you may need to arrange your excursion using local taxis which can be booked through the cruise company


• you should have medical clearance to travel






• remember to take all your medicines and equipment, even non-prescription ones


• don't forget to organise appropriate transport to and from the ship

Listed below are a number of shipping companies and cruise line agents that offer services and facilities for passengers with disabilities.

If you would prefer your holiday on the sea to be on a smaller scale, check out the option of a boating holiday

Celebrity Cruises (www.celebritycruises.co.uk), tel: 1 800 999 2628.

Carnival Group (www.discountcruises.com/carnival.htm), tel: 1 800 999 2628.

Fred Olsen Travel (www.fredolsen.co.uk), tel: 1473 292200.

Norwegian Cruise Line Ltd (www.discountcruises.com/ncl.htm), tel: 1 800 999 2628.

P&O Cruises (UK) Limited (www.pocruises.com),
tel: 020 7800 2222.

Peter Deilmann River and Ocean Cruises (www.peter-deilmann-river-cruises.co.uk), tel: 020 7436 2931.

Princess Cruises (www.princess.com).

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (www.royalcaribbean.co.uk).

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