18 Important Tips for Wheelchair Accessible Cruising to Europe
Europe is a fun and exciting place to visit while on vacation. Wheelchair accessible cruises to Europe are a great option for visiting the beautiful continent but can present some challenges. Following my 18 important tips for wheelchair accessible cruising to Europe will help make your next cruise there go more smoothly.
Important Tips for Wheelchair Accessible Cruising to Europe
1. Check to See Where Your Ship Will Dock
Sometimes your ship will dock right outside of town making it easy to explore on your own and sometimes the port will be quite away from town (like a 1 ½ walk). Plan ahead and know how far the port is from town so there aren’t any unexpected surprises. This way you can contact the cruise line accessibility department ahead of your cruise and find out if there will be a shuttle to town and if it’s wheelchair accessible (not all of them are, but more on that later).
You may be thinking, how do I find out about port information before my trip? Well, that is a good question. There are several resources available that may be of assistance. First, the website Cruise Critic often has port guides and information on its site so you can check there. Just use their search bar to look up the specific port you want information on.
Second, if you want more specific information on accessibility, check out the Disabled Cruise Club. They have information on a variety of ports and destinations to help you gauge accessibility and port logistics.
It may be a good idea to ask the cruise lines accessibility department as well. Sometimes they will have specific information about the cruise line you are sailing on.
2. Accessibility May Come with Certain Assumptions
When I asked the staff about wheelchair accessibility (for example port shuttles) I was reassured that it was in fact accessible. I should add that I asked in person, so they could see I was sitting in a wheelchair and on a ventilator. When the shuttle came however, the person in charge of loading people on, turned to me and said, “you can climb steps right?”
Why someone would make that assumption, I have no earthly idea, but it was made, and I was then informed that no the shuttle is not wheelchair accessible.
To make matters worse, the shuttle I was told wasn’t accessible clearly had the universal handicap symbol on the front window of the bus as well as by the door at the back of the bus (which appeared to be a door for a lift). I could only conclude that either they didn’t know how to use the lift or didn’t want to be bothered using it.
Just know that when you are visiting another country, they may have certain assumptions (right or wrong) about what it means to be disabled and what capabilities a wheelchair user has. What I thought should have been fairly obvious, clearly was not.
3. Always Ask for Elevator Dimensions
In the United States, we are used to fairly good size elevators that can hold several people. This may not necessarily be the case in other countries. Most of the time when I was in Spain, elevators were barely big enough for my manual wheelchair and maybe one other person if they squeezed in tight. Sometimes, I would have to turn the foot pedals to fit. I also often times had to angle the chair, as the elevator wasn’t deep enough for me to just pull in.
If you have a bigger wheelchair or a powered wheelchair that has less flexibility, it’s always important to ask for the dimensions of the elevator and not to just assume you will fit in without any issues. There was one time where I couldn’t even fit my manual wheelchair inside the older elevator.
Just because something is labeled accessible because they have an elevator available, doesn’t mean you will fit and that it will be accessible to you. Always call or email ahead of time to confirm your needs and whether they can accommodate you.
4. Touring Vans Are Not Normal Minivans
If you can transfer out of your wheelchair, then booking private tours in a non-adapted vehicle may be an option for you when planning shore excursions. Just be aware that when you ask for a van, most companies do not use regular minivans but touring vans. A touring van differs from a minivan as it is higher off the ground and usually has a running board step for you to get in.
Transferring to this sprinter style van is definitely not easy and sometimes impossible depending on your abilities. Despite having communicated with the touring companies that I could not do steps; they did not consider this type of van to have steps and it is the only style of van they had available.
The lesson learned is that again things may have different meanings in other countries. Now I ask for a picture of the vehicle and am much more specific when describing my needs before I book any tours with non-adapted vehicles.
5. Shuttles to Town Are Not Always Accessible
As I discussed above, ports are not always close to town. In that event, sometimes cruise lines will offer shuttle buses to drop you off at a more central location. Sometimes these buses are free of charge and sometimes there is a small fee involved. These buses are often not operated by the cruise line themselves but contracted out to local companies instead.
Accessibility is not guaranteed and is best asked about ahead of your cruise so you can plan accordingly. I tried asking on the ship and often times the staff had no clue about what services would be available. If you contact the accessibility department ahead of time, they will have sufficient time to contact the local companies they use if necessary to confirm whether the shuttles will be accessible.
6. Check With Your Cruise Line to Verify If There Are Any Tender Ports
Some cruise lines will clearly indicate on their itineraries whether a port is a tender port or whether the ship will dock, however not all cruise lines display this information where it is easy to find. For many people with mobility issues, this is valuable information and may determine which itinerary they select for their next vacation as often times tendering will prevent them from going ashore.
I found that Royal Caribbean doesn’t always make this information clear. Always check with someone from the cruise line before booking to confirm whether there will be any tender ports. Then contact the accessibility department to see if the ship you will be sailing on has any capabilities for allowing guests in wheelchairs or with mobility issues to tender.
When I sailed on Vision of the Seas, there was a ramp to board the tender, but it was not wide enough for a wheelchair user to roll on. In addition, because the port was not clearly listed as a tender, I had to miss my scheduled tour for that port.
7. Check Weather Averages Before You Leave
Typically, when you book a cruise, you have already researched when you want to travel and may have based that decision, at least to an extent, on the weather for that time of year. However, Mother Nature is unpredictable, especially in recent years, so always make sure to check the average forecast the week before your trip.
When I cruised to Spain and France in June 2022, I knew that average temperatures were 70’s and 80’s degree Fahrenheit, what the actual temperatures when I traveled however, were in the 90’s and even got up to 100 degrees. Thankfully, I had packed accordingly.
Of course, the opposite can also be true, a destination may have normally pleasant temperatures only to find out that they are experiencing abnormally cool conditions. This doesn’t include the chances for rain etc. Always be prepared.
8. Verify Tour Cancellation Policies
Travel can be unpredictable, and you never know when Murphy’s Law is going to strike. It is always important to know your tour cancellation policies. Will you get reimbursed if your ship can’t dock due to bad weather or some other reason? What if you end up testing positive for COVID, are you entitled to a refund then?
My point is, there are so many things that could disrupt your plans. Always be familiar with what kind of refund you may be able to get and under what circumstances those occur or what proof you may need to obtain those refunds.
It is also a good idea to carry the contact information for the tour company so you can notify them as soon as possible of any issues. They may be able to work with you to figure something out according to your situation.
9. Look Into What Your Ship Has to Offer in Terms of Accessibility
Cruise ships will not only differ in terms of accessibility depending on what company you sail with, but even from ship to ship within the same company. Read ship reviews and look at photos for the specific ship you will be sailing on to get an idea of what accessibility features it will have.
Accessible pathways around the ship can usually be found on the cruise line’s website, but there may be limited other information available. Therefore, reading reviews and looking at pictures online may be helpful. Some ships will have designated wheelchair spaces in their theaters while others will not.
Some ships have pool lifts available all the time whereas others, you may have to request those. Not all ships have lifts available for the hot tubs. One nice feature that not all ships have are automatic doors to make movement around the ship easier for people using scooters or wheelchairs.
Knowing what types of accessibility features a ship has will help you be prepared as to what to expect and plan accordingly.
10. Be Prepared for Cobblestones and Uneven Surfaces
I have a love/hate relationship with cobblestones. They always make European towns look so charming and beautiful, but they are a major pain when you are a wheelchair user. Rolling over them is not only bumpy but a huge challenge when your front caster wheels keep getting stuck between them.
Of course, cobblestones can range from being small to large and the spaces in between them will also vary. Sometimes, when they are large and flat, they are easier to navigate, but this isn’t always true.
Aside from cobblestones, uneven surfaces on sidewalks or roads may also present challenges. If a town is built on a hillside, inclines throughout may also be a concern. I like to look at pictures of the towns I plan to visit online so I get an idea of what to expect when trying to navigate.
This is especially helpful if you are trying to decide whether to rent a scooter or power wheelchair for your trip. These powered mobility devices can often handle this type of terrain a little better than a manual wheelchair for example and something to consider depending on your needs and abilities.
11. Book Verified Accessible Tours for the Spots You Really Want to See
Accessible tours aren’t always the cheapest, and since I travel on a budget, I try to mix designated accessible tours with exploring on my own. If I know that a site I want to see is accessible, I will try to use public or cheaper transportation to get there so I can explore it on my own. However, this doesn’t always work out according to plan.
Sometimes a site is accessible but has long steep pathways to get to the entrance and by booking an accessible tour, they have special permission to get you closer to the attraction without having to navigate less accessible areas. Other times, the public transportation I think will be accessible isn’t as easy to use as I anticipated, and I may end up missing something I really wanted to see or visit.
If there is a site or attraction that is high on your bucket list, it’s best to book an accessible tour to guarantee that you will see it. An accessible tour will not only relieve the stress of getting there and back away but may make your visit more pleasant as they will already know the most accessible routes and can help you avoid difficult areas.
They may even have specialized equipment to make visiting the site easier. For example, the Roman Forum has very uneven ground and lots of cobblestones and other obstacles and an accessible tour company may be able to provide you with a specialized wheelchair that can traverse these obstacles better. Sometimes it’s worth spending the extra money.
12. Set a Budget and Prioritize What is Important to You for this Trip
As I mentioned above, when booking accessible travel, costs can add up quickly. Therefore, it’s important to set a budget and stick to it so you don’t end up overspending. Prioritizing what is most important to you on this trip will help you decide where to allocate your funds.
There will be some set costs like the cruise and airfare, and you should factor those in first. Then decide where and how you want to spend any leftover money in your budget. Think about what you most want to see and do and where you may be able to save.
There may be times when you would be happy to get an overview of a town by taking the hop on hop off bus (which is usually pretty affordable), there may be times when you just want to stay on the ship, or there may be that dream destination that you’ve always wanted to go to see something special.
Only you can decide what is important to you and how you want to spend your money. Check out my tips for saving money on your next accessible cruise for more ideas on how to save.
13. Try Some of the Local Food
It can be tempting to stick to eating all your meals on the cruise ship, after all it is included in the price you paid. However, it would be a shame to miss out on some of the local cuisine. Even if you just get a small, tasty snack, like a gelato or pastry, tasting a little bit of the food from the destination you are visiting can make for a memorable and satisfying meal or snack.
I’m not saying you must spend a ton of money on a fancy meal but consider allocating a small portion of your budget to experience the culture of your destination through its’ food. When I was in Barcelona, I tried the steak paella, and it was absolutely delicious! It was memorable not only for tasting a new dish, but also just the atmosphere of eating at an outdoor café and people watching with the locals.
Likewise, when in Italy, the fresh made pasta, pizza and gelato were fantastic and for obvious reasons, the best I’ve ever had. It was another way to experience the culture and something I’m happy I did.
14. Take Time to Rest
Unless you are doing a transatlantic or transpacific cruise, many times cruise itineraries can be very port intensive. If you are like me, I tend to want to explore all these new places I’ve never been before, and it can be easy to wear yourself out. Make sure to schedule some rest time so you don’t end up needing a vacation from your vacation!
If you don’t want to schedule your rest time, make sure to listen to your body and when you feel run down, be flexible in your plans so you can take the time you need to recuperate. Taking the time to do this will ensure that you don’t get sick or crash and end up needing more time to recover than if you had just listened to what your body was telling you in the first place.
I speak from experience here, and it’s a lesson I had to learn the hard way. Learn from my mistakes so you don’t end up suffering like I did.
15. Download Your Cruise Line’s App
Almost every cruise line has an app for your phone nowadays. Downloading the app can give you access to a variety of features that can make your cruise smoother. From filling out your passenger information ahead of embarkation, to having the activities schedule at your fingertips and on some lines, being able to order food and drinks that will be delivered to you wherever you are on the ship.
While this app can be really handy, it is not mandatory to have. Even if you only use the app for embarkation purposes and then lock your phone in the safe in your room (some people like to be unplugged on vacation after all) it can be an important tool for your next cruise vacation.
16. Make Sure to Have a Phone that has International Service or Download the WhatsApp
Should you need to contact your tour operator or just want to be available in case your family needs to contact you in the event of an emergency, it’s good to already have an international service set up on your phone. Depending on your carrier, they may have a designated travel plan you buy for the month, or they could have a specialized service that only charges you if you end up using your phone while abroad. Check out options and details to see what will be the best fit for you.
If you are going to be purchasing a Wi-Fi plan with the cruise line, another option you have is downloading the WhatsApp. This app allows for Wi-Fi calling and many tour operators use it. This will allow you to contact them, if necessary, without having to get a special plan through your cell phone carrier. Just make sure to have your phone in airplane mode to avoid roaming charges.
17. Set Specific Meet Locations for Private Tours
To maximize your time in port, make sure you have specific meeting locations for any private tours that you book. Most operators will say to meet “outside the port” but I have found that this can mean at your ship or outside of the port gates. A lot of time can be wasted looking for your tour operator, so it’s good to clarify exactly what that means to your operator.
Also, it’s good to have the contact information for your specific driver so if you have difficulty locating them, you can call and get it sorted out without losing too much time. This is another good reason to make sure you either have an international plan or access to WhatsApp.
18. Consider Using a Translator App on Your Phone if You Don’t Know the Language
While it’s always appreciated if you attempt to learn some basic phrases in the local language, if you are worried about being able to communicate to either ask for directions or to make a purchase for example, consider downloading a translator app to your phone to assist you. Google Translate is a free app that can be of assistance.
In many tourist areas, there is at least some English spoken, however, any effort to speak in the local language is much appreciated and is a sign of respect for the country you are visiting. Again, you don’t need to be fluent, but it is always a good idea to learn the basics, hi, please, thank you etc. It is also another great way to try to experience the culture.
While I took Spanish in school, I’m a bit rusty to say the least. I did my best to communicate in Spanish whenever possible and the locals were pleasantly surprised, I was making an effort (even if my Spanish wasn’t great). In turn, they became even more friendly and welcoming.
Final Thoughts on Wheelchair Accessible Cruising to Europe
I have always enjoyed doing a wheelchair accessible cruise to Europe and it is one of my favorite places to visit. Throughout my travels, I have learned several lessons (some the hard way) and wanted to pass on this information to you. That is why I know following my 18 important tips for wheelchair accessible cruising to Europe will help your next cruise there be even better.
