Best cruiseline to Bermuda for passenger in a power chair fulltime

[westchestermom]

My dad has always loved cruising and now requires full-time use of a powerchair as a result of a stroke. He cannot fly, so we are limited as to departure ports. I was thinking about a Bermuda cruise out of NY/NJ, but am curious as to which lines on that itinerary provide the best disabled cruise experience. We will need (for them) a fully accessible cabin, preferably with an accessible balcony, roll-in shower etc. I will do all the relevant research, but am looking for personal experiences. Thanks so much.

[Essiesmom]

There was a member here who was in a power chair full time who cruised to Bermuda every year. she required two care givers her last few cruises. I believe she felt her best experiences were on NCL and Royal. She also sailed Celebrity. EM

[kitty9]

I've sailed Celebrity, Carnival and Crystal out of NYC/NJ and I thought Celebrity did the best job. Their accessible cabins with a roll in shower were very nice and easy to access. HAL used to sail to Bermuda and they docked right in town, but unfortunately, they don't do that anymore. So, you're docked in Kings Wharf and have to take an accessible ferry to Hamilton. But again, Hamilton isn't all that accessible because many of the stores and restaurants have stairs. But we did enjoy our three days in Bermuda on Celebrity.

[Splinter]

Just curious, why can your father not fly??

[Mouse's Shadow]

My adult son is a full time wheelchair user. We are getting ready to do our 2nd cruise with him on Royal Caribbean. Although, I've never been to Bermuda, so I don't know what the port experience is like, the RCI ships are wonderfully accessible.

 

We had an interior room. The rooms with the roll-in showers are terrific. There is plenty of room for any chair's turn radius. I believe all ships have accessible balcony rooms as well. Each of RCI ships have one pool and whirlpool with a lift. Their staff was wonderfully attentive in helping to get my son in and out of the water. He was able to attend all of the shows and do some gaming in the casino. We never required a tender, but I understand that all of their tenders are wheelchair accessible. There are virtually no excursions that are accessible, but we found the port shopping to be a fun activity. There was plenty of entertainment to enjoy. RCI's miniature golf is also accessible. Basically, he was able to go everywhere on the ship.

 

We have to travel with boxes and boxes of medical supplies. The cruise line was very helpful in getting all of the boxes to his room.

 

We were on Independence of the Seas. Our next cruise will be on Allure.

 

I hope that helps.

[GiannaD]

My dad has always loved cruising and now requires full-time use of a powerchair as a result of a stroke. He cannot fly, so we are limited as to departure ports. I was thinking about a Bermuda cruise out of NY/NJ, but am curious as to which lines on that itinerary provide the best disabled cruise experience. We will need (for them) a fully accessible cabin, preferably with an accessible balcony, roll-in shower etc. I will do all the relevant research, but am looking for personal experiences. Thanks so much.

 

 

I don't know where you live but you might consider taking Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas out of Baltimore. They have departures for Bermuda, the Bahamas and New England and Canada. The port is very accessible and the terminal is one of the easiest we have experienced.

 

The accessible balcony cabins on deck 7 are huge and fully accessible with a roll in shower etc. They are also close to the main elevators. We found the ship to be lovely with its 2013 update and the crew was amazing.