Accessible Cruising 🚢 - Can it be done? 🤔 | Matty's Tips for Cruising with a Disability.
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- Опубліковано 22 лип 2024
- #cruisingwithadisability #accessiblecruising #disability #mobilityissues
Have you ever been told you can’t cruise especially with a disability? Well today, we debunk that myth and Matty gives you his top 10 tips on planning and preparing for a cruise with a disability.
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We're Matty and Scott and we live in Vancouver, BC and created No Maps Needed Travel in conjunction with our jobs as Travel Consultants at Travel Best Bets. We are a Lifestyle Brand focused on all things travel. We created this channel to share our tips, experiences and expertise from the travel industry with you but also how to travel with a disability. We can help guide you and plan your next dream vacation experience.
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Ty for this! I've been paralyzed for 3 years bc of Transverse Myelitis. I'm ready to travel. My husband is right..the only thing that's changed is I can't walk. So I'm going to plan a cruise w my husband and my 2 daughters & their husband's..I appreciate you doing this!
I hope you did it!!
I've been so sad about my recent mobility issue & upcoming 1st cruise but your video helped me see things so differently!! I now know it can be dinner with planning it out!! You have not idea how you've impacted my whole outlook on things!! 💖🛵💖
Thanks Matty, I would just like to mention that on our last cruise with Princess (from Southampton UK) my husband had developed breathing problems prior to departure so he needed to use a mobility scooter to get around. We found we could hire a "ship approved" one from a local company which was delived to the terminal for us to pick up. It was narrow enough to fit through the cabin doorway and folded away for storage.It really made the cruise much easier for us.
Very True! I actually need to add that to my next video that I am planning on doing (PT 2 Video). I love how there are company's that are out there that offer this service! It is so much easier and accessible for people! I am glad that he was able to rent one and enjoy the cruise! ❤️
Who did you book the scooter through please xx
@@Zedlolly1 The cruise was sailing from Southampton and the company was called Mobility at sea, a local company. They were very helpful.
You are totally making my day. You are answering every unanswered question I had about cruises. Boy am I glad I found you. I love to travel. Hoped to do it in my "golden years." As soon as I reached the age of 62, I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. I can get out of my scooter, but I cannot go on long walks or climb stairs. I can lift the scooter with difficulty, it weighs 50#. It does fold and it is designed for air travel (to get to the port I have to take it). I also travelled with a guide dog on air but not with a wheelchair that I brought. Most air ports and airlines will supply a wheelchair which is extremely useful for a mobility other-abled or mobility-limited person who is otherwise extremely self-reliant, independent and knows where she wants to go. One must be proactive, assertive, know languages and plan, plan plan. I have managed with the scooter so far to spend 10 days in Jerusalem alone 2 years ago and last year I went to Ramat Gan for 2 days. I was looking for a war diversion and wondering about the chair and the dog. The route planning for wheelchairs on Princess is wonderful. I am looking at Mediterranean cruises to Greece which is very close to where I reside. So far I learned the Acropolis is accessible. I learned my lesson about accessible hotels in Jerusalem 2 years ago, most are not. 5 star hotels are. Israeli trains are wonderful, they bring a mobile ramp out just for the wheelchair rider and put me in a separate car and they take me off the train. All malls and train stations in Israel have lifts for wheelchairs. Can you tell us where outside of the US you've travelled and whether you travelled alone? I find it easier to travel alone. I tried in Canada with someone I met there, it lasted 3 weeks until we got to know one another. I have been to 6 countries for more than a short visit, lived in 2 of them for years. That does help. I appreciate the inspiration you provide in these videos. We really need an Israeli version of this where I live now. The city itself has insufficient ramps. My pharmacy has no ramp, I have to park the scooter outside and walk up the steps. The city is aware of it for 2 years so far, does not put a ramp in, and actually told the pharmacist to destroy the ramp he had there. No automatic door openers. Requests for written communication are ignored. They have apps for this, they just do not want to use them, they talk, yell, if you're deaf they yell louder but refuse to read unless they get a fax from a lawyer. But overall, I like it here.
Aviva in Akko
Wow Matty! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this video! Your whole demeanour is so warm and compassionate. You make everything so easy to understand, I learned so much! Anyone watching will feel like they are sat chatting with a friend.
Wow, thank you Natalie! I wanted this video not to make people feel awkward while watching. I wanted the video to feel like your going to get great info from a "friend" and I am glad that I came across this way. I am excited to say that I will be creating a series of these videos for all forms of traveling- SUPER Excited about it! Thanks for watching! ❤️❤️
Great informative UA-cam thank you for taking the time and walk this through it
I'm not sure about other cruise lines, but on Disney a crewmember carried my wife's tray through the buffet line while I followed with my tray. He than escorted us to a secret table with a fantastic view. He was tipped well
Thanks for all the info, tips and tricks. I get to go on a cruise with my Grandson and his wife...woo, hoo. The few landings I can't do won't stop me. If the young adults want these stops, I will have a quiet day. It will be awesome
My husband can stand ...with difficulty and walk short distances.. so he uses a scooter. I have found that many chairs on cruise ships are too low. I usually scout out the ship when we get on... to find places where the chairs have arms and ideally are at dining share height. Ship tour videos are helpful for identifying possible issues... so you can plan ahead. We also go to the dining room when we get on board and talk to the staff to find ideal place to sit... not far from the entrance. Because my husband can still raise his legs... a bit... we have been able to stay in regular cabins...but I try to find newer ships...where doorways tend to be wider.... also select a cabin with the bed by the balcony... to help ensure there is enough space for the scooter... or select a cabin where there is a public area nearby where the scooter can be parked and charged overnight... that is not in the hallway. Glad to find your video on this issue... planning can help avoid problems later.
Thanks Matty, cruising is my favorite. Did my first cruise in a motorized wheelchair last year and we are going again soon
Wow...I never knew what a 'tender' was. Thank you!
A tender can be a wild ride depending on the waves and the tide! Scott and I always try to get the big tender because of stability- but the smaller ones are fun too (😉🤣)
@@NoMapsNeededTravel ha ha no tender for me...
Great video! I was amazed on how Princess was with help with Grant and planning his trip with sign language interpreters.
Thanks guys! We have seen Princess go above and beyond in many ways for us, and others on cruises. ~Scott
Thanks Matty awesome job you covered everything I could and hadn't thought of I have just recently become brave enough to travel with my mobility scooter and I will be saving your video as a reference for ever!!
Well done. Thank you
Thank you for this video. The information is priceless.
Very well done video. Informative ! I love your overlays and stock footage. Bravo! ❤️❤️
Thanks so much! 😊 I am happy that I was able to bring this subject to the table. I know many other channels have created this same platform, but I am happy that I was able to share my ideas also. Loved playing around with the overlays and editing this video- It was fun! ❤️❤️
Thank you for your info, we are new to disability and want to go on a cruise but were not sure we could...now we know it is possible.
Great video, this helped answer a lot of questions.
thank you for this video. you explained very well.☺️
Thks for all the great info.
Thank you so much for this video. My partner and I have always wanted to visit NZ, we live in Australia, and we looking at flights etc. Any she had a partial stroke (called a transient ischaemic attack) and has left side weakness, plus some nasty arthritis in her knees and neck...and she's not even 50. She has also just been diagnosed with chronic migraines. As such I suggested to her that we should look into a cruise, for the reasons you mentioned at the beginning of the video, to make the travel so much easier. There's no fiddling around airports, airport security, transfers, hotels, etc. No matter where we are she can just go back to the cabin to rest if she wants, and if we book shore tours via the cruise line, we know they will have accessible tours she can enjoy, instead of hoping for the best otherwise. I'm also on CPAP therapy, and a cruise would be better for me, overall, then lugging my CPAP machine around airports, inside an aircraft, hotel to hotel etc, not to mention it seems, at with Princess, I can arrange distilled water for the machine, something I may not be able to find elsewhere.
Some hotels can arrange distilled water but they often send the expensive sterile water! Since we are slightly more mobile we found that asking for un scented water for irons works but better if we search for it ourselves.
Excellent and informative video! Cheers to you, Matty and Scot!
That’s great going on my first cruise in April , so looking forward to it
Thank you for this making this video. My husband and I have been discussing us going on a cruise in a couple of years. Unfortunately, I have a disability that will need to be addressed before hand! This gives us great idea of what to look for.
Thank you for the information.
Love that they have Social Stories for Autistic Children...That is AWESOME!
RIGHT! So proud for RC to offer this service and many other cruise lines are offering this now! I applaud them for doing this!
Great info! Thanks!
I love cruiseing . next year my son and i will be taking our 4th . i have found it is a great way to travel with him and the ships are great at getting what you need and i love the big cabins
Wow thank you so much, I didn't know 50% of that info. Thank you so sharing with us
Yah many people have the thought that cruising isn't accessible but it honestly is! Everyone can enjoy cruising and many of times it is honestly the best form of travel for a person with a disability.
THANK YOU Matty!
You are so welcome Kathy! It was my pleasure to have our video be informative and help you.
I have a few new accessibility videos coming out in the next few months and an updated cruising one! ~ Matty
Great tips in this video Matty. Well done for doing this vlog and bring light to this issue 😁
Glad you enjoyed! I was happy to create this little video and there are many more tips that we have that will be in a video down the road, but I am happy that I can share this with everyone!
Great tips Matty. Knowledge and planning are definitely power. And yes you don’t have to convince me cruising is the best way to travel ☺️
Thanks Roland. You should see Scott and I plan for trips... it can get really intense (lol)! Cruising is the best way of travel by far in my opinion 😉
What an incredibly informative video! Definitely a must see video! Thank you so much for sharing and great job!
Our pleasure! It was something that I (Matty) really wanted to share and I was glad that I was able to share it! Thanks for your support guys! ❤️❤️
really great, thanks
This is an amazing and well informed video. Great job Matty!
Much appreciated! Thanks Cat
Bravo Matty! This is a great video chock full of very helpful information. I had no ideas some of these services were even available.
Funny to say that a lot of people don't know about the additional features that a cruise line offers for people with a disability. I was happy to shed some light on this subject and actually have some more insights down the road in another video that I plan on doing. ❤️
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You !!!!!
I’ve never been on a cruise 🚢 and I’m really excited about planning one for my husband and I. I lost my left leg ( from knee down ) 2 years ago, and because of other health issues, do not have a prosthetic yet. So it’s WC and scooter for me….One question I have is pool entrance, I am able to walk on my knees for a small distance if need be, but, are any pools on any ships have a disability entrance lol for lack of a better words, as I absolutely love ❤️ to swim. Other then that you pretty much covered it all, and did a awesome job !! You seem like a super nice guy I would enjoy talking too.
Blessings. 🙏🏼❤️
Hey Matty! New sub here! Thank you so much for this information! ❤
Awesome job Matty!! Very informative!❤😊
Glad it was helpful! I am happy that I was able to share my knowledge about cruising with a disability.
Very well done!
Good tips for research- especially whether or not a tender port is involved.
Very helpful knowledge for folks worried about room types 🙂
For first or near first-time cruisers, this entire video provided outstanding ℹ️ 🤗
There was a consistent joy in your face when providing this information- one could tell how much you enjoy helping others!
The editing was really good- somebody been practicing 😆😘😘😘
Thanks Bob! It was an awesome experience to provide everyone with this information. I am happy to provide others with this information and can't wait to give more tips and trick and suggestions on all types of travel.
Editing is coming smooth now.... loving it more and more! ~Matty
Excellent information. Very important for a safe and enjoyable cruise for anyone with disabilities. Glad to have found you on Instagram and YT. Looking forward to watching more of your videos. Will keep an eye out for future notifications from you channel. TJ &. Red Loving Life Hitched Up 👍 #21
Our pleasure! Thanks for your comment! We really wanted to make sure that this video expressed ourselves to say that you can cruise or travel in general with a Disability. Glad to have you part of our No Maps family and cannot wait to release our on-going travel series with disabilities. Thanks for watching! ~ Matty @NoMapsNeededTravel
Thanks Matty....very informative!
Thanks Mama Dee! I was happy to provide my thoughts and support on this situation and well show people that cruising with a disability can be done!
Great video Matty. Very informative. Learned alot.
Thanks Yvonne! That means a lot! I hope that this will help anyone who has doubts about cruising with a disability.
OMG! Thank you for this video. I'm a Social Worker and have worked in the travel industry for some time now and I can't tell you how many times passengers believe that they can let us jnow that they've needed accommodations for wheelchairs with just 2 days notice..... And when we couldn't provide the accommodation we were seen as insensitive🙄
Great video. I'm a celiac (dietary)travelling with hEDS (mobility issues.) I cannot wait to take a cruise-Shawna🍁
I have many friends who are celiac and they still love to cruise. All cruise lines have done an amazing job in regards to supporting people with dietary restrictions and they provide an amazing selection. Thanks for watching!
I’ve seen the autism at sea program at work on RCL, it’s awesome including a beach trip to give the caretakers a break!
Just found this video whilst searching for info on cruising with a disability. I’m going on my first ever cruise in August to the Baltic and have booked regular excursions as none of the accessible ones actually stop, you just get driven around in an accessible vehicle. I am hoping the regular tours are ok, and that the coaches are suitable….but I guess I won’t know until I get there!
Thanks for the information.🐸
Your welcome! I was glad and happy to share it with everyone!
Just a point of information. The accessibility rooms book up quickly so if you will need one, you should book early.
I will be cruising solo on the Carnival Mardi Gras in Dec. I will be renting a scooter. How do you manage drinks, containers of food that are served in rectangular containers or trays at some of the eating spots? I know in the Lido buffets someone will carry your tray, but what aborut those places that hand you your food to take to your table?I am able to walk short distances but my balance is poor so I do need my cane for stability if I were to try to carry something in the other hand.
So Jane, personally myself I always ask any staff member that is around for assistance! I experienced that on my last cruise and I told the staff member behind the counter I needed help to bring back to my table. He called someone over who was working at the bar and they assistant me! Don’t be afraid to ask- the crews are great!
@@NoMapsNeededTravel Thank you very much Matty. I appreciate your reply. Happy cruising to you.
Although I am more mobile I repeatedly have servers that want to hand me an item come out from behind the counter and carry it to my table. For that reason I try to find a table nearby so they can return to their station quickly. And I in fact can carry most single items.
The biggest problem with excursions is even when asked about a folding wheelchair and had them say it’s good, they driver refuses! And they don’t even have to lift it my husband does. The shore excursion staff was appalled because they have been who asked.
Great video and information Marty. Thank you. When we get to cruise again I will be traveling with a guide dog and my mom will have a scooter. We have a accessible stateroom booked as I am a strong planner also. I do have a question for you. Have you ever cruised to Cozumel, Costa Maya or Mahogany Bay and if so what excursions did you find accessible.
Yes, planning is the number one key! I have had clients that just want to jump on a cruise and go which is great, but when it comes to mobility or disability issues, we really need to plan and research. To answer your question about accessible tours, I have not visited Costa Maya and Mahogany Bay (that is in my Feb 2022 Cruise), but in Cozumel, I suggest that you research on the cruise lines website for accessible excursions. If you don't see anything, there are two company's that I suggest for Cozumel which are- viator.com and thisiscozumel.com. Both sites offer a huge selection of Accessible Tours (The Cozumel Food Tour is my favourite 😉)- If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to let me know and I can hopefully help you out. You can email me at nomapsneededtravel@gmail.com ~Matty
Many excursions don’t list if they have a bathroom or not. I feel like they all should disclose that information
Do you know of any Alaska cruise ships with pool sloped -entry or steps/handrail ? I can not use pool ladders bacause I am mobility challanged but I do not want to use those pool lift chairs.
What would u recommend for Nassau on limited budget
On fresh water rivers an$ lakes no tenders just long gangways
Great tips Matty. Thank you I am blind and a recent amputee. Do you recommend one cruise line over the other or large ship vs small ship
I can't advise as to which cruise line having only used Princess and Carnival (I prefer Princess as I'm not a party party person) but I would definitely advise you to get an accessible cabin if you can. I traveled with a blind friend in June and he said that he should have gotten an accessible cabin as his, particularly his bathroom, felt really cramped. He's used to larger rooms and wasn't a fan of the standard small Princess balcony cabin.
If I were you, I would do the smaller ships first. And not because you’re blind, but maybe because you’re a recent amputee, you may have better luck with a bigger cabin. If you need the bars and such. I found it easier to learn where everything was in a smaller cabin, and also a smaller ship.
How do you get your luggage from airport to hotel and hotel to cruiseship if you're using a wheelchair or scooter?
Taxi I guess, I always have my bag on my lap, on my wheelchair and I mostly travel alone. And I only bring what I can carry onion my wheelchair, without any outside help. And most airports have a service to bring you the taxi area, with your luggage. And you can ask the taxi driver, if you are willing to bring your luggage to the destination point, for extra pay of course.
Do staterooms have hoists to help people get in and out of the bed/shower?
Does Disney have accessible rooms?.
Yes they do,
There are nautical reasons why ships tender water bus too shallow to dock underwater hazards viral reefs ruins