4. Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess
Regal Princess
Princess Cruises has long focused on accessibility, launching its first access program in 1992 and becoming the first cruise line to employ a manager of access compliance 10 years later.
In St. Thomas, the line helped develop tours featuring the island’s accessible trolley. Princess Cays, the line’s private Bahamas beach, has ramps for easier access. The line’s excursion listings indicate the level of access for each tour. Alaska cruisetour passengers will find the line’s wilderness lodges meet ADA guidelines, with accessible rooms and public spaces. And Princess’ Midnight Sun Express railcars offer wheelchair access to the lower levels of the car, including dining areas and outside observation platforms.
Launched in 2014, 3,569-passenger Regal Princess is one of the line’s newest ships, and offers an impressive 38 accessible staterooms — especially welcome because most cabins on the ship are on the tight side.
The accessible cabins have wide stateroom doors without sills and wide ramped-threshold bathroom doors. They have roll-in showers, grab bars and wide turning spaces. They also have a fold-down shower seat and handheld showerheads, and ship staff can provide shower stools and toilet risers upon request. Each bathroom has a high toilet and bath distress alarms. Rooms have a lower closet rod and refrigerator.
Elsewhere onboard Regal Princess, a wide gangway eases access, and a wheelchair assistance team can help with embarkation and debarkation. There are accessible public restrooms, and a sign-language interpreter can be provided with request several months before sailing. All dining and bar venues have wheelchair seating, as does the main theater, which has an assistive listening system.
ADA kits are available featuring telephone amplifiers, visual smoke detectors, door knock sensors and text telephones. A lift offers access to the Neptune pool and whirlpool. The cabin directory and emergency information are provided in Braille. Most service animals are permitted.
Note that while special gangway stairlifts can help with tendering, access is not guaranteed at all ports, due to local conditions, and passengers may find themselves unable to go ashore.
Fleetmates: Princess’ other Royal-class ships, such as Majestic Princess and Royal Princess, have similar accessible amenities. In addition, travelers with disabilities give high marks to Ruby Princess, which was refurbished in late 2015, and welcomes disabled passengers in 31 accessible staterooms.
Regal Princess Cruises
Originally posted https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles/9-best-ships-for-cruisers-with-disabilities, by
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