Going the Distance
Special services at sea bring cruising to all travelers.
FOR THOSE WITH PHYSICAL, MEDICAL, or developmental challenges, taking a cruise vacation may seem daunting or even unattainable. And while potential special-needs cruisers must carefully assess individual medical requirements and risks, for many, a dream cruise awaits thanks to today’s special services that provide assistance for smooth sailing.
INCREASED MOBILITY _ Slow walkers and scooter-, oxygen-, or power wheelchair– users often turn to a specialized travel agent to book their cruise. “We can do this, we’re just going to do it a bit differently,” says Debra Kerper, owner of Easy Access Travel in Carrollton, Texas. “Just be honest when talking to your travel agent and explain your mobility challenges or special needs.”
A wheelchair/scooter user herself, Kerper has also hosted special-needs group cruises in Europe. Her clients range from amputees to those living with multiple sclerosis, from paraplegics and quadriplegics to stroke survivors and people with breathing or joint issues. They can’t wait to explore the world and she helps them do that.
Beyond these kinds of arranged trips, cruisers around the world can rent mobility scooters, power wheelchairs, oxygen, nebulizers, hospital-type beds, power lifts, and other necessities from Special Needs Group ( SpecialNeedsAtSea.com), a Fort Lauderdale– based company that is dedicated to fulfilling these special-needs requirements. The company — whose mission grew out of a passion and belief that the fun of traveling should be available to everyone, despite physical challenges — aims to make travel easy, comfortable, and accessible.
Andrew Garnett, Special Needs Group’s president and CEO, says the company has one focus: “We will work with you or your travel agent to help get you the equipment needed for your cruise vacation.” In most cases, it’s delivered directly to your stateroom.
Special Needs Group has relationships with major cruise lines as well as representatives in more than 150 port cities in 35 countries. Equipment is cleaned and tested pre-rental, plus the company has a 24-hour emergency hotline. If a guest has an issue, “we work diligently to resolve the issue,” says Garnett. “In some instances, we would be able to have our agent in that port meet you and possibly bring another scooter to swap out or repair it on the spot.”
What’s more is that, considering today’s trend of multigenerational cruising, it’s wise to offer this service for the cruise lines’ guests so that the entire family can benefit.
“If grandma needs oxygen or a scooter on board or for a shore trip during a family reunion cruise, and grandma doesn’t get that, the whole group doesn’t go,” Garnett says. “And often, grandma is paying.”
DIALYSIS AT SEA _ Before booking a cruise, dialysis patients should consult their doctor and assess risks based on their medical history. Most cruise lines will accept dialysis patients as guests but won’t provide dialysis treatments.
For example, Princess Cruises compares its medical facilities to an urgent care center without specialists or specialized facilities. MSC Cruises says “guests undergoing peritoneal dialysis treatment can travel as normal, bringing with them all medicines and equipment that may be required during the cruise.” Policies vary by line, but guests typically self-administer their own treatment. That said, there are more options.
Thousands have received hemodialysis treatment on ships during special Dialysis Cruises offered by Dialysis at Sea Cruises
( DialysisAtSea.com). On select sailings, up to 16 patients per cruise can receive hemodialysis from a licensed, board-eligible/ certified nephrologist and two or more dialysis nurses. New generation Fresenius 2008K dialysis equipment is used. Guests must book directly through Dialysis at Sea; fares cover the cruise plus dialysis-related
BE HONES T WHEN TALKING TO YOUR TRAVEL AGENT AND EXPLAIN YOUR MOBILITY CHALLENGES OR SPECIAL NEEDS.
charges. Medicare usually doesn’t cover hemodialysis at sea, and health insurance may or may not; so check with your insurer. U. K.-based company Cruise Dialysis
(CruiseDialysis.co.uk) is another resource for seagoing dialysis. In addition, cruisers might reserve treatment at dialysis clinics in ports of call, but assess the risks since ships can cancel due to weather or mechanical issues.
AUTISM CRUISES _ “Every family deserves a memorable vacation,” emphasizes Vicki Freed, senior vice president, sales, trade support, and service for Royal Caribbean International, one line that, upon request, will make every reasonable effort to accommodate guests with cognitive, intellectual, and developmental disabilities.
In fact, Royal Caribbean boasts “autismfriendly ships” that offer on-demand access to exclusive content from The Autism Channel, provide autism-friendly toy lending in its Adventure Ocean Youth Program, and provide autism awareness training to all youth staff. Royal Caribbean was also the first cruise line awarded “autism-friendly” certification by the Autism on the Seas Foundation.
Autism on the Seas ( AutismOnTheSeas.com) is a national organization that organizes and staffs cruise and resort vacations for travelers with special needs including, but not limited to, autism, Asperger syndrome, Down syndrome, Tourette syndrome, and cerebral palsy.
Throughout the year, Autism on the Seas organizes dozens of autism/special-needs group cruises on autism-friendly cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line.
Autism on the Seas’ professional staff will accompany cruisers and arrange specialized respite and private activities so guests can use entertainment venues in an accommodated and assisted manner. Separately, the company offers a cruise assistance package for independent travelers. Also, the nonprofit Autism Cruises ( CruisingWithAutism.org) helps teens and young adults with autism or similar disabilities experience a cruise with their family or guardian. All proceeds from vacation bookings go toward funding a future cruise for an autism family in need.