Plain sailing for travellers who need a wheelchair
TRAVELLING when you have reduced mobility can be a challenge, but a cruise should be plain sailing if you book with a specialist company.
For wheelchair-users it can be a great way to get away, with modern ships offering accommodation, restaurants and entertainment all in easy reach while on board.
That said, careful planning is needed, from choosing the right itinerary and securing an accessible cabin to finding suitable excursions.
A good travel agent may be able to help, but it takes experience and expertise to cater for individual needs.
Limitless Travel, which specialises in disabled-friendly holidays, was founded in 2015 by Angus Drummond, who has muscular dystrophy.
He says: ‘By providing appropriate equipment and care, we open up the world of travel – even solo travel – so disabled people can focus on enjoying their holidays.
‘Typically on a cruise with us, out of ten passengers, six are disabled, of whom two are travelling solo while four are non-disabled relatives or friends.
‘Cruise lines usually do not allow
disabled people to travel individually, but with Limitless they can because of our care team.
‘We have one carer per three disabled passengers at arrival and check-in, for settling into the cabins, getting about the ship and on outings ashore.’
Limitless Travel, which also offers coach tours, city breaks and beach holidays, is offering 16 small-group cruises this year and 30 more in 2024, aboard P&O, Fred Olsen, Princess, MSC and Royal Caribbean ships.
For example, eight days aboard P&O’s Iona, sailing from Southampton on July 29 to the breathtaking landscapes of the Norwegian fjords, costs from €2,599pp in an accessible seaview cabin.
The itinerary features wheelchairfriendly destinations, meaning tenders are not required to get you ashore.
The cost includes care services for the group as well as a pick-up service from London Heathrow, London Gatwick or Southampton Airport.
You can also add on packages with higher levels of care that are suitable for passengers who, when at home, have several visits from helpers each day. Visit www.limitlesstravel.org for more information.