How many???

I have to say I am a little bit shocked at how many wheelchair accessible cabins are actually available on cruise ships.  Over the last couple of weeks, I have tried to get wheelchair accessible cabins  for separate clients for various cruise line companies and various dates and itineraries.  Unfortunately, due to the lack of wheelchair accessible cabins available I was unable to offer anything suitable for each of my clients.  Both my clients specifically wanted balcony cabins as they did not want to be restricted to inside or ocean view and the cabin must have that all essential wet room. I could not even offer them an inside cabin, there was nothing available.

I have done a little bit of research into this since I was unsuccessful in helping my clients find something to suit their needs, which for me is not something I like to walk away from.  Neither of my clients was looking for a last minute cruise, they was both searching for something for later in the year.  Both specifically wanted to cruise from the UK also, as this is more convenient than having to fly.

I am sad and surprised to say that some of the bigger named cruise companies offer very little in the way of wheelchair accessible cabins, especially balcony cabins.  For example, the big ships that can take in excess of 3000 passengers have only approx. 25-28 accessible cabins available ranging from inside, ocean view and balcony cabins. But, most tend to be inside cabins.

That is approx. 1.75% of passengers catered for whom are requiring wheelchair accessible cabins.

There are older ships currently being used by a certain cruise line company that cannot take passengers confined to wheelchairs as the ships corridors are not wide enough to allow for wheelchairs.  I actually had to tell a client I could not book a particular cruise for him because of this reason.

It seems very odd to me in this day and age that as cruise ships get bigger and fancier that they are not fitted with more wheelchair accessible cabins.  Maybe in the next few years of refits that the cruise companies spend millions of pounds on they can consider turning a few more cabins into accessible cabins so that everyone can enjoy a cruise holiday.

I just hope that the accessible cabins that have already been pre booked are by genuine guests and not those just looking for a bigger size stateroom. Oh yes, I once had someone before telling me they only book accessible cabins because they got more floor space even though neither of the guests had a disability… you will be pleased to know I made sure that they did not book a cabin they did not need.