Special Needs at Sea works with Princess to provide mobility services, including wheelchair rentals, for thousands of travelers aboard their ships each year!
Princess Cruises has long placed a high priority on making cruise vacations accessible for wheelchair travel and passengers with special needs. Princess initiated its Access program in 1992 to raise the standards of cruises suitable for disabled people across the fleet. Since then, for their innovation and commitment, they have been honored by the National Business & Disability Council and the Western Law Center for Disability Rights; the only time such honors have been awarded to a cruise line.
For travelers with limited mobility, all of Princess’ vessels have ADA wheelchair accessible staterooms. The Crown Class Ships, specifically the Emerald Princess ship and the Ruby Princess cruise ship and the Diamond Class Ships, specifically the Diamond Princess ship and Sapphire Princess ship, are the most accessible cruises for wheelchair users, with 30 and 27 accessible staterooms,
Accessible rooms for wheelchair travel guests have widened doorways into the cabin and bathroom; wheel-in showers, hand-held showerheads and bath distress alarms; lowered closet railings, sinks, and handrails; and removed or revamped thresholds. The Princess fleet also has wheelchair travel-friendly restaurants, theaters, spas, lounges and open deck space. Elevators have at least a 36” doorway, and wheelchair seating is available in show lounges and other public spaces.
Guests with sight and hearing disabilities will also find the ships to be accommodating. The vessels are equipped with Braille elevator call buttons, audible arrival sounds and infrared listening assistance systems in the theatres. Portable room kits featuring a visual and tactile alert system for door knocking, telephone ringing, alarm clock and smoke detector are available upon request. Televisions on-board provide close captioning, and ship libraries feature a selection of books on tape. Princess Cruises ships also feature JAWS Screen Reading software with headsets in each Internet Café.
Princess Cruises does not provide wheelchair rentals or scooters for their guests. For wheelchair rentals, scooter rentals or other special needs equipment rentals, contact Special Needs Group at (800) 513-4515. To learn more about each of the ship’s accessibility, contact the Princess Access Office at accessoffice@princesscruises.com.