Special Needs Group

 

Royal Caribbean International’s (RCI) much anticipated next generation cruise ship, the Oasis of the Seas, is ready for passengers. Rising sixteen decks high, she is the largest vessel afloat — and among the most accessible.
 

We toured the ship recently and can report first hand that the Oasis of the Seas offers the largest number of accessible staterooms of any ship, a total of 46. For the newer ships in the fleet, RCI has consistently maintained a standard of 1.7 percent of all staterooms designated as accessible, the highest percentage in the industry. Wider doorways, roll-in showers, grab bars and other assistive features ensure barrier-free vacations for guests. We especially like the fact that on the Oasis of the Seas, accessible staterooms are distributed throughout the decks, ensuring ample choices for location and category. One of the more deluxe choices is the ultra-modern, two-story Crown Loft Suite measuring 737 square feet — substantially larger than its non-accessible counterparts – and equipped with an elevator to transport guests between the upper and lower floors of the loft.

 

Of the 46 accessible staterooms on the Oasis of the Seas, 33 have balconies; eight with Central Park or Boardwalk view. Since most persons with disabilities travel with others, RCI designed half of the accessible staterooms on the Oasis of the Seas to accommodate more than two people. The ample number of family suites and adjoining staterooms facilitates multi-generational travel, a growing cruise trend. Twenty-two percent of all accessible staterooms connect to an adjacent non-accessible stateroom. Read more.  

 

Condé Nast Traveler readers consistently rank Celebrity Cruises fleet among the top ships in the world. With their modern amenities, wide variety of activities and entertainment, spacious accommodations and commitment to accommodate guests with special needs, it’s easy to see how the fleet earns its ranking.

Every ship in the Celebrity fleet was designed to accommodate people with disabilities and special needs. The wide, spacious corridors allow 180 degree turns for wheelchairs, most decks are accessible through automatic doors and all public rooms feature entrances with gradual inclines. 

 

The Solstice class with the Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox, provides the best in accessibility options. These ships have 30 state-of-the-art wheelchair-accessible staterooms in a wide variety of categories including Sky Suites and balcony cabins. Unique to this class are automatic stateroom doors on all accessible staterooms, making making entry and exit easier. This class also has a lift for one pool and one whirlpool and accessible Guest Relations Desks. Three more Solstice class ships will join Celebrity’s fleet – Celebrity Eclipse in April 2010, a fourth ship in 2011 and a fifth ship in 2012. Read More.