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June/July 2011 |
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CRUISE LINES’ SMOKING BANS HELP PASSENGERS TRAVELING WITH OXYGEN BREATHE MORE EASILY AND SAFELY
More and more cruise lines are now enforcing smoking policies that prohibit smoking in staterooms. Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines and Holland American Line recently announced that smoking will soon be banned in all of their ships’ staterooms. The three companies join other cruise lines including Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Disney, Regent Seven Seas, Oceania and Azamara in banning passengers from lighting up in staterooms. Officials from the three companies stated that the change is a reflection of guest preferences. Studies show that smokers are a small percentage of the lines’ total passengers, and that the large majority of passengers wish to enjoy a smoke-free onboard living space. However, for oxygen users, the smoking ban is also a great safety improvement. It’s a universal restriction for passengers using oxygen to stay away from areas where others are smoking, and of course, to avoid smoking themselves. Read More.
CITY OF HIGHLIGHT: HONOLULU, HAWAII
Honolulu, Hawaii is an intriguing blend of contrasts: the past and present; tranquility and raucousness; the Aloha spirit and world class luxury. Vacationing in Honolulu may mean relaxing and soaking up sunshine on the beaches, but visitors to Honolulu with special needs also have the opportunity of experiencing the many other sites the city has to offer.
Beaches
There are 139 beaches on the island of Oahu, and the city of Honolulu has some of the most accessible beaches. Ala Moana Beach, Sans Souci Beach Park and Kailua Beach Park all have beach wheelchairs available for rental on a first come, first serve basis. Ala Moana Beach also has special beach mats laid out on the sand so individuals in their own personal wheelchairs may go right up to the water. Although not technically ‘accessible,’ if you go towards the volleyball nets on Waikiki Beach, the sand is hard enough that a wheelchair could wheel right onto the beach.
Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve is a nature preserve dedicated to safeguarding the fragile marine life on the Bay. Hanauma also has a beach wheelchair available for rental. The tram that transports guests to and from the beach has a wheelchair ramp and the theatre with a short video about Hanauma has closed captioning. For beaches in Honolulu that are not accessible or do not provide beach wheelchairs, travelers may rent a beach wheelchair through Special Needs Group. Read More.
Interesting Fact: ‘Iolani Palace in Honolulu is the only royal palace in the United States. Additionally, it had electricity and telephones four years before the White House did. |
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Delivering an Accessible World.
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Toll Free: 1-800-513-4515 2860 West State Road 84, Suite 107, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 |
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About Special Needs at Sea and Special Needs Group…
Special Needs Group, Inc. is a one-stop resource for special needs travel around the world. We offer a broad range of special needs equipment for purchase and rental including wheelchairs, scooters, power chairs with capabilities to support 500 pound or more; oxygen (liquid, cylinder, and concentrator); hearing impaired equipment, Braille printing, baby cribs and more. Recommended by the world’s major cruise lines and hotels for superior service and value, we also provide consultation services regarding special needs policy and new-build design. Special Needs Group, a U.S. company, is not a travel agency; we do not compete in any way with travel agents. |
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