OTISOFFTRA Cruise Vacations Can Accommodate Special-Needs Travelers (NAPSA)—With one in five Americans having a special need affecting his or herlifestyle, cruising offers a viable vacation choice. ye Cruise lines today emphasize accessibility in the design of their ships, and cruising has become a more comfortable way to travel for persons with disabilities. For wheelchair users, most cruise lines are proactive and progressive, offering accessible state- rooms spacious enough for maneuverability. Accessible bathrooms have roll-in showers, grab bars and built-in seats with an emer- gency call button or telephone close at hand. Closet hangers and light switches are mounted lower, and life jackets are stored within reach of a wheelchair user. Many cruise ship public areas are also designed to accommodate wheelchairs. Automatic sliding doors and rampedthresholds provide access to deck areas. Restaurants, bars and lounges have maneuvering space between tables, and designated areas are provided in show lounges and movie theaters. For persons with vision disabilities, ships may offer Braille menus. A growing number of people with special needs regard cruising as a viable vacation choice. vide a TTY, or text telephone device, that allows communication through typing messages. TTY kits may also include vibrating alarm clocks and visual alerts for doorbells. Somecruise lines also sell shore excursions that can accommodate guests with special needs. Some tour operators provide accessibil- ity ratings for their shore excur- sions, so guests can plan ahead. All cruise lines request that guests with special needs notify them at the time of booking. This ments in elevators, and raised door ensures the line can accommodate the individual and that an accessible stateroom is reserved. In some cases, special health services can be arranged in advance. Some travel agents specialize banister deck numbers, facilitate movement aroundthe ship. with special needs, and it pays to use an agent whois familiar with On some vessels, Braille call but- tons and audible floor announce- numbers on cabins andstairwell Cruise lines have individual policies for accommodating service animals such as guide dogs, but acceptance of these assistance ani- mals is common. For persons with hearing disabilities, many cruise lines pro- in booking vacations for those the facilities and policies of different cruise ships. When it comes to a vacation, many say they find it difficult to match the value, dining, enter- tainment and destinations of a cruise.
