Being ADA (American with Disabilities Act) compliant means that the supplier offers equal access for people with disabilities than those without.
All cruise ships that sail in the U.S. waters must be compliant with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Even if a ship is flagged in a foreign country, the U.S. require the cruise lines to be ADA compliant to cruise in U.S. waters.
What does it mean for you?
Accessible Cabins:
The cabin's dimensions and amenities are specially designed to accommodate passengers with limited or no mobility as well as those that are deaf or hard of hearing. Most of the major cruise lines have accessible cabins on all their ships.
All of those cabins have main room and bathroom doors that are at least 81cm wide, this is enough for an adult-sized wheelchair. Most will also have lowered slot machines in the casino, accessible guest relations desk and a couple more offers specific to the cruise line such as beach wheelchairs, pool lifts, whirlpools lifts etc.
Service Dogs:
Service dogs are welcome onboard most major cruise lines like MSC Cruises, Carnival, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Lines. Those cruise lines will not allow any therapy animals, emotional support animals or companion animals.
Service dogs must have up-to-date vaccinations and Hupla recommend the passenger to take the service dog's immunization records along, just in case any official at a port of entry requires it. To note that note all countries will allow Service Dogs to dis-embark - contact us to beforehand for more information.
Visual and Hearing Disabilities:
Most cruise lines will have accessible cabins for those passengers with visual and hearing disabilities. From braille signage around the ship to specific elevator buttons.
Cruise lines have very specific ways of looking after those with these disabilities, if you need more information on any of those, contact us.