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HANDICAP SEAS INFO
There's a wonderful world of adventure awaiting you and there's no one that can bring it to life like Royal Caribbean International. We've always believed that discovering and exploring the world around us is something that everyone should be able to enjoy, and over the years we've been an industry leader in providing the finest cruise vacation experience for all of our guests. And today we're making an even greater commitment to this goal than ever before. Royal Caribbean has begun a multi-million dollar access project to upgrade and add to our offerings over the next three years.
We're striving to make sure that every aspect of the cruising experience, from relaxing and exercising on deck, to dining and enjoying our spectacular shows, to enjoying fascinating and exciting shore excursions, can be enjoyed by one and all. We also realize that every guest's needs are different and we work hard to assure all guests' needs are met. Please make sure your travel agent contacts our Access Desk to customize your accommodations to meet your specific needs. For additional information call the Access Desk at (800) 722-5472 x34492 (voice/TDD), fax us at (305) 539-6666 or e-mail us at specialneeds@rccl.com or contact your local travel agent.
There's a whole world waiting to be explored. Get Out There.
Our goal is to make all our guests as comfortable as possible, both on and off the ship. Our spacious corridors accommodate 180° turns for wheelchairs. Most decks are accessible through automatic doors, and all public rooms feature entrances with gradual inclines. We provide accessible staterooms ranging from 159 square feet to 298 square feet, offering a five-foot turning radius in sleeping areas, bathrooms and sitting areas for easy maneuverability.
Services Provided
Early boarding
Cruise transfers utilizing a specialized van with lift
Boarding and departure assistance
Scooter access
Hydraulic lifts for one pool and one Jacuzzi throughout the fleet '(April 2002)*
Accessible tender system (October 2003)*
Accessible Blackjack tables in the casino (January 2002)*
Accessible Guest Relations Desk (November 2002)*
Accessible pool lounges (January 2002)
Deck plans that show accessible paths of travel (January 2002)
Accessible Stateroom Features
Stateroom door width: 32"-34" (vessel dependent)
Bathroom door width: 32"-34" (vessel dependent)
No door sill to get into the stateroom
Ramped bathroom thresholds
Bathroom grab bars
Lowered sink and vanity
Roll-in showers
Fold-down shower stool
Hand-held shower heads
Lowered closet bars
Refrigerator in stateroom (upon request)
Raised toilet seats (standard, 17.5";taller raisers available)
Accessible balconies (selected staterooms)
Lowered safes for easy access (not including Nordic Empress, Sovereign of the Seas, Majesty of the Seas and Monarch of the Seas, where safes are located at Guest Relations)
Visual Impairments
We're determined to make the cruising experience as convenient and enjoyable as possible for guests with visual impairments. Our staterooms, dining areas and public areas are designed to incorporate Braille or voice recognition software wherever possible. Our crew and staff are on hand to assist in every way. For additional information, please call the Access Desk at (800) 722-5472 x34492.
Accommodations Include:
Braille and large-print menus (January 2002)*
Service animals allowed onboard:
a 4' x 4' wooden box with cypress mulch is provided
Braille/tactile signage (April 2002)*
Braille elevator buttons/audio call signals (January 2002)*
Voice recognition software available at Royal Caribbean's online Internet cafes
Daily Cruise Compasses available in large print and Braille (April 2002)*
Cruise Services Directories available in Braille (January 2002)*
Early boarding available for orientation tours
Hearing Impairments
There's been much technology developed to assist guests with hearing impairments and at Royal Caribbean International, we've made every attempt to employ it wherever and whenever possible. We can also provide Sign Language interpreters upon request.* There's no reason why everyone can't enjoy the Royal Caribbean cruise vacation to the fullest.
Features/Accommodations Available:
A portable kit is available upon request. It includes TTY (Text Telephone)/TDD (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf), Alertmaster and a strobe alarm. The TTY in your stateroom interfaces with the TTY at the Guest Relations Desk to meet all your in - stateroom needs. The Alertmaster alarm clock features under-mattress or under-pillow vibrator, while lights on the Alertmaster monitor the following: doorbell, telephone ringing, alarms and other sounds.
Amplified telephones are available in the staterooms and public areas.
Infrared systems are located in the Main Show Lounge (December 2001)** and in the Royal Promenade on Voyager-class vessels.
Sign Language interpreters will be provided upon request to all guests who utilize American Sign Language as their primary means of communication.
Closed-captioned televisions are available in all staterooms across the fleet (if you are sailing on Monarch of the Seas, Majesty of the Seas or Sovereign of the Seas, please request one from the Access Desk prior to sailing).
All videos produced by Royal Caribbean International will be closed-captioned by January 2002.
* A request should be made at least 60 days prior to sailing in order to ensure an interpreter.
Medical Impairments
Guests with medical impairments that require the use of dialysis or oxygen should contact the Access Desk to discuss policies and procedures for bringing the appropriate equipment onboard.
Dialysis
Guests requiring continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis are welcome to board all Royal Caribbean International vessels. However, Royal Caribbean does not have the ability to assist or administer hemo-dialysis treatments. Those guests using peritoneal dialysis should have all solutions and equipment needed to perform the dialysis delivered to the vessel on the day of sailing at least two hours prior to sailing. Please contact the Access Desk for more information on policies and procedures.
Oxygen
All types of oxygen are permitted onboard. Please notify the Access Desk as to quantity, type and delivery schedule. Each vessel has a different storage policy, however, you will be able to keep some or all of your cylinders in the stateroom.
Pregnancy
Royal Caribbean will not accept guests who will have entered their third trimester of pregnancy (27th week) at the beginning or at any time during their cruise vacation. Please contact the Access Desk at (800) 722-5472 x34492 if you have already booked your cruise and do not meet this requirement.
Note: If you have another type of medical condition that has not been mentioned, please contact the Access Desk to inquire about policies and procedures that may affect your cruise.
Feeling At Home!
Experiencing exciting ports of call is a part of the Royal Caribbean cruise vacation. With our shore excursion program, guests are able to choose from a wide variety of wonderful possibilities. While not every port of call may be amenable to wheelchair transportation, every effort will be made to accommodate our guests where possible. Our experienced Access Staff can help you select tours that will best meet your needs. For a list of shore excursions, see a travel agent or click on shore excursions. For additional accessibility information please call the Access Desk at (800) 722-5472 x34492 or fax us at(305) 539-6666.
Feeling Lucky?
Join us in Royal Caribbean's accessible Casino RoyaleSM for a great variety of games, including Blackjack, Electronic Slot Machines, Craps and Roulette.
Onboard Medical Services
Every Royal Caribbean ship offers limited professional medical services for a reasonable fee through independently
contracted, licensed (international or domestic) physicians and nurses. On all of our ships, the medical facility is located on the "C" deck.
Traveling from Ship to Shore
Occasionally, port CABINS & PRICING, congestion and weather make it impossible to berth our ships at a particular port of call, at which point our ship will be anchored offshore and small boats (tenders) are used to travel back and forth. Royal Caribbean will make every attempt to accommodate each guest at every port. However, at some tendered ports, guests may find some difficulty in transferring from the ship to the tender. The safety of our guests and crew is always foremost in our mind and the decision to tender any guest is made by Royal Caribbean in each case. Tender status of all ports is subject to change without notice. Royal Caribbean has begun the installation of lifts that will make the tendering process for guests with mobility impairments smooth and stress-free. The project will be completed by December of 2003. Please check with the Access Desk for specific vessel information.
Ports that require tendering
Ajaccio, Corsica
Kailua Kona, Hawaii
Akureyri, Iceland
Key West, Florida
Bar Harbor, Maine
Labadee,SM Hispaniola
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Lahaina, Maui
Caldera, Costa Rica
Lerwick, Shetland Islands
Castries, St. Lucia
Olbia, Sardinia
Catalina Island, California
Philipsburg, St. Maarten
CocoCay,SM Bahamas
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Flåm, Norway
Port Allen, Hawaii
Geiranger, Norway
Puerto Vallerta, Mexico
George Town, Grand Cayman
St. John, U.S.V.I.
Hellesylt, Norway
St. John's, Antigua
Honningsvag, Norway
Villefranche, France
Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Mexico
Airport Transportation
If requested in advance, Royal Caribbean can arrange for
lift-equipped buses to transfer guests between the airport and the pier. This service is offered at no extra charge to our air/sea guests or those who have purchased cruise-only transfers. See a travel agent for details.
Extra Assistance At The Pier
Royal Caribbean International offers boarding and departure assistance to guests with mobility impairments. Please request special assistance once you arrive at the pier or contact the Access Desk prior to your cruise.
Special Equipment
Royal Caribbean has a variety of equipment available onboard, such as shower stools, bed extensions, raised toilet seats and transfer benches. Please contact the Access Desk prior to
boarding if interested.
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