Finding a Cruise to Suit Your Needs

There are many different cruise lines providing services to various parts of the world. Within each cruise line, you will even find different ships that are suited to different types of cruising. It's up to you to find out which cruise is the best fit for your needs. The best way to do this is through some basic research.

Internet - All of the major cruise lines offer Internet websites complete with most of the information you will need to make an informed choice. If you are not sure which cruise line to start with, an easy way to begin is to enter "accessible cruise lines" into your favorite search engine. That search will not only yield some websites with helpful information, but also some cruise lines websites themselves. One of the best resources available I've found is the Cruise Lines and Ship Accessibility page from access-able.com (http://www.access-able.com/dbase/cruise.cfm). This page offers a listing of all the major cruise lines along with individual descriptions of each ship within the line -- an amazing resource.

Printed Brochures - If you do not have access to a computer, you can phone each cruise line and request some brochures and printed materials. As long as you are planning in advance, there will be no problem with the added time you wait for them to arrive in the mail. Once the materials arrive, look over the images and textual descriptions for the activities planned on the ship and then make a list of questions. Once you've got your list together, call up the cruise line and complete your research by asking any other questions that are not already answered by the brochures.

Travel Agent - If you prefer to have someone else do the work for you, employ the services of a travel agent. These people make it their business to know the facts and they should be able to answer any questions you may have. In many cases, they will be able to talk about subjects that you may not have considered.

Friends and Family - One of the best ways to get first-hand knowledge is to ask your friends and family about their cruise experiences. Ask them what they liked best about their cruise, and what they disliked the most. If they share similar mobility challenges, ask if their needs were fully met. Keeping in mind that travel advice can be subjective, it's still a good way to get a feel for a cruise line and their service.

Whichever method you choose, give yourself enough time to decide without making a rushed decision. Most cruises begin booking months in advance and offer special price incentives for early bookings. Once you decided on a cruise line, it's a simple matter of making your choice and enjoying the ride!

Click Here to read an article on Choosing a Cruise Ship