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Are handicap rooms on cruises more expensive?

Some cruise lines charge more for ADA rooms because they strategically place these rooms in a more expensive category while others do not.



No, by law and industry standard, handicap-accessible staterooms on cruises are not more expensive than standard rooms of the same category. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for U.S.-based lines and general international maritime fairness guidelines, cruise lines cannot charge a "disability premium" for accessible cabins. In fact, these rooms are often highly coveted because they are significantly larger than standard cabins to allow for wheelchair turning radiuses and include modified bathrooms with roll-in showers and grab bars. However, because there are only a limited number of these rooms on each ship, they are strictly reserved for passengers who truly need them. You are often required to fill out a "Special Assistance" form confirming your need for the features. One potential "hidden" cost is that if the specific category you want (like a cheap Interior room) has all its accessible units sold out, you might be forced to book a higher, more expensive category (like an Oceanview or Balcony) if that is where the remaining accessible inventory is located.

People Also Ask

Contact the Access Office for Your Cruise Line When you book an accessible room on a cruise ship, you will be required to fill out a special needs form and submit it to the access office. This helps ensure that only those that truly need the rooms are booking them.

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Choosing the Right Cruise Ship While oceangoing vessels tend to be more disability-friendly, some river cruise ships are also able to accommodate passengers with disabilities, but with limitations. Most lines also have dedicated departments to assist passengers with disabilities.

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Royal Caribbean's Bahamas Cruise Royal Caribbean is known to have spacious ships that make it an easy choice for wheelchair users. The company offers some of the best wheelchair-accessible cruises. With this cruise, you can choose from a wide range of options for the number of days you want to cruise.

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Yes. Certain cruise lines -- particularly river lines like Uniworld -- and travel agents offer deals for solo cruisers in the way of reduced single supplements or discounts on solo cabins. A knowledgeable travel agent can help you find affordable solo cruises.

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The Secret Decks would be more accurately described as public observation balconies that not everyone knows about.

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Storage & Packing Checks One of the things I actually like to do is understand where the storage is. Many cabins have all sorts of hidden storage. This cabin actually doesn't have that much, but often you might find stuff high up. Normally, underneath the bed, is your suitcase haven – make use of it.

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Interior or inside staterooms are typically the least expensive category on a cruise. Those cabins are generally the smallest on board and rarely accommodate more than three people, according to Joy Hess, owner and lead travel consultant at Outside the Lines Travel.

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Regent Suite, Regent Seven Seas: $11,000/night. Perhaps the most expensive cruise ship suite -- and the most coveted -- belongs to luxury line Regent Seven Seas, which seems to outdo itself with each new ship.

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What is the most expensive cabin on a cruise ship? On the opposite end of the price spectrum, multiroom suites tend to be the most expensive rooms on board, Hess said. They can measure thousands of square feet, often with spacious balconies. They also typically come with a range of perks.

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Even if you simply work at an office or at home most of the week, the transition to walking throughout the day on just the ship alone can be much more than you are typically used to. On average, most cruise ships offer passengers the opportunity to walk several miles each day.

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Cruise vacations are a great option for seniors because they can do as much or as little as they want, depending on their level of ability,” says Ronald Pettit, senior specialist access manager with Royal Caribbean International. “Some seniors are quite active, while others are more relaxed.”

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Here are seven ways to avoid spending any extra money once you've boarded your cruise ship.
  1. Just drink water, juice, and coffee. ...
  2. Replace a paid shore excursion with self-guided tours. ...
  3. Stay on the ship. ...
  4. Get the most out of included places to eat. ...
  5. Do your homework during the packing process. ...
  6. Save money on laundry.


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