Carnival's website claims the cruise line is "dedicated to offering the finest cruising experience to our guests with special requirements." Each ship is outfitted with accessible elevators, marked hallways and modified staterooms. Carnival is a major player in the Tampa cruise market, with three ships making Tampa their home port. The Legend sails for the western Caribbean each Sunday during September through May, and then island hops through the azure waters of the Bahamas during the summer. The Inspiration alternates four and five-night cruises to the Caymans and Cozumel, Mexico. The Paradise joins its sister ships each December, providing five-night sojourns to Cozumel and the Caymans.
Carnival ships have two classes of cabin accommodations for handicapped passengers. The modified cabin simply provides a wider doorway, while the fully accessible cabins are designed with roll-in showers, full turnaround space and fold-down shower seats.
Every five days the Radiance of the Seas departs the Port of Tampa for the Yucatan peninsula. Ports of call include Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico. The Royal Caribbean fleet is well equipped to handle their guests with disabilities. In addition to spacious corridors allowing 180 degree turnarounds, Royal Caribbean ships are outfitted with accessible staterooms and gradual inclines into all public areas. The Radiance of the Seas' casino features wheelchair-accessible blackjack tables, and one pool has a hydraulic lift available as well as a therapeutic whirlpool. Royal Caribbean also offers accessible shore excursions at many ports of call.
The Ryndam offers a one- or two-week cruise option out of Tampa. Guests on the first week of the cruise sail for Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica and Key West before returning to Tampa. The two-week adventurers stay onboard for another week of cruising to Key West, Belize, Honduras and Costa Maya, Mexico. The Ryndam also embarks on a 42-day transatlantic voyage each year in the spring.
The Ryndam's 1266-passenger capacity makes it the smallest cruise ship in Tampa. However, "Porthole Cruise Magazine" recognized Holland America as having the "Best Overall Facilities for Physically Challenged Passengers." One reason is the hydraulic lifts that enable wheelchair-bound passengers to access offshore tenders. At many ports, the tenders are the only means available to reach shore. The Holland America lifts also provide assistance disembarking from the tenders to the port.
The 2,240-passenger Norwegian Star begins cruising from the Port of Tampa in October, 2011. The ship will embark each Sunday on seven-day sailings to western Caribbean destinations in Honduras, Belize and Mexico. The Star has 20 staterooms designated as handicapped accessible. Public restrooms onboard the ship are also equipped with wheelchair accommodations, and the main theaters have designated wheelchair areas.
In order to assist travelers with accessibility needs, Norwegian Cruise Lines has created an access desk (866-584-9756) designed to coordinate any accommodations for travelers. Eventually NCL plans to have an Access Officer onboard every ship.
