Onboard family friendly cruises there are a wide variety of activities catered for children. It is a cruise lines number one priority to ensure all children are well cared for and enjoy their holiday. The accessibility onboard can differ from ship to ship – take a look below to find out how each cruise line caters for disabled children with accessible play areas .
Carnival Cruise Line – You can be sure that all passengers with disabilities or particular needs will be catered for onboard Carnival, as they have been honoured with the “Access Freedom” Award from the Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality. However there are several things that parents should be aware of before allowing their disabled child to get involved with the onboard activities. Parents or legal guardians will need to fill out a registration form that will cover the needs of the child. A checklist will also need to be filled out to ensure the child takes part in activities which are are fun for them. Children with certain needs will be given the option to move down an age group, if it is more suitable for them. Youth Staff are unable to provide individual care for each child, therefore parents are welcome to stay in the club to supervise their child if they wish. The Youth Staff are also unable to administer any medication and medication cannot be kept in the playrooms – asthma inhalers, epi-pens and diabetic equipment are classed as exceptions. Parents are responsible for feeding and administering medication or changing nappies. Parents with disabled children in the youth club will be given a phone so the Youth Staff can contact them at any time.
Celebrity Cruises – Parents will be issued with a pager as a means of contact as all children can participate in the onboard activities, no matter if they have a disability or other need.
Holland America Line – Many of the youth staff onboard HAL have training in working with disabled children – this means if the child is able to interact with others in their age group, they should be able to be accommodated for. Any special circumstances must be made aware to staff when booking.
MSC Cruise – Parents will be given a security bracelet, pager or beeper when their children attend the activities so they can be contacted at any time.
Norwegian Cruise Line – Norwegian Cruise Line’s Splash Academy cannot provide one to one care, however they will try to adjust activities as much as they can to cater for every child’s needs. They also offer children the opportunity to move up or down age groups if more suitable for them.
Princess Cruises – All children are welcome to join in with all children’s activities onboard. Any needs must be mad aware to youth workers before leaving the child in their care. Staff will try to make the experience as enjoyable as possible, however one to one care is not available.
P&O Cruises – P&O do cater for disabled children in terms of accessibility in their kids clubs, however one to one care is not offered. Parents are welcome to stay and watch their child if one to one care is needed. Disabled children are more than welcome to join in all activities run by the youth department.