Taking Your Mobility Scooter or Power Wheelchair on a Carnival Cruise Line Cruise

Taking Your Mobility Scooter or Power Wheelchair on a Carnival Cruise Line Cruise

Facilities and Services for Guests with Disabilities on Carnival Cruises

Carnival is committed to ensuring that all guests, including those with disabilities, have a fun and memorable cruise experience. The cruise line offers a range of accessible facilities and services to make the journey as enjoyable as possible. Here’s an overview of the available amenities and services:

General Access

Carnival has made substantial modifications to its ships to improve accessibility:

  • Accessible Elevators: All ships feature elevators with tactile controls for guests who use wheelchairs and audible signals for guests who are blind or have limited vision. Elevators are located at each elevator bank, ensuring easy access.

  • Accessible Routes: The ships have designated accessible routes throughout most public areas, with signs to guide guests to these pathways.

  • Accessible Dining: Accessible tables are available in the dining venues, including the main dining rooms, Lido Deck casual dining areas, and other restaurant venues. Room service is also available 24/7.

  • Pool Lifts: For pools on certain ships, including Carnival Celebration, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Pride, and others, pool lifts are provided with a weight limit of 300 pounds. These lifts make it easier for guests with mobility challenges to access the pool.

Staterooms and Public Restrooms


  • Accessible Staterooms: Each ship has accessible staterooms designed for guests with mobility limitations. These rooms feature wider doorways, spacious turning areas, and accessible bathrooms.

  • Accessible Restrooms: Accessible public restrooms are available on all ships for ease of use.


Additional Accessibility Features

  • Carnival continues to improve and enhance its ships to better accommodate guests with disabilities. Check the website periodically for updates on new modifications and services.

Limitations

While Carnival is committed to providing excellent service, guests are responsible for providing their own personal care needs. Crew members cannot assist with personal tasks such as eating, dressing, bathing, or moving around the ship. All guests must be able to perform these tasks independently.

Accessible Deck Plans

For further planning, accessible PDF deck plans are available to help guests locate accessible rooms, routes, and public restrooms. Interactive deck plans are also available, offering additional details, including room dimensions, when searching by room number.

By providing these facilities and services, Carnival aims to ensure that all guests can fully enjoy their cruise experience while having access to the support they need.

Golden Technologies CarryOn Foldable Mobility Scooter Carnival Cruise Infographic

Accessible Staterooms on Carnival Cruises

Carnival offers specially designed staterooms for guests with mobility limitations, including wheelchair users. It's important to inform Carnival of your accessibility needs during the booking process. The following classifications of staterooms are available:

  1. Fully Accessible Cabins (FAC): These staterooms are ideal for guests with limited or no mobility who use a wheelchair, scooter, or similar device. They include accessible routes, turning space, and accessible bathrooms with grab bars and shower seats.

  2. Fully Accessible Cabins – Single Side Approach (FAC-SSA): A variation of the FAC, designed with an accessible route and clear floor space on one side of the bed. These cabins may have one or two beds, and the accessible route is on one side of the bed in a single-bed configuration, or between two beds in a two-bed configuration.

  3. Ambulatory Accessible Cabins (AAC): These are suited for guests with mobility limitations who do not require a wheelchair but may use a cane, walker, or other assistive device. These cabins include accessible features like grab bars but may have a step to the bathroom or balcony.

  4. Standard Cabins: These cabins have a 22-inch wide doorway, a step into the bathroom, and other obstacles that may not be suitable for guests who require mobility devices.

If an accessible stateroom is booked by a guest who doesn’t need the features, they may be moved to a non-accessible room to accommodate guests with a disability.

Personal Mobility Devices (Wheelchairs/Scooters/Segways)

  • Mobility Device Storage: Devices must fit through a 22-inch doorway in standard cabins. Larger scooters (over 21 inches wide) require a fully accessible stateroom with a wider doorway.
  • Battery Requirements: Only mobility devices with gel, dry-cell, absorbed glass mat, or lithium-ion batteries are allowed. Devices must be charged in the stateroom.
  • Safety: Devices should be stored safely and cannot block exits, fire equipment, or hallways.

Rental Services

Guests can rent mobility devices from Scootaround, Carnival’s preferred vendor, for U.S. sailings. Rentals can be delivered directly to the ship.

Airport Transfers

  • North America: Hydraulic lift transfers are available for guests with mobility limitations. These must be reserved in advance.
  • Europe: Accessible transfers require advance arrangements and may require a collapsible wheelchair for bus boarding.

Wheelchair Assistance

Limited wheelchair availability is provided for embarkation and disembarkation, with a maximum guest weight of 325 pounds.

Going Ashore

Guests with mobility devices may face challenges at ports that require water shuttles. In some cases, accessibility may be limited, and guests may not be able to disembark.

Ports Requiring Water Shuttles


  • Airlie Beach, Australia**
  • Andalsnes, Norway
  • Bay of Islands, New Zealand**
  • Belize City, Belize*
  • Benoa, Bali**
  • Bermuda***
  • Bora Bora, French Polynesia**
  • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
  • Cairns (Yorkey's Knob), Australia
  • Catalina Island, California
  • Conflict Islands, Papua New Guinea**
  • Douglas, Isle of Man, UK
  • Dravuni Island, Fiji**
  • Dublin (Dun Laoghaire), Ireland
  • Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands*
  • Grundarfjordur, Iceland
  • Haines, Alaska***
  • Half Moon Cay, The Bahamas***
  • Heimaey, Westman Islands, Iceland
  • Holyhead, Wales***
  • Icy Strait Point, Alaska***
  • Isle of Pines, New Caledonia**
  • Isles of Skye, Scotland
  • Juneau, Alaska***
  • Ketchikan, Alaska***
  • Kiriwina, Papua New Guinea**
  • Kirkwall, (Orkney Islands), Scotland***
  • Kitava, Papua New Guinea**
  • Komodo Island, Indonesia**
  • Kona, Hawaii**
  • Kotor, Montenegro
  • Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland
  • Lifou Isle, New Caledonia**
  • Mare, New Caledonia**
  • Moreton Island, Australia**
  • Moorea, French Polynesia**
  • Mykonos, Greece***
  • Mystery Island, Vanuatu**
  • Nanortalik, Greenland
  • Norfolk Island, Australia
  • Port Arthur, Tasmania**
  • Port Denarau, Fiji**
  • Port Douglas, Australia**
  • Portimão, Portugal
  • Prince Rupert, BC, Canada***
  • Princess Cays, The Bahamas
  • Qaqortoq, Greenland
  • Santorini, Greece
  • Seydisfjordur, Iceland
  • Sitka, Alaska***
  • Skagway, Alaska***
  • St. Anthony, NL, Canada
  • Stornoway, Scotland
  • St. Peter Port, Guernsey

* Limited availability of accessible water shuttles

** No accessible water shuttles available

*** Water shuttles sometimes required; varies by sailing. Based on local availability, accessible water shuttles may not be available.


Golden Technologies Buzzaround CarryOn Foldable Travel Mobility Scooter on Cruise

Cruising with Children with Disabilities

Carnival Cruise Line is dedicated to providing a welcoming and enjoyable experience for all children, including those with special needs, through their Youth Programs. Here are some key details about how Carnival works to ensure all children, regardless of their abilities, can participate in fun and engaging activities:

Youth Program Participation and Special Assistance

  • Registration: Parents or guardians must register their child to participate in the Youth Program. During this process, staff will work with the parents to assess the child's needs and determine appropriate accommodations to ensure a fully inclusive experience.

  • Age Policy: Youth Programs have age-based policies, and children must fit within designated age ranges. While children can be moved to a younger age group if needed as an accommodation, children 18 and older cannot participate in the Youth Programs.

  • One-on-One Assistance: Carnival does not provide one-on-one personal care or assistance for children. However, parents or assigned helpers can remain with their child during activities if additional support is needed.

Diapering and Lifting Policies

  • Carnival staff members are unable to change diapers for children over the age of 5, or those who exceed the diaper weight limit due to safety and procedure requirements.

  • Due to safety concerns, staff cannot lift or carry guests. Parents or guardians will need to assist their child with mobility as needed.

Medical Care and Medication

  • Consent: Medical care consent is required for participation in Youth Programs.

  • Medication: Parents/guardians must return to administer any regular medication their child may need during Youth Program activities. The Youth Staff cannot administer medication, except for epi-pens and self-administered medical equipment like inhalers, insulin, or diabetic testing equipment.

Meals

  • Supervised Lunch/Dinner: Children aged 2-11 can participate in supervised lunch on port days and supervised dinner each night (except embarkation night). Since one-on-one assistance is not available, children must be able to feed themselves. Parents or guardians can stay with the child if needed, or bring the child to activities after dinner.

  • Special Diets: The Youth Program cannot accommodate special dietary needs for meals. Kid’s menus are available, but they are subject to change based on availability.

Sensory Inclusive Certification

  • Carnival is proud to be the first cruise line to be certified “sensory inclusive” by KultureCity, a nonprofit that supports individuals with sensory and invisible disabilities such as Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, PTSD, and others.

  • Sensory Resources: If a child has sensory or cognitive needs, parents can work with Guest Services to discuss special accommodations. Carnival provides resources to Youth Staff, including weighted vests, conversation cards, sensory games, and other aids to help soothe, calm, and engage children.


Summary

Carnival Cruises offers a range of accessible facilities and services to ensure an enjoyable experience for guests with disabilities. Key features include accessible elevators, routes, dining, pool lifts, staterooms, and public restrooms. Guests with mobility challenges can find accessible staterooms such as Fully Accessible Cabins (FAC) and Ambulatory Accessible Cabins (AAC), and there are mobility device rentals available. For ports requiring water shuttles, accessibility may be limited. Carnival also supports children with disabilities through inclusive Youth Programs, offering special accommodations and sensory resources for children with autism and other conditions. However, staff cannot provide personal care or assist with certain tasks like lifting or diapering. Sensory-inclusive services are available, and further assistance can be arranged by contacting Carnival’s Guest Access team.

For further assistance or to ensure the best accommodations, guests are encouraged to contact the Guest Access team at Carnival by phone at 1-800-438-6744 ext. 70025 or by email at access@carnival.com.

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