| 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
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