Posted on Monday January 19, 2026
Accessible Vacationing: Cruises
We’re currently in peak cruise season, the most popular time of year for travelers to sail, running from December through April.
For people who have mobility limitations, taking an Amigo Travelmate on a cruise, or any vacation, helps them relax and enjoy their time away from home without having to worry about how they’d get from A to B.
“While the TravelMates are compact and lightweight, they also maneuvered well throughout the ship,” said Amigo owner Matt Jankowski.
According to Sailawaze, a cruise blog and travel resource, cruise lines have become more accessible over the years and often offer the following features:
- Step-free embarkation routes
- Wheelchair-accessible show lounges, restaurants, and pool decks
- Braille and tactile signage around the ship
- Visual and vibrating alerts in staterooms
- Accessible tendering where possible
- Priority seating for guests with disabilities
Sailawaze: Most Accessible Cruise Lines
- Royal Caribbean: Recognized for its accessible staterooms, pool lifts, autism-friendly resources, priority check-in, and other features.
- Princess Cruises: Recognized for its wheelchair-friendly ship layouts and its Access Deck.
- Celebrity Cruises: Earned awards for its accessibility features, including wheelchair-friendly cabins, assistive listening systems, and more.
- Disney Cruise Lines: Highly recommended for families because of its accessible children’s facilities, autism-aware staff, and sensory information for entertainment and dining areas.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Nassau, Bahamas.
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Celebrity Ascent.
Other things you should ensure the cruise lines offer are:
- Accessible shore excursions
- Roll-in showers
- Beds that are the right height for transfers
- Wider doorways
- Space to turn
- Accessible activity and dining accommodations
When you book your cruise, it’s strongly recommended that you tell the cruise line you’re traveling with an Amigo or a different mobility device, especially if they are battery-powered. This will allow them to share their requirements, like what batteries are allowed onboard, ensure your stateroom will meet your needs, and connect you with an accessibility specialist if they have one.
If you want to take the guesswork out of booking, the online travel agency that focuses on accessible travel, Wheel the World, can help you out. They will also help you book accessible hotels, tours, activities, and more.
Amigo Travel Tips
One of the most important pieces of advice we can share about going on a cruise with your Amigo is to check how wide the doorways are. No matter what Amigo you travel with, it’s always best to call the cruise line ahead of time to ensure your Amigo will fit through the doorways.
The best Amigo to travel with is the TravelMate because it folds easily without the need for disassembly, it’s compact, and lightweight. The Viva is another great option because it’s portable and comfortable.
If you live in Michigan, you can rent a TravelMate at the Amigo Mobility Center. If you’re from another state, we will help you find a dealer in your area! You can call us at 989-777-0910 or fill out a form on our contact us webpage.
We also compiled a list of some accessible travel tips to help ensure you have a safe and enjoyable vacation! Our tips range from finding a travel agent and lodging to tips for navigating airport security and flying with your Amigo batteries.
Check out the webpage by clicking here!
