Chris Ricci can walk only short distances at a time, but he has traveled the world on his scooter.
The 57-year-old U.S. Army veteran has limited mobility stemming from a foot injury he sustained in the 1980s and related complications has found cruises an accessible way to explore destinations like Alaska or the Caribbean. Just this month, he, his wife and friends took a week-long Royal Caribbean International cruise to Belize, Honduras and Mexico.
Ricci, who is based in Lakeland, Florida, simply had to drive to Tampa to board the Enchantment of the Seas. “I think it’s pretty easy,” he told USA TODAY. They booked an accessible stateroom for the first time, too.
“It was really big,” said Ricci, who chronicles his cruises and other travels on his YouTube channel, Scootin Around the World. “I had no problem getting the scooter into the room.”
Cruise ships can offer guests who use mobility devices an accessible, streamlined way to travel. But some extra planning can go a long way toward ensuring the trip goes smoothly. Here’s what to know.
How this adult-only cruise lineintegrated accessibility into its experiences
Do cruise ships have accessible staterooms for mobility devices?
Cruise lines do offer accessible staterooms, but they’re not all the same. “Make sure that you have the accessible room that’s best for you,” said Joy Burns, organization and PR manager at accessible travel booking platform Wheel the World.
For instance, some staterooms may be better…
