Cruises

Today we docked in San Juan and some of the folks in our group did a modified walking tour. I say "modified" because I hate to use the word accessible in a historic place like Old San Juan. Truth be told, there are cobblestones, bricks and high curbs in many places. Additionally, a good chunk of Old San Juan is uphill from the pier and the sidewalks are narrow; just wide enough for a wheelchair when they aren't blocked by flower pots or garbage cans.

Still, the folks that joined the tour had a great time. Granted it was a little warm, but our guide took care to stop and rest in shady spots whenever possible. And he did plan out as accessible of a route as possible.

We had to arrange this tour ourselves with an outside provider because it wasn't available from the shore excursion department. That's usually the case, not just with RCI, but with most cruise lines. Unfortunately none of them have much of a selection of accessible - truly accessible - tours. Perhaps that will change as the Baby Boomers continue to age.

But we all had a great time, and that's what counts.

And Mary climbed the wall on the ship yesterday. More on that (complete with photos) in the next issue of Emerging Horizons. It was awesome.

Today is our first day at sea and also the day we officially celebrated Emerging Horizons' tenth birthday. We had a nice birthday party complete with cake, an open bar and of course gifts for everyone.

Speaking of gifts I'd like to thank Bonnie & Paul for the champagne and strawberries. It was a great way to start the cruise.

I also had some time to meet with Ron Pettit this morning and chat about some of the lesser known access features of the ship. For example one accessible cabin (a junior suite) can actually accommodate six passengers. And we toured it yesterday - it's huge and very accessible. It's a great option if you need access and want to cruise with family or friends.

Also, they have a special harness on the ship, so wheelchair-users can climb the rock climbing wall. More on that tomorrow, as we have one gal in our group that's going to give it a try! It should be lots of fun.

Well today we are in Miami, all set to depart on our Emerging Horizons Celebrations cruise. We are cruising with readers on Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas to celebrate Emerging Horizons tenth birthday and the release of my newest book, "101 Accessible Vacations: Travel Ideas for Wheelers and Slow Walkers". I'm really thrilled with the galleys of the new title, and I think it will be an excellent vacation planning resource.

Speaking of vacation planning, I get a lot of questions about free parking for people with disabilities at cruise ship piers in Florida. Well, those of you planning to drive to a Florida port should know that under Florida law there is no charge for parking at cruise ship piers for people who have modified vehicles or a Florida toll exemption tag. That's the minimum law.

But the Port of Miami goes one step further, as it also allows free parking for anybody who has a disabled parking placard. Not so at Port Canaveral though, as they stick to the letter of the law. So if you are cruising out of Miami, don't forget your placard - it could save you a few bucks on parking.

Well, gotta get my luggage together and do a last minute e-mail check. I'm meeting the RCI Access Manager aboard early for tour of the accessible staterooms. As an added bonus he's sailing with us, just to make sure things go smoothly.

And, as promised, I will be blogging daily while on the cruise, so check back often for the latest access information about the Liberty of the Seas and the ports she visits.

Beginning in January 2008 a new smoking policy will go into effect on Royal Caribbean ships. As of that date, smoking in all staterooms and suites will be prohibited. Additionally one lounge or bar will be designated as a non-smoking area.

Smoking will still be prohibited in all areas previously designated as non-smoking. The policy will initially go into effect on all Royal Caribbean Ships, except Legend of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas. Those ships will adopt the new policy in the summer of 2008.

At first blush this may not seem like a disability related topic, but I can assure you that folks with respiratory conditions welcome this change. As for me, well it will just be nice to be able to go into a bar without coming out smelling like an ash tray.

Unfortunately smoking will still be allowed on stateroom balconies. Personally I always get a balcony stateroom because I love the fresh air. Unfortunately that's often ruined when the person in the next room steps out on his balcony and lights up a cancer stick.

IMHO, RCI didn't go far enough. But hey, it's a good start. Too bad they didn't do it in time for our Emerging Horizons Celebration Cruise on the Liberty of the Seas.

But as I said, at least it's a step in the right direction.

An upgrade is a good thing, right? Well, not always.

Case and point are the reports I've been getting from readers who have been upgraded by Princess Cruise Lines. The problem is that the were upgraded from an accessible cabin to a standard cabin and their accessible cabin was given to someone else. And in at least one case, the upgraded folks did not find out about this until they boarded.

This is somewhat troubling to say the least. On any number of levels. It either means that the Princess folks don't expect their accessible cabins to actually be occupied by disabled passengers (which kind of makes you wonder who is in those cabins) or that they just flat out don't understand access issues. I expect it's a combination of both

In any case, if you need an accessible cabin, be sure and have your reservations flagged for "no upgrades." Granted this only seems to be happening on Princess, but I think it's prudent to include this notation no matter which cruise line you use.

Better safe than sorry.