Summer is rapidly approaching and thoughts are turning to Family Reunions but how to please all the people all the time especially when one or more members have Special Needs? An excellent solution is a cruise where people of all ages and abilities will find plenty to do. Cruising has become the vacation of choice for persons with a multitude of challenges including wheelchair & scooter users, hearing & visually impaired travelers, people on peritoneal dialysis and innumerable people with medical conditions who will enjoy the safety and comfort of having their stateroom nearby and medical care available should the need arise. Access on most ships is outstanding and disabled passengers will find exceptional accommodations and service when they choose to cruise.
Our first multi-generational family cruise included myself using a wheelchair in the stateroom and a scooter for getting around the ship and ports, great grandparents, grandparents (I was one of those!), parents, teens & preteens and chidren as young as 18 months. We totaled 20 with our oldest relative in his 90’s (see him below enjoying some Salsa Music!). A fantastic time was had by all and the memories that were made were, as they say, priceless. The preteen with braces on her teeth is now on full scholarship at M.I.T. and the young man experiencing his awkward teenage years is now finishing his 2nd year in medical school. So, grab your kids while they still have time and plan your family trip!
Cruising gives a group with diverse interests the opportunity for everyone to do their own thing as well as to come together at dinner and other times during the day to compare & share their experiences. Find out who tried rock climbing, surfing or ice skating! Yes, all of these activities are available on certain ships. Did one of your family members win at Bingo or hit it big in the Casino? How about a relaxing Spa Day at Sea or just sitting on your private balcony with a good book (my personal favorite). How are you going to decide where to eat…..there are now so many food venues to choose from that you will be hard pressed to visit them all during a 7 night cruise.
So now I’ve convinced you that a cruise is the way to go for your next Family Reunion but how do you choose the right one? The importance of using a Travel Agent who Specializes in Meeting the Needs of Disabled & Mature Travelers cannot be emphasized enough. When planning a group cruise that includes members with special needs, that person’s situation needs to be at the core with the other members’ needs and wants following closely behind. Remember, if the traveler with challenges can be accommodated, so can everyone else. You also have to consider the ages of the children and know what onboard programs will best meet their needs. Be sure not to overlook anyone in the group when planning your cruise. If this sounds overwhelming, do not worry. Easy Access Travel can help you with all of these details and prove that, indeed, you can please all the people all the time!
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