Accessibility & Inclusion
In the Wake is committed to accessibility for all travelers — honoring every ability, ensuring every voyager can plan and dream freely.
Cruising With Disabilities
Cruising can be one of the most accessible forms of travel available. Ships offer wheelchair-accessible cabins, elevators to most decks, dietary accommodations, and staff trained to assist guests with various needs. But navigating the planning process — understanding what's possible and what requires advance notice — can be overwhelming.
This page serves as a starting point for travelers with disabilities, chronic conditions, or mobility considerations. For our comprehensive guide covering everything from accessible cabin selection to port accessibility, visit our Accessibility Guide.
What to Expect at Sea
- Accessible Staterooms: Most ships offer wheelchair-accessible cabins with roll-in showers, lowered fixtures, and wider doorways. Book early — these cabins are limited.
- Mobility Equipment: Wheelchairs and scooters are welcome aboard. Some cruise lines offer rentals. Elevators service most public decks.
- Service Animals: Documented service animals are permitted on most cruise lines with advance notice and proper paperwork.
- Dietary Needs: Ships accommodate allergies, diabetic requirements, renal diets, and other medical dietary needs with advance notification.
- Hearing & Vision: Visual alerts, closed captioning, Braille signage, and assistive listening devices are available on most ships.
- Medical Facilities: Ships have onboard medical centers, though capabilities vary. Bring sufficient medication and documentation.
Planning Ahead
The key to accessible cruising is early communication with the cruise line's accessibility desk. Most lines require 60-90 days advance notice for certain accommodations. When booking, be specific about your needs:
- Wheelchair dimensions and whether you'll bring your own or need to rent
- Power requirements for medical equipment (CPAP, oxygen concentrators)
- Dietary restrictions and food allergies
- Service animal documentation
- Shore excursion accessibility requirements
Our Website Commitment
In the Wake is built with accessibility in mind. We strive to ensure every traveler can use this site to plan their voyage:
- WCAG 2.1 Level AA: We follow Web Content Accessibility Guidelines for inclusive design
- Screen Reader Optimization: Semantic HTML, ARIA labels, and logical heading structure
- Keyboard Navigation: Full site functionality without requiring a mouse
- Color Contrast: Text and interactive elements meet contrast ratio standards
- Alternative Text: Descriptive alt text for all meaningful images
- Responsive Design: Usable across devices and zoom levels
If you encounter accessibility barriers on this site, please contact us. We take feedback seriously and work to address issues promptly.