I have some mobility limitations and use a battery-operated scooter that is somewhat portable. I would like to consider a cruise, but I have trouble visualizing how I would navigate narrow corridors. Is a cruise even viable for me?
Get out the suitcase and take the tux to the cleaners. Your ship has come in.
You need a travel agent who specializes in helping those with disabilities. Two good places to start: the American Society of Travel Agents' Web site, as ta.org, which has a search function that lets you choose "disabled/accessible" under "specialties"; and sath.org, Web site of the Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality, or SATH, which offers suggestions on agents. (Type in "travel agent" in the search engine.)
But before you make that call, go to the Web site of the Cruise Lines International Association, cruising.org, and clicking on "Vacation," then "Plan Your Cruise," then "Special Interest Guides." Under "Wheelchair Travelers," you'll find a comprehensive guide to ships' features, including the number of cabins and whether the decks have ramps.
When you've chosen some ships that will work for you, peruse the line's Web site. Look at the age of any ship you're interested in; the newer the vessel, the more likely it can accommodate you.
If you're planning on shore excursions, be aware of which destinations require passengers to disembark by tender. Sometimes, those little boats can't accommodate a disabled passenger.
As with most things, timing is everything. Because accessible cabins are limited in number, you might need to reserve early, especially for popular itineraries, says Candy Harrington, editor of Emerging Horizons, a magazine about accessible travel.