Wheelchair Cruising Exploring The Hawaiian Islands

C ruising is a popular             six accessible inside staterooms   vacation choice for             located near the elevators on      wheelchair-users and slow       Decks 8 and 9. The larger Pride    walkers, however some cruise          of America was launched in 2005,   destinations are just more            and includes 22                    accessible than others. Take          wheelchair-accessible staterooms   Hawaii for example. For starters      in a variety of configurations.    it's located in the US, so shore      The accessible staterooms on both  tour operators are bound by US        ships feature wide doorways,       access laws. Granted, not every       level thresholds and bathrooms     shore excursion is                    with a roll-in shower, a           wheelchair-accessible; however        fold-down shower seat, a           you'll find more accessible           hand-held shower head, grab bars   transportation options in Hawaii      in the shower and around the       than you will in the Caribbean or     toilet and a roll-under sink.      Mexico.                                                                                                        Because these vessels are          Of course, it goes without saying     registered in the US, they aren't  that as an island state, Hawaii       required to call on foreign ports  is perfectly suited for cruises.      (such as Ensenada of Fanning       Perhaps that's why Norwegian          Island) while they cruise the      Cruise Line (NCL) has two NCL         Hawaiian islands. This result in   America ships stationed there;        a true all-Hawaii itinerary, with  the Pride of Aloha and the Pride      more time ashore, including        of America.                           overnight stops on two islands.                                          This is especially good news for   The Pride of Aloha first entered      wheelchair-users and slow          service as the Norwegian Sky in       walkers; because with more time    1999, but was retrofitted and         in port, there's no need to rush.  reflagged in 2004. It features        Passengers can relax and take      things at their own pace, yet                                            still have plenty of time to see      Nawiliwili, Kauai                  the sights.                           Waimea Canyon is a must while on                                         Kauai. The most accessible place   Both vessels sail seven-day           to view the canyon is at the       Hawaiian Island cruises from          Waimea Canyon Lookout. Although    Honolulu; and as far as shore         there are stairs to the top of     excursions go, there is at least      the lookout, there is also a       one accessible NCL shore              cement path with numerous          excursion in every port. And          switchbacks, just to the right of  thanks to NCL's 2004 acquisition      the stairs. The path is 38-inches  of Polynesian Adventure Tours,        wide so you do have to mindful of  all accessible shore excursions       oncoming traffic, but at the top   feature lift-equipped                 you'll be rewarded with a          transportation.                       spectacular view of the canyon.                                                                             If you'd like to set out on your      Kona, Hawaii                       own, Hilo Hattie has free             Kona is the only tender port on    accessible shopping shuttles at       the itinerary. According to NCL's  all the ports and Wheelchair          official policy, wheelchair-users  Getaways has adapted rental vans      must use a manual wheelchair in    available on Maui, the Big Island     order to tender, so this a good    and Oahu. Additionally, the major     port for power wheelchair-users    rental car agencies can provide       to stay aboard and enjoy the       vehicles with hand controls with      ship. Those that do venture        48-hours notice.                      ashore will find lots of shops                                           and restaurants around the port,   Here's a port-by-port rundown of      most of which feature a level      some accessible sightseeing           entry.                             suggestions.                                                             Hilo, Hawaii                          Sunshine Helicopters offers a      Volcanoes National Park is a          number of accessible flightseeing  must-see while in Hilo, and you       tours. Wheelchair-users are        can do this on your own or on a       transferred to a portable lift to  NCL shore excursion. Your first       board the helicopter, and then     stop in the park should be the        transferred to the helicopter      Kilauea Visitors Center, which        seat for the tour. Other Maui      includes a number of interpretive     attractions that offer good        exhibits. The Volcano Art Center,     wheelchair access include Maui     located behind the visitors           Ocean Center, Maui Tropical        center, is also worth a visit.        Plantation and the Sugar Cane                                            Train.                             For a great view, take the                                               Earthquake Trail to the left of       And if you'd prefer to have some   the hotel. This wide paved trail      fun in the water, then check out   was a vehicle road until a            Lahaina Divers or Ron Bass's       November 1983 eruption closed it      Kayaking Adventures. Lahaina       to traffic. At the end of the         Divers operates a variety of dive  trail, you'll find a few picnic       trips on their                     tables along with a spectacular       wheelchair-accessible Dominion     view of the crater.                   while Ron provides kayaking                                              instruction to wheelchair-users.   Kahului, Maui                         Either option makes for a fun day  A great way to really see the         on a beautiful island.             island is from the air, and            About the Author: Candy Harrington covers accessible travel and is the author of 101 Accessible Vacations; Travel Ideas for Wheelers and Slow Walkers. Visit Accessible Vacations, or her blog, Barrier Free Travels. Published At: www.Isnare.com