In recent years, the attention of the authorities to people with disabilities has become noticeable. Ramps in public places, city transport is mostly equipped with lifting mechanisms, subways, walkways, and that’s just what you notice in passing. Don’t throw your hats at me, I know that there are still a lot of problems in this area. But work in this direction is underway and this cannot be denied.
This is certainly a far cry from what I have seen on cruise ships overseas. People in wheelchairs can be found on almost any cruise. They are happy and satisfied. They are surrounded by attention and care not only from their accompanying relatives, but also from the ship’s staff.
Honestly, what I saw caused a lot of positive emotions in my soul. I decided to pass on the information to future tourists with disabilities. I want them to know what the company has prepared for them on board the cruise ship. What they can count on on their journey.
Caring about people
MSC Cruises and its staff are always attentive to the needs of their guests and constantly strive to offer the best service that meets international standards.
Special medical requirements
Guests may inform MSC Cruises of any special requirements by completing a Special Needs Form with the travel agency. It is advisable to provide this information at the time of booking or at least two working days before departure.
This allows the company to provide the best service to guests on time, which depends on the capabilities and resources on board each ship. If MSC is notified later than this, it will take significantly longer to provide appropriate services.
Guests will only be prohibited from booking or boarding in exceptional circumstances, and only if there is a serious threat to the safety of guests or crew.
All personal data provided by guests will be processed in accordance with the privacy policy.
For more information about services offered on board or other requirements not expressly mentioned in this section, please contact your travel agent.
Additionally equipped cabins
Cabins specifically designed for guests with disabilities are available on every ship in the fleet. Guests requiring this stateroom may request it at time of booking.
These cabins are larger than regular cabins and have additional amenities and equipment to suit special needs.
Passengers with reduced mobility
All decks, public areas and tenders must be as accessible as possible for guests with reduced mobility. In addition, each ship in the fleet has a varying number of specially equipped cabins. For your safety, guests requiring assistance may be asked to travel with a guardian, depending on the specific itinerary.
Wheelchairs are available on board our ships for guest use only when embarking and disembarking or in the event of an emergency. Guests who require the full-time use of a wheelchair or any other form of support must bring their own equipment. It is the guest’s responsibility to check with the relevant manufacturers/suppliers that this equipment is safe to take on board and use on the cruise ship, and to arrange for both timely delivery to the departure terminal for embarkation and collection at the end of the cruise.
Visually impaired passengers
MSC Preziosa, MSC Divina, MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia have Braille signage in public areas, in elevators and at stateroom entrances. All ships have deck signs in elevators and fully equipped public areas, decks and tenders.
For safety and health reasons, guests may be asked to travel with a guardian or guide dog.
Passengers with hearing impairments
For your safety, guests with hearing impairments must travel with a guardian. Passengers with partial hearing impairment can travel alone if they install a TDD system kit in their cabin. Available in limited quantities on all vessels, this kit includes lights and vibrations, a text phone and an analog alarm clock.
In addition, wireless amplifiers and indicator lights are available in the theater and other venues. Indicators are also available in elevators.
Service Animals
Specially trained guide dogs are allowed on all ships if they are healthy and have all the necessary documents to enter the countries along the cruise route. The passenger will be informed in advance about the placement of the animal, available facilities (if necessary) and the boarding and disembarking procedure.
The passenger or his guardian is personally responsible for the care, feeding and general care of the animal during the entire stay on board.
Pregnancy
The medical center on board is not designed to accommodate childbirth or complications during pregnancy. Therefore, for safety reasons, the cruise line does not allow women on board who are 24 weeks or more pregnant at the end of the cruise. Regardless of the stage of pregnancy, women should consult a doctor before taking a cruise.
Dialysis
Guests requiring peritoneal dialysis may travel with all medications and equipment that may be required during the cruise. Appropriate medical treatment is available at medical facilities on board.
Equipment and machinery for hemodialysis treatment can only be delivered on board by specialized independent companies on certain routes. For more information about this service, please contact your travel agent.
Children with special needs
Children with special needs can use all on-board services. Although entertainers are not responsible for caring for children, they provide a wide range of entertainment specifically designed for all children, regardless of their health status.
All children, including those with special needs, are assigned to their own entertainment zone depending on their age. If necessary, children or adolescents with special needs may move to a younger age group (with the consent of their parents), or they may participate in certain activities with their parents if necessary.
Special diets
Guests with food intolerances and/or allergies must inform MSC Cruises of their needs via the Special Needs Form and, once on board, confirm their requirements at the front desk and/or Maître d’Hôtel.
MSC Cruises has received certification from Bureau Veritas to prepare and serve gluten-free meals worldwide (food code: <20 ppm *) in its main restaurants MSC Grandiosa, MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Preziosa, MSC Divina, MSC Splendida, MSC Fantasia, MSC Magnifica, MSC Poesia, MSC Orchestra and MSC Musica.
In addition, MSC Cruises works closely with the Associazione Italiana Celiachia (Italian Celiac Association) for the above ships sailing in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
At MSC Armonia, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Opera and MSC Lirica, guests will only find a limited selection of pre-packaged gluten-free snacks such as cookies, croissants, biscuits and muffins.
Please check gluten free menu availability when booking.
For any other requirements not expressly listed in this section, please contact your travel agent.
MSC gluten-free menus are suitable for gluten intolerance, but not for gluten allergies.
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I really want to believe that this information will be very useful for someone. Book a sea cruise for a loved one with disabilities who never even dreamed of it — the matter is socially important, but humanly kind.
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