Cruises are often popular with older and disabled travellers because of the safe environment on board and the high level of service provided.
However, you need to do some research and check with your travel agent or cruise company for details of the access facilities they provide.
Booking
Make sure that you go through all the checks suggested below before you confirm your booking and that the travel agent or cruise line have fully understood your requirements.
Wheelchair access
More and more cruise companies now have accessible cabins and staterooms as well as access to all the common areas. For information on which are the most accessible, see: https://www.cruise118.com/advice/cruises-suitable-disabled-people/ or https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/articles.cfm?ID=105.
You should speak to the company to understand any restrictions in detail. For example, not all permit the use of mobility scooters on board – although you can travel with one, so it is available for shore trips.
You should also check whether accessible coaches or other land transport will be provided so that you can join excursions.
Cruises using smaller vessels such as river cruises are likely to be more limited in the access they provide.
Assistance Dogs
Not all cruise lines accept assistance dogs – and of course facilities for dogs on board are very limited and you would need to bring all the food your dog requires for the entire journey.
Also note that many of the ports at which cruises call may not accept dogs. You can find useful information at: https://www.cruise.co.uk/bulletin/guide-dogs-cruise-ships/.
If you do travel with your dog make sure that you have all the necessary ID to prove that it has been trained as an assistance dog, has all the correct vaccinations etc as many cruise lines do not accept pets.