On The Move: Cruising 101
Michael D’Arco lives in Los Ranchos, New Mexico, with his wife, Viola. He served in the U.S. Army and later was director of the New Mexico Veterans’ Service Commission. After retiring, he volunteered with PVA’s former Zia Chapter, where he served in multiple leadership roles over more than 15 years, including board member, national director and executive director. He has used a powerchair for eight years. A classic car enthusiast, he enjoys attending car shows with his 1966 Buick Skylark.
I’ve taken nearly 30 cruises in my powerchair — and this year, my wife and I will board four more across two different cruise lines. Cruising has become my favorite way to travel.
If you’ve considered an ocean cruise but haven’t taken the leap, you might be surprised by how accessible and rewarding the experience can be. Here are a few lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Decide where you want to go.
Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada — there are many great places to visit. Check out cruise company websites to get some ideas. I book everything online well in advance, though you can also call the cruise line.
I book directly with the cruise line on its website.
It gives me more flexibility if I need to make a change. If you book through a travel agent, any changes must go through the agent.
Get to the port city one to two days before the ship departs.
I have one hard rule: Never arrive in the port city on the same day the ship departs. I usually arrive two days before the ship departs. Cruise ships don’t wait. Most often I drive, taking my time and making it part of the vacation.
Book a hotel.
Make your hotel reservations in the port city months in advance. Usually, there are several ships from different companies departing on the same day, which means thousands of people are also booking hotel rooms.
When I fly to the port city, I stay in a hotel close to the airport that offers a free shuttle. Being close to the airport has an advantage because cruise lines usually provide bus transport between the airport and the ship. Yes, they transport those of us who use wheelchairs, powerchairs and scooters.
When you take the cruise line’s bus, boarding the ship is easy.
Staff load your bags onto the bus and then deliver them directly to your stateroom, so you no longer have to carry them yourself. I do, however, keep my CPAP, medications and electronics with me.
On Carnival cruises, I can select a boarding time of my choice. Remember, several thousand of your new friends are boarding too, so be patient and don’t stress. There are always crew members willing to help, and they’ll even push you up the boarding ramp.
If your room isn’t ready when you board (they usually aren’t), head to the buffet for a bite or, if dietary restrictions don’t forbid it, grab a beverage at the bar. At the buffet, crew members will offer to help get your food and take it to your table. Just remember it’s the only place to eat at boarding time, and it can be crowded.
On board, you should encounter few, if any, difficulties.
The ships are very accessible. The same goes for many ports.
Download the cruise line’s app before you leave home.
It allows you to keep track of your spending, since once on board, your room key replaces cash and credit cards, even in the casino. The app also shows dining menus and daily activities. I use it before leaving home to book excursions.
While excursions are a great way to see the surrounding area, not all transportation is accessible. But that’s OK. These newer ships are like major hotels, with so much to see and do. Sometimes, after everyone else gets off, it’s nice to stay on board and enjoy the quiet.
Cruising has improved my quality of life in ways I never expected. It gives me freedom, connection and perspective. It lets me see the world, meet new people and push beyond what I thought was possible.
Feature photo: Michael D’Arco and his wife, Viola, board the Italian-themed Carnival Firenze. The couple has taken more than two dozen cruises.
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