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