Wheelchair Cruising - Exploring The Hawaiian Islands

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