Recently in Sea Travel Category

Patricia Ribeiro at her About.com site Brazil Travel breaks a wonderful Geotourism story in English:

The famous coral pools of Pajuçara, in Maceió, are about to become more accessible to travelers with disabilities. A wheelchair-accessible jangada - the typical sailboat of the Brazilian Northeast - is to be launched at the end of January.

Designer Jorge Luiz Silva and supporters hope to collect funds to build three more jangadas. I'll be posting the bank account as soon as I have it. Read more about the accessible jangada.

Photo courtesy of Prefeitura Municipal de Maceió

Follow the story at:

http://gobrazil.about.com/b/2010/01/24/accessible-jangada-in-pajucara.htm

Failure to understand that the use of a wheelchair for mobility is as much a "medical situation" as the use of Nikes or Guccis (or a bicycle by a fish) may result in Voyages of Discovery being denied access to a large, lucrative, and growing market:

 

PASSENGERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Voyages of Discovery will always try to accommodate passengers with special needs.  However, the following conditions apply:

 

Medical Situations: Any physical disability or medical condition that requires special treatment or medical apparatus must be reported to the company's Reservations Manager in writing along with the first deposit, which is due at time of booking. These include, but are not limited to, wheelchairs, oxygen therapy, dialysis, guide dogs, etc.  Failure to disclose a medical situation at time of booking may result in your being denied boarding at port of embarkation.

Trying  to accommodate a demographic with "special (sic) needs" begins with succeeding at understanding the psychographics of that market.

Bon voyage, Geoff!

From his site:

Leaving today, 10th December 2009, Geoff Holt embarks on Personal Atlantic, setting sail on a 60ft, purpose-built, wheelchair-accessible catamaran on a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean.   The 3,000 mile journey will take him up to a month to complete, across some of the most hostile waters in the world.

In completing his Challenge, Geoff Holt will become the first quadriplegic to make the journey, unassisted in every aspect of the sailing.

Having sailed the Atlantic Ocean three times before an accident in 1984 which left Geoff confined to a wheelchair, this will be an emotional voyage for Geoff Holt as he attempts the journey for the first time as a disabled yachtsman.  But his overriding desire in attempting the voyage, is to inspire others to do something positive with their lives.

As Geoff says, "It's not about being disabled. It's not about sailing the Atlantic Ocean. It's about demonstrating that disability need not be a barrier to achieving something positive in your life"

It will be a matter of complex logistics for the shore-based support team and a feat of personal endurance and sailing skills for Geoff.  Although both physically able to navigate and sail the boat competently, Geoff is unable to look after his own physical requirements. He can not get himself out of his wheelchair to sleep, to use the loo or to shower without help. To overcome this, Geoff will be accompanied on the voyage by a professional, medically trained carer to aid him with the physical aspects of his life. The carer will play no part in the sailing of the yacht.

http://www.geoffholt.com/

From the video description:

"A very nice trip, also good suitable for wheelchair users. With good exotic food and fantastic music and dancers. "

Oxygen Onboard?  Clearing the Air about Cruising with Oxygen

 

By Andrew Garnett, Founder Special Needs Group

 

As a supplier of oxygen and other special needs equipment for travelers, I see first hand the uncertainty and confusion regarding traveling with oxygen, especially the rules and regulations for dealing with cylinders or other forms of portable oxygen on a cruise.

Like everything in life, cruising with oxygen is simple, once you know the guidelines.  After almost a decade of working with cruise ships and accessibility, here's what I've learned that can ensure smooth sailing for anyone traveling with oxygen.

All cruise lines welcome oxygen onboard.  However, each line has specific guidelines or requirements for guests to follow.

Princess Cruises requires a prescription, or note from your doctor with a diagnosis of your breathing problem and the prescribed dosage and flow rate. You are required to have this at least 30 days prior to sailing.  Some lines also require, or suggest, that you have a release form from your doctor.  We think it is a good idea for anyone traveling to have medical clearance.

Complying with paperwork and meeting specification can take time, so it is always a good idea to begin planning early and to contact the medical or access/special needs department of your cruise line at least three to four weeks before your sailing date.

It is important that you have enough oxygen for the entire voyage.  To help you calculate, assume you will spend 10 to 12 hours per day out of your cabin; that's the average based on statistics and feedback from our customers.  You do not want to end up confined to your stateroom because you do not have enough portable oxygen.

Keep in mind, you will not be able to "pack" your equipment in, or with, your luggage. Cruise line policy states that you are permitted to bring your own equipment with you.  However, you must bring it onboard yourself.  They will not be held responsible for any missing equipment or for damages.  In fact, you could be held liable if anyone were to get injured by it.  So, don't try to sneak it on in your luggage.

Why worry about the possibility that your equipment won't make it in one piece?  Special Needs Group/Special Needs at Sea delivers directly to cruise ships at ports around the world and works closely with almost every major cruise line.  We can handle all the details for you. The oxygen will be delivered in accordance with the line's requirements, and you can then carry the oxygen with you as you navigate the ship.

Importantly, learn everything you need to know about your portable equipment before you leave on your trip.  The middle of the ocean is not the place to start figuring out how things operate.

In working with and talking to the major cruise lines, the only universal restriction they have for passengers using oxygen on board ships is to avoid smoking and stay away from any areas where others are smoking.  There may also be limitations on taking certain quantities of oxygen on certain shore excursions.  This is best confirmed and handled with your cruise line when you book.

So start planning, and get packing to enjoy your cruise.

 

*******************************

ABOUT SPECIAL NEEDS GROUP, INC.  Special Needs Group, Inc.  (www.specialneedsgroup.com) is a one-stop resource for special needs travel around the world. We offer a broad range of special needs equipment including wheelchair, powerchair and scooter rentals with capabilities to support 500 pounds or more; oxygen rentals (liquid, cylinder, and concentrator); hearing impaired equipment, Braille printing, baby cribs and more.  Recommended by the world's major cruise lines and hotels for superior service and value, we also provide consultation services regarding special needs policy and new-build design.  Special Needs Group, a U.S. company, is not a travel agency and does not compete in any way with travel agents. 

 

Representantes de la fundación 'Un mar sin barreras' reclamaron hoy al delegado del Gobierno en la Comunitat Valenciana, Ricardo Peralta, un espacio físico en el Puerto de Valencia, y que las instalaciones tengan un diseño universal. Ante esta petición, el delegado se comprometió a darles esa "presencia física" para "desarrollar sus actividades".

   Así lo indicaron hoy en declaraciones a los medios de comunicación el presidente de la entidad, Carlos Laguna, y Ricardo Peralta, tras mantener un encuentro en la sede de la Delegación. En la reunión, Laguna le pidió un espacio en la zona del Puerto, en la que se produjo la remodelación con motivo de la America's Cup, para la fundación.

   Le indicó que, por ejemplo, la entidad necesitaría un espacio donde tiene 'La Sirenita', una embarcación adaptada a minusválidos, para instalar una grúa de transferencia y poder integrar todavía más "a las personas con discapacidad".

   Asimismo, le reclamó que todas las instalaciones portuarias "tengan un diseño universal", "no sólo para personas con discapacidad, sino para todos, para madres con carritos, para personas de la tercera edad, o para las que han sufrido un pequeño accidente".

   Al respecto, Peralta aseguró que su voluntad era la de que esta fundación tenga una "presencia física" en el Puerto, "para sus actividades, para implicar el mundo de la minusvalía con el del mar". "Son --agregó-- actividades importantes que cuentan con el apoyo de la Administración".

   En este punto, recordó que las instalaciones del Puerto fueron remodeladas "pensando en la America's Cup", aunque, dijo, "recientemente se ha despejado la incógnita de la segunda edición con la peor de las soluciones, y es que el evento no tendrá lugar en Valencia en 2009". Por ello, lamentó que ha habido una estrategia "que ha fracasado completamente", y afirmó que "alguien tendrá que dar explicaciones".

Fuente:

http://www.europapress.es/comunitat-valenciana/noticia-miembros-mar-barreras-piden-peralta-espacio-puerto-instalaciones-sean-universales-20090916150924.html

From Special Needs at Sea:

 

FT LAUDERDALE, FL - Special Needs at Sea, a global provider of special needs equipment for travelers and the travel industry, was honored as winner of the "Onboard Supplier of the Year" Award at the third annual Seatrade Insider Awards held in Hamburg, Germany on September 15; part of Seatrade Europe 2009.

 

"The high caliber of the Seatrade organization and strength of all the nominees make this award even more significant for us," says Andrew Garnett, founder and president of Special Needs at Sea. "Additionally, it underscores the importance to the industry of what we provide and validates our commitment to accessible cruising."

 

Special Needs at Sea, a Special Needs Group Inc. company, provides cruise passengers and cruise ships with a broad range of special needs equipment for purchase and rental, including wheelchairs, scooters and powerchairs with capabilities to support 500 pounds or more; oxygen in all its forms; hearing impaired equipment, Braille printing, baby cribs and more. The company delivers the needed equipment directly to the passenger's stateroom at cruise ship ports around the world, and is currently testing a pier-side kiosk program in Fort Lauderdale and Seattle for self pick-up of wheelchair rentals and scooter rentals.

 

Earlier this year, Special Needs at Sea became the first accessibility preferred partner benefits supplier for the Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA), the world's largest cruise line association, and is a sponsor of SATH, the Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality. Special Needs at Sea is a Preferred Mobility and Oxygen Supplier of Holland America Line and Royal Caribbean and also services the other major lines including Princess, Crystal, Celebrity, Carnival, Disney, Costa and others.  

 

The Seatrade Insider Awards presentation, a yearly highlight of Seatrade Europe, was held at the Schmidts Tivoli Theatre in Hamburg.  Fidelio Cruise was a principle sponsor of the awards. Judging for the awards is by a select panel of industry executives, members of Seatrade Insider's global editorial team, cruise consultants, analysts and industry experts from around the world.

 

ABOUT SPECIAL NEEDS GROUP, INC.

  Special Needs Group, Inc.  (www.specialneedsgroup.com) is a one-stop resource for special needs travel around the world. We offer a broad range of special needs equipment including wheelchair, powerchair and scooter rentals with capabilities to support 500 pounds or more; oxygen rentals (liquid, cylinder, and concentrator); hearing impaired equipment, Braille printing, baby cribs and more.  Recommended by the world's major cruise lines and hotels for superior service and value, we also provide consultation services regarding special needs policy and new-build design.  Special Needs Group, a U.S. company, is not a travel agency and does not compete in any way with travel agents. 

 

Andy Wright continues to move the industry toward inclusion:

Norwegian Cruise Lines has now introduced agent training for disabled passengers on the cruise line. The company's online training programme has introduced a module on accessibility, designed to provide agents with knowledge of the line's facilities and policies to sell cruises to disabled passengers.

The course information includes a guide to fleet-wide facilities for guests with limited mobility, hearing and sight impairments - as well as how the line can equip guests with medical or dietary needs. The current NCL fleet has up to 27 wheelchair accessible cabins per ship with facilities such as grab bars, ramps and Braille signs on doors...

Andy Wright, managing director at Accessible Travel, which specialises in holidays for disabled, wheelchair and elderly guests, was involved in the creation of the training module.

Full story:

http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/norwegian-cruise-line-offers-agent-training-for-disabled-passengers/

Here is a travelogue to launch you into 2009:

Stewart and Lesley MacLennan, from their home in Australia, decided to plan an adventure that would take them out of their comfort zone. Not that they had spent much of their lives in that particular zone!

The adventure involved designing and building a boat for the waterways of Europe - and it had to be wheelchair accessible. By late August 2008 they were on board and raring to go.

The goal of this website, as Stewart and Lesley meander along in Endellion, is to keep in touch with family and friends from around the world.

Travel Weekly Cruise Club and Complete Cruise Solution members were asked what innovations they think passengers would value most on future ships.

“For regular cruisers quality is more important than gimmicks. Different types of restaurants gives people more variation. Smaller, more intimate restaurants could be introduced on more ships. It is a good idea to introduce more single cabins and I can see value in larger cabins for groups or families on a budget.” David Sixsmith, Personal Travel Advisor (part of Future Travel Group), Wigan

“I find the lack of single cabins on cruise ships appalling. It is an ideal holiday for single travellers, so why don’t other companies offer a special rate to single travellers instead of asking them to pay double?” Adele Parry, sales consultant, TR4 Travel, Holywell, Flintshire

“I would like to see larger dance floors, single cabins with no extra supplements, a reduced rate for carers who attend with a disabled passenger, and more choice for vegetarians. There should be a mobility co-ordination officer to meet disabled passengers.” Tracy McFall, sales consultant, Accessible Travel, Bath

"I think Cruise customers would welcome P&O Cruises' decision to incorporate 18 single cabins in their new build; a return to traditional values aboard cruise ships – courtesy, respect and not forever trying to squeeze the last penny out of folk in on-board spend; more new and different itineraries and ports of call, and more special interest cruises." Martin Hay, GoCruise, The Ribble Valley

"A number of clients have said the thing they would like most is a specialty fish restaurant with a wide menu choice. Perhaps celebrity chefs could be on board giving cookery demonstrations? Most gripes are for family cabins, and the price for single cabins is a big issue. They could have smaller cabins at a lesser cost. Also more regional departures would be welcomed by customers." Sandra Lines, Knowle Travel, Knowle, Solilhull

“The industry continues to introduce outstanding ships and deliver better service than any other holiday. Cruising is no longer one size fits all.”
Mark Pilkington, sales director, Complete Cruise Solution (TW Cruise Club sponsor)

Miami was chosen for the first Cruise Ship Center of Expertise (COE) in Miami of the US Coast Guard. Announced on September 30, 2008 this is the first in a series of Centers of Expertise that will be located throughout the country. Each Center of Expertise will focus on a specific segment of the maritime industry. We can hope that the Coast Guard will develop an expertise in maritime application of Universal Design and become a point of dissemination of best practices.

El Diseño Universal es una tradición, pensada para tierra, originada por el arquitecto tetrapléjico Ron Mace y sus colegas durante los años 70. Aplicado sistemáticamente y modificado al entorno marino, esta aproximación de diseño comenzó a ser conocido como los Principios Waypoint-Backstrom a comienzos de los 2000.

La tradición marina como historia documentada conforma la experiencia humana. Aunque especie aparecida sobre tierra firme pero fascinada con el agua, el género humano siempre ha mirado los cursos de agua y el mar en las naves.

La navegabilidad es una medida de ajuste entre el medio en que una nave acuática debe navegar y la habilidad de los humanos para usar de esa nave para sus propios propósitos. El Diseño Universal recoge esta dinámica esencial en la base de la navegabilidad.

Disabled travellers could get network of specialist agents in the UK according to Andy Wright. See the TravelWeekly.

Schedules didn't allow us to meet when I was up in Vancouver researching progress on inclusive tourism for the 2010 Winter Paralympics and Olympics but here Sam Sullivan, mayor of Vancouver, talks about how he pioneered the sport of disabled sailing.

While on the road through British Columbia and Washington State last week I was unable to keep up a running travelogue. Sherri Backstrom (Waypoint Yacht Charter Services) took me to visit a custom built fully wheelchair-friendly 47 foot yacht and the shipyard where it was constructed. Soon we will post photos of this and other parts of this tour where we also spoke about the principles of human-centered boat design (Waypoint-Backstrom Principles).

In the meantime, enjoy this video on cruising the Mediterranean with Saubadia Etica: