Accessibility at Sea: Cruise Excursions & Adventures

A female and make couple disembarking from their cruise to the port in Old San Juan. — The Port of San Juan is near dozens of accessible attractions.

Accessibility at Sea

If you’ve made it to sea, you’re probably familiar with the challenges of planning an accessible cruise or vacation. From securing an ADA-compliant room to ensuring you receive the sensory aids you require, successful, accessible travel hinges on the cruise company and its partners to understand – and accommodate – your needs.

This is especially true when booking a cruise excursion that ventures into the destination, so consider the following accessible travel tips before your shore experience in port.

View of the Caribbean Sea from Ponce — A view of the Caribbean Sea from Ponce.

Questions to Consider

Most cruise ships offer optional excursions, which vary in length and activity level. Some cruise companies provide specific accessible tours, although these are typically designed for travelers with partial mobility. Other cruise lines describe excursions in such general terms that it can be challenging to determine if that experience would be suitable for travelers with different accessibility needs.

It is important to recognize that disabilities encompass more than just mobility impairments, so whether you are a traveler with limited mobility, no mobility, autism, sensory impairment, or total sensory loss, Puerto Rico welcomes you with a thrilling adventure.

Consider discussing these questions with the cruise line’s designated travel agent before booking an accessible excursion:

Does the excursion require vehicle usage? If so, does the vehicle include wheelchair lifts or ramps?
Do attractions offer flat or ramped entrances? If there’s more than one story, do they offer ADA-compliant elevators?
Are bathrooms wide enough for wheelchairs?
Are routes step-free? Do streets offer curb cuts for easy wheelchair access?
Does this excursion partner with local independent operators who are also familiar with accessibility needs?
Does the excursion itself or individual attractions offer hearing assistance devices or American Sign Language interpreters?

Accessible New and Old San Juan

If you’re hoping for an accessibility-friendly cruise excursion, consider Carnival’s Accessible New and Old San Juan. This 2.5-hour driving tour highlights gorgeous architecture, stately cemeteries, and grand fortresses in two of San Juan’s top neighborhoods. You’ll see the Isla Verde strip, featuring some of the most popular beaches in the metro area, before witnessing the marvelous Castillo San Cristóbal. Vans are wheelchair-accessible, and opportunities to explore the city outside the van are available. The terrain is smooth enough for motorized wheelchairs to traverse, and curb-cuts are readily available. Travelers with sensory needs may also find a needed respite on this excursion since groups tend to be small.

In Puerto Rico, it's easy to find an adventure that adapts to any ability level.

Choose Your Own Accessible Adventure

If your cruise line doesn’t offer an accessible excursion in Puerto Rico, don’t worry. The Island is easy to navigate, friendly to all visitors, and ripe for exploration, making it easy to plan your adventure.

Once docked, consider renting an accessible van or wheelchair from the port, if needed, so you can discover white-sand beaches with miraculous sunsets. Or visit the beautiful town of Old San Juan, where striking architecture can be seen up close since there is good curb mobility. Sample delicious rum cocktails at the Bacardí headquarters or taste flavors that capture Puerto Rico’s rich culinary traditions, like alcapurrias (fritters stuffed with fresh and herby picadillo).

Learn more about Puerto Rico’s top accessible attractions.