talk TECH
Princess Cruises’ wearable Medallion carried the
accessibility and dietary information that I had
shared in advance of the cruise, and unlocked our cabin automatically as I
approached. Outside each door were tactile numbers,
braille signs and an electronic display, so whatever your client’s level of vision, there is a way for them to confirm the right room. Navigation
was equally layered, with lifts that had braille and audio announcements, large-print signage across each deck and a screen-reader-compatible app. From my phone I could check our location – mostly finding Grant raiding the
Lido deck for another slice of pizza – or order a drink to be delivered to wherever I was sitting. These touches made access feel seamless.
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Creek Street, Ketchikan; Ruby Princess; writer Sassy and husband Grant on a Skagway excursion; Ruby Princess Balcony stateroom
SMOOTH SERVICE
It began with the Princess Cruises crew. I was always greeted by name – “Mrs Wyatt” or “Ma’am Sassy” – followed by them stating their name. At home, even colleagues often speak to me without identifying themselves, so this simple courtesy transformed every interaction. Our stateroom steward, Leonard, kept the room spotless and always returned our belongings to their place, giving me independence in my own space. Eating in the Da Vinci dining room also showed the same care. Staff asked before tucking in my chair or placing a napkin on my lap. When setting down a cocktail, they announced: “At your 12 o’clock.” Menus were read aloud, in full, without rushing. Arturo, the dining room manager, made us feel like family, helpfully arranging bookings on our behalf. Even the bridge crew added to my sense of autonomy. On port days, they announced where accessible exit points were. It may sound small, but it meant I could lead my husband Grant ashore, instead of the other way around. There are also accommodations made for guests with mobility needs, including hoists at the pools and hot tubs, accessible toilets on every passenger deck and cabins with roll-in showers and level-access balconies. But accessibility is not one size fits all – as a blind traveller, I do not need a wheelchair-accessible cabin and find larger layouts harder to navigate.
38 11 JUNE 2026
33Excursion information is essential – it allows travellers to make informed decisions instead of being excluded
OUT AND ABOUT Excursions are where disabled travellers are most often left behind, not because we cannot do the activities, but because no one tells us what’s involved. Is the meeting point a 10-minute walk over uneven paving? Does the tender use a ramp or a steep set of stairs? Are headsets available for walking tours? If a museum is heavily visual, is there braille, tactile signage or audio description? This information is essential, because it allows travellers to make informed decisions instead of being excluded before they even try. In Skagway, our guides Audrey and Tabi set the tone
from the start. Before we boarded the bus for the zipline, they asked how they could best assist me, explained the terrain and made sure I was comfortable with what was coming. They did not assume or challenge my place there. On the treetop course, I asked for clear verbal instructions and occasional physical support. They
travelweekly.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
