Holland America Line Offers a Nice Accessible Getaway

With luxury cruise ships literally flooding the market, cruising has never been more accessible. And although the itinerary plays an important role in the total accessibility of any cruise, more and more ports of call are now offering accessible shore excursions. Such is the case with Holland America
Line’s (HAL) nicely accessible ms Westerdam, on their seven-day Southern Caribbean itinerary.

The ms Westerdam has 928 staterooms including 28 which are wheelchair-accessible. The accessible staterooms are available in a variety of classes and sizes, many of which have private balconies. Access features include wide doorways, good pathway access and zero-step access to the bathrooms. The accessible bathrooms have a roll-in shower with a fold-down shower bench, a hand-held showerhead, grab bars in the shower and around the toilet and a full five-foot turning radius.

The good access continues throughout the ship, with barrier-free access to all public areas. As an added feature, the housekeeping staff uses hand-held caddies instead of those behemoth wheeled carts; which helps increase the hallway accessibility for wheelchair-users.

A Private Paradise
The ports on the ms Westerdam’s Southern Caribbean itinerary emphasize fun and sun, but all of them have accessible options. At the top of the list is Half Moon Cay, HAL’s private island. Even though Half Moon Cay is a tender port, HAL uses its own accessible tender, which features roll-on access.
Once ashore, there is a paved pathway from the dock to Fort San Salvador, where you’ll find a gift shop, a straw market, a bar, the first-aid station, an ice cream stand, and an information booth. Beach wheelchairs are available for free loan at the first-aid station on a first-come basis.

If you have a large group, then consider reserving the Private Oasis. This large over-water cabana features a bar, hammocks, deck chairs, private restrooms and even a hot tub. The package includes an open bar, a delicious BBQ lunch, snacks and some very attentive service. The cabana features ramp access, with more than enough room to roll around. It’s very accessible, and just a fun party place.

Shop Till You Drop
Oranjestad, Aruba, is the next port of call; and although accessible transportation is limited in this Caribbean port, the area around the dock is pretty accessible.

Shopping is the big attraction here. There are sidewalks and curb-cuts along most of Lloyd G. Smith Boulevard, the main drag in town. Along this thoroughfare you’ll find a wide variety of shops, restaurants and open-air markets. Although some shops have a step up, most of the newer ones have level access. They are still working on improvements to the sidewalks in this area, however, access is pretty good all the way down to the Renaissance Mall.

Fort Zoutman, which is about a half-mile walk from the pier, may be an option for some folks. For the most part, the uneven pavement and lack of sidewalks can be avoided by crossing the street and taking alternate routes. The fort, which was built in 1796, has one step at the entrance and paved level pathways throughout the courtyard. It’s an interesting diversion, but not a good choice for power wheelchair-users or folks who can’t do at least a few steps.

Wild Things Curaçao, on the other hand, offers a very reliable and accessible tour option for wheelers and slow walkers. Tio Taxi Tours provides island tours in their lift-equipped Bluebird Bus. The bus normally holds 30 people, but capacity varies depending on the number of wheelchair-users aboard.
Try to book a tour that includes a stop at the Ostrich and Game Farm, if possible. Tours of the complex are conducted in an accessible safari vehicle with roll-on access. It’s great fun and the tour guides are very entertaining.

The Curaçao Sea Aquarium is also worth a visit, as it features ramped access to most exhibits, and its a good place to get acquainted with the local marine life. And if you want to get up-close-and-personal with the creatures of the deep, then sign up for the Animal Encounters program.

After a short introductory briefing by a Handicapped Scuba Association-certified instructor, you’ll interact with stingrays, nurse sharks and turtles in an ocean tidal pool. Although some conditions preclude participation in this program, the staff is very accommodating, and many wheelchair-users and slow walkers have enjoyed this unique experience.

If you’d prefer to stick around the dock, then you’re in luck too. There is excellent pathway access to the welcome center and a paved level pathway to a small shopping complex and an open-air market. A pontoon bridge leads over to Willemstad’s popular Punda shopping area. A free water taxi operates when the pontoon bridge is out; however there is a three-inch step at the entrance. Best bet is to browse through the colorful open-air market and use the pontoon bridge when it floats back into place.

Whatever your choice, there are lots of accessible options in Curaçao, Aruba and Half Moon Cay. And thanks to HAL, the ms Westerdam provides a nicely accessible way to get there.

If You Go
Holland America Line
(800) 547-8493
Access & Compliance Department
www.hollandAmerica.com

Tio Taxi Tours
+599 9 560 5491 • www.tiotaxi.com

Ostrich and Game Farm
+599 9 747 27 77 • www.ostrichfarm.net

Curacao Sea Aquarium
+599 9 461 6666
www.curacao-sea-aquarium.com

Candy Harrington is the editor of Emerging Horizons and the author of Barrier Free Travel: A Nuts and Bolts Guide For Wheelers and Slow Walkers. She blogs regularly about accessible travel issues at www.BarrierFreeTravels.com.

Photography By Charles Pannell