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| CRUISE TO MEXICO |
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Cruises can be the best vacation you could ever imagine - if planned right. Today, the cruise industry have made big changes to their ships and you will find them to be very accessible for people with disabilities. There are special adapted cabins with roll-in showers, wider doors and more space to maneuver a wheelchair. Most of the public areas are accessible, sometimes the "sports deck" are not accessible by elevator. Still you will find just about anything you could possibly want by taking a cruise.
One very important question to ask when booking a cruise - Are the ports accessible....does the ship dock or do they use a "tender". ALSO BE SURE TO ASK FOR THE HANDICAPPED CABIN - equipped for all your needs.
We flew to Los Angeles where we embarked the Carnival Elation for a 7-day fun filled cruise to Mexico with stops at Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas. All the ports were accessible with ramps to the dock except Cabo San Lucas, there you had to board a small boat called a tender that took you to shore. If you use a wheelchair, you are unable to go to shore and will have to relax on the ship.
When we arrived at Puerto Vallarta, we located a van that was equipped with a wheelchair life and made it very convenient to tour the city and take us to the points of interest. ALWAYS ask the price first if you are planning to ride a taxi or accessible van.
Our next stop was Mazatlan and it too docked where it was easy to get off the ship. There was a shuttle that had a ramp for wheelchair users. There is an accessible van in Mazatlan equipped with a wheelchair lift for touring the city. Many of the new areas are wheelchair accessible; such as the marine area and you can visit some of the large hotels for easy access. Try the stuffed shrimp....so good. The next stop is Cabo San Lucus where passengers in wheelchairs are not able to get off the ship since you must transfer to a smaller boat called a "tender" that takes you to shore. There is a big outdoor shopping complex to get your "last chance" souveniers; other than that there isn't that much to see anyway. They have tours but you must be able to get back to the ship before it sets off or you will be left behind. It has happened. The last day is spend cruising back to California, with midnight buffets, activities or just relaxing. It is a wonderful way to spend a vacation and you will feel relaxed and like you have been on a vacation. I highly recommend a cruise at least once in your life. It is something you will never forget. Get your friends and family to join you....the more the merrier I always say.
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