Cruise lines and tour operators are realizing that blind travelers are an economic force to be acknowledged and welcomed.
“Education has diminished fear, and operators now have procedures for serving blind travelers and their dogs," says Dimensions in Travel owner Diana Saint James. “We offer anything that facilitates smooth, independent, fun, safe, exciting travel experiences."
Her agency evolved from a longstanding relationship with Guide Dogs for the Blind, arranging travel for individuals to its western campuses for dog placement, training, and the trip home.
Services for Blind Princess Cruise Travelers
The Princess cruises Saint James organizes accommodate up to 25 guide dogs and provide or arrange accessibility and support throughout the trip.
For Blind Persons
- Bulkhead seating on flights
- Airport gate assistance
- Embarkation/disembarkation assistance
- Cruise escorts
- Special pier check-in and ship orientation tours
- Private hosted reception
- Braille menus and large-print documents
- Ship store shopping assistance
- Front-row theater seating
- Sighted guides for shore excursions
For Guide Dogs
- Dog life jackets
- Private safety drill
- Relieving boxes
- Play areas
- Destination-specific dog health requirements and related information
- Veterinarians (On ship or in port).
Guide Dogs Welcome On Ship
Dimensions in Travel also communicates the presence and needs of blind travelers with crew and passengers. Guide dog etiquette brochures are placed in all staterooms and the staff receives training on serving blind travelers.
Saint James also arranges shipboard gatherings where passengers, who can find it hard to resist petting or playing with guides dogs while they’re working, can meet and pet the dogs and ask questions of their owners. Crewmembers generally love having the dogs onboard as many are away from home for months at a time and miss their own pets.
Accessible Travel Changes Lives
“Once, while escorting a cruise, I heard a crewmember describing the beauty of a full moon to a blind couple out on deck,” Saint James says. “We love enriching the travel experience: we’ve helped blind people snorkel, kayak, ride horses, dogsleds, walk on a glacier, and swim with dolphins.”
One couple that met on a 2004 cruise took 10 more together and got married aboard the Grand Princess. “Instead of rice, the crew tossed dog kibble,” Saint James says.
Developing her business has enriched Saint James, too. “It’s been fascinating developing our niche,” she says. “Seeing a glacier calve is one thing, but paying attention to hear it rumble, crack, splash, and then rock the ship is amazing.”
When Planning a Princess Guide Dog Cruise
- Be involved in the planning process
- Be clear on what your travel agent is arranging and what you must work out
- Get the name of a staff person to be your onboard liaison (if needed) before you go, or request one at the purser’s desk on boarding
- Use raised-dot stickers for orientation, including:
- Cruise ID card or hotel room key positioning
- Doorknob for room identification
- Handrails you regularly use
- Measure your dog’s food in meal-sized Ziploc bags enabling security officers to see contents.
Dimensions in Travel (Novato, Calif., 415.883.3245) offers 2-3 cruises a year. Next up is a 10-day Mexican cruise in November. Past cruises have visited Alaska, Canada, and New England.
Andrew Leibs - Andrew Leibs is Suite101’s Feature Writer for Accessible Recreation. He is a longtime chronicler of the disability movement with ...
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