On every cruise we take, we continued to be amazed at the determination of people with disabilities to keep on sailing. Of course, this is in part because cruise lines have gone out 
of their way — either by desire or by the force of a Supreme Court ruling seven years ago — to make embarkation, life on board and disembarkation as painless as possible.
During the weekend, we discovered a Disabled Cruise Guide online. It was compiled by Cruise.co, which appears to be British-based, and it covers almost all of the major players, with the notable exception of Disney. Upscale lines like Oceania, Crystal, Silversea and Regent Seven Seas are also not rated.
The rest are.
The guide tells you things about wheelchairs — if they can be rented, if you can bring your own and what restrictions there are. It tells you about disabled cabins (that should be cabins for people with disabilities, shouldn't it?) and whether service animals, like guide dogs, are allowed. And it tells you about mobility aids on the ships, plus facilities for the hard of hearing.
The nine categories make it easier for passengers with disabilities to decide which cruise line is best suited to them.
Check it out at www.us.cruise.co.
Diamond Princess
7 nights
August 25, 2012
Anchorage, Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Vancouver
Inside: $599
Cost per day: $85
www.princess.com
Photo courtesy Royal Caribbean