Aruba and Curacao - are these ports handicap accessible?

[nc77kitkat]

We are going on the Carnival Sunshine August 21, taking mom and dad, who is virtually wheelchair bound. (he can only stand/walk for a short time) He will have a motorized scooter on the ship. Does anyone know if he will be able to go on any excursions, either through Carnival or in the ports that can accommodate his scooter? Any advice would be appreciated. We are celebrating their 60th Anniversary and would love to be able to take them touring in these places.

[Mary Ellen]

I would suggest asking on the 'Disabled Cruise Travel' forum. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=190

[Grandma Dazzles]

You may wish to ask on the Carnival board or handicapped board.

 

Not sure how Carnival advertises their shore excursions, but on RC the excursions will show any restrictions or the description will give you a good idea.

 

Haven't been to Curaçao for a long time, but Aruba is one of my favorite islands. Ships dock right downtown and it is a nice area. I don't think it is truly handicapped accessible, by American standards, but better than most of the islands. You might find a folding wheelchair helpful even if he has a scooter for the ship. You could at least ride in a taxi and tour the island.

[cb at sea]

Most place don't have the ADA laws we have, so you probably won't find curb cuts or ramps into stores, etc.....I simply don't remember seeing those things (or I simply may not have noticed)...

[Floridiana]

Willemstad in Curacao is flat, but I didn't pay attention to curbs.

[oncruisecontrol]

Willemstad in Curacao is flat, but I didn't pay attention to curbs.

 

It is flat, but the pavement from where the ship docks to the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge had a fair amount of cobblestones if I remember correctly. I found them uncomfortable/annoying to walk on. Might not be a problem for a scooter, but not sure. Lots of shops and also a casino along this route that your family might enjoy even if they aren't able to go further into town. The Pontoon Bridge is a must-see in my opinion though if they can traverse the cobblestone.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Both ports use large and small buses.

On a cruise last fall, we had pre-booked a few excursions. But once we got on the ship, we were informed that our tours were going to be on small buses and they could not handle my walker/rollator -- no place to store it.

So you may not know until you are on the ship what tours you can take.

Both ports can handle scooters -- a little rough in some areas because of the walkways not always being smooth stones.

[kitty9]

As a disabled person who uses a scooter, I can tell you that cruise lines do not offer tours that accommodate scooters. You will have to research to see if there's a local tour company that will accommodate a scooter or just go off on your own and see areas that are close to the ship. Many areas in town will be accessible, but here and there you will find that the scooter won't be accommodated.

[sail7seas]

If you dock at the Big Pier, they likely will be able to use their scooters in the shopping/restaurant area nearby. As to excursions, as many times as I've been to both islands, I really don't know.