Accessibility for All at Seas

  ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL

DID YOU KNOW… That 12% of Americans with disabilities have taken a cruise in the last 5 years, while 10% of the general U.S. population has taken a cruise in the last 3 years. That means travelers with disabilities enjoy cruising at an even greater rate than those without! 

Sources: Study by the Open Doors Organization and U.S. Travel Association 

               Cruise Lines International Association

Royal Caribbean International® believes the best vacations come without limitations. They are committed to providing the most accessible cruise vacation experience to guests with disabilities and special needs. That’s why they strive to meet the needs of every guest, by outfitting their ships with a wide variety of features designed to give access to all*, including guests who have:      

• Mobility disabilities 
• Hearing disabilities 
• Visual disabilities 
• Other disabilities including children with disabilities
• People of short stature 
• Individuals with cognitive, intellectual and development disabilities

Every year, thousands of guests with disabilities and special needs sail on Royal Caribbean International. Wherever our ships can go, you can, too – on a cruise designed to wow and accommodate you.

*Activities and amenities vary by ship

PLANNING AHEAD 

While we don’t require information about the type or extent of your disability, the more information you can share with us about your specific needs, the better we are able to assist you. We encourage you to notify us of your needs at the time of booking, however to guarantee availability of specific equipment or services, please provide at least: 

• 60 days notice if you need sign language interpreting services 
• 30 days notice if you need special equipment or services  to accommodate your disability 

If the cruise line does not receive enough advance notice, they will make reasonable efforts to provide requested equipment or services, but they do not guarantee they will be provided.

AUTISM FRIENDLY CERTIFICATION

Autism on the Seas certifies Royal Caribbean with an Autism Friendly Certification for their efforts to ensure their products and services are accessible for inclusion and participation by the autism and developmental disability community. 

Autism Friendly Certification includes achievement in up to seven areas, such as cruise line staff training, youth program services, pre-vacation planning and services, dining and dietary needs, disability accommodations, guest satisfaction and feedback, and support for “Cruises with Autism on the Seas Staff.” There are four levels of certification, each progressing with increased levels of staff training. 

Families with autism sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Autism Friendly Certified ships can be confident that Royal Caribbean has autism friendly products and services that will help accommodate family members with autism. 

They offer Autism friendly films; toys; activities and a tv station that is geared to Autism. But this channel is only available on the following classes of ships – Quantum; Oasis; Freedom; Voyager and Radiance. 

Their staff are required to have a 4-year degree or equivalent education and have at least 3-5 years of experience working with Autism teens and children.

CONTACT US WITH YOUR SPECIAL NEEDS    

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Five Sentenced in Costa Concordia Shipwreck

Plea Bargains Accepted

Five defendants: Roberto Ferrarini, director of Costa Cruises' crisis unit, cabin service director Manrico Giampedroni, first officer Ciro Ambrosio, Indonesian helmsman Jacob Rusli Bin and third officer Silvia Coronica had their day in court.

Sentences ranged from 18 - 34 months.   It is unlikely that any of them will actually have to serve jail time as sentences less that 2 years are suspended in Italy and longer sentences can be appealed.

Costa Concordia jail sentences

• Roberto Ferrarini - two years and 10 months
• Manrico Giampedroni - two years and six months
• Ciro Ambrosio - one year and 11 months
• Jacob Rusli Bin - one year and eight months
• Silvia Coronica - one year and six months

These proceedings were separate from the main trial for Captain Schettino, which began this week as well.  Unlike this trial, which was short due to the acceptance of the plea bargain agreements, we expect a lengthy trial for him, given the amount of testimony and complexity of the case.

Ongoing Coverage

Watch Concordia Captain's Trial Finally Underway for updates on the legal proceedings.

We have been covering the entire Costa Concordia accident, including the cleanup and legal proceedings.   For complete details, see our anchor article:  Costa Concordia Listing after Deadly Accident

Meanwhile, salvage operations continue.  It is now expected that the parbuckling project can be completed by early September, 2013.   See our article:  Costa Concordia Salvage Begins

Concordia Captain's Trial Finally Underway

 Captain Francesco Schettino's

Trial Finally Begins

Eighteen months following the deadly accident off the coast of the Island of Giglio in Italy, the trial of  Captain Francesco Schettino has finally begun in the tiny Italian village of Grosseto.  The courtroom is in the local theater since the normal facilities would be too small.

Last week, the trial was delayed due to a nationwide strike by lawyers: Captain Schettino Gets Day in Court or Not

The entire world is watching as this trial continues.  Schettino is accused of three criminal charges: involuntary manslaughter for the deaths; causing a maritime disaster; and causing personal injury to 150 people who were badly hurt in the accident.

If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.  It is expected that if that does occur, his lawyers would request that be served under house arrest arrangements since there would be no risk of him repeating the offense (his captain days are over).

In addition to the criminal charges, there are 250 civil actions filed against the captain, all of which will be represented at the hearing.  Among the actions is one by Costa Crociere, the owner of the Concordia, which is suing the captain for causing the accident and destroying the Concordia.  Immediately after the accident, the cruise line distanced themselves from the captain, clearly indicating that they would take these actions against him.

29 October 13 Summary


Moldovan dancer, Domnica Cemortan, who was on the bridge when the Costa Concordia cruise ship crashed into a reef near Italy, killing 32 people, has testified at the captain's manslaughter trial that the two were lovers.

20 July 13 Summary

Four other officers and the crisis coordinator for the line will also be on trial this week.  They filed similar plea bargains in May and their hearing is to  begin this Saturday.

A court in Italy has convicted five people of manslaughter over the Costa Concordia shipwreck off Giglio island which killed 32 people in January 2012.  The plea bargains were accepted by the court.
Prison sentences ranged from 18 months to 34 months.  Five Sentenced in Costa Concordia Shipwreck

19 July 13 Summary

Just two days after the trial of Costa Concordia captain Francesco Schettino opened, it was adjourned until September 23 for the Italian court system's summer break.

17 July 13 Summary

Yesterday, defense lawyers for Schettino entered a plea bargain request where he would plead guilty in exchange for a 3 year 5 months sentence.  The prosecution voiced  opposition to the request, which is likely to be turned down by the court in a few days.

Names of the victims and how they died were read into the court's record as the trial began.

Ongoing Coverage

Watch this post for updates on the legal proceedings.

We have been covering the entire Costa Concordia accident, including the cleanup and legal proceedings.   For complete details, see our anchor article:  Costa Concordia Listing after Deadly Accident

Meanwhile, salvage operations continue.  It is now expected that the parbuckling project can be completed by early September, 2013.   See our article:  Costa Concordia Salvage Begins

Costa Fined - No Criminal Charges in Italy for Concordia

Costa Cruises has made a €1 million ($1.3M) plea bargain settlement with an Italian court to limit its criminal liability for the capsizing of the Costa Concordia last January with the loss of 32 lives.  This move means that Costa Cruises will not face any more criminal charges and will now aim to participate in the forthcoming trial as an injured party opening the door for the company to seek damages for the loss of the ship.

A judge in Tuscany accepted the plea agreement for Costa Crociere, a division of Carnival Corporation in connection with the shipwreck off the island of Giglio in January 2012. 

Legal proceedings will continue Monday with a hearing to determine whether six of the line’s employees including Concordia captain, Francesco Schettino, and Mr Ferrarini, the company's crisis management chief.  Captain Schettino is expected to be indicted for multiple charges including manslaughter and abandoning ship before his passengers.

Although Costa Cruises has paid only €1 million in order to limit its criminal liability, the civil costs will be very much higher.  Costa still faces civil lawsuits by the relatives of passengers who drowned while trying to flee the ship, as well as by survivors who have turned down the firm’s starting offer of about €11,000 per person in compensation. Italian consumer group Codacons had advised passengers to reject the offer and instead called for a €125,000 minimum for each passenger.There has been at least one seven figure settlement already to the youngest victim of the shipwreck, a 5 year old boy.

Meanwhile, salvage operations continue off the cost of Giglio.   By late summer it is hoped that the ship will be floated off the rocks.

For Complete Coverage of this tragedy see the following blog post:

Costa Concordia Listing after Deadly Accident