Carnival Pride Guests Warned of Accessibility Limitations for Cruise
Carnival Cruise Line often goes out of its way to ensure its fleet can accommodate disabled passengers. But what the cruise line can’t control is accessibility at the ports of call.
This is why the family-friendly cruise line has reached out to guests booked on an upcoming 14-night Carnival Journeys sailing to Greenland and Canada – which will be operated by Carnival Pride and is due to embark from Baltimore, Maryland, on May 25, 2025.
Three of the five ports of call on the itinerary are tender ports only – meaning the Spirit-class ship will have to anchor further away and ferry guests to and from the pier.
The cruise line is giving booked guests a heads up, as these destinations may be challenging for passengers with limited mobility.
In fact, it’s the first three stops on the itinerary – Nanortalik and Qaqortoq in Greenland and St. Anthony (Newfoundland and Labrador), Canada – that are the tender ports in question.
“As the world’s largest island, Greenland showcases vast lands that are generally untouched by human activity, preserving much of its mostly rustic and scenic views. Like some of our destinations, facilities are not equipped for people with mobility limitations,” the cruise line wrote.
“We will be anchoring offshore in both Nanortalik and Qaqortoq (Greenland), and also in St. Anthony (Canada) and using water shuttles to take you from the ship to shore, and back,” the message continued.
In addition to navigating undeveloped terrain, guests were advised that they will have to be capable of using stairs in order to disembark the 2,124-guest ship and to board the water shuttles (or rather lifeboats that are used as shuttles).
At the Greenland destinations, guests will also have to navigate an inclined ramp to actually reach land once the tender boats arrive at the port.
Next passengers were told that bathrooms at the Greenland ports may be limited or completely unavailable – which is good to know no matter your health or mobility status.
For all three of these visits, any mobility devices that guests need to bring ashore with them must also be collapsible to allow for limited space on the tenders – so passengers who need these devices should plan accordingly.
Is it Better to Stay Onboard?
Although it can be disappointing to skip a port of call you may have been looking forward to, safety always has to be the top priority.
If you have a disability that may make visiting these destinations unsafe for you, it may be better to hang back and enjoy the 88,500-gross ton ship.
For example, I am currently recovering from ankle surgery. If I was booked on this voyage, I would be looking forward to taking advantage of the amenities onboard with less crowds while others are off exploring.
“Given these limitations, if you decide to remain on board, the Carnival Pride team will have a variety of activities and entertainment for you to enjoy…We are looking forward to welcoming you aboard for this unique journey that promises fun and lasting memories,” Carnival’s letter concluded.
In addition to amenities like a full spa, pools, and hot tubs, the Fun Squad also hosts entertainment like interactive trivia – even while in port.
Read Also: Cruise Ship Tendering – Top 6 Pro Tips
This news also doesn’t mean that guests with limited mobility have to be confined to the ship for the duration of the sailing. Each individual knows their own limits best, so perhaps this means they only disembark for one or two of the three tender ports.
The final two stops on the itinerary – which are on Corner Brook (Newfoundland and Labrador), Canada; and Sydney (Nova Scotia), Canada – also have the infrastructure for cruise ships to dock at the pier, which will make getting off and re-boarding much easier.
Carnival Pride Guests Warned of Accessibility Limitations for Cruise