The high-service environment of a cruise ship can be ideal for passengers with special needs – whether they be wheelchair-bound, have hearing or visual difficulties, or require specific medical assistance.

Most ships are clean, safe and controlled environments, with easy-to-navigate layouts. However, facilities vary greatly and, more than any other passenger, if you have special needs it’s vital to do your research.

On more modern ships, wheelchair users can expect several cabin grades of accessible accommodation, with lip-free, wide doors and raised beds, space to navigate between the furniture, adjustable hanging rails in the closet and emergency buttons next to the bed. Most advanced ships will have wide spaces in the bathrooms, lowered sinks and toilets, shower seats, grab rails, alarm pulls and the doors should open outwards. Elevators should service all levels and have accessible buttons, and along with all public areas, should have wide doorways and ramps where needed.

Choose the right ship and the hard of hearing will find under-pillow vibrating alarms to alert them to the telephone, doorbell or emergency situations. Some ships allow guide dogs and have Braille signs at the elevators and cabin doors.

A doctor and nurse are on 24-hour call on most ships, with the possible exception of some river cruises which rely on staff first-aiders as hospitals are never far away. But most large modern ships now have full medical centres onboard that are capable of dealing with reasonable emergencies. The most advanced are linked by satellite to land-based hospitals for back-up and have cardiac arrest machines, monitors and oxygen, and small surgical theatres.

Oxygen and dialysis-dependent guests can be accommodated on some ships, but they will normally have to bring their own equipment. Passengers requiring wheelchairs will usually have to take their own as well, so check for any dimension and weight limitations.

With everything arranged onboard, don’t forget to ask about the accessibility of shore excursions. Make sure your cruise line uses tour companies with wheelchair-accessible buses and has suitable excursion options for your needs and you might be advised to choose an itinerary that minimises disembarkation by tender.

And finally, make sure you book well ahead, as ships sometimes limit the number of special-needs travellers on each sailing. Most will require documentation well in advance and may also request you travel with an able-bodied companion.

With the correct research and advice, you could find a cruise is the easiest and most liberating holiday you’ve ever taken.

Ask your ACE travel agent for details.