Fred Olsen's Disabled Facilties

John · 05-05-2007, 07:15 PM

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines warmly welcome passengers dependent on the use of wheelchairs for mobility to all three of our vessels. They do however request that they are always accompanied by an able-bodied companion. A limited number of cabins on each ship have been modified to facilitate more comfortable occupation for such passengers.*

The number of wheelchairs they can permit on each respective cruise is as follows:

MS Braemar - Permits 4 wheelchairs - Has 4 cabins modified for wheelchair use.
MS Black Prince - Permits 4 wheelchairs - Has 2 cabins modified for wheelchair use.
MS Black Watch - Permits 6 wheelchairs - Has 4 cabins modified for wheelchair use.
MS Boudicca - Permits 6 wheelchairs - Has 4 cabins modified for wheelchair use.
While each of the designated cabins for wheelchair use have bathrooms and toilets modified to allow for wheelchair access, it should be noted that, apart from Black Prince, nowhere on the three ships are any such WC facilities in any of the public areas.

Bed and toilet heights are relatively low. However, an additional mattress and/or raised WC seat can respectively be requested on board.

Passengers are welcome to hire additional equipment, such as hoists, if required. However, the delivery/collection and safe use of such equipment will be entirely the responsibility of the individual.

* Floor space dimensions within the modified cabins on board MS Braemar are relatively small, which can restrict wheelchair movement slightly.

While all four ships have public lifts to all passenger decks**, these do have restricted space for wheelchairs, particularly for the larger electric-motorised wheelchairs.
**No lift to Sun Decks on MS Black Watch/MS Boudicca/MS Black Prince – Promenade Decks all have easy access.

Unless able to climb the steps of a coach, it will not be possible to participate in the programme of organised shore excursions that they offer for sale on board.

In the majority of ports visited, the unaided negotiation of the ships' gangways can be difficult to persons using a wheelchair. Assistance will always be provided on request, as it can be when a tender service is in operation. However, it should be noted this will be achieved by physically lifting the wheelchair and the occupant.