by Beth Williamson August 11th, 2009
Training on facilities for disabled has begun not only for those working with them, but for agents who sell the cruises. It is thought that a better understanding of the facilities will help sell to disabled passengers.
A course has been designed for the purpose of the training. It will provide agents with knowledge of facilities as well as policies involving the facilities and disabled passengers in general. The course will provide a guide to facilities throughout the fleet and advise on how to best accommodate guests with medical needs as well as limited mobility or hearing or sight impairments. The course will also include sales techniques for dealing with disable passengers.
The course will also use video footage and testimonials to fully describe to agents the nature of the facilities.
The current fleet has 27 wheelchair accessible cabins per sheep with grab bars, ramps and Braille signs for blind passengers. They are also investing in further facilities on new ships. Their newest ship will have 42 specially equipped cabins and all restaurants and bars will be equipped with ramps and wide entrances. It is thought that the disabled market may not have been fully utilized in the cruise industry, NCL is taking steps to change that.