Mobility aids and equipment
If you need to bring a wheelchair or mobility scooter on board with you, it is essential that you let us know at the time of booking or as soon as the need is known. Any guests requiring the use of a wheelchair, mobility scooter or other aids to mobility must provide their own.
Mobility scooters
Mobility scooters will only be permitted on board if guests have booked an accessible cabin, or selected suite or mini-suite. Mobility scooters cannot be accepted in standard cabins. A list of the accessible cabins can be found in the accessible cabin section. Mobility scooters can also be taken in selected suites and mini suites, details of which are listed by ship here.
The policy applies to all scooter makes and models. Mobility scooters must be declared at the time of booking or as soon as the need is known. If you have not informed us that you are bringing a mobility scooter and have not booked an approved cabin, your mobility scooter will be denied boarding.
If you are taking a mobility scooter on board in an approved cabin please ensure you have checked the cabin door width as the scooter must be able to fit through to enable it to be stored safely so as not to impede a safe evacuation. Details of cabin door widths can be found in the cabin door widths section. Your mobility scooter will be denied boarding if you are not occupying one of the approved cabins, or does not fit through the cabin door.
P&O Cruises define a mobility scooter as a three or four wheeled electrical or battery powered scooter designed for a person with restricted mobility. Motorised wheelchairs, bespoke machines for full-time disabled persons and manual collapsible wheelchairs are not included within the definition for the term ‘mobility scooters’.
Please note that we can only accept gel, dry cell, sealed lead acid or lithium-Ion battery operated mobility scooters on board. Segways, trikes or any similar non-standard aids to mobility will not be permitted. Your scooter does not need to be PAT tested (electrical tested) before embarkation however if for any reason a mobility scooter needs to be tested the electrical team will contact you once on board to carry out a PAT test and you will be informed of the result afterwards.
All scooters and electric wheelchairs can be charged in your stateroom when not in use. The voltage on board our ships vary. It is important that you contact the manufacturer or supplier of your mobility scooter prior to embarkation to ensure that the equipment is safe to use at 60HZ and the voltage is compatible. This is to ensure that the equipment does not become damaged or its performance affected.
The supply on board is:
Arcadia - 220V / 110V / 60HZ
Aurora - 220V / 60HZ
Azura - 230V / 115V / 60HZ
Britannia - 230V / 120V / 60HZ
Iona - 220V / 50HZ - 60HZ
Arvia - 230V / 60HZ
Ventura - 230V / 115V / 60HZ
All mobility scooters must be stored inside your stateroom when not in use. They must not be left outside your cabin. When using your mobility scooter on board it is of the utmost importance for your safety, and the safety of others on board that you drive at a safe speed.
Raised door thresholds are present throughout the ship which need to be negotiated with care and you may find the layout of the ship narrower than you are used to. When in public areas please ensure your mobility scooter is clear of any exits or fire doors. The ship’s staff will be on hand in these areas to offer guidance on where to safely leave your scooter.
Please also pay careful attention when backing in and out of lifts as they are often in close proximity to the staircase which may be narrow and difficult to negotiate.
Our mobility scooter policy and procedures comply with all applicable ship safety and disability/equality legislation, including the EU Passenger Rights Regulation. We aim to offer our services to all disabled persons or persons with reduced mobility subject to applicable safety requirements and within the parameters of each ship design, port infrastructure and equipment.
Wheelchairs
Wheelchair users are advised to occupy an accessible stateroom, but if you do not require the facilities of an accessible cabin, or a wet room style bathroom and do not need your wheelchair to move around the cabin, you can occupy a standard cabin. Access to the bathroom in a standard cabin is via a step and there is a raised threshold to enter the shower cubicle. Some bathrooms have a shower over bath. If occupying a standard cabin your wheelchair must not exceed width 20 inches (51cms), weight 7st (45kgs), with no individual piece to weigh more than 3st (20kgs).
Please note that we can only accept gel, dry cell or lithium-Ion battery operated wheelchairs on board.
If you are taking a mobility aid please ensure you have checked the cabin door width as they must be able to fit through to enable it to be stored in your cabin when not in use. You should also check that your choice of cabin gives you enough space to safely store your mobility aid without obstructing your access in the cabin or evacuation route.
Cabin door widths
All mobility aids must be stored in the cabin when not in use. Cabin door widths are listed below. Please note that these sizes apply to a majority of staterooms, however some exceptions apply. For specific details, please contact our Customer Contact Centre or your local Travel Agent.
Arcadia
- Suite - 83cm
- Mini Suite - 83cm on average
- Standard cabin - 60cm
- Adapted cabin - 86cm
Aurora
- Penthouse - 82cm
- Suite Cabin – 61cm
- Mini Suite – 61cm
- Standard Cabin – 54cm
- Adapted cabin - 86cm
Azura
- Standard cabin - 55cm
- Suite - 55cm
- Adapted cabin - 80cm
Britannia
- Suite - 53cm
- Standard cabin - 53cm
- Adapted cabin - 79cm
Ventura
- Standard cabin - 55cm
- Suite - 55cm
- Mini-suite - 55cm
- Adapted cabin - 80cm
Iona
- Suite - 83cm
- Standard cabin (including Conservatory Mini Suite) - 65cm
- Adapted cabin - 83cm
Arvia
- Suite - 83cm
- Standard cabin (including Conservatory Mini Suite) – 66cm
- Adapted cabin – 83cm
Cabin Beds
Guests are not permitted to bring their own mattress or mattress topper. All ships hold a limited number of lower depth mattresses.
All dimensions detailed are based from the bottom of the bed to the top of the mattress (approximate).
Arcadia, Aurora, Ventura and Azura
59 cm / 23.2 inches
Arvia and Iona
64.5 cm / 25.4 inches
Britannia
60 cm / 23.6 inches
Other mobility equipment
We are able to provide a limited number of shower stools, shower chairs, raised toilet seats, bath benches and bath seats on a first come first served basis. All the equipment has a maximum user weight limit of 190kgs/30 stone, apart from the shower stools which are 100kgs/15 stone. Please note that our raised toilet seats do not have arms.
These items should be requested prior to travel and will be allocated in order of date of receipt of your mobility and medical questionnaire. No other mobility aids besides those listed can be provided by P&O Cruises.
If you require an item that we are unable to supply such as a commode, bed blocks, hoist etc you are welcome to bring your own or contact our recommended supplier, Mobility at Sea on 0800 328 1699 (calls are free from a landline). If you're bringing a hoist and you are booked into a non-adapted cabin, please be aware that there will be limited space for maneuverability.
If you are bringing a hoist or any other electrical equipment, you will need to check that it is compatible with the electrical supply on board. The voltage on board our ships vary. It is important that you contact the manufacturer or supplier of your mobility equipment prior to embarkation to ensure that it is safe to use at 60HZ and the voltage is compatible. This is to ensure that the equipment does not become damaged or its performance affected.
The supply on board is:
Arcadia - 220V / 110V / 60HZ
Aurora - 220V / 60HZ
Azura - 230V / 115V / 60HZ
Britannia - 230V / 120V / 60HZ
Iona - 220V / 50HZ - 60HZ
Ventura - 230V / 115V / 60HZ
You will be responsible for the carriage and installation of your own electrical equipment and your hoist must remain in your stateroom at all times.
Guests are not permitted to bring their own bed, chair or other items of furniture unless they have the appropriate International Maritime Organisation (IMO) fire rating certification. Our recommended supplier, Mobility at Sea, has a selection of IMO approved items available for hire. For more information, give them a call on 0800 328 1699.
Unfortunately, we can't accept Segways, trikes and similar non-standard, powered mobility aids on board. If you’re not sure whether your mobility aid can be used on board, please contact us on disability@carnivalgroup.com
If you are flying and taking any of the above equipment you must populate your questionnaire with full details. If you are flying with a scheduled airline you will need to contact them directly and confirm carriage of any equipment. If you are flying with a charter airline then please ensure you contact our Customer Contact Centre.
Storing your mobility aids
Mobility scooters, wheelchairs and other mobility aids must be stored inside your cabin when not in use. They must not be left outside your cabin door. Public walkways and stairwells must be kept clear in case of an emergency. Please check the cabin door widths section.
If you need to bring a wheelchair or mobility scooter on board with you, it is essential that you let us know at the time of booking or as soon as the need is known. Any guests requiring the use of a wheelchair, mobility scooter or other aids to mobility must provide their own.