Clubmates Travel
Accessible Cruises: The Easy Way to Travel
Posted on July 24, 2025 by Matilda Negri
Reading time about 7 minutes
If you or a loved one lives with a disability, finding a trip that feels easy, safe, and genuinely fun can be hard. That’s why more and more people are turning to accessible cruises.
We often hear questions like:
“Are there really cruises for disabilities?”
“Will there be help if I need it?”
“How accessible are these ships for wheelchairs and mobility aids?”
The short answer: modern ships are surprisingly well set up. And when you travel with a specialist team like ours, things
Why Cruises Work So Well for People with Disabilities
From years of experience supporting passengers of all abilities, we always say: a cruise takes away the hard parts of travel.
- Everything’s in one place.
- You don’t have to move hotels.
- Meals, activities, and entertainment are all on board.
For wheelchair users, most modern ships are designed as wheelchair friendly cruises. You’ll find:
- Accessible cabins with roll-in showers and wider doorways
- Ramps, lifts, and no-step entry points
- Accessible public areas like restaurants, theatres, and pool decks
But accessibility isn’t just physical. For people with intellectual disabilities, a cruise’s structure—set mealtimes, daily programs, announcements—creates routine and predictability that helps them feel confident.
What a Day Looks Like on an Accessible Cruise
To give you a real sense of what it’s like:
- Morning: Breakfast followed by trivia, music bingo, or a quiet coffee watching the waves
- Midday: Lunch and maybe a shore excursion if the ship’s docked
- Afternoon: Pool time, shopping, or group games
- Evening: Dinner, live entertainment (comedy, music, magic shows), and dancing
You can do as little or as much as you like. Some passengers love going to everything. Others just enjoy relaxing and watching the world go by.
Why Cruise with ClubMates?
You can book an accessible cruise on your own. But if you or your loved one needs that bit of extra support, going with a specialist team like ClubMates makes it smoother.
We handle:
- Booking the right accessible room
- Managing medications and dietary needs
- Providing one-on-one or group support workers
- Helping passengers build confidence and social skills in a fun, relaxed way
It’s not just about ticking a holiday off the list. For many passengers, it’s about achieving NDIS goals: independence, social participation, and trying new things in a supported environment.
Explore Our Supported Cruises
Love the idea of an accessible cruise? Click below to see all our supported cruises for the next year. Cruises often book out up to a year in advance, so secure your spot now!
China is one of those countries that keeps surprising people—especially when you see the landscapes that don’t even look real. Towering rainbow mountains, glass walkways over steep cliffs, mist-covered peaks that inspired movies like Avatar—China’s natural wonders feel like stepping into another world.
And guess what? With the right support and planning, these mind-blowing places can be explored by people of all abilities. At ClubMates Travel, we believe that accessible travel should be more than just getting from A to B—it should be about awe, wonder, and saying “I can’t believe I’m actually here.”
Here are a few incredible spots in China that look out of this world—and why they might just end up on your travel wishlist.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park – The Real-Life Pandora
Ever seen floating mountains? Well, you’re about to. Zhangjiajie is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the inspiration behind the flying mountains in Avatar. Giant stone pillars rise up through misty clouds—it’s so surreal it feels like CGI.
There are cable cars and glass elevators that take you up into the peaks, and accessible walkways in many areas, making this a great option for travel for people with disabilities when paired with the right support crew.
The Rainbow Mountains – Zhangye Danxia Geopark
Imagine layers of red, orange, gold, and green rock stretched across rolling hills. These colourful formations look like someone took a paintbrush to the land. They’re even more breathtaking in person.
The Rainbow Mountains are best explored in daylight hours when the colours shine brightest. Some viewing platforms and paths are paved and can be navigated with mobility assistance. Like all our accessible holidays, having specialist travel support makes a huge difference in comfort and safety.
Yuanyang Rice Terraces – A Living Mirror
At sunrise or sunset, the rice terraces of Yuanyang reflect the sky like an enormous mirror. It’s peaceful, dreamlike, and incredibly calming—perfect for travellers who want to slow down, connect with nature, and just take it all in.
This spot is especially powerful for people who are working toward NDIS goals like mindfulness, emotional regulation, or confidence in new environments. With supported travel, it’s more than sightseeing—it becomes a sensory and emotional experience.
The Glass Bridge – Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
If you’re feeling brave, there’s a 430-metre-long glass bridge suspended over the canyon. Yes—it’s see-through. But it’s also safe, sturdy, and absolutely unforgettable. For those not afraid of heights, this is an epic moment that will stick with you for life.
We understand that thrill-seeking looks different for everyone. At ClubMates, our support crew are trained to encourage, not push—so passengers can take part in activities at their own comfort level.
Jiuzhaigou Valley – China’s Fairytale Water World
Think turquoise lakes, sparkling waterfalls, and snow-capped peaks. Jiuzhaigou is a dreamscape—peaceful, scenic, and full of charm. It’s also one of the more accessible nature parks in China, with eco buses and walkways that help make the journey smoother.
This kind of environment is great for building confidence, promoting social participation, and feeling part of something beautiful.
Why China? Why ClubMates?
Travelling to a country as big and bold as China might feel impossible—but that’s where we come in. As one of Australia’s most experienced NDIS holiday providers, we specialise in international supported travel that opens up the world for people with disabilities. We design every itinerary to work toward common NDIS goals—things like independence, community access, resilience, and joy.
Our team handles everything: accessible hotels, ground transport, daily activities, and of course, personal support workers who are trained specifically for disability travel.
If you’ve ever dreamt of seeing the Great Wall, watching lanterns float across the sky, or standing in a place that feels like another planet—then maybe it’s time to get curious.
ClubMates makes accessible travel across the globe achievable, enjoyable, and unforgettable.
Talk to our team about our upcoming tours to China or ask about designing your own supported adventure. We’ll help you figure out how your supports work with your NDIS funding and what out-of-pocket costs you can expect.
Because no one should miss out on the wonders of the world—especially you.
