onboard accessibility

It is the desire of both On the Blue Cruise and Norwegian Cruise Line to provide a safe and comfortable experience aboard OTBC for all guests. We ask that cruisers needing special assistance take the time to read and follow the guidelines outlined below so that to the extent possible, we can accommodate your needs on board.

 

Before Booking Your Stateroom

Read NCL's Accessibility Assistance information

Guests Requiring ADA Compliant accommodations


The Norwegian Pearl has accessible staterooms in Interior, Oceanview, Balcony, Club Balcony Suite, and Penthouse categories. An accessible stateroom is required to accommodate motorized scooters and non-collapsible wheelchairs.

ADA compliant cabins will ONLY be assigned to those guests that cannot sail without ADA Compliant staterooms.

Accessible staterooms include a bathroom with roll in doorway and roll in shower. The shower will have a removable shower seat. Each accessible bathroom comes equipped with grab bars around the toilet and an adjustable angled mirror above the sink.


Be sure to research the cabin types on board that are ADA Compliant by calling our reservations team at (855) 622-3111 or by CLICKING HERE prior to booking your cabin. This will help to ensure you are booking a cabin category that will accommodate your needs. These cabins will be identified on the deck plan with a square next to the cabin number.


For example, in the image below, 9148, 9150, 9648 and 9650 are all ADA Compliant.

Guests using a mobility device regardless of stateroom type:


All mobility devices (wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, etc.) must be stored inside the stateroom. Due to safety and escape way requirements, these items cannot be stored in the hallways, stairways, or any other public area.


Should you choose a stateroom that has not been designated as accessible, you will need to bring a collapsible wheelchair, or if you have a motorized wheelchair or scooter, the width must not exceed 26 inches to enter the stateroom door. 

Motorized wheelchairs and scooters are allowed in accessible staterooms, provided they are powered by gel-cell batteries and the chargers must be adaptable to 110 volts.


IMPORTANT: The ship has a limited number of wheelchairs which are reserved solely for guest use in the event of an onboard emergency. If you will require the use of a device to assist in your mobility throughout your vacation, you will be required to provide your own, or rent one from a third-party company. NCL's authorized vendor is Scootaround (see instructions below on contacting).

While Reserving your Stateroom:


When booking your reservation, please be sure to indicate and communicate any special needs you have so that our Reservations Team can address all aspects. This includes, but is not limited to:


  • Dietary Needs (Restrictions, Allergies, etc.)
  • Mobility Impairments or Restrictions
  • If you require an ADA Compliant Stateroom, be sure to indicate so during booking. PLEASE NOTE: These cabins are extremely limited and reserved to those that cannot sail without these accommodations - All guests booked in an ADA compliant cabin will be automatically assigned an accessible seat in the Stardust Theater for assigned shows along with one (1) companion seat. Please note that accessible seating is not located in the front of the theater, rather there are various locations throughout.
  • Other Needs or Challenges
  • Service Dogs - In accordance with the ADA, Norwegian Cruise Line does NOT accept “Emotional Support” dogs as service dogs, they CANNOT sail.


In addition, if you have special seating requests due to limitations, you must add them during the reservation process under "Special Needs for Assigned Seating" with the understanding that these are requests and cannot be guaranteed.

45 - 60 Days Before You Sail

Once you have received your NCL Reservation Number


Submit a request for NCL's team of Access Coordinators at the Access Desk to contact you by CLICKING HERE OR call the Access Desk at (866) 584-9756.


For information on rental wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, or other medical equipment please contact NCL's authorized vendor, Scootaround. Other companies will NOT have access to the NCL ships.

Scootaround

(888) 441-7575 | (204) 982-0657

www.scootaround.com

music venues

Stardust Theater


Those with mobility issues needing wheelchair access, you will enter the venue on Deck 6, Port Side.


Assigned Seating Shows - Guests will be assigned an accessible seat if they have indicated during booking this requirement. In addition, those booked in an ADA compliant cabin will be automatically assigned an accessible seat along with one (1) companion seat. Please note that accessible seating is not located in the front of the theater, rather various locations throughout.


General Admission Shows - Accessible seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

All Other Venues Theater


All other venues on board are general admission and available to all guests on a first-come, first-served basis.

RESTAURANTS AND LOUNGES

All Restaurants and Lounges are Accessible

public restrooms

Accessible Public Restrooms

  • Deck 6 (Forward, Starboard Side) inside the Stardust Theater
  • Deck 6 (Midship) outside the Indigo Restaurant
  • Deck 7 (Forward, Starboard Side) outside the Stardust Theater
  • Deck 7 (Midship, Port Side) by the midship elevator
  • Deck 7, (Aft, Port and Starboard Side), outside the Bliss Ultra Lounge
  • Deck 12 (Midship, Starboard Side) outside the Garden Café
  • Deck 12 (Aft, Starboard Side) outside the La Cucina Italian Restaurant
  • Deck 13 (Forward, Port Side) outside Spinnaker Lounge
  • Deck 13 (Midship, Port Side) outside Cagney’s Restaurant

tenders & Shore Excursions

Ship Tenders and Transfers


While none of our ports of call require tendering, should you decide to book excursions (see below), be sure to inquire about accommodations while booking.


Certain vessel transfers, such as tendering and gangways, may not be fully accessible to wheelchairs or scooters at the time that they desire or that they cannot go ashore at all. When a ship is unable to dock, guests are taken ashore on smaller boats called "tenders." Guests may need to utilize steps or a staircase to access the tender and to re-board the ship. Some guests with limited mobility may find it difficult to embark or disembark the ship at certain times while at dock or while tendering.


Note: Scooters and wheelchairs and/or guests that weigh 100 lbs. or more are not allowed to be transferred from the ship to tender and/or from tender to shore.

Shore Excursions


Some shore excursion facilities may not be fully accessible to guests with mobility challenges. We cannot guarantee that all companies providing shore excursions are able to provide facilities that are accessible to persons with disabilities. Moreover, shore excursions in foreign ports can present challenges to disabled guests. For detailed, up-to-date information on accessibility issues involving shore excursions, we strongly recommend that you contact NCL via their Access Link or call the Access Desk (866) 584-9756 prior to travel.