Mediterranean Cruise Port Accessibility

The Mediterranean features a large selection of cruise ports and destinations with varying levels of accessibility for wheelchair users and guests with mobility requirements. Some of the most popular destinations include:

Barcelona

Regarded as one of Europe’s most accessible cities, Barcelona is overflowing with attractions that can be enjoyed by all. These include the iconic La Sagrada Familia cathedral, the colourful Park Güell, the Picasso Museum, beaches with beach wheelchairs, and many more. The city is reached via a wheelchair-accessible shuttle bus running from the docks to the foot of the Las Ramblas shopping street. The city also has a very accessible public transport system.

Monte Carlo

One of Europe’s most accessible cruise ports, Monte Carlo has four lifts and a flat 500-metre walkway from the dock to Monaco-Ville. Accessible attractions include the Casino, Monte Carlo Harbour, Le Metropole Shopping Centre (access must be via Avenue de Grande Bretagne), the Oceanography Museum and Monaco Cathedral. Wheelchair-friendly buses and standard taxis are available.

Please note: As Monte Carlo only has space for one cruise ship, transfers by tender are possible and may not be accessible to wheelchair users.

Rome

For Rome, cruise ships dock at the port of Civitavecchia, approximately 90 minutes away via train or wheelchair-accessible taxi vans. Trains are accessible, but you will need to let the operator know your exact departure and arrival times. Rome is home to a wealth of accessible attractions, including the Vatican Museums, Raphael Rooms, Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Square, St Peter’s Basilica, the Colosseum and the Pantheon. Civitavecchia also has its own accessible shopping areas.

Livorno (for Florence and Pisa)

Livorno is a very popular port as it’s the gateway to the tourist meccas of Florence and Pisa. The port itself can present some accessibility problems on account of shuttle buses not always being wheelchair-accessible. For this reason we would recommend booking one of several accessible excursions that will meet you at the port in accessible transport. These tours go to Florence and/or Pisa, as well as through the gorgeous Tuscan countryside to visit authentic rustic wineries. Trains are also accessible to take you from Livorno to Pisa (although you may need to contact the service provider in advance to arrange assistance).

Naples

Naples is a very accessible port with a short dock just 500 metres from the city, providing easy access to some tourist attractions. Accessible ferries are available to take visitors to nearby Sorrento and Capri (where it’s best to hire a private driver), or you can book an accessible private excursion to visit major sights like Pompeii, Herculaneum and the Amalfi Coast.

Venice

Guests have several options to transfer from the cruise dock in Venice, including the vaporetto (water bus) and water taxi. Once in the city, wheelchair users can make use of barrier-free itineraries to avoid the inaccessible stepped bridges and use the vaporetti or water taxis to travel between neighbourhoods. Popular accessible sights include the famous Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica. There are also wheelchair-accessible gondola rides.

Athens

For Athens, ships dock at the port of Piraeus, just over 20 minutes away. There are a number of ways to get to the city, including accessible buses, the metro, standard taxis, and pre-bookable taxi vans for wheelchair users. Several of Athens’ most famous ancient sites and museums are wheelchair-friendly, including the Acropolis (advance notice must be given), the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Acropolis Museum and the National Archaeological Museum.

For more information on the accessibility of Mediterranean ports, please see here.

Some cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, offer accessible shore excursions at select ports for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility. These excursions provide guests with accessible transport and tours from cruise ships to the destination’s top sights, negating any potential access problems guests may encounter. Excursion ports include Athens (Piraeus), Barcelona, Dubrovnik, Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Istanbul, Jerusalem, Lisbon, Rome, Tenerife and many more.

Excursions must be booked directly with the cruise line; however, if the cruise line excursions sell out, we can check availability with a different excursion supplier. Our agents can also advise on the accessibility of ports when booking, including which ones require a tender, to make sure you get the best information and advice regarding your requirements.

MORE

Mediterranean Cruises – Overview

Types of Mediterranean Cruise

Best Time to Cruise the Mediterranean

Mediterranean Cruise Accessibility Information