We are passionate about our service and ensure that guests with special requirements also enjoy their time on board. They should be able to get around as independently as possible and without barriers. Of course, we support our guests and their accompanying person if required.
At AIDA, we take into account our guests’ special dietary requirements. For example, gluten-free and lactose-free dishes are always available in our buffet restaurants. In 2012, we developed another range of options which adds substantially to our previous range. Guests who suffer from particular food intolerances can inform the AIDA customer center of these before their voyage begins. On arrival day, they then go to reception to make an appointment with the chef. He informs guests about the different onboard restaurants and, at the same time, provides them with valuable tips about how they can treat themselves despite their individual intolerances. AIDA hopes with this initiative to offer guests with food intolerances and allergies increased safety, help with choices and comfort during their voyage. All dishes served in the buffet restaurants on AIDA ships are labeled in such a way that guests with allergies can choose their food very easily. And if they have any questions, our trained personnel are always happy to offer further assistance.
In order to support our guests with hearing impairments, we employ an optimal combination of technology and people. We make cutting-edge technological aids available and, of course, our AIDA service team provides professional and personal assistance.
Since 2011, AIDA vacations have held even fewer barriers for guests with hearing impairments. For example, we have made a cabin set available which transforms the sounds of warning tones, telephone rings, door knocks and alarm clocks into light or vibration signals. Furthermore, we have installed inductive audio systems on all our ships – at reception and in the onboard theater or “Theatrium”. They amplify the volume of the speech of reception personnel and the voices and sounds on the stage in both hearing aids and implants.
Our employees are trained by us to provide further assistance. This takes the form of:
Guests with visual impairments will find an orientation system on board with a high-contrast tactile surface and Braille writing. This is at a height of 1.22m. Almost all public areas on board, including bars, restaurants, lifts, stair handrails, public washrooms and cabins are equipped with it.
Stairs and floor coverings on all main passageways have different aesthetics and textures, and the passageways are equipped with handrails. At least one hand rail runs through all areas, and continues up the stairs. In addition, glass doors on board have contrast panels. We provide our guests with the key safety information and a deck plan in a font size that they can read or in Braille.
Certified guide dogs may be brought on board if certain conditions are fulfilled, and they can replace an accompanying person.
Our trained employees also provide assistance. This takes the form of:
In order to make the AIDA voyage as comfortable as possible for guests with reduced mobility right from the start, we begin supporting them right from their journey to us. In our view, the entire trip has to be free of difficulties and added costs for each and every AIDA guest. That’s why we’ve been assuming additional costs related to special transport arrangements since 1 December 2012 (when an AIDA special arrival/departure package is booked). We ensure short waiting times at a special check-in desk and trained employees look after guest needs. This naturally also applies to all individual requirements. We have cabins that are user-friendly for people with disabilities and, of course, come at no extra charge. More detailed information on the equipment in these cabins is available in the 360° tour and in the FAQ. Almost all areas on board are wheelchair accessible. Where detours are necessary, these are signposted. In the theater and the buffet restaurants, special seats are reserved for wheelchair users. Our employees are happy to continue offering assistance during shoreside excursions. In 2013, we will also be testing new wheelchair “caterpillar lifts”.
From 2013, our excursion brochures will detail the standard excursions that are best suited to people with special requirements. They will also contain information on our “barrier-free meetings”. When it comes to shoreside excursions, we always take into account the circumstances on site. Furthermore, we want to make increased use of our influence on relevant partners to allow our guests to be able to move freely when they are ashore, too. Read here about our guests’ different experiences in this regard.
In this regard, we do everything we can to make sure our guests travel in the utmost comfort and safety. Guests should notify us when they make their booking about important issues such as drug requirements and potential requirement for medical assistance.
On board, we offer the following services:
Each ship has a modern hospital with ship doctors and nurses. It is always located on deck 3. Ideally, guests who require medical treatment or have a special request should talk to the ship doctor before beginning their voyage. In medical emergencies, our doctors provide primary care. If further assistance is necessary, we contact the nearest shoreside hospital.
Cruise ships often travel through foreign countries. Therefore, we always keep our guests well informed of the necessary vaccinations and health measures that should be taken for their destination countries. Our onboard pharmacy is also well-equipped. For example, we always carry small amounts of the anti-malarial medication “Malerone” for emergencies.
Physiotherapy, including medical massages, is also available on board. Our guests can take advantage of this in our Body & Soul spa area.
