Shore leave and excursions barrier-free
Going ashore
When the Mein Schiff® fleet ships are in harbour, the ship can be reached via a gangway. Depending on the berth, harbour and tide, the gangway can be stepless or with more or less steep steps. The local conditions and technical facilities in each harbour may vary. In addition, there may also be changes to the entry and exit situations during laytime, as the water level may change. As a rule, there are no lifts or similar facilities in the harbours in the gangway area.
We ask for your understanding that we have no influence on the situation on site. Guests who can walk a few steps and are not permanently dependent on a wheelchair can leave the ship at any harbour. For safety reasons, shore leave for guests who are permanently dependent on a wheelchair cannot always be guaranteed. Restrictions may occur, especially with steep or stepped gangways.
Our employees cannot provide any assistance for insurance reasons.
In harbours where the ship is at anchor and a tender service from ship to shore and back takes place, for safety reasons we cannot guarantee transport for blind persons or persons who, despite visual aids, have a visual acuity of no more than 5% of normal vision in their better eye. This depends on the decision of the captain (depending on the weather conditions and the harbour situation, among other things).
Guests who are only temporarily dependent on a wheelchair can use the tender service, provided they are able to get on and off the boat independently. Tender ports are marked with an anchor symbol in the itinerary.
Please note, however, that an anchor position can also be assigned at short notice. Berths may also change at short notice. TUI Cruises has no influence on this.
We want all guests to be able to enjoy the shore excursions offered by TUI Cruises. In some cases, however, the local organisers are subject to technical limitations.
In My Cruises you will find excursions with an "extra easy" level of difficulty in advance, which are particularly suitable for guests with reduced mobility. These excursions can be booked in advance and are ideal for guests who can only walk a few steps and would like to take a foldable wheelchair with them.
The shore excursion team on board will be happy to provide you with details of the local tour operators and their coaches.
Important: The local shore excursion organisers cannot provide low-floor buses in most destinations. You should be able to get on and off the bus independently for a few steps. Please note that for safety reasons, e.g. on steep gangways, wheelchair access cannot always be guaranteed.
Overview of the harbours with restricted accessibility
There may be shore leave restrictions in these harbours.
Harbour shuttle buses
For safety reasons, some harbours require the use of harbour shuttle buses, as it is forbidden to cross the harbour area on foot from the berth to the harbour exit. This is usually the case if the harbour area is very extensive. The harbour shuttle buses are provided free of charge by the respective port authority/operator. These shuttle buses are not always suitable for guests with reduced mobility. Unfortunately, we have no influence on the choice of buses.
You can find out in which port a port shuttle bus is offered in the daily programme on board. Please understand that we cannot give you any information about the harbour shuttle buses before the trip. In many ports (e.g. especially in Dubai, Northern Europe, etc.), the port authorities are unable to provide us with low-floor buses. Unfortunately, guests who are permanently dependent on a wheelchair and are unable to get on and off the bus independently cannot make use of this service. If individual crossing of the harbour area is not permitted by the respective port authority, it is not possible for guests who are permanently dependent on a wheelchair to go ashore in these ports.