Accessibility

Accessibility at NYC Water Cruises

Thank you for your interest in NYC Water Cruises. We are committed to making our experiences as accessible as possible and providing assistance when needed. Please review the information below and contact us if you or a guest requires accommodations.

📞 Accessibility Support

If you or your guest will need boarding assistance or have questions about accessibility, please contact our Accessibility Agent:

  • Phone: (800) 273-5124
  • Email: reservations@nycwatercruises.com

🌐 Website Accessibility

Our website is designed and maintained to meet WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards.
If you experience issues using a screen reader while booking tickets, please reach out for help.
While we work to ensure a smooth online experience, please note we are not responsible for the accessibility compliance of third-party ticketing platforms.

🎟️ Assistance with Booking

For help booking a cruise, please:

♿ Boarding Assistance

Guests who can climb a few stairs may board any vessel with help from our crew. We strongly encourage you to notify us in advance so we can prepare for pre-boarding and additional support.

🧳 Storing Walkers or Manual Wheelchairs

  • Manual wheelchairs or walkers can be stored onboard or kept with the guest, depending on the vessel.
  • Our crew will assist with storage and boarding as needed.

🚢 Manual Wheelchair Users

If you or your guest uses a manual wheelchair and needs to remain in it for boarding, we recommend booking a cruise aboard the Eternity, our most accessible vessel.

  • The Eternity has a boarding ramp.
  • A 2–4 person lift may be required over a 6-inch gap between the dock and the deck.
  • Please contact us in advance to coordinate your ticket and arrival time.

🚻 Restroom Accessibility

  • Louisa of the Seas is our only vessel with a restroom located on the main deck (no stairs), but it cannot accommodate wheelchairs. It is primarily used for private charters and dinner cruises.
  • All other vessels (including Eternity and Grand Mariner) have restrooms located down a flight of stairs.
  • Crew assistance is available for guests needing help navigating the stairwell.

🔒 Motorized Wheelchairs

If arriving with a motorized chair:

  • Guests must be able to walk aboard with assistance—we cannot lift motorized equipment.
  • Please bring a lock if the chair must be left dockside; we do not offer secure on-site storage.

⚠️ Limitations to Note

  • None of our vessels are ADA-compliant due to their size and classification, but we make every effort to accommodate guests safely and respectfully.
  • There is always a small gap between the dock and the boat, and both may shift due to harbor movement.
  • We cannot safely lift guests over 175 pounds aboard.
  • Motorized chairs cannot be lifted or brought onboard.
  • In rare cases, rough seas or severe weather may prevent boarding for safety reasons.

🐾 Service Animals

  • Only trained service animals performing physical tasks for a person with a disability are permitted.
  • Emotional support animals and pets are not allowed aboard any NYC Water Cruises vessel.