Disney Cruise Line Adds Haptic Vests and Tactile Guides

Disney Cruise Line has added haptic vests for silent disco parties aboard its ships. New braille and tactile guidebooks also help guests navigate ships and Disney’s island destinations in The Bahamas.

The vests turn sound into physical sensations. Guests who are deaf or hard of hearing can experience music and sound effects through touch, feeling the party’s beat and rhythm.

• Haptic vest availability: At silent disco parties on all Disney Cruise Line ships.
• Guidebook requests: Available fleetwide upon request, including at Guest Services.
• Island guidebooks: Available at Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.

The guidebooks include tactile maps. The guidebooks also provide venue information to help guests understand ship and island destination layouts.

“Previously, a guest who is deaf or hard of hearing could see a silent disco happening around them. Now they can feel it,” said Maura King, manager of accessibility at Disney Cruise Line.

Accessibility services onboard

The additions build on onboard accessibility services that range from ship design features to assistance with disability-related requests.

“Accessibility is built into the experience at Disney Cruise Line,” King said, pointing to ship design and onboard services. King said those efforts help guests of all abilities feel supported throughout their vacation.

Accessible staterooms and wheelchair-accessible public spaces are among the accommodations onboard. Ships also have relief locations for service dogs.

For entertainment, Disney Cruise Line provides captioning on Funnel Vision and assistive listening systems. AquaMouse on the Wish class ships also has an accessible transfer option.

Disney Cruise Line’s Special Services team provides shoreside assistance for guests with disability-related requests. It’s a dedicated resource for questions about accessibility services and accommodations.

Beach access and assistance before sailing

At both island destinations, accessibility options may include sand wheelchairs and mobility mats for beach access. Disney also identifies accessible transportation among the services that may be available.

Select excursions accommodate guests with limited mobility.

Guests with questions about accessibility services or accommodations can submit a Special Services request form before sailing. They can also contact Disney Cruise Line’s Special Services directly.

Source: Disney Cruise Line