My First Cruise: A Wheelchair, a Boat, and a Whole Lot of Dancing

I finally did it—I went on my first cruise!

To be honest, I was nervous. Traveling with cerebral palsy isn’t as simple as throwing clothes into a suitcase and heading out the door. I worried about whether the ship would be accessible, if my wheelchair would fit, how much help I would need from my husband, and whether my body would cooperate for seven days.

Thankfully, most of those worries disappeared the minute we arrived.

My husband and I sailed on Norwegian Cruise Line from Philadelphia to Bermuda. One of the biggest reasons we chose this cruise was because it left from Philadelphia. Instead of worrying about airports and flying with a power wheelchair, we drove about 30 minutes to the port. That alone made the trip feel much less stressful.

We parked at the Clarion lot, where an accessible shuttle took us to the ship. The staff couldn’t have been nicer. They were patient, helpful, and treated me with dignity from the very beginning.

Our room wasn’t huge, but honestly, cruise cabins aren’t known for being spacious. It fit my wheelchair, my husband, and all of our overpacking just fine!

I decided before we left that I wasn’t going to spend the week sitting around. If there was something happening, I wanted to be part of it.

So…I danced.

A lot.

I played games, attended trivia, joined activities, laughed until my sides hurt, and met people from all over the country. By the end of the week, many of them no longer felt like strangers.

One of my funniest memories was entering the ship’s “Ms. Biceps” competition. Anyone who knows me knows I don’t have big muscles, but I do have a big personality! I danced, made people laugh, and gave it everything I had. Somehow, I ended up winning! It wasn’t because I was the strongest person in the room—it was because I was willing to have fun and not take myself too seriously. That little trophy will always remind me that confidence and joy can be just as memorable as strength.

Bermuda was absolutely beautiful. We booked a five-hour accessible van tour, which let us explore so much of the island. We even made it to the beach. There’s just something peaceful about hearing the waves, feeling the ocean breeze, and remembering how amazing God’s creation really is.

Our stop in South Carolina wasn’t nearly as accessible. As someone who wrote Where Is the Ramp?, I notice those things right away. Accessibility still has a long way to go in many places.

The ship, however, was a pleasant surprise. Norwegian did a wonderful job with accessibility. Elevators were easy to navigate, accessible bathrooms were available throughout the ship, and getting around was much easier than I expected.

What impressed me most wasn’t just the accessibility—it was the people.

One evening at dinner, I ordered steak. The waiter quietly noticed I was having a difficult time cutting it. Without making me feel embarrassed or different, he simply asked if he could help. A few moments later, my steak came back perfectly cut into bite-sized pieces. It wasn’t a grand gesture, but it was one I’ll always remember because it was offered with kindness instead of pity.

That seems to describe the entire trip.

People smiled.

They talked with us.

They helped when needed without making me feel helpless.

That’s what inclusion looks like.

Would I cruise again?

Absolutely.

Would I choose Norwegian again?

Without hesitation.

Every vacation has little hiccups, and traveling with a disability always requires flexibility. My muscles got tired, the Bermuda heat definitely made my cerebral palsy more challenging at times, and there were moments when I needed to slow down. But none of those things outweighed the fun.

I came home with wonderful memories, new friendships, a “Ms. Biceps” title that still makes me laugh, sore dancing muscles, and a reminder that life is meant to be lived—not watched from the sidelines.

Sometimes the greatest adventure begins when you’re willing to leave your comfort zone…and climb aboard a really big boat.