Our commitment to an accessible Planet Cruise
At Planet Cruise, we believe that everyone should be able to explore the world of cruises with ease. We are dedicated to creating an online environment that is inclusive and accessible to all, including users with disabilities. Our goal is to provide a seamless experience, whether you're using our website or speaking with our team.
How we build accessibility into our culture
Accessibility is a cornerstone of our development process. Our product teams are trained to build with every user in mind, making inclusivity a key metric for success.
- Proactive Improvement: We perform automated accessibility testing every week to catch potential issues early. Our developers are given dedicated time to resolve anything that might create a barrier for our users.
- Thorough Audits: In addition to automated checks, we conduct internal accessibility audits following any major update to our site to ensure a smooth user experience.
- User-First Approach: We regularly connect with users with disabilities through interviews and incorporate accessibility questions into our wider user research. This helps us understand real-world challenges and build better solutions.
While we design our website to support assistive technologies like screen readers as much as possible, the detailed nature of cruise planning can sometimes be complex. For our users with visual impairments, the best way to get comprehensive information or to make a booking is often to speak directly with our team. Our cruise experts are fully trained on the accessibility features of every ship and can provide tailored guidance.
Support for your cruise journey
We have a Special Assistance Team dedicated to ensuring your holiday is comfortable and meets all your needs. We encourage you to get in touch with them to discuss any specific requirements. When booking your cruise, here are some of the key accessibility areas we can help you with:
- An accessible booking process: We aim for an inclusive online booking experience. If you prefer to book by phone, our team is available seven days a week to assist with any accessibility-related queries.
- Finding the right cabin: The features of accessible cabins can differ. We can provide specific details on layouts, door widths, and bathroom facilities. Many of these cabins can be booked directly on our website while others can be booked on the phone.
- Onboard facilities: We can provide details on accessible restaurants, lounges, pools, and lifts, as well as the availability of mobility aids.
- Accessible shore excursions: We can help you research the accessibility of tours, including transport and terrain.
- Port and tender accessibility: Not all ports have the same level of accessibility. We can provide information on your itinerary's ports of call and the policies regarding tender boats.
- Medical support: We can help you understand the medical facilities and assistance available onboard.
Our journey towards full accessibility
We are constantly working to enhance our website and provide an equal experience for all users. We acknowledge that some areas of our site are not yet fully accessible and have prioritized our work based on user feedback and analytics. We are currently aware of the following limitations:
- The zoom feature on our itinerary maps has technical limitations.
- Our ship deck plans are image files and are not accessible to screen readers.
- Some images on our site are missing descriptive alternative text.
- While our site can be navigated with a keyboard, the focus indicator can be inconsistent in some areas.
- We do not yet have a "skip to main content" function for easier keyboard navigation.
- Some areas of the website are not fully optimized for keyboard use.
Our process for ensuring accessibility
We take a multi-layered approach to testing:
- Automated weekly scans: To catch potential WCAG non-compliance issues.
- Team-wide testing: Every new feature is tested by our entire team with accessibility in mind before it goes live.
- Annual manual audit: Our UX designers conduct a deep-dive manual audit of the website using keyboard and screen reader technology. This is also done for specific sections after major updates.
When an accessibility issue is identified, a ticket is created and prioritized by our product owners. The remediation of these issues is integrated into our ongoing development plans.
Feedback and contact information
We value your feedback as it helps us improve. If you encounter any barriers or have suggestions, please let us know.
- For feedback on our website's accessibility or your online booking experience, please email us at: site-accessibility@planetcruise.com
- For questions about accessibility during your cruise or for help with a booking, please call us at: 0239 387 2214
- For general inquiries, our Help Centre is a great resource: help.planetcruise.com
This statement was last updated on 19/06/2025.
This website is tested weekly for compliance with the WCAG 2.2 AA standard.