Top 11 Accessible Cruises by Norwegian
By John Sage
Although Norwegian is not as accessible as other cruise lines, we were still able to pick the Top 11 Accessible Cruises by Norwegian in the Mediterranean.
When evaluating accessibility on Norwegian Cruise Line using the top criteria for selecting an accessible cruise, NCL’s main problem is that it has few accessible shore excursion options in the Mediterranean. That’s not a showstopper for you though, because Sage Traveling offers 200+ accessible shore excursions across 62 Mediterranean cruise ports. In contrast, NCL only offers accessible cruise excursions in 4 Mediterranean cruise ports.
In the Mediterranean, Norwegian Cruise Lines has 3 cruise ships:
- Norwegian Epic – This Epic Class cruise ship is the newest NCL ship that sails in the Mediterranean. Built in 2010, it sails 7 day itineraries that start from Barcelona or Rome.
- Norwegian Jade – Part of the Jewel Class and built in 2006, this accessible Norwegian cruise ship sails Eastern Mediterranean & Western Mediterranean itineraries from Rome & Venice.
- Norwegian Spirit – Built in 2004 and part of the Leo Class, the Norwegian Spirit sails Grand Mediterranean itineraries between Barcelona and Venice.
Learn about the 6 Benefits of Booking Your Cruise through Sage Traveling
- Exclusive Cruise Discounts – We can get you better deals than if you book direct
- €50 off each Shore Excursion – Receive discounted rates if you book your cruise through us
- Pre-trip Accessibility Consultation – We help you make informed decisions
- Pre-cruise Accessible Hotel Recommendations – We have personally inspected accessibility of hotel rooms and the surrounding neighborhoods
- Emergency Support during your Trip – We quickly solve your accessibility problems based on years of experience doing it for other clients
- Sage Accessibility Guides for each port – Our Sage Accessibility Guides contain essential accessibility advice for each port
Norwegian’s 7-Night Western Mediterranean Cruise on Norwegian Epic
Norwegian’s newest ship in the Mediterranean, the Norwegian Epic, runs 7 day cruises in the Western Mediterranean. Built in 2010 and part of Norwegian’s Epic ship class, this ship has more luxurious amenities and better accessibility features than previous ships.
While there are numerous 7 day accessible Barcelona cruises, Spanish speakers and island lovers will love that this accessible Norwegian cruise itinerary visits the Spanish island of Palma de Mallorca instead of a second port of call in France. Those disabled and senior cruisers looking for two stops in France should opt for our top pick for accessible Western Mediterranean 7 night cruises.
Show Cruise Details Norwegian Accessible Tours Sage Accessible Tours Sage Accessibility Guide * 0 4 Yes 0 9 Yes 0 8 Yes 0 7 Yes 0 3 No 0 3 Yes 0 4 Yes Contact us to check rates and availability * Note – Sage Accessibility Guides are only available if you book your cruise through Sage Traveling. Like several other cruise lines, Norwegian offers a 12-night Grand Mediterranean cruise that visits destinations in both the eastern and western ends of the Mediterranean. Sage Traveling can arrange in all 10 of the 10 ports on this itinerary. While this is certainly an attractive itinerary, because the Norwegian Spirit is a Leo Class ship built in 2004, I usually recommend other accessible 12-night Grand Mediterranean cruises. Show Cruise Details Norwegian Accessible Tours Sage Accessible Tours Sage Accessibility Guide 0 4 Yes 2 6 No 0 7 Yes 0 8 Yes 0 9 Yes 0 1 Yes 2 8 Yes 0 4 No 0 7 Yes 0 6 Yes Contact us to check rates and availability
This 7-night wheelchair accessible Norwegian cruise can also be begun in Barcelona, however starting in Rome has some benefits. Since this cruise starts and ends every Wednesday, you can easily spend 4 days before or after exploring Italy. Four days in Rome allows you to see most of the main tourist attraction. Alternatively, you could shorten your stay in Rome and spend a couple of days in Florence or Naples. Show Cruise Details Norwegian Accessible Tours Sage Accessible Tours Sage Accessibility Guide 0 8 Yes 0 7 Yes 0 3 No 0 3 Yes 0 4 Yes 0 9 Yes 0 8 Yes Contact us to check rates and availability * Get €50 off each excursion if you book your cruise through Sage Traveling
Many of the cruise ships relocate to the Caribbean during the winter months, however the Norwegian Jade stays in Europe year-round. This itinerary sails from November to April and has accessible excursion options in all 6 of the Ports of Call. Because sailings on the major cruise lines are so rare this time of year, we named this to our Top 50 Accessible European Vacations list. This accessible cruise from Rome sails on the Norwegian Jade. It is part of the Jewel Class which is newer than the Leo Class (Norwegian Spirit) and older than the Epic Class (Norwegian Epic). Show Cruise Details Norwegian Accessible Tours Sage Accessible Tours Sage Accessibility Guide 0 8 Yes 0 2 No 0 7 Yes 0 4 No 2 8 Yes 0 9 Yes 0 8 Yes Contact us to check rates and availability This accessible NCL cruise also runs in the winter months but it visits ports in the Western Mediterranean instead of the Eastern Mediterranean. It sails on the same ship, the Norwegian Jade, and has fewer accessible ports. Show Cruise Details Norwegian Accessible Tours Sage Accessible Tours Sage Accessibility Guide 0 8 Yes 0 7 Yes 0 4 Yes 2 6 No 0 4 Yes 2 3 No 0 0 No 0 0 No 1 3 No 0 9 Yes 0 8 Yes Contact us to check rates and availability By combining the 10 night Eastern Med cruise & the 11 night Western Med cruise described above, Norwegian has created a Grand Mediterranean cruise that you will remember forever. This accessible Norwegian cruise has 16 ports of call, and accessible shore excursions are available in 14 of them. Show Cruise Details Norwegian Accessible Tours Sage Accessible Tours Sage Accessibility Guide 0 8 Yes 0 2 No 0 7 Yes 0 4 No 2 8 Yes 0 9 Yes 0 8 Yes 0 7 Yes 0 4 Yes 2 6 No 0 4 Yes 2 3 No 0 0 No 0 0 No 1 3 No 0 9 Yes 0 8 Yes Contact us to check rates and availability
This Norwegian cruise only has one sailing date so I thought about leaving it off the list, however it has a unique characteristic that made me change my mind. It is Norwegian’s only cruise that starts in Rome and finishes in Venice. This allows Italy lovers to spend additional time visiting Rome, Venice, and even places like Naples and Florence. Show Cruise Details Norwegian Accessible Tours Sage Accessible Tours Sage Accessibility Guide 0 8 Yes 0 9 Yes 0 5 No 0 0 Yes 0 2 Yes 0 0 Yes 0 6 Yes 0 1 No 0 3 No 0 1 Yes 0 2 No 0 6 Yes Contact us to check rates and availability
From May to October, the Norwegian Jade sails alternating 7 night itineraries out of Venice. Of the two this 7 night Greek Isles cruise is my favorite and I put it on my Top 12 Accessible Mediterranean Cruises list and my Top 50 Accessible European Vacations list. This wheelchair accessible Norwegian cruise has four Greek ports of call. The village of Corfu is the first stop on your way through the Adriatic Sea. The steep cliffs of Santorini are followed by the colorful village on Mykonos. Some of the top ancient ruins in the world can by visited by disabled travelers at the historical site of Olympia. The Norwegian Jade is part of the Jewel Class and was built in 2006. It features 6 complimentary dining options plus specialty restaurants like Papa’s Italian Kitchen, Dinner at Cagney’s Steakhouse, Jasmine Garden, Teppanyaki, and Moderno Churrascaria. Show Cruise Details Norwegian Accessible Tours Sage Accessible Tours Sage Accessibility Guide 0 6 Yes 0 1 No 0 3 No 0 1 Yes 0 2 No 0 6 Yes Contact us to check rates and availability
Norwegian Jade’s other 7 night accessible Venice cruise spends less time visiting Greece while adding two stops in Croatia and one stop in Turkey. It also visits Athens where you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Acropolis, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and/or the Temple of Poseidon. This accessible Norwegian Cruise Lines itinerary has accessible excursions available in all 5 of its ports. It also runs frequently by departing every other week. Because of its good accessibility and good availability, I named this cruise to my Top 12 Accessible Mediterranean Cruises list. Show Cruise Details Norwegian Accessible Tours Sage Accessible Tours Sage Accessibility Guide 0 6 Yes 0 3 Yes 0 7 Yes 0 4 No 0 2 Yes 0 6 Yes Contact us to check rates and availability
By combining both of the 7 day accessible Norwegian cruises, you can spend 14 wonderful days exploring the top destinations in the Eastern Mediterranean. In the Adriatic Sea, you’ll be able to visit Split, Dubrovnik, and Corfu. Accessible tours of ancient ruins are available in Katakolon, Athens, and Ephesus. In Venice, Santorini, and Mykonos, you’ll be able to view and photograph some of the most unique scenery in all of Europe. What a great vacation! Show Cruise Details Norwegian Accessible Tours Sage Accessible Tours Sage Accessibility Guide 0 6 Yes 0 1 No 0 3 No 0 1 Yes 0 2 No 0 6 Yes 0 3 Yes 0 7 Yes 0 4 No 0 2 Yes 0 6 Yes Contact us to check rates and availability Norwegian’s 12 night Grand Mediterranean cruise runs back and forth between Venice and Barcelona, and you can board in either location. Accessible shore excursions are possible in all 10 of the ports on this itinerary. Because the Norwegian Spirit is an older ship, I usually recommend a different accessible Grand Mediterranean cruise for most people. Show Cruise Details Norwegian Accessible Tours Sage Accessible Tours Sage Accessibility Guide 0 6 Yes 0 7 Yes 0 4 No 2 8 Yes 0 1 Yes 0 9 Yes 0 8 Yes 0 7 Yes 2 6 No 0 4 Yes Contact us to check rates and availability
Learn about the 6 Benefits of Booking Your Cruise through Sage Traveling Read more: Europe Accessible Cruising Advice
Ports of Call
Barcelona, Spain
Naples (Pompeii), Italy
Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy
Cannes, France
Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Barcelona, Spain
Norwegian’s 12-Night Grand Mediterranean Cruise on Norwegian Spirit
Ports of Call
Barcelona, Spain
Toulon (Provence), France
Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy
Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Naples (Pompeii), Italy
Mykonos, Greece
Istanbul, Turkey
Izmir (Ephesus), Turkey
Athens, Greece
Venice, Italy
Norwegian’s 7-Night Western Mediterranean Cruise on Norwegian Epic
Ports of Call
Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy
Cannes, France
Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Barcelona, Spain
Naples (Pompeii), Italy
Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Norwegian’s 10-Night Eastern Mediterranean Cruise on Norwegian Jade
Ports of Call
Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Katakolon (Olympia), Greece
Athens, Greece
Izmir (Ephesus), Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey
Naples (Pompeii), Italy
Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Norwegian’s 11-Night Western Mediterranean Cruise on Norwegian Jade
Ports of Call
Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy
Monte Carlo, Monaco
Toulon (Provence), France
Barcelona, Spain
Valencia, Spain
Cagliari (Sardinia), Italy
Carthage, Greece
Palermo (Sicily), Spain
Naples (Pompeii), Italy
Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Norwegian’s 21-Night Eastern & Western Mediterranean Cruise on Norwegian Jade
Ports of Call
Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Katakolon (Olympia), Greece
Athens, Greece
Izmir (Ephesus), Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey
Naples (Pompeii), Italy
Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy
Monte Carlo, Monaco
Toulon (Provence), France
Barcelona, Spain
Valencia, Spain
Cagliari (Sardinia), Italy
Carthage, Greece
Palermo (Sicily), Spain
Naples (Pompeii), Italy
Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Norwegian’s 14-Night Eastern Mediterranean Cruise on Norwegian Jade
Ports of Call
Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Naples (Pompeii), Italy
Messina (Sicily), Italy
Kotor, Montenegro
Split, Croatia
Koper, Slovenia
Venice, Italy
Corfu, Greece
Santorini, Greece
Mykonos, Greece
Katakolon (Olympia), Greece
Venice, Italy
Norwegian’s 7-Night Greek Isles Cruise on Norwegian Jade
Ports of Call
Venice, Italy
Corfu, Greece
Santorini, Greece
Mykonos, Greece
Katakolon (Olympia), Greece
Venice, Italy
Norwegian’s 7-Night Eastern Mediterranean Cruise on Norwegian Jade
Ports of Call
Venice, Italy
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Athens, Greece
Izmir (Ephesus), Turkey
Split, Croatia
Venice, Italy
Norwegian’s 14-Night Eastern Mediterranean Cruise on Norwegian Jade
Ports of Call
Venice, Italy
Corfu, Greece
Santorini, Greece
Mykonos, Greece
Katakolon (Olympia), Greece
Venice, Italy
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Athens, Greece
Izmir (Ephesus), Turkey
Split, Croatia
Venice, Italy
Norwegian’s 12-Night Grand Mediterranean Cruise on Norwegian Spirit
Ports of Call
Venice, Italy
Athens, Greece
Izmir (Ephesus), Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey
Mykonos, Greece
Naples (Pompeii), Italy
Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy
Toulon (Provence), France
Barcelona, Spain
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