The immersive experiences showcase destinations’ nature, culture and cuisine - from waterfalls and sea turtles to tequila and rum. They are specially designed to avoid steps and stairs. Vehicles for the tours all have wheelchair ramps or lifts, and accessible bathrooms to accommodate wide wheelchairs can be found along the tour route.
The tours build on Holland America Line’s existing body of accessible shore excursions.
Six are available to book now and those remaining will roll out soon, once allotments are finalized. All of the tours start with passengers meeting their guide and accessible vehicle at the respective cruise pier.
Open for bookings:
Saint Lucia
The full-day ‘Easy Piton Mountains & Diamond Waterfalls’ tour in Castries, St. Lucia, involves a scenic drive through banana plantations with mountain views to the fishing village of Anse La Ray, where passengers will meet local fishermen to see the day’s catch and visit the 16th-century cathedral.
Passengers will look upon the Pitons volcanoes from afar to capture photographs and take in the waterfalls of Soufrière.
On a stroll through the Diamond Botanic Garden, the guide will share information on the fauna and produce of the island. The Diamond Waterfall is within the botanic garden and in easy reach, and adjacent to an accessible restaurant if lunch or fresh-squeezed juice is desired, at passengers’ own expense.
Mexico
The ‘Easy Mayan Experience, Tequila & Beach’ option in Cozumel, Mexico offers a taste of ancient Mayan life, culture and food. The guide will escort passengers on a journey that includes traditional Mayan dancing and a chance to participate in Mayan ceremonies, as well as taste various products, including tortillas and chocolate.
Next is the historical village and Mayan ruin site of El Cedral where passengers learn about the site's history and participate in a local tequila tasting with time here for souvenir shopping, before heading to an accessible beach.
Jamaica
Three accessible tours have been introduced in Jamaica: ‘Easy Waterfalls, Wildlife & Shopping’ in Falmouth and Ocho Rios, and ‘Easy Rose Hall Great House & Doc’s Cave Beach’ in Montego Bay.
In Falmouth, passengers will head out to Konoko Falls – home to many animals, such as parrots and iguanas – and featuring island artifacts and botanic gardens with waterfalls. Lunch is available at own expense at the Ocho Rios Jerk Center, serving up meat flavored with Jamaica's signature jerk seasoning. There will be a pause at the Taj Mahal shopping strip to buy island souvenirs en route back to the pier.
The above itinerary is the same for Ocho Rios.
This accessible Montego Bay excursion meanwhile combines panoramic sightseeing with exploring historic sites, shopping opportunities and beach time at one of the country’s most scenic beaches. A panoramic drive takes passengers through Montego Bay and past its highlights. 500ft above sea level, passengers will encounter the historic Great House that is the Richmond Hill Inn - a uniquely located building once belonging to Scotch whiskey heirs. The trip continues to the Rose Hall Great House where the guide will share the history of Anne Palmer - Rose Hall’s white witch. Souvenir shopping is available here, and the coffee shop serves authentic Blue Mountain coffee. At Doc's Cave Beach – accessed by a wheelchair-friendly path down the sand to the water – lunch can be bought at passengers’ own expense.
Bahamas
The ‘Easy Nassau Forts, Pirate Museum & Distillery’ trip in the Bahamas brings participants to the 1741-built Fort Montague which marks the eastern end of Nassau Harbor along the waterfront, and Fort Fincastle to see the Queen's Staircase carved out of solid limestone rock by slaves between 1793 and 1794.
The tour continues to the Pirate Museum to learn about the Golden Age of piracy and Nassau's role as an 18th-century pirate base.
At John Watling's Distillery, passengers may sample rum and learn about the distilling process.
Driving through Nassau offers panoramic views.
Coming soon:
Barbados
There are two options to choose from in Barbados’ Bridgetown: ‘Easy Harrison's Cave’ and ‘Easy St Nicholas Abbey Heritage Locomotive Ride.’ The former lasts four hours and sees passengers head out on a scenic panoramic drive to Harrison's Cave, where the visitor center features a special elevator down to the ground level of the cave entrance. While waiting to board the tram, there is the chance to visit the small handicraft shops and botanic garden area. An exhibit of indigenous artifacts excavated from various sites around the island can also be seen.
The 45-minute accessible tram ride beneath the earth's surface and among calcite and limestone formations is accompanied by lively commentary, and stops are frequent so photos can be taken inside the cave.
The panoramic drive to St Nicholas Abbey residence and rum distillery offers views of plantation fields and mahogany woods, while the locomotive journey aboard the St Nicholas Abbey Heritage Railway is scenic and comfortable. Wild waterfowl and migratory birds congregate around the lake at the site. After passing through mature mahogany woodlands and deep rock tailings of an abandoned limestone quarry, passengers leave the train at the Cherry Tree Hill viewpoint for views of the rugged Atlantic coastline.
Heading back to St Nicholas, passengers may visit the on-site gift store for single-cask rums and unique products sold here exclusively.
Cayman Islands
A three-hour ‘Easy Sea Turtles & Island Drive’ experience in George Town, Grand Cayman begins with a scenic panoramic drive past the Governor's Residence and Seven Mile Beach, passing traditional architecture of Cayman and native fruit trees in West Bay.
A visit to the Cayman Sea Turtle Centre follows where there are new turtle hatchlings all the way up to some of the largest turtles weighing up to 600 lbs. Passengers can learn about the facility's conservation efforts, tour the aviary, butterfly garden and Cayman Street, and view the sharks of Predator Reef. Hell is where short, black limestone rock formations created by salt and lime deposits can be found. Various rum cakes and Cayman rum can then be sampled at the Tortuga Rum Company outlet.
Grenada
St. George’s in Grenada is where passengers can embark on a four-hour ‘Easy Grenada Market, Spices & Etang National Park’ tour. A short panoramic drive brings passengers to the center of St George's and Market Square's colorful Spice Market. In the Parish of St George, those on the tour can head to Clarke's Court rum factory - the island's largest distillery and one of its key historical sites, comprising barrel furniture and award-winning rums.
Passengers can follow a trail paved with nutmeg shells to learn about many varieties of herbs and spices at ‘Laura Herbs & Spice.’
A scenic panoramic drive through the beautiful rain forest affords views of lush volcanic mountains and tropical flora, spice, cocoa and banana plantations and perhaps even some Mona monkeys.
At Grand Etang National Park Visitor Center, passengers can learn about how the Caribbean Islands were formed, the local weather, plants, and the volcanic Crater Lake.
Honduras
While in Mahogany Bay, Roatan, passengers can hold, play and photograph sloths at the Monkey & Sloth Sanctuary, and at the Iguana & Marine Preserve, interact with iguanas and visit the natural saltwater aquarium – home to lobsters, barracudas, tarpons, sea turtles and other sea life. The four-hour ‘Easy Roatan Monkey, Sloth & Iguana Interaction’ trip also includes a panoramic drive and local flea market, peppered with vendors selling interesting and unusual local crafts and souvenirs.
Puerto Rico
Passengers can take a panoramic drive past several Puerto Rican highlights, old and new, when joining the ‘Easy Old Town San Juan, Condado & Fort San Felipe del Morro’ tour, which lasts approximately 3.5 hours. They will explore the lower part of Old Town San Juan with its Paseo de la Princesa, and pass through new San Juan with a stop at the Condado district's Ventana del Mar – the Window to the Sea – for a unique opportunity to take photographs. Casa Olimpica and San Juan's oceanfront hotels, casinos and restaurant district further feature.
St. Kitts and Nevis
In Basseterre, St. Kitts, begin by heading out on a short panoramic drive through the capital of Basseterre to admire colorful island homes, old architecture and a few city highlights. Romney Manor follows, an old sugar plantation dating back to 1626, which has ruins, lush grounds, and a centuries-old saman tree. The on-site Caribelle Batik store exhibits how batik is made and there is a chance to browse the gift shop. The guide follows accessible routes to show as much of the venue as possible. At UNESCO World Heritage site Brimstone Fortress and National Park, passengers can take in striking views of the ocean and the ruins; the lower level of the fort is accessible and mostly flat ground with some grass. Lunch can be purchased en route, if desired, at passengers’ own expense.
Timothy Hill Scenic Outlook is the last attraction on the four-hour ‘Easy Romney Manor & Brimstone Fortress’ tour, offering views of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other, however there is some gravel here. Small vendor stands sell souvenirs and snacks.
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