ADA and cruises

[Lily Kerns]

This doesn't specifically address the use of a Segway ON the ship, But the US Attorney's statement that the ADA applies to cruise ships should be significant...

from http://www.ada.gov/newsltr1110.htm

NEW AGREEMENT ABOUT HAWAIIAN CRUISES
On October 25, 2010, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) entered into a consent decree with the Department resolving a lawsuit filed simultaneously with the consent decree. The lawsuit alleged that NCL had discriminated against nine individuals who took NCL cruises around the Hawaiian Islands, by requiring guests who are deaf or hard of hearing to bring companions to provide the communication services they needed and by failing to provide accessible ground transportation for guests who use wheelchairs.

Under the consent decree, which is pending approval by the federal court in Miami, NCL will provide sign language interpreters, written transcripts, closed caption televisions, TTYs, and other communication aids so that passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing can fully enjoy on-board activities and shore excursions offered by NCL and can participate in emergency drills while on board. NCL will also provide accessible transportation between the airport, cruise ship, and hotels, and for shore excursions, so that passengers who use wheelchairs do not have to wait longer than other passengers for transportation services. In addition, NCL will pay $100,000 in compensatory damages to nine complainants and pay a $40,000 civil penalty to the United States.

“People with disabilities who need sign language interpreters or accessible ground transportation should be able to go on vacation and enjoy the activities of a cruise like everyone else,” said Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez. “It is essential that NCL and the cruise industry comply with the ADA’s requirements for auxiliary aids and services and accessible transportation.”

“The ADA applies to cruise ships, just as it does to hotels and other entities that offer services to the public,” said Wifredo A. Ferrer, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. “Discrimination against people with disabilities, on land or at sea, will not be tolerated.”

This consent decree complements a 2001 consent decree between NCL and the Department resolving allegations of discrimination against passengers who are blind.

More detail: http://www.ada.gov/ncl_2010/ncl_consentdecree.htm