Traveling by ship with a disability - these are your rights
Vacation with a disability - Boat trips
Vacation planning and implementation is often difficult for people with disabilities or reduced mobility (PRM).
To avoid travel stress on a river cruise or on boat trips as far as possible, the apf has summarized the key rights of PRM:
Obligation to transport by ship
In principle, there is an obligation to provide transportation: shipping companies must transport people with disabilities or reduced mobility (PRM) at no extra charge.
Carriage may only be refused by the company in exceptional cases, for example if
- would contradict applicable safety regulations or
- is not possible for technical reasons. For example, due to the design of the ship or the port infrastructure.
However, in the event of refusal of transportation, the company must endeavor to offer an acceptable alternative form of transportation.
In addition, the company must provide information about the specific reasons for the refusal of transportation or the mandatory presence of an accompanying person.
Right to free assistance in the port or terminal
Free assistance must be offered at the port or terminal. These include :
- transportation to/from the ship
- onboarding and offboarding
- the acceptance and transportation of baggage
- Support with security and customs checks
- The allocation of seats must be based on the needs of people with disabilities or reduced mobility or their accompanying person
- Various assistance with the use of toilets and other ship facilities
Transportation of mobility aids or assistance dogs
In particular, shipping companies are obliged to carry necessary medical equipment and mobility aids, including electric wheelchairs. They must also carry recognized assistance dogs, subject to national regulations.
Transportation of accompanying persons
A person accompanying a passenger with a disability or reduced mobility must be assigned an adjacent seat if possible. In addition, this person must be permitted, upon request, to provide the necessary assistance in the port or terminal and during onboarding and offboarding.
The transportation of the accompanying person is free of charge.
Registration of assistance
To enable the companies to make preparations, passengers must register the assistance they require at least 48 hours before departure and arrive at the port or terminal at the specified time.
Even if no registration is made, the companies are obliged to provide the best possible support.
The apf recommends passengers
- registering the required assistance as early as possible ,
- arrive at the agreed meeting point in good time,
- notification if there are specific requirements regarding accommodation, seating or the transportation of medical equipment.
Damage/loss of wheelchair or mobility aid
In the event of damage to or loss of wheelchairs or other mobility aids by port, terminal or shipping company personnel, the respective company is liable for the replacement value or repair costs.
This is subject to fault or neglect on the part of the carrier or the terminal operator. The company must provide a temporary replacement as soon as possible, if this is possible.
The apf helps with non-compliance with PRM rights
The rights and obligations described above must be observed by the shipping companies.
In the event of non-compliance, people with disabilities can contact the apf free of charge via online arbitrationarbitration request.
It is important to try to reach an agreement with the shipping company first.
The customer support contacts of the shipping companies operating in Austria can be found here:
https://www.apf.gv.at/de/kontakt-beschwerdestellen-schiff-apf.html
You can also reach the colleagues from the shipping sector:
Mon-Fri: 10:00 - 12:00 (weekdays) on the telephone number: +43 1 5050 707 730