Doug Smith

I am a full-time wheelchair user who has worked in the cruise industry, selling cruise holidays to travel agents and members of the general public, some of whom have a disability of one kind or another. I have also conducted cruise ship tours for some of the aforementioned people, and I have sailed on a number of cruises myself.

I was born with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, but I do not let it get me down. On the contrary, I do as much as I can. When I was born, my parents were told that my lifespan would be no more than between 3 (three) and 6 (six) months. I fooled 'em... after 48 years, guess what? Yeah, I'm still going strong, and I'm going nowhere... Unless it is on a cruise ship, of course.

In the past, I have raised money for a number of charities, by doing sponsored swims, wheelchair pushes, and one (the only one) tandem skydive from 12,000 ft.

The book (my first) I have written is aimed towards people with disabilities, their families, friends and/or carers, and it advises people about cruising if you have - or know someone with - a disability. In my book, I describe everything from booking your cruise, arriving at the terminal, check-in, security, boarding, what happens onboard, if you can get ashore in the ports of call, and if not, why not. Then finally, I describe the disembarkation (leaving the ship) process so that there are no issues when you eventually go on a cruise.

Happy Cruising!