04/10/2026
What Wheelchair and Passengers with additional needs, need to Know about Irish Ports and Tendering
Taking a cruise around Ireland offers wonderful opportunities to explore our beautiful towns, cities and coastline. For wheelchair passengers, however, one detail needs careful checking before booking:
Will your ship dock alongside, or will you need a tender boat to reach shore?
An accessible cabin and a wheelchair-accessible shore excursion do not automatically mean you can get off the ship at every port.
What is tendering?
When a cruise ship anchors offshore, passengers travel to land in smaller boats called tenders.
Boarding may involve steps, crossing a gap between the ship and boat, and transferring while the boat moves with the sea. Some arrangements allow passengers to roll aboard in their wheelchair; others require them to stand, take steps and transfer to a seat.
Rules vary between cruise lines, ships and ports. Royal Caribbean, for example, says passengers who cannot take steps need roll-on tender access, and powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters also require that capability. Roll-on access is not always available.
Irish ports: what to check
The information below is a planning guide. Always confirm arrangements for your ship and sailing date.
Port Docking or tendering What wheelchair passengers should know
Cork / Cobh / Ringaskiddy.
Usually docking alongside. Cobh has a dedicated cruise berth. Cork calls may also use Ringaskiddy or Cork City Quays, so confirm the exact berth, gangway access and accessible transport pickup point.
Belfast Normally docking alongside. Belfast has a dedicated cruise terminal. Check gangway access and onward transport. An accessible low-floor shuttle generally operates, but confirm availability for your call.
Dublin / Dún Laoghaire Depends on the actual port and ship arrangements. Ask whether “Dublin” means Dublin Port or Dún Laoghaire. Ships anchored in Dublin Bay use tenders to bring passengers into Dún Laoghaire.
Waterford / Dunmore East Depends on the location. Larger ships at Dunmore East tender. Waterford calls can use different locations, including Belview. Confirm the actual arrival point before booking accessible transport or an excursion.
Galway Larger cruise ships tender. Larger ships anchor in Galway Bay and transfer passengers ashore by boat. Confirm whether the tender and landing arrangements suit your wheelchair and mobility needs.
Bantry, County Cork Usually tendering. Ships may anchor off Bantry or Glengarriff. Confirm the landing point, wheelchair access on the tender and where your accessible vehicle will meet you.
Di**le, County Kerry Tender port. Cruise passengers are brought ashore by boat. If you cannot stand or take steps, obtain specific confirmation of suitable roll-on access before booking.
Foynes, County Limerick Usually docking alongside; some calls may tender. This is a working commercial port. Confirm the berth, accessible gangway, shuttle arrangements and whether your booked vehicle can collect you at the quayside.
Killybegs, County Donegal Normally docking alongside. Killybegs has substantial quay facilities accommodating cruise ships. Confirm your allocated berth, gangway access and accessible pickup point.
Derry / Greencastle, County Donegal Tender port. Greencastle forms part of Foyle Port’s cruise operations. A call advertised as “Derry” or “Londonderry” may use Greencastle, Lisahally or Fort George, so establish the actual location.
Docking alongside does not automatically guarantee access
Even when a ship docks, the gangway can be steep, and its angle may change with the tide. Weather, gangway design and shoreside facilities can affect wheelchair access.
A scheduled docking can also change to tendering. The captain and crew make the final decision about safe disembarkation on the day.
What to ask your cruise line before booking
Contact the cruise line’s accessibility team and request written answers to these questions:
• Will the ship dock or tender at each Irish port?
• Can I remain seated in my wheelchair throughout the transfer?
• Must I stand, walk, negotiate steps or cross a gap?
• What wheelchair dimensions and weight limits apply, and does the weight limit include the passenger?
• Are powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters permitted on the tender?
• Is the route accessible from the ship through to the shore pickup point?
• What assistance will crew provide, and what must my travelling companion provide?
• What happens to excursion payments if I cannot get ashore?
Explain your mobility needs clearly. Being able to transfer into a car seat does not necessarily mean you can safely board a moving tender.
Do not assume that crew will lift you or your wheelchair. Some cruise lines expressly prohibit this; Royal Caribbean is one example.
Planning an accessible shore excursion
Before booking, give your tour operator:
• Your ship name, arrival date and confirmed port or tender landing point.
• Your wheelchair type, dimensions and weight.
• Whether you will remain seated in your wheelchair during vehicle travel.
• Any assistance, accessible toilet or other requirements.
• The ship’s all-aboard time or last-tender departure time.
Ask the operator to confirm suitable vehicle access and wheelchair restraints, attraction accessibility, toilet stops and cancellation terms if you cannot disembark.
Allow time for getting off the ship, tender queues, boarding assistance and the return journey. An accessible vehicle waiting ashore cannot overcome an inaccessible transfer from the ship.
Our advice
For passengers who cannot stand or take steps, favour itineraries with confirmed alongside berths and suitable gangway arrangements.
Give particular attention to tender calls at DĂşn Laoghaire, Dunmore East, Galway, Bantry, Di**le and Greencastle. Obtain confirmation that the arrangements suit your individual needs before committing to a shore excursion.
Ireland has much to offer visitors. Checking the journey from ship to shore is the first step towards enjoying it comfortably.
