Due to tidal conditions on our current berths in Heysham Port, the following sailings have been rescheduled. Tuesday 12th November Heysham to Douglas 03:00hrs – This sailing will now depart at 03:30hrs Wednesday 13th November Heysham to Douglas 01:30hrs – This sailing will now depart at 00:50hrs
Find out moreThe Isle of Man Steam Packet Company tries to be as accessible as possible for customers at every stage of their journey with us. The advice below is intended to help make your experience as smooth as possible.
We're very aware every passenger has different requirements. The information on the website is intended to be a guide only. Please contact us to advise us of your specific needs before travelling.
If you feel you require assistance, please advise us prior to travel of your requirements, either online (page 3 of the booking process entitled "passenger details" under the section "assistance") or via our Reservations Team on +44 (0) 1624 661661.
Despite our best efforts, travel can be stressful. Passengers with known or suspected health problems, or undergoing medical treatment are advised to seek medical advice before making a reservation and before travelling.
To make any requests to be parked near a lift you must tell us that a passenger has a disability or reduced mobility in the 'Passengers' section of the booking process. Please answer ‘Yes’ to the question, 'Assistance Required?' You can then provide more details of the passenger's disability or limited mobility. All requirements must be specified at the time of booking. Proximity to the lifts will depend on the number of vehicles on the sailing with passengers who have a disability or limited mobility. The proximity to lifts also varies between vessels. Manxman has three large passenger lifts, Manannan and Ben-my-Chree have one each. When you arrive at check in you'll be directed to a specific vehicle lane. This allows the loading officer to identify your vehicle. The loading configuration and constraints of each ship will vary and there is no need to worry if many other cars are loaded before you.
Passengers requiring assistance when travelling with the Isle of Man Steam Packet should notify the company in advance, ideally at the time of booking, to arrange any necessary support. Onboard, staff can assist with boarding, seating, and disembarking. Accessible facilities are available, including lifts, designated seating, and disabled toilets. If you need specific medical equipment or service animals, it’s important to inform the company prior to travel.
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company may be able to make special arrangements to help you, should you require assistance in any way. In order to be able to make your journey with us as comfortable as possible, we ask that you inform us of your anticipated needs at the time of booking or at least 48 hours prior to your departure.
You should inform us by ticking the "Assistance*" box on page three of the online booking process (page entitled "Passengers") or you can inform us by calling our Reservations Team.on +44 (0)1624 661661. If you have booked through a Travel Agent or Tour Operator, please advise them that you require assistance and ask them to pass this information to us.
Our Staff have undergone Disability Awareness Training to ensure a high standard of customer care and service excellence.
Assistance For Loading
On arrival at the port, please report to the check-in desk. If you have requested lift access on the vehicle deck, please be aware that we cannot guarantee to place your vehicle beside the lift, as there is limited space in this area of the vessel. There may also be a delay in loading dependent on the traffic levels/types for lift access. If any further assistance is required at this stage please inform a member of our shore based staff, so that we may organise this for you. Without this information we cannot guarantee this service.
Due to other passengers wishing to use the lift facility there may be a short delay to access the main Passenger Lounge areas, and also when disembarking for the main vehicle decks, although we will endeavour to keep this to a minimum.
On some occasions due to tidal/berth conditions or vehicle deck restrictions it may take longer to disembark passengers who require the courtesy bus to take them ashore, there may also be a longer walking distance to the Terminal Buildings.
You should note that, for those passengers unable to walk, we advise the use of collapsible wheelchairs. For safety and evacuation purposes, we are obliged to monitor the number of wheelchair dependent passengers on any particular sailing.
Facilities On Board Our Vessels
Upon boarding the vessel, please make yourself known to the PSO (Passenger Services Officer) if any further assistance is required.
MANXMAN
There is lift access to the passenger accommodation deck from the car deck for passengers boarding in a vehicle. For passengers boarding without a vehicle, there is a gangway to access the craft. If you require assistance, please advise us prior to travel of your requirements, either online (page 3 of the booking process entitled "passenger details" under the section "assistance") or via our Reservations Team
BEN-MY-CHREE
There is lift access to the passenger accommodation deck from the car deck for passengers boarding in a vehicle. Arrangements can be made for passengers not travelling in vehicles to access the vessel by courtesy bus if requested. We are pleased to offer 2 cabins which are suitable for wheelchair access as well as full disability access to all the main cabin areas.
Please note that the lift will not be operational while at sea so access between the cabins and other lounges will not be possible. Ben-my-Chree is a reserve vessel and is not in day-to-day service. You will be notified in advance if your sailing will be operated by Ben-my-Chree.
MANANNAN
Manannan has access for our disabled or reduced mobility passengers via a forward ramp and a lift at the stern door to the main passenger area. The main lounge has two tables designated for wheel chair users. There is a second lift to the reserved seating lounges from the main passenger deck. Please note that the lift will not be operational while at sea so access between the lounges will not be possible.
Port Access
HEYSHAM
A ramp is provided for disabled access to the Terminal Building. Disabled toilet facilities are available inside the Terminal Buildings and this area is painted in accordance with the guidelines of the visibly impaired. Foot passengers may access the ship by courtesy bus (where available). If assistance is required a member of staff will be happy to assist you whenever possible. Please note that on busier sailings check in normally opens at 1130 for the 1415 sailing and 2230 for the 0215 sailing, it is advisable to arrive as early as possible in these instances.
DOUGLAS
Douglas Terminal offers very easy access to all facilities; it complies fully in accordance with the guidelines required for disabled access. Again we offer a courtesy bus (where available) for foot passengers in need of assistance to the vehicle deck of the ship, or a member of our shore based crew wherever possible to assist you.
LIVERPOOL
Access to the Port for foot passengers who require assistance will be via the car marshalling area. Please speak to a member of the shore based staff at the car check in desk and they will be happy to arrange assistance by courtesy bus to the Terminal Building. Once inside the Terminal Building disabled facilities are available. Access to the ship will then be via our courtesy bus. If the bus isn’t available our staff will be happy to assist.
BELFAST
A ramp is provided for disabled access to the Terminal Building. Disabled toilet facilities are also located inside the Terminal Buildings. Please see a member of staff if assistance is required for boarding.
DUBLIN
Dublin Terminal complies fully in accordance with the guidelines for disabled access. Please see a member of staff if assistance is required for boarding.
Important Information
Please indicate if assistance is required when making your booking online, there is a drop down box next to the section where you input your name which allows you to do this, if you do forget then please contact one of our telephone agents, who will be happy to assist in any way they can. Please remember if we are not aware of your needs we may not be able to guarantee this service.
Passengers are referred to the Company’s Conditions of Booking and Carriage and Regulation 1177 of 2010 which contain provisions applying to the carriage of disabled persons or persons with reduced mobility.
Disabled persons or persons with reduced mobility shall notify the Company at the time a booking for travel is made, and in any event not later than 48 hours before the scheduled time of departure, that their mobility when using transport is reduced by any physical disability and of any specific needs they have concerning accommodation, seating or services required or of their need to bring medical equipment (provided the need is known at the time). The Company must also be notified as provided above if it is intended that the passenger will be accompanied by a recognized assistance dog.
The Company may refuse to accept a booking from or to embark a disabled person or person with reduced mobility (i) in order to comply with any applicable safety requirements established by international, Union or national law or by the competent authorities, or (ii) where it is not possible to carry out the embarkation, disembarkation or carriage of such persons in a safe or operationally feasible manner due to the design of the ship or infrastructure or equipment of the port or terminal. Where such apply, the Company may alternatively require that such persons be accompanied by another person who is capable of providing the assistance required by the disabled person or person with reduced mobility