Special Needs at Sea partners with MAST Travel Network to train advisors in accessible travel

Special Needs Group, also known as Special Needs at Sea, has announced a partnership with MAST Travel Network to expand accessible travel training for the network's member travel advisors. The company rents mobility and medical equipment to travellers on cruise ships and at hotels and resorts.

MAST is a member-owned travel agency network based in the US Midwest. The announcement was made on 13 October 2026.

What members get

• Training. MAST members can take Special Needs Group's Certified Accessible Travel Advocate (CATA) programme, which the company describes as the travel industry's first e-learning course on the accessible travel market.
• Equipment rentals. Members can arrange rentals for clients, including wheelchairs, scooters, oxygen and other specialised equipment, for cruises, hotels, resorts and other destinations.

How the CATA programme works

Travel professionals can earn the designation by completing an online course of three modules and passing the required tests, or by taking part in a live presentation and test. The company says the programme is free to travel industry professionals with a valid industry identifier.

Where equipment is available

Special Needs Group says it provides service in 217 metropolitan areas and cities across 70 countries. The company did not say in its announcement which of those places are in the UK, so check with the company before relying on it for a UK departure or port.

What they said

"Accessible travel begins long before a traveler reaches their destination," said Andrew J. Garnett, president, founder and CEO of Special Needs Group. "It starts with a knowledgeable travel advisor who understands their client's needs and knows what resources are available."

Andrew Davis, president and COO of MAST Travel Network, said: "Accessibility isn't a niche market. It's a fundamental part of serving every traveler well."

What it means for passengers

If you or someone you travel with needs mobility equipment or other support, it is worth asking your travel adviser what they know about accessible cruising and which equipment services they can arrange. Cruise lines also publish their own accessibility information, and you should ask them directly about cabins, boarding and any equipment you plan to bring.

Check availability, prices and what applies in the UK with the company and your travel agent before booking.