Wheelchair Escapes

What Wheelchair Escapes does

Wheelchair Escapes is a privately held, home-based travel agency founded in 2002 by Kristy Lacroix in Newton, New Hampshire, specializing in accessible vacation planning for mobility-challenged travelers (wheelchair, power chair, scooter, and limited-mobility users). The company offers accessible cruise booking (its core product), accessible hotel, flight, van, and land-tour arrangements, group cruises, accessible river cruises, accessible European tours, pre-flight information services for power chair air travel, and niche offerings such as wheelchair-accessible zip lines and bungee jumping. Its underlying technology is human expertise rather than a software platform: an accessibility research database built over 21+ years of first-hand experience traveling with her husband Jerry (a service-connected disabled veteran with multiple sclerosis), supported by documented ship inspections, custom power chair handling instructions, and certifications (Certified Accessible Travel Specialist, ACC, MCC, ECC, CTA, Caribbean Destination Specialist, SNG).

The business model is commission-based: Kristy Lacroix operates as an Independent Agent of Cruise Planners (an American Express Travel Representative) and is compensated via cruise line commissions and referral commissions from hotels, accessible van rentals, equipment rentals (via Special Needs Group), and tour operators. Services are provided at no incremental cost to clients because commissions are embedded in supplier pricing; some airline-style service fees may apply. The go-to-market is sales-led and direct-to-consumer, combining personalized phone and email consultation with a Wix-hosted website, BBB accreditation (Torch Award 2017), client testimonials, TV appearances, and SATH conference participation. Customers include individual mobility-challenged travelers, their family members and caregivers, and disabled veterans; revenue derives from a distributed long-tail of individual bookings (no enterprise customers).

Name

Wheelchair Escapes

Legal name

Wheelchair Escapes

Website

https://wheelchairescapes.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Wheelchair Escapes is a home-based, founder-operated travel agency in Newton, NH that books accessible cruises, hotels, flights, and tours for wheelchair users and mobility-challenged travelers, earning commissions as an independent agent of Cruise Planners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Accessible Travel Services

NAICS

Special Needs Transportation (485991), Home Health Equipment Rental (532283)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Wheelchair-Accessible & Mobility Vehicle Transport (HSABAOAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Home Mobility & Accessibility Equipment (Ramps, Stair Lifts, Transfer Aids) (HSABAKAB), Accessible (ADA) & Special-Needs Group Charters (THAIAIAK), Patient Lifts, Transfer & Safe Handling Equipment (Hoists, Slings, Transfer Boards) (HLAHAMAE)

Keywords

• Accessible travel services
• Cruise booking services
• Wheelchair travel planning
• Accessible vacation booking
• Mobility travel advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

Newton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Cruise Line Commissions: The primary revenue stream comes from commissions paid by cruise lines for bookings made through the agency. Kristy Lacroix is compensated directly by cruise lines as an independent agent of Cruise Planners. This model means no additional cost to clients as commissions are built into cruise pricing.
2. Travel Services Commission: Commissions from accessible van rentals, equipment rentals (wheelchairs, scooters, hospital beds, oxygen), and accessible tour arrangements. Services include booking flights, hotels, and land tours which generate referral commissions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Wheelchair Escapes is an independent travel agency that specializes in accessible vacation planning for wheelchair users, power chair users, scooter users, and other mobility-challenged travelers. Core services include wheelchair-accessible cruise booking (with roll-in showers and accessible cabins), accessible hotel, van and air arrangements, accessible shore excursions and tours worldwide, river cruises, group cruises, and pre-flight power chair handling support.

Product overview

Wheelchair Escapes is a specialized travel agency founded in 2002 by Kristy Lacroix, offering accessible vacation planning services for mobility-challenged travelers. The core offering is the Accessible Cruise Booking Services, which provides wheelchair accessible staterooms, automatic doors, and accessible ship amenities. This is complemented by Accessible Vacation Planning for broader travel needs including hotels, cars, and vans. Additional services include Group Cruises for community-based travel experiences, Accessible River Cruises featuring the Viking Mississippi, Accessible European Tours, Pre-flight Information Services for air travel with power chairs, Group Travel Coordination, Extreme Adventures for thrill-seeking travelers, and Accessibility Survey Services to assess individual traveler needs. The company is an independent agent of Cruise Planners and maintains advisory board positions with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruise lines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Accessible Cruise Booking Services Specialized cruise booking services for mobility-challenged travelers, arranging wheelchair-accessible staterooms with roll-in showers, accessible cabins for up to five people, automatic doors, and accessible bathrooms across multiple cruise lines.
• Accessible Vacation Planning Comprehensive vacation planning including accessible hotel, car, van, and air arrangements for mobility-challenged travelers worldwide.
• Group Cruises Organized group cruise opportunities for travelers with mobility challenges, providing shared experiences and additional support through community travel.
• Accessible River Cruises Specialized river cruise arrangements including the Viking Mississippi with 8 accessible French balconies and one accessible Explorer Suite.
• Accessible European Tours Wheelchair-accessible tours throughout Europe, including accessible transfers and tours in countries such as Ireland, France, Germany, and Italy.
• Pre-flight Information Services Guidance and support for flying with power chairs, including handling instructions, aisle chair procedures, and airline coordination assistance, plus custom power chair handling tags for airline personnel.
• Group Travel Coordination Organized group travel arrangements for larger parties, including National Parks accessible tours and multi-state group cruises.
• Extreme Adventures Adventurous accessible travel experiences including wheelchair-accessible zip lines in Las Vegas and wheelchair-accessible bungee jumping in Vancouver.
• Accessibility Survey Services Detailed accessibility requirement assessment collecting traveler needs for bedroom, bathroom, dining, and activity accommodations to inform tailored bookings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 70 cruises completed with mobility-challenged clients
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cruise PlannerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWheelchair Escapes operates as an Independent Agent of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative. This affiliation provides access to competitive pricing, exclusive deals, and on-board credits for clients. Kristy Lacroix is compensated by cruise lines through this partnership.
• Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Accessible Travel Agent Advisory BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKristy Lacroix serves on the advisory board for both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruise lines' accessible travel programs, helping shape accessibility policies and gaining early insights into accessibility improvements.
• NACTA (National Association of Career Travel Agents)minorOthersProfessional membership providing networking, industry resources, and credibility within the travel agent community.
• MobilityWorks.comminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReferral partner specializing in accessible vans to rent and purchase, with locations throughout the US. Recommended to clients needing accessible ground transportation.
• SATH (Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality)minorOthersKristy attends SATH World Congress annually to stay current on accessibility developments worldwide and network with industry peers.
• Special Needs Group (SNG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKristy is SNG certified and partners with Special Needs Group for equipment rentals including wheelchairs, scooters, hospital beds, patient lifts, and oxygen. Equipment can be delivered to cabins or hotels.
• CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccreditation through CLIA for cruise counselor certifications (ACC, MCC, ECC) including mandatory classes, ship inspections, and cruise requirements.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Curb Free with Cory Lee: Accessible travel blog, consultancy, and trip-planning service run by a power wheelchair user. Overlaps with Wheelchair Escapes as a content- and experience-driven accessible travel advisory targeting the same mobility-challenged traveler persona.
• Special Needs Group (SNG): Provider of wheelchair, scooter, hospital bed, and oxygen equipment rentals delivered to cruise cabins and hotels. Currently a Wheelchair Escapes partner (Kristy is SNG certified), but operates adjacent rental services to overlapping customer base.
• Flying Disabled: Accessible air travel advisory and information resource covering airline accessibility, power chair handling, and pre-flight preparation. Adjacent to Wheelchair Escapes' Pre-flight Information Services product.

Direct peers

• Accessible Journeys: Travel agency designing accessible international vacations and group tours for slow walkers and wheelchair travelers. Direct peer in accessible land and group tour planning.
• Disabled Travel: Accessible travel agency providing custom accessible vacations, cruises, and group tours for travelers with disabilities. Comparable service mix and customer base to Wheelchair Escapes.
• Sage Traveling: Specialized accessible travel agency offering accessible cruise, hotel, and tour bookings for wheelchair users and slow walkers. Direct competitor to Wheelchair Escapes in the niche accessible-travel advisory market with similar commission-based model.

Broad incumbents

• Cruise Planners: National home-based travel agent franchise and American Express Travel Representative with which Wheelchair Escapes is affiliated. Parent network providing supplier relationships and brand infrastructure that Wheelchair Escapes leverages.
• Royal Caribbean (Accessible Travel): Major cruise line whose Accessible Travel Agent Advisory Board Kristy serves on. Royal Caribbean increasingly publishes accessible travel info directly, representing both a key supplier and a potential long-term competitive substitute.

Others

• Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH): Industry association focused on accessible travel that Wheelchair Escapes actively participates in. Provides networking, education, and credibility within the niche, and is a useful proxy for understanding the broader accessible-travel ecosystem.
• MobilityWorks: Largest U.S. retailer/renter of wheelchair-accessible vans. Wheelchair Escapes actively refers clients to MobilityWorks for accessible ground transport, making them a complementary channel partner rather than competitor, but they participate in the same accessible-mobility ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wheelchair Escapes