If we live long enough most of us will likely need a wheelchair to get around. So what happens if you are promised a wheelchair accessible holiday and it isn't?

For friends June Yuckin and Ken Nore it was going to be a trip of a lifetime to Hawaii. Both are in wheelchairs -- but that never dampens their adventurous spirit.

"We've sailed we've scuba dived we've square danced we've been very active," said June.

Together they paid over $7,000 for a 19 day cruise to Hawaii and back to Vancouver on Holland America's Zaandam.

Their room was 2500 -- in the very bow of the ship on the main deck. It's supposed to be wheelchair accessible. But there was a problem: there wasn't enough room between the beds for their wheelchairs.

"He got into bed and I would have to move his chair out to get mine in there."

The awkward angle of getting in and out of the bed took its toll on Ken's right shoulder

"Almost no range left and I've lost an awful lot of strength and it doesn't seem to be coming back," he said.

Friends stayed one deck below in room 1804 -- also wheelchair accessible but what a difference in space and accessibility.

"Their rooms were very spacious," said June.

So how did the crew on the ship deal with it?

"They didn't. They just seemed to think too bad they have our money and that's it they are not going to help us out," remembered Ken.

When they got back, they complained to Holland America's head office.

They received a letter from a special advisor to the cruise line's president saying they deeply regret what happened.

And the compensation offered was an on board credit in the amount of $125.

"To me it looked like a form letter coming back totally ignoring our problems," said Ken.

"I think they should give us some money back," suggested June.

Jane Dyson with the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities is shocked.

"I don't think that's compensation at all I think that's an insult," she said.

We contacted Holland America about the situation. Erik Elvejord speaks for the company.

He said to his knowledge this is the first time this issue has come up.

The cabin meets accessibility standards with door widths, and bathroom modifications but....

"In this particular case we didn't notice the width of the bed. I don't think they ever expected that to be a challenge," he admitted.

Holland America has now offered June and Ken $500 dollars each. Ken says it was more than he expected.

If I get the $500 I'll be spending that and more for acupuncture Holland America is making some changes as a result of our story. We'll have details on that --and what it might mean to you or a loved one - tomorrow.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen