Greetings All - Seeking recommendations for guided tour options on which my wife and I can accompany my 80+ year old father. Primary concerns around mobility issues for him, as he is ambulatory but slow…or very slow. Small ship or river cruise seems most appropriate, but hoping this forum can offer some opinions on smaller, more personal tour providers. My father is exceptionally well travelled, so hoping for a unique experience. Any thoughts appreciated. Thank you.
Posted by
Michigan
489 posts
Check out the small ship tours on Grand Circle Travel/Overseas Adventure Travel. We have done 2 of these - one along the French and Italian Rivieras, and one along the Dalmatian Coast. Both tours had older travelers with a wide range of mobility and ages - including a few 90-year-olds, and folks with knee braces, back issues, etc. They opted in and out of the on-shore activities as needed, and stayed on the ship with no problems. Max capacity on the ships is about 50 passengers, split into 2 groups for on-shore excursions. Be sure to check the activity level, as they do vary.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thank you!
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8931 posts
If stairs are an issue, be sure to confirm all decks have elevator access on a river cruise.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
1428 posts
Carol, your suggestion about stairs on a river cruise is something I would not have thought about. I’m considering a Danube river cruise in 2024. My cousin, who sometimes has ankle issues, would need to know that bit of intel. Thanks
Posted by
USA
133 posts
Also check about bathroom /shower facilities. Often the staff will bring a shower chair or supports for toilet if a handicap accessible room is not available.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
9029 posts
We did a Viking Rhine cruise, and almost all the included shore excursions had a "slow walkers" group with a slower pace, and in some places, they had taxis to take the slow folks to the coaches, while the rest of us walked. Lots of older people on the boat, and some never left the boat - just there for the food and drink.
Posted by
8360 posts
Viking is a great company for river cruises, but we discovered another that is just as good and always significantly cheaper than Viking. It is Gate 1 Travel.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thank you all. Stan - will check out Gate 1.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Whoops - Gate 1 comment meant for geovagriffith.
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4088 posts
There are several dozen river cruise companies at various price levels, not a place to look for bargains since the operating expenses are spread over a small volume of passengers. It should be easy to find a vessel with one set of stairs at the most. And these itineraries are focused on land, not sea, so the daily tours should be experienced with adapting to mobility problems. With the small number of passengers, expect the crew to be eager to help out special needs.