We've booked a cruise on Dialysis at Sea for September. Most of the ports of call require transportation to the major cities, i.e. from Civitivecchia to Rome, La Spezia to Pisa and Florence. The shore excursions offered do not accommodate scooters. Does anyone have experience hiring private guides with lifts for a scooter or am I dreaming and will I have to settle for guided tours in a car for which I privately contract? Thanks! Anything is better than nothing - checking to see if the impossible is out there. Thanks.
Posted by
Australia
1072 posts
When I first read this I thought you meant a two wheeled electric scooter that are ridden by adults in lots of European cities. I now assume you are talking about a mobility scooter. This company offers accessible transport for surmise passengers - https://www.accessibleitalianholiday.com/italian-accessible-transport/. I haven't used them myself, but it looks like what you need does exist.
Posted by
Vancouver, BC, Canada
1329 posts
I suggest you go to cruisecritic.com (there is a forum for Europe disabled cruising) and use google search for "Mediterranean accessible shore excursions" to look for options at each port.
One possibility is to book a round trip transfer in an accessible van and invite 5 other cruisers to share your cost. E.g. a round trip transfer for Civitavecchia - Rome is €390, split 6 ways that is €65 pp. There should be a forum for your particular cruise and date to help you connect with other cruisers. You could share cost of the transfer, get dropped off in Rome, meet up later and ride back to the port. Good luck.
https://www.transfers-rome-civitavecchia.com/wheelchair-rome-taxi-transfers/
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8343 posts
My wife has an electric personal cruiser, and we fare traveling with it very well. We've been to Europe twice and Las Vegas once in the last year. I'm strong, and we don't require any assistance when traveling.
The only place that hindered my wife was Venice--and those arch bridges. But that was okay because we've been there many times and we stayed close to the train station in an apartment.
I think you would do great with a private driver to take you around by car. You can see so much more than using public transportation or the trains.