retireyet

Thanks for all the positive feedback. As I'm not yet of medicare age I'll put that one onto my future to-do list. As far as "grabbing" seats I think we're good, she's very mobile at this point. I have to say though that it would not bother me in the least if a handicapped person walked by me and steadied themselves on my seat, I might even offer help! Thanks again for the info, we leave in an hour so I won't be checking in again.

Nippy - thanks for the concern, however, my comments are in regards to cruise insurance not health insurance. Living in MA we have mandatory health requirements and a majority of all health covers overseas emergencies. Not sure I would be traveling at this level if I couldn't afford basic health care! Thanks ~ Paul

She is going to go without any expectations of getting off the boat. As we are a group of 12 and the morning free tours are only 2-4 hrs, I will just come back to the boat after. If there is an occasion to get off and walk into town or Uber into town then great, if not we'll enjoy the scenery, food, and company when they return! Roz - as far as blood clots, the doc did mention that she, and anyone else traveling 8hrs on a plane, should get up every hour and move around and compression on the area will help. After a few days she is already walking on the boot short distances so getting around the plane holding the seats shouldn't be an issue! Thanks for the concern.

Thank you all for the great suggestions! The current game plan is that she will be coming. Our schedule was to fly direct to AMS, tour Amsterdam for a few days prior to the cruise, then take a small KLM plane to Basel to get on the boat. As we booked all our air with Viking nothing is able to be changed at this point so that's what we're going with. She can get around on crutches but only for short periods, however, we plan on bringing a foldable wheelchair so we can get a bit further from the hotel in AMS for sightseeing and off the boat when possible. For anyone that's been on this itinerary, what ports is the ship directly at town center (or no more than 5-10 min walk so she can crutch off the boat and then get in the wheelchair and be at shopping/main area? I did google and chart the Viking docking places but I'm unsure if that's accurate. I'm thinking Breisach - yes, Strasborg - stay on board, Speyer - at least get off and go for a walk but won't reach city center, Rudesheim - yes but not sure we can reach center, Koblenz - get off but walk locally only, Cologne - walk locally only / no center, Kinderdijk - off but walk locally only. Also, am I correct to assume that the docks that are not within walking distance to city center a shuttle bus is provided to reach the main hub? Last question - if the river boat is rafted to another, is it usually another Viking ship so entrances and exits line up or could it be a random ship so a gang-plank and hopping over stuff is necessary? Thank you for your time and input!

Thank you all for the information. Right now she is in a hard boot so it's just wait and see if she can put weight on it and maneuver the crutches well enough, if not I will be a solo traveler. However, we are a group of 12 family and friends so it won't be that bad, even if she goes and hangs on the boat and only gets out at certain ports in a wheelchair. Yes, CDNPolar sometimes one has to learn lessons the hard way. It will be insurance from now on and only booking air direct through the airlines. That's the part that gets me the most, cancelling the air and not being able to keep the e-credit!

Funny you say that - I just ordered one!

Unfortunately rescheduling is not an option as we didn't have insurance. The call reps say there is nothing that can be done and Viking Air wants penalties equal to the flight basically. We did get a doctors note today so just maybe if we catch a manager in a good mood it may be possible.

Hi - Wife and I are scheduled to leave July 3 on the Viking Rhine Getaway. Yesterday my wife broke her foot and we didn't get the insurance. Questions for all you Viking River cruisers..... If my wife can't get off the boat at a stop because of pain or steep walkways, etc., are there any daytime activities on the boat, such as talks or cooking classes or whatever, that we can do while others are onshore? I asked Viking and they said no idea you will be given the activity sheet on the boat. Also, I asked them if a wheelchair was available for use so I could push her around town. The official answer was no, anyone have experience with this and getting one? Thanks ~ Paul