River cruise Shore Excursions

[trtog7]

Would really like to do a Danube River cruise but my husband uses a walker and can not walk long distances. Most shore excursions seem to be walking, hiking or biking.

[kokopelli-az]

European river cruises are a challenge for mobility limited passengers.    

Everyone has different limitations but here is a good article that was written for wheelchair/scooter users but has some insight on river cruises.

https://spintheglobe.net/dir/2019/08/04/river-cruises-wheelchair-users/

[CILCIANRQTS]

Viking is trying very hard to have leisurely walker groups that are dropped off nearer to the center of town, walk slowly with frequent rests, and avoid steps and severe changes in elevation.

We have a fellow in our group with a walker and he’s participating in most excursions.

[Second seating]

Another problem might be the rafting of ships. On our recent cruise in early May (not peak season) there was a lot of walking up to the sun deck over to the next ship and then down.

 

Second seating

Edited June 17, 2022 by Second seating

[Daisi]

There are a couple of problems with travelling on a river cruise ship with a disability. If you have limited walking, and can handle stairs with railings (one flight) you may be ok. You can go on a gentle walker group, and if tiring, leave the group for a bit and meet up to get back to the ship. 

 

Most of Europe is not set up like the US or Canada for disabilities. Toilet facilities are often up or down a flight of stairs, or a small port-a-potty type thing. Sometimes you have to climb the steps (3 sometimes high steps, but usually 3 steps) to get in and out of the busses. 

 

Rafting is another concern, as most ships have elevators that only go to the 3 levels of cabins. If rafted against a ship that doesn't have the same set up as the one you are on, you have to climb 1 flight of steep stairs with railing up to the sundeck, cross over to the other ship, and back down a level to the lobby. 

 

Also, as mentioned, cobbled stones are not the easiest for walking on with a walker, possible, but not always easy.

 

The article posted above has some really good info.  I would recommend talking to a TA who has been on several lines and understands your husband's limits. It could very well be possible, and I'm sure you would enjoy it, but it's best to understand what you are going into before you shell out for a cruise. 

 

Good luck.

[CastleCritic]

It can be tough. I’ve been on 4 amawaterways cruises. Every day the main expedition will have an “easy Walker” group that moves slowly and takes more breaks. And in some cases has motor transport to shorten the walking. But this last part is highly dependent on where you are and what the activity is. 
 

on one cruise a passenger had a motor scooter that was bus transportable (that I think ama provided it, I saw one last month on the amadante that no one was using) but abandoned it by about day 2 likely due to difficulty in making it useful in the tight spaces and on the cobbles.