Best itinerary for someone with mobility issues

[TheaterVB]

Hello! My DW and I are taking my mother on a river cruise, which would be the first for all of us. My mother has some trouble with her vision, and she finds it difficult to navigate certain terrains. This is a challenge in Europe where many of the streets are cobblestone and the terrain isn't always flat. She is not in a wheelchair but does walk with a cane. I would appreciate thoughts on a river cruise itinerary that might be better suited for someone with mobility challenges.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Edited March 13 by TheaterVB

[Gourmet Gal]

There’s a walking tour almost everyday on river cruises and terrain can be tricky, usually cobblestones.  It’s really not ideal for anyone with mobility issues but I’ve seen some really hardy souls give it a supreme effort and they somehow manage.  I will say though, that the Rhône cruises may have a bit less walking than say a Rhine or Danube cruise.  A cruise with more of a culinary focus may be somewhat easier as there may be numerous indoor market tours and meals onshore.

[Roz]

There's also the issue of whether she'll be able to navigate the steep steps on the tour buses.

[TheaterVB]

She can manage steps as long as there is a handrail. Great point though.

Edited March 13 by TheaterVB

[notamermaid]

Welcome to Cruisecritic. It is tricky. All in all, a river cruise is not a good option for people with mobility issues. But it is manageable. As the previous posters have said, the stones and stairs are a problem. Assume that you will encounter stairs that you will have to navigate. The advertising that you can walk off the boat into town only gives you the best pictures and words, i.e. the loveliest scenario that is not incorrect but just, you know, the ideal...

 

The problem I see is with the river cruise that does not go as planned due to lock issues, strikes and other delays or water levels. It may be uncomfortable. I would not go with a long itinerary that would have a lot of hours on a coach as a result. Not sure if a return trip would be a better option than a town A to town B cruise. On the Moselle towns and villages are accessible well and you do not get low water issues. The Netherlands are also good for more flat terrain but cobblestones tend to be omnipresent in old towns.

 

You may want to look at the ships in more detail as some are split-level, meaning it involves steps to get from cabin to restaurant no matter what level your cabin is on (lifts are available but remember that these normally do not go to the sundeck).

 

Would you be willing to also consult a TA familiar with river cruises apart from the great advice you will receive here from past cruisers? It could help narrow down where your interests lie and what is doable.

 

Edit: just seen your response regarding hand rail. That is good, so ships should not be a problem. Getting of the boat is a bit trickier but hand rails are usually available. Crew are also there for assistance of course.

 

Have fun planning.

 

notamermaid

 

Edited March 13 by notamermaid
edit to comment on response

[RobInMN]

On our AmaMagna cruise, there was a very elderly lady who had severe mobility issues. I dont' know if she had any vision issues, but sounds like she was probably on par or possibly worse than what you are describing. I think she may have even used those forearm crutches. Her very patient husband was assisting her anytime I saw them. Most walking tours have a "Gentle" option on AmaWaterways that could be a possibility, especially if she is escorted. 

If you read my trip review, she's the one that went on a tour in Rousse that she arguably had no business going on as there was not a gentle group. But she absolutely had to see the orthodox churches. To further complicate things, the group she was in was joined with the "Active" group, and even though each sub group had their own tour guide, our tour guide took over both groups and kept us together, leaving the other poor tour guide to help baby sit her. However, that also mean that the "Active" group did not get to do what we were supposed to be able to do while other groups that weren't technically supposed to were allowed to. really pissed me off, and when I told our cruise director/manager, she was livid as she explicitly told him not to do exactly what he did!

Anyway, Rant off. If she could do it, I imagine your mom could get along ok.

 

 

[YoungDubFan]

There are quite a few posts on here that deal with mobility issues. I would strongly encourage you to read those & talk to a TA who specializes in River Cruises. As mentioned, River Cruising in Europe & Europe in general is not very accessible for those who are mobility impaired. Often ships raft together & the reception often don’t line up. This means that you have to go up stairs to the sky deck (elevators don’t go to this level), cross over to another boat & back down stairs to reception & off. This may happen for more than 1 boat. Good luck with your research. There may be days that depending on the situation, she may need to stay on the ship. 

[Gourmet Gal]

Yes, rafting could be exhausting just to get to shore.

[Canal archive]

Having been really able and mobile all of my life so far I’ve been absolutely knocked back realising that by the my recent onset of heart issues  my limbs are still capable but my body isn’t, hope you can understand that. I’m going to have to be very choosy as to the type of cruise I choose to do if I do in the future. I refuse to carry on if I’m going to interfere with other passengers as they will be paying out as much as myself, hard earned cash upset by someone else being in my opinion somewhat selfish. On one of our cruises we had a guy with a mobility scooter, small one he tried everything but went out of his way to not be in anyone else’s way. It is possible but please don’t be precious about it, I know life’s not fair but there are limits. Oh and not all of Europe is cobbled only some parts try the back route it’s most probably a clear open highway!

[CDNPolar]

Just you using the word "Cobblestone" in your post is a red flag to me.  If cobblestones are an issue, then I don't remember the last European city that I was in that there were not cobblestones for a majority of the walking portions.  It is unfortunate really when mobility limits what you can do and enjoy.  

 

I hope you find an itinerary that is suitable.

 

The only thing that I can think of is to opt for a cruise itinerary where there are bus trips through the city for a view of the city but then go to other points of interest where there is not so much walking...?

[Nippy Sweetie]

I really think that river cruises are just not suitable for people with mobility issues. I've had them myself before now and decided not to go on river cruises out of consideration for other passengers as mentioned by previous posters. We only went back to river cruises after my knee replacements and return to good mobility. 

When booking our forthcoming river cruise the Viking agent asked directly if any of our party had mobility issues as the cruise ship would not be suitable for them. 

Ocean cruises would be much more comfortable for the OPs mother.

[Squawkman]

We have done 2 river cruises post covid - Rhine in 2022 and Tulips in 2023. Both had a gentle group for most included and optional excursions which accommodated those who used canes and rollators. The tour guides used elevators where possible, and avoided a few stops to cut back the amount of walking. My wife used a cane for both cruises and had no issues whatsoever. It sounds like this should work for your mother.

[TheaterVB]

@Squawkman may I ask which cruise line you used? It sounds like it would be a good option for us.

Edited March 14 by TheaterVB
misspelled word

[Daisi]

13 hours ago, Gourmet Gal said:

Yes, rafting could be exhausting just to get to shore.

 

We returned from one of our tours on the Danube only to find we were rafted with the AmaMagna. I had a good laugh, as most were commenting about having to do that much extra walking and were now worn out. It was later, so most went directly to cocktail hour to recuperate!

 

@TheaterVB don't assume that all gentle walker groups avoid stairs or rough ground. I do them because the guides usually walk & talk, so I get a great chance to grab pictures as they more stroll than walk. On Avalon, the groups are generally a lot smaller, about 5-8 people, not the 10-12 on the more "regular" groups. I have never seen on our 2 Avalon cruises (and we do tours morning and afternoon) any change in the routes we take over the other cruisers - no elevators, and only ever heard one guide ask a gentleman if he would be OK on the stairs as the Palace we were touring did have an elevator to use if needed. 

 

Also, as a side warning, the steps on the bus are quite high...I have short legs, and usually end up grabbing the handrail and pulling myself up them. Think walking up 2 steps instead of one, and I think the steps on the last few we were on were higher than that!

 

I hope you find some way for your Mom to join you. The problem with staying onboard while others are touring is you are just sitting in one spot usually, and could be rafted between 2 ships so no view either.

[Squawkman]

2 hours ago, TheaterVB said:

@Squawkman may I ask which cruise line you used? It sounds like it would be a good option for us.

Viking 

[Host Jazzbeau]

AMA is also really good about having a gentle walkers option on almost every tour, and smaller group sizes too.  (Also lots of options for where you go.)  Their gentle groups see the same sights but take easier routes to get there – the downside is less free time.

[CDNPolar]

3 hours ago, Squawkman said:

Viking 

 

We were on a recent Viking River that included what they called a "Leisure" group.  This was the first time we had seen this, and it was offered for all the included excursions.  This group would ideally cover similar ground, but would move at a slower pace.

 

Funnily, one Mother and Daughter that we got to know signed the 90'ish year old Mother up for this group.  Mother walked with a cane.  She abandoned this group on day three because she said they moved too slow for her. 

 

Hopefully Viking will keep this up because it is needed for many people.

[CastleCritic]

I’ve seen ama do some pretty amazing things with the “gentle walkers” group. But at some point you do have to be able to walk on cobbles.   I have seen people give up on trying to use the mobility scooters on excursions because of the streets. 
 

and getting rafted to amamagna? Cmon it’s not like you have to walk all the way to her stern 🙂. Hell if the other ships main deck is Same height then it’s just a an extra 10m walk through the lobby, otherwise. Yep up the steps to the third floor but every time I’ve rafted to a Viking ship it’s been the sun deck. 

[CDNPolar]

12 hours ago, CastleCritic said:

 and getting rafted to amamagna? Cmon it’s not like you have to walk all the way to her stern 🙂. Hell if the other ships main deck is Same height then it’s just a an extra 10m walk through the lobby, otherwise. Yep up the steps to the third floor but every time I’ve rafted to a Viking ship it’s been the sun deck. 

 

With respect, for someone with mobility issues, ships that are rafted often have one or two stairs up and down between the ships and they are not always a level walking field between ships.

 

Additionally, if you are rafting and have to go from the sun deck, the elevators do not go to the sun deck and again for someone with mobility issues, this might be a challenge getting up and then down that set of stairs to the sun deck.

[Canal archive]

On every and I mean every ship rafted I have noticed the crew have been exceptional in helping mobility challenged passengers, is this a Scenic or is it an any other cruise company challenge. I think not! Yes it’s a challenge but not  to be overcome. Basically just ask for assistance don’t be afraid, why! Go for it enjoy.

[Nippy Sweetie]

Yes I've seen staff help disabled passengers but I've also seen the long queues of other disgruntled passengers having to wait for this one person to be assisted up and down flights of steps. I suspect that's why staff are quick to help. Advertising materials and on booking we are warned about accessibility issues for those with impaired mobility.

[Canal archive]

Yes I agree that there are challenges but why do people get disgruntled, excuse me ‘but there by the grace of god. We are on holiday it’s not a race, I hope. Although maybe I’m happy to be reconciled to more than the norm. I just hope some others are not in the same situation.

Edited March 16 by Canal archive

[Daisi]

17 hours ago, CastleCritic said:

 

and getting rafted to amamagna? Cmon it’s not like you have to walk all the way to her stern 🙂. Hell if the other ships main deck is Same height then it’s just a an extra 10m walk through the lobby, otherwise. Yep up the steps to the third floor but every time I’ve rafted to a Viking ship it’s been the sun deck. 

 

 

The jokes about being rafted to Amamagna were because it's 2x the width of the other ships....thus the extra long walk. We had to go over the sky deck, but unfortunately, they had crew up there, so we didn't get to do more than glance at the stuff on top. 

[CastleCritic]

35 minutes ago, Daisi said:

 

 

The jokes about being rafted to Amamagna were because it's 2x the width of the other ships....thus the extra long walk. We had to go over the sky deck, but unfortunately, they had crew up there, so we didn't get to do more than glance at the stuff on top. 

oh I know, I was on AMAMagna last year.  We rafted twice, once Im pretty sure the other ship's passengers went through the main lobby the other they were out the third floor (and the steps to the sun deck are right there at that same exit).

 

AMAMagna actually had an elevator that went to the sun deck when she was built (it popped up through the sun deck, wasn't a permanent entrance) but I guess having that hatch exposed to the elements probably didn't turn out to be a good idea, they paved over it I believe when the pickleball court went in.

 

To the above post I would hope in cases like that the dock side ship would let passengers use their elevators.  I know in AMAMagnas case it's right there on the bow side right in front of the restaurant/lounge where the passengers would be anyway.

[Nippy Sweetie]

@Canal archiveas I said in my previous post about this, I was so aware of the likelihood of holding up other passengers by ignoring the warnings about the unsuitability of river cruises for the mobility compromised that I didn't book one. This was for the consideration of others.