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035: Is river cruising suitable for people with mobility issues or disabilities?

Essential Cruise Tips

Release Date: 07/25/2014

Smart Cruisers Stay On Board On Port Days More Than Ever. Here’s Why (Podcast #430) show art Smart Cruisers Stay On Board On Port Days More Than Ever. Here’s Why (Podcast #430)

Essential Cruise Tips

I noticed that more cruisers than ever are staying on board their cruise ship rather than getting off in ports to self-explore or go on excursions. With many changes in ports and on ships in recent years, I too have started remaining on board in more ports too. There were even two cruises in the last year where I did not get off the ship in any port at all! What is going on? And why and when should you also make the smart choice to stay on board in port? Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers...

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Avoid Doing These 6 Things Or Risk Driving Cruise Crew Crazy (Podcast #429) show art Avoid Doing These 6 Things Or Risk Driving Cruise Crew Crazy (Podcast #429)

Essential Cruise Tips

Until recently I used to think of myself as a self-aware and understanding cruise passenger, but that changed after I caught up with some crew members I know over dinner on a recent cruise. They told me there are 6 things blissfully unaware passengers keep doing that really wind the crew up, but most passengers don’t realise they are doing it as crew members have to hide their frustration when they do these. I want to reveal these so you can avoid doing these from here on. GET 10% OFF YOUR "THE CRUISE MAPS" AT   Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only...

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Too Few Cruisers Know About These 9 FREE Afternoon Teas At Sea (Podcast #428) show art Too Few Cruisers Know About These 9 FREE Afternoon Teas At Sea (Podcast #428)

Essential Cruise Tips

As a HUGE fan of them, and because I see only a small percentage of passengers going to many of them, and as I think too many are missing out on one of the best culinary experiences on a cruise, I’m going to let you in on my list of the best included afternoon teas at sea, so you too know where you can indulge in this fantastic experience. “Cruise Calories Don’t Count” T-shirt you can buy it from my merchandise store in a range of colours: Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube: ...

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I Test Seabourn Expedition Cruising To See Why Cruisers Are So Unhappy (Podcast #427) show art I Test Seabourn Expedition Cruising To See Why Cruisers Are So Unhappy (Podcast #427)

Essential Cruise Tips

Looking at reviews before heading off on Seabourn Venture, one of the new expedition ships from the ultra-luxury Seabourn line, I was concerned when I saw recent reviews calling it disappointing, saying it had unappealing food, the entertainment was abysmal, and the decor felt downscale versus other Seabourn ships. This is what I discovered when I went. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube:   

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River Cruise Lines To Steer Clear Of These Days. And Why! (Podcast #426) show art River Cruise Lines To Steer Clear Of These Days. And Why! (Podcast #426)

Essential Cruise Tips

As I don’t want to waste my precious time and money on a European river cruise line that isn’t on top of their game, I've been diving into the latest cruise reviews and ratings, to see what lines are doing well and, maybe more importantly, what lines we might need to approach with more caution. There are 5 lines you should be wary of and they include some of the best-known names on the rivers of Europe. I was surprised about the first of the lines on the lower-scoring list as I had expected them to be rated better. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only...

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River Cruise Lines Everyone Is Raving About RIGHT NOW (Podcast #425) show art River Cruise Lines Everyone Is Raving About RIGHT NOW (Podcast #425)

Essential Cruise Tips

I decided to see how today’s travellers spending their own hard-earned money river cruising in Europe are rating the lines on review sites. I quickly discovered the rankings were not as I expected them to be and were different to those of the magazines and sites. So, I let you in on the top 8 traveller best rated river cruise lines right now, and why. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube: 

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What Smart Cruisers Do To Guarantee Adult-Only Cruising (podcast #424) show art What Smart Cruisers Do To Guarantee Adult-Only Cruising (podcast #424)

Essential Cruise Tips

It is a great time to be cruising if you are a family with kids. But if you’re looking for kid-free cruising it is getting harder than I have ever known it to be. In this video I talk about guaranteed adult-only cruise lines and ships, how to minimise your chance of having kids on a cruise on non-adult only lines, and if you're on a cruise line with lots of kids, what can you do if you want a more adult-only experience. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube: 

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The Truth About Cruise Cabins: What Every Cruiser Should Know (Podcast #423) show art The Truth About Cruise Cabins: What Every Cruiser Should Know (Podcast #423)

Essential Cruise Tips

I look at 5 things that no-one, including cruise lines don't like to talk about, when it comes to cruise ship cabins - and why and how it is affecting the way passengers like you cruise and ingenious ways that the choices cruise lines are making on cabins means people are paying more to go cruising. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube: 

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These 17 Ports Are About To Ruin Your Cruise Plans (Podcast #422) show art These 17 Ports Are About To Ruin Your Cruise Plans (Podcast #422)

Essential Cruise Tips

It feels to me like the world is getting smaller for cruise passengers. I keep seeing reports of yet another port banning, reducing how many ships or the size of ships that can call there. And even in ports without cruise restrictions, more locals seem to be protesting about cruise passengers being there once we get off the ship. As the news of these developments tends to be sporadic and not many are aware of the total picture, I decided to pull together what's happening so you can consider these when planning your upcoming and future cruises. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get...

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Cruise Buffet Dining: What SMART Cruisers Do And DON'T Do! (Podcast #421) show art Cruise Buffet Dining: What SMART Cruisers Do And DON'T Do! (Podcast #421)

Essential Cruise Tips

On my last cruise, Cunard Queen Anne, I never ate in the buffet restaurant, on a recent Holland America cruise I ate lunch in there every day and on my Royal Caribbean Symphony of Seas cruise I ate most meals there. Why? It’s because I have a set of cruise buffet rules that I've developed over time that determine when I eat in the buffet, how I use it if I do, and what I will and won’t eat in there. After talking to other regular cruisers, I found they also follow a similar approach that I want to share with you.  Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only...

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Gary Bembridge author of "The Cruise Traveler's Handbook" provides another 60-Second Cruise Tip. For more visit http://www.60secondcruisetips.com and http://www.tipsfortravellers.com/cruise-travelers-handbook

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Passengers with mobility issues wanting to do a river cruise should discuss their needs and limitations with the line before booking to see if it is suitable for them. It is not as obvious a choice as it may seem.

Some key factors to consider include:

Wheelchair access can be problematic on river ships. They are restricted in length, height and width to pass under bridges and through locks and  so the cabins and bathrooms are compact. Ships usually do not have specific wheelchair accessible rooms and bathrooms. In port passengers need to navigate ramps on and off the ships, which can be steep and narrow. Ships will also often dock side by side and require crossing through or over other ships to reach land adding to the difficulty of getting around.

Towns along the rivers are historic and tours involve walking on cobblestoned streets and hills.  You need to be able to comfortably explore towns this way. Cruise lines like Uniworld include “gentle walking options” for less mobile passengers and transportation to the entrances of less accessible sites where possible but what you can explore can be limited.