Anyone ever tried a river cruise?

Luggage would be carried on board for you

Cruises are expensive that’s for sure and you would need to check about how many stairs etc
I’ve enjoyed st Petersburg to Moscow also Danube cruises but if you don’t want fly maybe a Scandinavian leaving from Uk

Why not look at a cruise organised through a coach company Luckygirl3. We went on a Leger holiday a few years ago, and I was talking to a disabled lady who was on her own, who was going on a Danube cruise. Included in the cost of her holiday she was picked up from home, and didn’t have to handle her baggage at all, the taxi driver moved it onto the coach for her. It took a lot of the strain out of the trip. I think Riviera and Shearings would do similar - you pay a bit more for the door to door service, but it’s worth it I think.

River cruises are very good. However, the ones I've been on (with Viking and also with Avalon) specifically state that they are not suitable for those with mobility problems. This is because there are steps up and down the various levels and also because there is frequent double docking requiring a degree of climbing steeper narrower steps and walking across uneven deck levels.
I'm not meaning to be off putting as I've had mobility problems myself. On a Douro cruise were was a couple with obvious mobility issues who struggled with the stairs up to the upper level leading to very long queues for everyone else. I'd like to say the rest of us were fine with that but, sadly, I cant! The people involved weren't in the least apologetic but the cruise director spent a lot of time apologising to us about the long delays they led to in starting excursions etc (They couldnt manage the bus steps and had to be carried on.)
Sea cruises would be much easier for you Luckygirl.

I echo what others have said. You need need enough mobility to negotiate steps, gangplanks etc.on a river cruise. Luggage is moved for you and it is possible to get a cabin on the same level as the dining room, but you'd miss out on a lot that is included in the price.
Sea cruises would be more suitable. You could sail from a UK port thus no flying involved. Saga offer a door to door service. There are lifts and ramps provided and you don't pay for excursions unless you want to go on them.

We love Viking River Cruises. Lovely views, very informal, no dressy nights. Luggage is carried for the traveler.

However there may be too many steps for you to leave at each stop, many people stay up in the bar areas and look out to the gorgeous river, scenery, and views - have coffees and biscuits.

I'm one who walks 8-10 miles a day as we have an energetic dog.

I've had to stay in a few days on a cruise, with a twisted ankle.

Nothing wrong with a good book, coffee and biscuits after a big breakfast! Well, maybe bad for every day diets.

Norah

We love Viking River Cruises. Lovely views, very informal, no dressy nights. Luggage is carried for the traveler.

However there may be too many steps for you to leave at each stop, many people stay up in the bar areas and look out to the gorgeous river, scenery, and views - have coffees and biscuits.

I'm one who walks 8-10 miles a day as we have an energetic dog.

I've had to stay in a few days on a cruise, with a twisted ankle.

Nothing wrong with a good book, coffee and biscuits after a big breakfast! Well, maybe bad for every day diets.

Additionally, many stops are accessible for people with a stick, the gangplanks have sturdy rails, as they must for any person to be safe.

What about the narrow outside stairs to the top deck? Doable but only at snails pace. The Viking literature says not suitable for those with mobility problems.
Seriously, sea cruises are ideal. There are lifts and even surfaces throughout. Special cabins are available and they are less expensive than river cruises as they are bigger. Not necessarily huge though. There are a number of VG smaller cruise companies.

Aveline

What about the narrow outside stairs to the top deck? Doable but only at snails pace. The Viking literature says not suitable for those with mobility problems.
Seriously, sea cruises are ideal. There are lifts and even surfaces throughout. Special cabins are available and they are less expensive than river cruises as they are bigger. Not necessarily huge though. There are a number of VG smaller cruise companies.

I'm quite mobile. Rarely, in 8 VRC, have I been on that top windy deck in the sun. The upper deck is surely not a necessity to my enjoyment.

To each her own.

My point, made earlier, was that with double docking it's sometimes necessary to climb up there to cross over the other ship or ships then back down again. I enjoy river cruising too but this thread was about whether it's a good idea for those with mobility problems.

We did. Rhine cruise with Viking, nice enough but not cheap, there were around 150 - 200 passengers so little queueing some excursions included some extra. Viking is a US company and passengers reflect that.

I went on a Saga River cruise on the Elbe some 15 years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. There was a stair lift between decks (used by one of the tour guides who was waiting for a hip replacement op). But I would suggest contacting the company and discussing your requirements with them.

And yes, cruises are expensive.

Good luck! I hope you find something that suits

I am a big river cruise fan and have been on several Saga cruises, including the Rhine and Danube. In April I went on their Dutch bulb field cruise which was wonderful. They pick you up from home and deliver you back and you never have to carry your own case. I’ve done some of their Solo river cruises also and made lots of friends.

I have done Nile River Cruises many times. Not what you have in mind I suspect but mobility is extremely important.

I have never been on any kind of cruise but I imagine that the excursions from river cruises would also involve a lot of walking. Particularly along the Rhine and the Danube you would be visiting all those little medieval towns with narrow, hilly cobbled streets. Awkward enough for able-bodied people, to a great extent impossible with a wheelchair, and very tiring.

Maybe a coach tour would be more suitable as the coach would drop you off in the town centre, distances would be shorter.

There is a YouTube chappie with a channel called 'Tips for Travellers ' who explains exactly what to expect. I will post a link when I've found the video about it.

youtu.be/KUS3LOU5ZqQ

Thank you for that link, JackyB, which was most informative.

I'd suggest you have a look at the Saga sea cruises. My Dad did a couple as a single person in his late 80s.
They have single cabins. He was collected from and returned to home by taxi, all luggage was handled for him.
He sailed from Tilbury Docks one time on a round Britain itinerary.

I’ve done several. I loved the Budapest to Amsterdam one, that was particularly good. Another good one was up the Mekong from Vietnam to Cambodia. Once we went through the three gorges dam in China and that was fascinating but I wouldn’t go anywhere near China now. We went with Scenic Tours, APT, and Wendy Wu and all were good. Definitely get a room with an outside balcony ( most have ).

Thank you very much for the links - extremely helpful.

They have put me off a bit!!! - but that is good; forewarned is forearmed.

They look totally exhausting! - traipsing round "cultural" venues day in day out. I am more of a country person - I live in the middle of nowhere and love being in the countryside and absorbed in that beauty. I see myself sitting on the deck taking in the beauties around me as the ship sails slowly on.

I am wondering if there might be UK river cruises that might better fit that bill. I will keep looking. Thank you for all the help.

I recommend a sea cruise to the Norwegian fjords.
Most of the cruise lines have fjord cruises in the summer, and sailing up them in the morning, taking in the scenery on both sides is wonderful.
We made a cup of tea first thing and sat on the balcony looking at all the tiny little brightly coloured houses tucked into the hillside.
Then you have the little towns to explore, which generally are fairly small. I think this option sounds more suitable for you than a river cruise.

Sea cruises cater extremely well for folk with mobility issues, and even those in wheelchairs are able to access virtually the whole ship.

Norwegian fjords sounds great. Presumably you can travel directly by boat from UK.

I have also found some interesting UK canal hotel boats which are small and basically just there for you to enjoy the scenery floating by. Or to stroll on the tow path.

Luckygirl I struggled on canal boats again due to access. Often very steep ladder like access.
I completely agree re a Fjord cruise. I have such happy memories of opening the curtains in the morning and looking out at a gorgeous Norwegian scenery. Also sitting looking out as the ship sailed. There's something very therapeutic about it somehow. Yes ships do sail from various ports in the UK. I honestly think you could have a marvellous time and wouldn't have to worry about your mobility.

I wonder if folk could tell me which company they used for the fjords cruises please.