Anyone ever tried a river cruise?

Did the Douro river cruise and the Danube, both fabulous and had a lift on board between decks. Obviously there are a lot of cobbled streets in the old towns you will visit, but otherwise I can see no problems mobility wise, my husband has some mobility issues and coped well - would definitely do others. Absolutely hated out Caribbean cruise and will never go back to sea cruising again!

Luckygirl3/CazB
Same here!
We’ve just returned from a Fred Olsen ocean cruise from Liverpool to the Norwegian fjords and Shetland - but we only caught Covid during the last two days!
There were quite a few disabled passengers - with wheelchairs, mobility scooters, rollators. Ocean cruises cater very well for anyone with mobility problems. The main thing you can’t do is to go ashore by tender boat as it involves steps.
We’ve also been to the fjords on P&O Britannia in 2018 from Southampton.
I would love to recommend Liverpool as an embarkation point, as it’s only 40 miles away for us, but I’m afraid it doesn’t compare with the seamless system at Southampton.
The main cruise car park was full, so we had to make other arrangements; we had to queue for an hour to check in (standing), and when my case arrived at our cabin it had burst open - it must have been dropped from a trolley on a corner for that to happen. There was no apology and the porters were pretty miserable at the beginning and end of the cruise.
On board the ship (Borealis), disabled passengers are well catered for. However the ship is much older than the P&O fleet and the cruise worked out more expensive.
The main advantage of an ocean cruise over a river cruise is that you can pick and choose your excursions, whereas on a river cruise they are included whether you want to go on them or not.
Maybe a cruise to warmer climes, e.g. the Canaries, would be a good idea, then you could still enjoy the sun without going ashore.

Oh that was very bad luck! Sorry to hear that.

We have just returned from a Viking river cruise to Eastern Europe. This was our third cruise with them, and we find them superb in every way. However this time, we had to spend most of the cruise in our cabin due to catching covid. We plan to do another sometime in the future.

We had a tour with a. NUmber of single people and everyone was included and all part of the group, that was Saga. At the end of the tour everyone went back except a woman on her own and we spent most of the week together. I liked having her around as we did things together my DJ wasn’t interested in and we chatted most of the time ( which doesn’t happen with my dh). So we were all happy.
Hope you find something nice Lucky ?

viking is not American

We did Riviera Danube cruise. It was excellent. Expensive but worth every penny. We are hoping to do thd Douro cruise next

Luckygirl don't give up on a sea cruise. They're particularly good for people travelling on their own and try hard to set up activities to help people meet and socialise.

Most people are in their little twosomes and don't want to make the effort - about sums up my life now!

Thanks for all the help.

Just returned from our first river cruise with a well know ‘senior citizens’ holiday company. We loved the places we visited but unfortunately the company’s admin was chaotic. It didn’t spoil the holiday, but I won’t be going with them again if we river cruise again.

Sorry for typos - my arthritis is bad today!

Many years ago (late 1990s) soon after an incident in Egypt when a number f tourists were killed. I went on the first package back to Luxor. It was supposed to be 2 weeks in the hotel. Hwever they were anxious to promote Nile cruises so they were on offer cheap with no single supplement.

The cruise was from Luxor to Aswan and back. I joined at Aswan so we were were driven in a convey protected by the army with jeep mounted guns! All very excising. I enjoyed Aswan and shopping in the soukh as it was not a city I intended to visit. I also enjoyed sitting on deck and just watching the Nile slip by.

The problem was that all the people who had cruised up from Lucor had already got into their little cliques and were not very welcoming to an extra single person suddenly plonked onto their table. Ive found this before with British people. So unlike Americans and Europeans who will make a real effort when someone is on their own. I am used to travelling alone and quite happy in my own company but I think many people would find that cliquishness off putting. Most people are in their little twosomes and dont want to mae the effort.

For example it did not occur to any of them to have the courtesy to ask if I would like to split a bottle of wine (or even water) with them at dinner. After all, a single person is unlkely to want to drink an entire bottle on their own! Fortunately the crew are used to catering for singles and when I asked if they could take away half a bottle and bring it back the next evening they were quite ok with that.

British people are often lacking in those kinds of social skills to make someone on their own feel welcome. On package holidays as a single person you pay more and get less!

Sometimes you can get the single suppliment reduced or abolished if you ring them, bargain hard, and tell them that other companies are offering the holiday for £££ less.

We did a river cruise with Saga, departed from Folkestone, coach to Cologne(think it’s St Pancras now’ Thoroughly enjoyed it. Included Rieu concert at Zigga Dome at New Year

We sailed from Budapest to Amsterdam. The middle Rhine is beautiful but be aware of the many locks which can leave you deep down next to a damp brick wall fir some time.
Also when parked up boats are often side by side which means no privacy, blocked balcony’s and climbing over two or three other cruise ships before exiting.
Other than that it was lovely to see all those beautiful cities on the way.

We have had 2 river cruises and we loved them. One on the Danube and one to China, though I wouldn't go to China now. Fab at the time and very reasonably priced. Happily go on another to Europe, but they are expensive. On the plus side, though, the trips out are included in the price so you need to factor that in compared to most holidays where trips are separate and expensive. If you go in summer and are happy to mainly relax and enjoy good food, I would definitely recommend river cruising. Much smaller numbers of guests than sea cruises. Sitting on deck watching the stunning scenery drift past was wonderful. Dutch bulbfields might be a good choice for you as Holland is very flat. But look carefully at the trips included to see what you think you could cope with. You can always stay on board and admire the views if there is a trip that doest suit you. Highly recommend to go in high season so you can enjoy the scenery when there is a lot of daylight, as the boats mainly move at night. If you go out of season it will be dark in the evenings.

Southdowns

Do you know about HF holidays?
They are basically walking holidays, based in all of the UK’s National Parks - BUT they also organise some Special Interest holidays - Bridge, Book Club, Singing, and Art.
There are always lots of single people, everyone is extremely friendly, and you eat together on circular tables.
I’m just about to head off with them to Dorset!

We used to do HF holidays when the children were young. I have found a lovely art week in the Shropshire hills in a place I know and not that far to travel - and there is a train option from me. But .... it sounds as if there are 2 mile walks each day to the painting venue, carrying all kit. I am hoping to ring them on Tuesday to get some clarification on this.

Thanks for all advice on here - it has been invaluable.

Riviera travel are have an offer for solo travellers at the moment so I might look at that too.

Did a Viking cruise down river Elbe in Germany in 2012.it cost nearly £5k and was.....awful really! The boat was a barge type shallow draft because of the shallow river. Most of the scenery was ex eastern block so derelict dilapidated and abandoned in nature! We did some ok places but lots closed as it was Easter and Viking didn't think to mention that when we booked!! The cabin was tiny 2 side by side bu is and a shower pod in corner! Food amazing I suppose but having to be back on board for lunch every day scuppered(!) Any chance of In Depth exploration of any places we stopped at! Yanks on board dominated conversations at dinner with impressionable Brits(embarrassing themselves) of talk of golf and guns!!! Never again, the very best bit was a 2day stay in Berlin at the Hilton at the end of tour, we've been back to Berlin few times since because of that! If you want to cruise I'd rather do a Highlands and Islands around UK, there some good ones about from 5-15+ days suiting most budgets, and you see home grown beauty you never knew we had! Good luck!

We went with Saga on a cruise up and down the Douro with a jazz group on board. Very enjoyable. There was a real lift between two decks. Luggage handled for us.

JenniferEccles

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.

I have recently been on a Hurtigruten Norwegian cruise. The cabin was comfortable ,warm but small. the crew were friendly and helpful. The food was fabulous.There were lifts between decks BUT there was a rather steep slope to get in or off the ship. You have to go on organised tours to see the ports as most places are visited either in the night, very early or late. We met lots of friendly people of all ages. With mobility problems ,I wouldn't recommend this cruise. -- Other cruises are available.

I've just come back from river Seine cruise with Rivera travel. Some people came via Eurostar and some sent their luggage ahead. There's a lift on the ship too Might be worth looking at

Do you know about HF holidays?
They are basically walking holidays, based in all of the UK’s National Parks - BUT they also organise some Special Interest holidays - Bridge, Book Club, Singing, and Art.
There are always lots of single people, everyone is extremely friendly, and you eat together on circular tables.
I’m just about to head off with them to Dorset!

Thanks for that. Yes Saga to seem to cater best for those with mobility problems, especially in terms of travelling to the port.

Deep down a bit of me feels guilty about spending such a lot of money just on myself - but that is a matter for a psychotherapist and not Gransnetters!

Check out the No 1 cruise vlogger on Youtube..... .'Tips for Travellers' ....Gary Bembridge.He gives the best unbiased advice .He covers river cruises and does mention the difficulties faced by people with mobility problems not just on the ship but ashore( cobblestones) when river cruising . You don't mention your age but if you are over 50 I think Saga ocean cruises might suit sailing from Southampton .They do seem expensive compared to other cruise lines but they will do everything possible to make your cruise hassle free.Their price includes being picked up at your door.Your luggage will be placed in the car and you wont see it again until you are in your cabin.( 20% are single cabins on their ships) Also included is Travel Insurance, Drinks , Wi-fi, Gratuities, Speciality dining, excursions and nightly entertainment.We sailed with them earlier this year and the crew, food and ship are fantastic but it wasn't cheap .We don't drink so we subsidised those that do.We are doing a Cunard cruise in a few weeks, no private transfer,have opted for included port parking, no drinks package, no Wifi but will pay gratuities ...will stick with included dining an do our own thing in port saving a lot money.But we are both fit and well ( in our 70's) if we had mobility problems we would def sail with Saga.

There’s a cracking one around Arles, Avignon and the Rhône

Another one here recommending Saga cruises, both river and sea. You are picked up at home, driven to airport or seaport, and rarely have to handle your own luggage.

Saga take care of their passengers so well, especially those with mobility problems. The only thing I would say about river cruises is the stairs to the top deck are steep, and you are rarely allowed to sit on the top deck while sailing because of low bridges; but a wonderful view can be had from the indoor lounge. The boat I went on had a special lift down to the dining room for those unable to manage the stairs.