Suitable cruise for elderly mum

Hi......... The best would be Cunard. They are very caring. They will offer help without you asking....
Elizabeth is a great ship. Plenty to do during the day.. Show's in the evening. Yes, the formal evenings can be fun. We looked forward to them...... Tried several other cruise lines but always went back to Cunard.

It is now known in family history as "The Cruise from Hell' silverlining48 and we can laugh about it now. Amongst other things we couldn't go into Lisbon because of a Force 9 gale and someone had a heart attack in the middle of the North Sea and had to be lifted off by Air Sea Rescue helicopter (It wasn't funny at the time!)

That’s awful trisher.

Don't know how mobile your mum is but just a word of warning. I did a cruise with my mum some years ago. She had a fall just after we boarded-basically got up in night to go to the loo, ship lurched, she fell. The cruise people were unsympathetic, threatened to disembark us as she was very nervous about walking and needed a wheelchair. It wasn't a pleasant experience. (It was Fred Olsen)

Sorry to be a bit late to the party, I have been on many cruise ships (around 40!) but I agree about Saga as the best for this situation. Whilst it at first appears a little more expensive it includes drinks and gratuities. They also pick you up from home and bring you back again (saves taxis or parking) and include travel insurance, a significant advantage to may older people. If you already have travel insurance then they give you a discount on the fare. Oh, and the excursions are tailored to their market. Last trip I was on, to St Petersburg, there were even Werthers Originals to suck on the way back to the ship from the excursions!

A river cruise would not be great, a medium size cruise ship wherever you fancy, they will have lifts and plenty to do, even if you need a wheelchair sometimes you will be OK. Do as little or as much as you want you will love it, I've never done more than 8 days but that's probably my boredom threshold.

Enjoy the break, you deserve it after so long a wait. I am sure you will.
It works well if you can leave from a uk port which saves hassle with flights....I am saying that because I am sitting in the airport now and our plane has just been delayed. It will be after midnight when we get to the hotel.

Thanks everyone, looks like an ocean cruise is best. It will be good for my mother. I'm looking forward to it too, think it will save my sanity. I haven't had a holiday for 8 years!

We have travelled with fred olson a few times, their boats arent as big as many, so its easy to find your way around. Some if the big boats can confuse.
Food excellent, a couple of dress up nights a week and generally not many children as they dont have child clubs etc. Currency british and cruises leave from various ports in the UK. P&O cruises usually leave from southampton only.
We have been very happy with Fred.

A medium sized ship would be good, if you can manage it a balcony cabin is both comfortable and gives easily accessed outside space. Usually table size can be chosen. Lifts are usually plentiful. Our experience is primarily P&O. Many cruises are U.K. based, we have always found staff helpful, there are usually two formal nights each week. Good thought from nina, tender ports can be a challenge for the less mobile. On our last cruise we all had to step across a measured space before being allowed into the tender to make sure we would be safe. It’s a good holiday choice for the less mobile.

I haven't read all posts, so may have been said but if your looking at trips ashore beware of an anchor mark next to them. These are where the ship anchors off shore and you have to board a tender to get into port.
My mum struggled with walking down the ramp to the tender.
We went P&O. Mum loved the whole experience.

Some river cruise companies specifically advise that their boats are not suitable for people who aren't very fit.
I'd certainly agree that ocean cruising on the right ship would be very suitable for the lady concerned. Maybe not one of the huge ones with lots of bars and casino etc where everything is 'extra'. I think Saga offer deals which include drinks, gratuities and free WiFi. Saga sounds friendlier somehow.

I would definitely recommend ocean cruising with an
elderly person. You have plenty to occupy at any hour of the day. Shows cinema talks demonstrations and it is relatively easy for an elderly person to access all of the facilities. A river cruise is lovely and stops in some wonderful places but far less to do on board. Wonderful stopping places but if your mother isn't very mobile not as suitable as ocean cruising as if she can't walk far there is less to do aboard.

Can't recommend Saga enough. Wonderful care and attention. The Filipino crew handle the elderly with great care and kindness. Nothing is too much trouble. You can sit where you like with Saga. A different table every night. Tables for 2, 4 or 6 in both restaurants. Not fixed seating, no fixes time. Whatever you choose I hope you both enjoy it.

The Wi-Fi cost £10 per day on Columbus.

We had the choice of table. We could choose tables for 4, 6 or 8. DH and I had a table for four, and met some lovely people.

we always go with P&O Lovely cabins, and excellent friendly staff. One or two grand dressing up evenings too. You can chose whether you would like to sit on your own for dinner, or with others. I think however that Wifi is expensive, about £30 for a few days I believe

Yes they usually put about 6 people on tables

Thank you, I'll look at Saga and CMV. One more question - would we be able to sit with other people at dinner? That would be much better than just the two of us.

DH and I had never cruised before either. In August we went to the Norwegian Fjords with CM V on-board Columbus. We had a marvellous time. They had two formal evenings where you can dress up and show off your finery. They are not compulsory, but we attended both as I took two evening dresses and DH had dusted off his dinner suit. We met some lovely people. One gentleman was 87 and doing his 91st cruise. He'd been on Columbus around the fjords six times! They sail from British ports so there's no flying. We sailed from Tilbury, but they depart from Bristol and Southampton too. I can recommend them, we would sail with them again.

Friend of mine has just returned from similar cruise around the med with her mum similar age. They went with Saga and she said she couldn't fault how her mum was looked after by Saga don't know if this helps