We are planning a cruise tour in August, but my husband is having some physical challenges. Would like to hear from some of you about the tour portion as to the amount of walking and physical activities.
Trying to decide if the tour portion is for us this year or not.
Hi Marybtulsa, Welcome to cruise-chat! On both the cruise and the tour portion you can choose between the activities you want to enjoy. The tour will include a few things that they package in obviously like the glass domed rail lines, stern-wheeler boat tours and motorcoach tours of Denali and Mt. McKinley. None of these will be issues for mobility factors. You'll have the ability to sit through the per-planned activities. Just choose wisely when looking at the other excursion options. Panning for gold is probably out as well as dog sled adventures. Whale wathcing and other wildlife tours would be fine but not on the Zodaic boats, you'll want larger vessels. Other tours via motorcoach will be abundant. Alaska can be done without missing anything important and without concern for it being too much physical exertion. Just be selective and most of all have a great time!
Since you have some issues with strenuous activities I'm going to recommend Holland America for your cruise/tour. They have a more senior average age than the other lines and will have both experience in providing assistance and more choices for excursions that would be appropriate for your needs.
They and Princess both have many ships running in Alaska for the season and both do a very good job. They both also own lodges and have great tour options. If HAL doesn't have what you're looking for try Princess, they would also be a very good choice but my recommendation would still be HAL under the circumstances.
I did a little search for you of a few of the southboud cruise/tours and found one I'll encourage you to look into. It currently has availability, pretty good rates and a great itinerary. Check this one out with your T/A and see if it's what you had in mind.
Glacier Discovery CruiseTours 12V departing August 13, 2008
4-day land tour plus 7-day cruise on Holland America's Volendam
Marybtulsa,
Both Princess and Holland America are both very accommodating cruise lines to people with special needs. Here is a link to help you understand what they can offer. Look here
Call your Travel Agent and have her help you with this cruise. They may have to fax special requests to the cruise line depending what your husbands needs are.
In Fairbanks don't miss the salmon bake in the evening (they have steak also) & they send a free shuttle but around to all the hotels for a pickup. If you do plan on going do so early in the afternoon since there's lots to look at a well as a show.
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