xptom Loc: Concord, CA

I am considering one of the European Viking Cruises. I have limited mobility and have to use a walker. Is there one (or several) of the cruises you would recommend that would be worth while for good photography.
Which of the pre/post additions would also be feasible.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Castles on the Rhine. I loved it and Viking was great.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

River cruise companies are not as well equiped as ocean cruises are for people with disabilities. There are few river boats with elevators. There can be difficulties in going ashore. And there can be other issues. You need to contact a good local travel agent that specializes specifically in river cruises and people with diabilities. You might consider a National Geographic sponsored photographic river cruise. They can be more expensive than some other cruise lines, but they might have the ability and experience to accommodate a photographer with some diabilities.

digitalhank

I have been on two Viking cruises and have seen many people with walkers. The viking ships do have elevators and the staff was very accommodating.

DStone Loc: Outside Winston-Salem, NC

We really like Viking River, but wdross gave good advice. Plus, river levels (too high to get under bridges, too low to navigate)can dictate itinerary changes which usually involve tour buses. If you can’t climb the bus steps, you’ve got real trouble. Also, the Viking ships don’t always dock “downtown” and a lengthy walk or bus ride might be required to see the local sites.

billmck Loc: Central KY

We've been on several Viking river cruises, and their current European fleet do all have elevators. I think the more difficult part is when you're off the boat on excursions. Viking always offers "included" excursions in each port at no additional charge, and Viking does occasionally offer "easier" versions of those excursions, but there's almost always a good bit of walking required.

jerrypoller Loc: Huntington, NY

We went on the cruise to Budapest last year - one night they dock near the government buildings and they are all lit up - great photo opportunity.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

Don't forget that Viking also has some ocean cruisers, so are going on one of those or a River Cruise.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

So, far we have gone on the Rhine and Danube. We are doing Paris, and Spain next year. All afford photographic opportunities for a decent photographer. A good photographer can make any scene interesting. On the Rhine there is an afternoon of sailing while looking out over the French and German river sides. You can just site there and shoot, buses take you every where but there is some walking involved, we like to leave the bus behind and walk to pre viewed interesting locations. We do not always go with the group.
Below is a shot taken on that afternoon with a pocket Sony HX90.

cdayton

Very true. I now use a walker outdoors and would not book another Viking tour (have done two, both including segments along the Rhine). On the positive side, great photo opportunities if you’re willing to just stay on the boat.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

First, we love the Viking River Cruises for their small number of passengers and getting to know members of the crew. We have not tried their larger ocean-going ships. That will be our next Viking cruise. You are taken VERY Good care of on the Viking river cruises. Some times on the river cruises there are obstacles for EVERYONE associated with the manner in which they tie the boats up and deploy the gangways which depend on whether they are tied up inboard or outboard of another ship, non-uniform docking facilities, the river water level, etc.

So far you have received great advice regarding different concerns from cameraF4, Wdross, digitalhank, dstone, and billmck. Yours is not an isolated concern, however, you NEED the services of a good travel agent. We use AAA because we travel with another couple from a different area of Va. which presents a lot of coordination concerns. Also, if you have a sickness, lose a passport, etc. they can save your trip. Our travel agent has saved us a few times with just one call. In most cases, they will be able to answer your questions and recommendations regarding your special needs. You may save a few hundred $ using travel discounter but on a $15,000.00 trip saving a couple of hundred dollars is foolish. Why, because you can't think of everything, you don't know to buy trip insurance, who pays best, and again, when you are in the middle of ANY emergency abroad your travel agent is a REAL lifeline. A good travel agent takes a lot of travel stress out of your travel. Once again I have been long-winded, but these concerns suit our needs. Enjoy your travel, take many pix and share them with your fellow UHH Members when you return.
Smile,
Jimmy T Sends

chippy65 Loc: Cambridge

good for photography from the sun deck, scenery both sides .....plenty of time to set up for a shot, change lenses etc.

ships crew are very helpful. We went down the Rhine from Switzerland to Amsterdam, very enjoyable and terrific scenery,

the bulb gardens in Amsterdam ( late Spring ) were breathtakingly beautiful.

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

I have taken a couple of Viking cruises and will highly recommend them. They have what they call the “gentle walkers” group. In each port, Viking takes you on a tour of the town. If you sign up for the gentle walkers group, they go more slowly and try to avoid stairs. There are people with canes, newly replaced joints, and other walking issues. The use of a walker may prove difficult. I suggest speaking with a Viking rep before booking. If you plan to spend most of your time on the ship, any cruise should work.

NotAnselAdams Loc: Pueblo, CO

I concur with all the positive comments re: Viking River Cruises. We have been on five trips. As has already been stated there are elevators on the Europe river cruises. You can check the website for specific trips and the tours that are part of the package (Bordeaux & Rhone Valley recommended). In most cases there will be some to a lot of walking.
Calling VRC customer service will be able to answer any questions you may have about specific stops.
Not Ansel

HughB Loc: Minneapolis MN

We just returned two weeks ago from our first Viking Cruise on the Douro River in Portugal: Left Friday returned Monday.
The week exceeded our expectations in every manner:
We had Viking book our flights; transportation to and from the airports was also taken care of by Viking, no extra charge.
Once on the ship of 100 only, the crew was superb from the captain to the dishwasher ( we didn’t meet him but it is an accurate assumption).
BTW, good friends of ours had recommended this Cruise and he uses a walker, really needs it and really enjoyed the excursion. The only included land tour they didn’t take was the day long bus tour to Salamanca, Spain. The ship had to anchor on the Portuguese side with the Viking buses waiting for us.
As to photography usually I take about 200-300 on a weeks trip. I got home and downloaded 1048 images! Taken on the boat, on the bus, on land. Incredible scenery: the river of 250,000 hectares of vineyards and olive trees.
Also included were shore excursion to 3 wineries, one castle and several historic churches in the towns/villages we visited.
Bottom line the week was memorable. And we had lived in Paris, France for 3 years, been over to Europe several time but never visited Portugal.
We have already signed up for Bordeaux, France tour for the end of September 2020.
Viking is our choice once again.