River Cruises and Special Needs Guests

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River cruising has become one of the fastest growing segments of the travel industry. The sector offers a more intimate and culture-focused experience, often with themed cruises.  River cruising  meets the demands of the Baby Boomer with five trends: joy of discovery, meaningful experiences, traveling with family, healthy activities and hassle-free travel that is very welcoming to guests with special needs. 

River cruises within the USA, offer guests the pleasure of learning while sailing to multiple ports in the same region. In addition, all-inclusive excursions at each port are more customized and allow the individual more leisure time to explore the area in greater depth. Hence, the passenger can gain more knowledge of the specific region. In comparison to an ocean cruise, the river cruise enables the traveler to view and enjoy the local scenery while sailing.

The following cruise lines offer North America river cruises: American Cruise Lines, American Queen Steamboat Company, Viking River Cruises and UnCruise Adventures. Guests sailing domestically will find river cruise ports very ADA compliant.  The ships are small and very easy to get around.  It is always good to verify the elevator does go to the floor your room is on when you aer booking any river cruise in USA or Europe. 

The intimate experience of river cruising has been referred to as a boutique hotel which floats from one destination to another. Although once considered to be a vacation for couples, river cruises have seen a rise in multi-generational family members traveling together. Baby Boomers are traveling with their parents while millennials are taking their Baby Boomer parents on a vacation cruise. 

We are pleased to partner with Special Needs Group to assist clients in need of renting mobility, oxygen and/or special needs equipment sailing domestically on river cruises.  I myself sailed on American Queen Steamboat with a mobility issue that can make the gangway a little tricky.  I have never had such care and attention on any cruise line as I had on American Queen.  The kindness and consideration for anyone with a wheelchair or walker was so noticeable. 

Contact Rick and Karen at Cruise Planners, an American Travel Representative, for more information on traveling with any special needs.