Written by Chillie Falls, August 15, 2022 for AccessAdventure.net

For years, many of us in the “Mobility Challenged” community have been precluded from considering river cruises for two main reasons. Most river cruises were in Europe and most river cruise ships were not equipped with elevators. The main reason given was that the ships had to sail under low bridges. As a result, mobility challenged must be able to get up and down a flight of stairs. Those permanently in a wheelchair, were eliminated from the start.

Secondly, on many of Europe’s rivers, the ships stack park where two or 3 river cruise ships park parallel and if you were on the outside ship, you must enter the first ship, traverse it to the second, and do the same to the third. This might involve stepping over a step or some spacer between the two. Depending upon the ship’s layout, there may be some steps. This may or may not work for a wheelchair or scooter.

I am mobility challenged, can walk a maximum of 30 feet and need my scooter or walker, and oxygen. And, no way I could do a flight of stairs, up or down. As a result, I have not considered a river cruise, and those who are much less mobile than me, I feel sure are in the same “boat”.

Last week while researching a news story for my daily Travel and Cruise Industry News Podcast, I discovered a new Viking River Cruise ship, actually on its way to Southeast Asia, is accessible with an elevator. I was aware of plans for some new river ships being built in the US for US rivers that are going to be equipped this way, but was surprised to discover Viking and Fincantieri had seen the light.

This could open up a new world for many of us who have been unable to consider river cruises.

Don’t get me wrong. This does not remove all of the barriers, just one big barrier and gave me enough info to see where Viking stood on accessibility issues.

This comes directly from Viking River Cruises website:

Viking River Cruises Accessibility

Viking River Cruises endeavors to reasonably accommodate special access needs, but they cannot guarantee that they will be able to do so in all cases. Guests are strongly encouraged to advise their agents of any accessibility requirements prior to booking so we can work with Viking to determine if reasonable accommodations are available.

We recommend that travelers with disabilities cruise with Viking Rivers along with an adult passenger that can help them maneuver, especially while on a walking tour where the older streets are sometimes uneven and made of cobblestone. As each ship has its own design, you’ll want to speak with one of our cruise consultants to determine which ships will accommodate your needs. For instance, many of Viking’s river ships have elevators to go between decks, but some do not.

Please request the appropriate accessibility form for you and your doctor to review, sign and submit to Viking River Cruises. Passengers are requested to advise Viking in writing, at or prior to the time a cruise tour is booked, of any physical, emotional or mental condition which may require professional attention during the cruise tour, including if a passenger requires the use of a wheelchair or other mobility equipment, not to exceed 22” in width.

Passenger must bring and be solely responsible for all necessary items related to the medical condition or mobility challenge. If a mobility, medical, physical, emotional or mental condition arises after the cruise tour is booked, the passenger is requested to advise Viking in writing immediately.

Keep in mind folks, not all river cruise ships are accessible. More likely, very few ships are accessible. But, it opens the door so we can start cruising. And clearly, we, as a community, have many barriers to knoick down. But, this is a start.

As I tell my views every day, stay safe, stay healthy. And hopefully one day soon we will all get together on the high seas. Maybe now I should add, “and rivers.” Happy sailing!.