GET OVER YOURSELF (sorry for the tough-love!).  If (like the rest of us), you’re not as quick and agile as you once were, and you still want to travel, then don’t rule a cane, walking sticks, a foldable scooter, or some other mobility aid.

You’ve probably seen this advice for the mobility sequence of aging before: 

• GO-GO – Get in as much as you can, while you’re able to do so.  
• GO-SLOW – Still travel, but be a bit more cautious about what you take on.
• NO-GO – we want to put this off as long as possible, but at some point travelling will become too onerous even for the most fit amongst us.

Today, I want to chat about the GO-SLOW phase.  You CAN still travel:

WHERE

• Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, United States:  Travel mobility is easier. 
• Europe:  Remember that much of the infrastructure may be centuries old, and elevators, wheelchair ramps etc. have been retrofitted where possible (and sometimes it’s not possible).  Cobblestone roads are charming, but not great for mobility aids. 
• Africa & Asia:  Can be challenging for those with mobility impairments.

MODES OF TRAVEL:

• OCEAN Cruises:  Usually very good for mobility challenges.  Be aware of the number and frequency of ports requiring tenders to get ashore. 
• RIVER Cruises:  Not great for mobility challenges.  Mobility aids are difficult to store on board these small ships, but if you just need a slower walking group… you’ll be fine. 
• EXPEDITION:  You’ll be on and off zodiac boats (the minimum mobility requirement).
• LAND Cruises:  Highly dependent on the destination. 

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

If you can extend the number of years you’re out exploring the world, by using a scooter or a walker, then why wouldn’t you? Again… GET OVER YOURSELF! 

• Choose the right mode of travel for you (see above). 
• If only one partner has mobility issues, then you’ll have come to some understanding. 
• Accessible rooms are available on Ocean Ships, and can make life much easier. 
• Special Needs at Sea – you can have mobility aids delivered to your ship. 
• Request Airline boarding assistance if you have mobility challenges.  
• If you have an electric mobility aid, give some thought to where, how, and how easily you’ll be able to charge it.

Travel is one of the great privileges of being born into this time and place, and you SHOULD travel as late into life as possible.  By doing a bit of planning, you CAN travel with mobility issues, but there will be some trade-offs, and you’ll need to book earlier.

Happy Sailing – whether you roll, walk or scooter down the gangway. 

Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED:

Check out our VIDEO BLOG where Kim & Bob talk about managing mobility issues when you travel:  https://youtu.be/vl8cNQ9cbj4 

In Case You Missed It:

UK & IRELAND.  Look at these ideas for itineraries, and for getting in and out of London to meet your ship:  https://pamperedcruiser.com/uk-ireland-destination-spotlight/ 

HOW TRAVEL CHANGED ME:  Bob muses about how a trip nearly 40 years ago, is still making a difference in his life: https://pamperedcruiser.com/how-travel-changed-me/ 

REGENT SEVEN SEAS is the MOST inclusive cruise line, and here’s your last chance to get $1000 almost any itinerary with them: https://pamperedcruiser.com/regent-seven-seas/ 

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

WHY You Should Book Your VIKING Cruise With Us: https://youtu.be/DZHzPU4NhTw

Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel while you’re there.  It really helps us, and we can produce more content for you!

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Today’s Travel Opportunities

REGENT SEVEN SEAS – Small Ship Ocean Luxury

LAST CHANCE to save $1000 per person during our Private Sale.  Here’s all the details:  https://pamperedcruiser.com/regent-seven-seas/

Here are two itineraries that are close to home.  All REGENT cruises include unlimited excursions, an open bar, gratuities, specialty dining, unlimited wifi, and laundry service.  These two itineraries also include Free Business Class Air:

ALASKA: Departing Vancouver on June 17 for 7-nights:

• Sail the Inside Passage, then visit Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, cruise Hubbard Glacier, and finish in Anchorage. 
• Fares from $6999 (LESS $1000 Private Sale Savings), and includes round-trip Business Class Air, and Private Airport Transfers.

CANADA NEW ENGLAND departing Montreal September 17 for 11-nights:

• Visit Quebec City, Saguenay, Sept-Iles, Havre Saint Pierre, Charlottetown, Sydney, Halifax, Saint John, Bar Harbor, and finish in Boston.
• Fares from $12,799 (LESS $1000 Private Sale Savings), includes round-trip Business Class Air, and Private Airport Transfers.

RIVER CRUISES with TAUCK

PORTUGAL & SPAIN on the Douro River for one-week:

• Visit Porto, Douro valley, Peso da Regua, Pinhao, Vega de Terron, Mateus Palace, Guimaraes.
• See the vineyards and estate wineries, traverse the locks, take in spectacular scenery, visit castle ruins, see paleolithic art, and enjoy architectural treasures.
• Optional extensions to Madrid and/or Lisbon. 
• Departures April through October from $5790

TULIP CRUISE: Amsterdam to Brussels for 9-days

• Visit Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges, the Hague, Kinderdijk, Rotterdam, Keukenhof Gardens, Enkhuizen, Amsterdam (overnight). 
• There are a handful of staterooms left for THIS April from $5690

REMOTE EXPLORATIONS: Viking Great Lakes

OK – the Great Lakes aren’t THAT remote, but they are less frequented by cruise ship passengers, and you can go with Viking to check out their Expedition Vessels (that are perfectly suited to Great Lakes travel:

GREAT LAKES with VIKING for 8-days between Milwaukee and Toronto

• Visit Toronto, traverse the locks of the Welland Canal, Niagara Falls, Point Pelee NP, Detroit, Alpena (MI), Mackinac Island, Milwaukee
• 2026: Nordic Balconies from $7995.  Departures April through October
• 2027: Nordic Balconies from $5995.  Departures May through September.
• Here’s our ITINERARY VIDEO from when we did this trip: https://youtu.be/uDeGzBDb0mM 

GREAT LAKES with VIKING for 15-days between Duluth MN and Toronto

• Visit Toronto, traverse the locks of the Welland Canal, Niagara Falls, Cleveland, Detroit, Alpena, Algoma (Wisconsin), Mackinac Island, Fathom Five National Marine Park (submarine available) , Killarney (Ontario), Georgian Bay, Soo Locks transit, Silver Islet, Thunder Bay (submarine available), Duluth.
• 2026: Nordic Balconies from $16,995.  Departures June through August.
• 2027: Nordic Balconies from $13,995.  Departures May through August.

See our Ship Tour video of Viking Polaris here: https://youtu.be/izwAZ6NdFOo 

See the Submarine and the HANGAR here: https://youtu.be/XlKq3ow2JrM 

YACHTING with WINDSTAR

Imagine sailing with 300 people or less in an upscale but very casual setting.  That’s WINDSTAR.

ICELAND: Round-trip from Reykjavik for 7-days

• Visit Reykjavik, Sertsey Island, Helmaey Island, Seydisfjordur (overnight), Akureyri, Isafjordur, Grundarfjordur.
• 2026: Depart July or August from $4799
• 2027: Depart July or August from $4199

JAPAN from Tokyo to Kobe for 10-days

• Visit Shimizu, Shingu, Kagoshima, Hashima Island, Nagasaki, Busan, Karatsu, Hiroshima, Takumatsu.  
• 2026:  Sold Out
• 2027:  Fares from $7299 with departures April through October

AZAMARA Affordable Small Ship Luxury

Azamara is a cost-effective way to travel by small ship.  With only 680 guests, these R-Class vessels are guest favorites.  Your fare includes on board gratuities, an open bar, some shore activities, and a shuttle service into the city center at port stops where that is necessary. 

They also run COUNTRY-INTESIVE voyages.  Here are two examples:

ITALY INTENSIVE from Rome to Venice departing August 22 for 11-nights

• Depart Rome and visit Sorrento, Amalfi, Sicily (2 ports), Crotone, Taranto, Kotor, Bologna, and finish with an overnight in Venice. 
• Verandas from $5049

CROATIA INTENSIVE from Venice to Athens departing June 29 for 9-nights

• Visit Venice, Opitija, Zadar, Sibenik, Split, Dubrovnik, Korcula, Kotor, Athens
• Verandas from $4969

ROCKY MOUNTAINEER Luxury Rail Journey

The scenery in the Canadian Rockies is spectacular, and can be easily added on to ANY Alaskan cruise that starts or finishes in Vancouver.  You’ll get to see world-class scenery and wildlife spotting, all while enjoying great food and wine.  There are options between 3 and 12 nights, and are the two most popular Rocky Mountaineer itineraries:

Vancouver to Banff for 5-nights

• Spend 1-night in Vancouver, then board the train to Kamloops (overnight), and then follow on to Lake Louise for 1-night and Banff for 2-nights.
• Prices range between $2904 and $4968 per person based on your departure date, and level of service.  Departures available April through October. 

Circle Journey: Vancouver round-trip for 12 -nights

• If you really want a comprehensive feel for the spectacular Canadian Rockies, this is the trip for you.
• Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff (3-nights), Lake Louise (2-nights), Jasper (2-nights), Quesnel, Whistler, Vancouver.
• Prices range between $9940 to $12,110 per person based on your departure date, and level of service.  Departures available April through October.

Do You Have an Upcoming Viking Cruise?

Viking’s BON VOYAGE incentive allows you to book your next Viking cruise in the 35 days BEFORE you board, and get some extra goodies for doing so:

• $100 per person on board credit
• 6-month final payment date
• $100 per person OFF one-week cruises, and bigger discounts for longer itineraries.

We made a short video about the Bon Voyage Program if you’d like more details:  

https://youtu.be/gBM8IvjIb3U?si=Vy9UDiSqZQYHWR32 
Contact us to book your NEXT VIKING CRUISE

If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Bradley