Have you ever wanted to take a river cruise, but have thought it would be impossible because of accessibility?

River cruises are a luxurious and intimate option to explore a region, as the vessels are often small, and itineraries offer plenty of activities and port days. Traditional river cruise ships and barge river boats are popular in Europe, North and South America as well as Asia.

By having access to smaller rivers and canals, your experience is at a slower pace and you are constantly surrounded by beautiful and quaint villages. This unique experience is worth the investment for an all-inclusive once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Do not be discouraged as there are many river cruise options that offer accessible amenities. If you or a loved one has physical limitations and want to embark on a river cruise adventure, then please use this guide to determine which cruise lines and vessels can offer cabins that are wheelchair accessible, have wheelchair lifts, wide corridors and wheelchair accessible excursions.

Here is a list of river cruise lines that can offer accessible cabins:

Staterooms: All stateroom doors are wide enough to allow access, and AmaSerena, AmaSonata, AmaReina, AmaPrima and AmaCerto have accessible cabins with wider doors and modified bathrooms for wheelchair access.

Elevator Access: Each vessel offers an elevator that services all floors, except the lower deck or the sun deck. Crew members are happy to assist when access is required to the sun deck or at other time

Wheelchair Requirement: Passengers are recommended to bring collapsible wheelchairs that can easily be stored in their stateroom

Tours & Other Info: It is strongly recommended that disabled passengers travel with a caregiver who can assist them on tours and with getting on and off the ship. Many shore excursions are accessible for passengers with limited mobility

Staterooms: There is one stateroom suitable for passengers with limited mobility on A-Rosa Viva.

Wheelchair Requirements: With prior notification, passengers can bring their own wheelchairs and mobility aids onboard. Medical oxygen bottles can also be carried, again with notice in advance.

Tours & Other Info: When available, crewmembers will help passengers on and off the vessel, or up and down stairs. This cannot be guaranteed, so disabled cruisers need to be accompanied by a person who can assist them if crew members are limited

Staterooms: None of the ships have wheelchair accessible cabins

Elevator Access: There are elevators on Scenery and Panorama-class ships, excluding access to the sun deck. Members of the crew will provide as much help as they can, but a single crew member cannot be assigned to someone with mobility issues for the duration of the cruise

Tours & Other Info: Anyone with mobility issues is requested to fill out a detailed questionnaire prior to the cruise. Some local walking tours are suited to wheelchair users who have an able-bodied companion

Staterooms: All ships offer accessible cabins with wide doors and equipment for passengers with mobility issues. The three-deck ships have elevators that go to all floors, except the sun deck

Tours & Other Info: Disabled passengers need to travel with an adult who can assist them, as crew availability is limited. Passengers are encouraged to contact the line in advance, so it can recommend the most suitable vessel for their specific needs

Staterooms: Emerald Sky and Emerald Star each have one handicap-accessible cabin located next to reception, so passengers have easy access to and from their rooms

Elevator Access: Elevators serve passenger decks, but do not go to the sun deck

Wheelchair Requirements: Only collapsible wheelchairs can be accommodated

Tours & Other Info: Disabled passengers need to have a caregiver with them. Some excursions are accessible to disabled passengers

Staterooms: Accessible staterooms are situated near the reception desk on all ships. These feature a wide, wheelchair-accessible door, a wheel-in shower with a stool and wall rails

Elevator Access: Ships have elevators serving the passenger decks, but not the sun deck

Tours & Other Info: Some excursions are handicapped accessible

Staterooms: No accessible staterooms on offer, but all shower stalls are equipped with grab bars.

Elevator Access: Most ships have an elevator to serve passenger decks and a chair lift leading to the sun deck.

Wheelchair Requirement: Travel-sized, collapsible wheelchairs can be used onboard

Tours & Other Info: There are “gentle walking” shore excursions available in select locations. Otherwise, guests are recommended to explore independently if they are unable to walk unassisted during guided tours

Staterooms: Discovery II has an accessible stateroom, and all ships have an accessible restroom in the public area

Elevator Access: There are elevators serving all inside decks plus a hydraulic chair between the top passenger deck and sun deck

Wheelchair Requirement: Passengers have access to extra wheelchairs that are carried onboard

Tours & Other Info: All disabled passengers must be accompanied by someone who can be fully responsible for helping them on and off the vessel and tour vehicle

Staterooms: No designated wheelchair-friendly staterooms are on offer

Elevator Access: Most ships have elevators, however, some ships have split-level decks and other challenging areas to access

Wheelchair Requirements: Collapsible wheelchairs are allowed, but motorized scooters cannot be accommodated. Guests with special requirements can learn more about each vessel’s layout by visiting the Viking website

Tours & Other Info: Physically challenged guests require the services of a travelling companion who can help with all their needs as most excursions require walking on cobblestone or going up and down stairs

While the above river cruise companies may have accessible cabins available, they are only a limited amount. We highly recommend booking a river cruise as far in advance as possible to avoid disappointment of an accessible cabin not being available. The assistance you will receive differs between airport transfers, embarking and disembarking, and booking excursions.

When booking a river cruise, it is important to ask the below questions to make sure that your needs are met:

What type of wheelchair is permitted on board?

Some cruise lines allow only collapsible wheelchairs onboard. It is also important to have your wheelchair’s measurements handy to make sure that if you can bring it on board, that it will fit their doorways and other common areas.

Does the accessible room have twin bedding configuration option?

When travelling with a carer, it is best to check in advance that your bedding configuration will not create an uncomfortable and awkward situation. Most king beds are made up of two twin beds pushed together, so make sure that twin bedding is an option in your cabin.

Are there any restricted ports for a person with disability?

At each port, there may be situations that do not allow you to disembark if you use a wheelchair and are incapable of walking. Safety is always the river cruise line’s number one priority, so if the crew members are unable to assist then you may have to stay onboard.

What tours have restrictions for a person with disability?

Depending on which region you visit, especially in Europe, you may be faced with narrow streets, hills and cobblestone streets. It is important to find out in advance which tours are most suitable to you and your disability. If a tour bus or van is involved, find out in advance if the transportation is also accessible as well as the activity that you’ll be partaking in.

Do you offer pre and post cruise transfers, and are they accessible?

If you require help getting to and from the river cruise, you may be able to organise a transfer directly with the cruise line or with the travel agent. Make sure to check that the vehicle is equipped for wheelchair access or any other necessary amenity to support you.

Travelling on a river cruise can be challenging for a person with a disability, but with planning in advance and making sure that you have all the relevant information to ensure that you have a seamless experience.

The more information and details the river cruise company has of your disability, the more they will be able to assist you during your travels.

While there are definite obstacles to overcome when booking a river cruise, the time taken, and investment is worth it when you are onboard and experiencing some of the most picturesque sceneries in the world.