Travelling and Your Knees Part 2 (Trip Intelligence)

"How Will You and Your Knees Travel?"

by Mary A. Harris

Let’s talk about the basics: the where and how of travel. First, the “how”, and we’ll tackle the “where” later. If you have knee problems, or any physical limitations, how you travel - your travel style - is critical to enjoying any trip. Know before you go, otherwise you may end up on an expensive, frustrating, and disastrous trip! I present my second travel blog below: Travelling and Your Knees: Trip Intelligence.

Are cruises your preference?

Cruises are an excellent choice for senior, limited mobility, or wheelchair travelers. No repeated packing and unpacking, and your “hotel” delivers you to the places you want to visit, plus the restaurants are close. No need for hours of research. Just ask your friends what they liked and disliked about specific cruise lines, tour companies, and destinations. And get a variety of opinions. Your style and likes are not exactly the same as your best friend’s.

Plenty of Options for Cruises

There are lots of companies, at varying prices, and destinations are unlimited. I highly recommend making a cruise part of an Alaska trip. Just be prepared. Some cruise lines include all or some onshore tours in the price; for most cruise lines, however, you pay extra for excursions. And these can become quite expensive. The downside to cruising is that you have only a short time in any port to explore and experience the area. And a caution: river cruises are not generally equipped to handle wheelchair or disabled travelers.

The Ocean Cruise

For ocean cruises, ask the cruise line how they handle mobility issues (and, if necessary, food allergies). Always be very specific in describing your limitations and needs. One of our most enjoyable cruises was trans-Atlantic on Cunard’s Queen Mary II. Lots of activities, lectures, entertainment, excellent service, and delightful fellow-passengers. We enjoyed dressing for dinner, but, be aware, this may not be the cruise style for you! Especially if the seas are rough.

All Inclusive Vacations and Tours?

How do you feel about spending time researching hotels, routes, sites, activities, and transportation, and making your own plans? Research takes time, and even deciding on a hotel can sometimes seem daunting. I enjoy research, because it gives me some background on the upcoming destination. But planning all the details of a trip isn’t for everyone.

Maybe yours is a “just sign me up and take me” style. You still have choices. Being pampered at a relaxing resort or spa? Sitting on a beach? Or are you passionate about adventure,activity, or the unique? City or country? Domestic or foreign? There are companies specializing in various tours for seniors, slow walkers, and travelers with limited mobility, or wheelchairs. See the resources box below for some examples. Some destinations are best taken via an organized tour. An example is Costa Rica, where the roads are sometimes tough to follow, or nonexistent. This can find travelling and your knees somewhat of a challenge.

Guided Tours

It was a trip where having a knowledgeable tour guide meant that we saw more animals and learned more about the local history and culture. I’d never even heard of the Jesus Christ! lizard, and I would not have located those illusive sloths, or known the beach where turtles were hatching that week. Truly, for us,