persimmondeb

I'm posting this in the U.S. forum because that's probably where we'll end up, but we are not actually limited to that. My father, who is 85, and I will need to vacate his house for 10 days or so in the next month or two, due to construction. We'd like to go somewhere warm and/or interesting. He'd prefer not to fly, but flying is not completely out of the question. Anything over six hours is, and two is more like it. We may end up on either a cruise ship out of NYC (near where we live) or taking Amtrak to Florida because they're simple, but I thought I'd see if anyone had ideas.

He'd love something like a European river cruise, but he's simply not up to flying to Central Europe. Ireland is probably just doable, but the idea of hauling halfway across Europe overland or trying to hop across on short hauls has no appeal. Cruising to Europe is the same issue, because it's really tricky to do it both ways.. He's alert, but he tires quickly, and he uses a rollator or two canes. They're mostly for balance, and he can handle moderate stairs, but things like ladders aren't possible.

Rhea58

Considering your Dad's age & mobility, you might want to consider a 9-day cruise out of NYC with 4 ports to visit.

NCL's Gem goes to the Caribbean and rates start at $559 pp
for an inside cabin & go up from there.

I have sailed her 3x and can attest to having a great time.
Plenty of things to do both day & nite if you wish.

gail

Florida is warm, but I do not find it all that interesting. I am actually taking my 85 year old mother there in 6 weeks - she has mobility issues that sound similar to your father. I think a cruise would be perfect - since he could either stay on ship or get off at ports, depending on logistics/accessibility and interest level. Cruise ships are also well-adapted to those with mobility issues - and big enough so you are not tied to his side 24 hours/day, which as much as you love each other will get old after a while.

Some things to consider (as a rehab RN). A lot of older US cities and much of Europe has uneven walking surfaces - cobblestones, etc. This is brutal on those with mobility/balance issues.

persimmondeb

We may well end up with the cruise. We did one last year on Carnival and it worked pretty well, but he's been a little reluctant. He likes trains, but it's expensive with the sleeper, which is a must at this point, and he wants to stop in Savannah, which is fine, but adds more up and down and on and off.

He's actually not that bad with cobbles. He has to take it slow, but we wandered all over Old San Juan and he was fine. As long as he has the mobility aids so he's not afraid of falling he can cover quite a bit of ground.

nytraveler

I know Amtrak seems like a good idea - can get up and walk around, have toilets etc - but the trip to FL is a very long one and may be too much for your dad just in terms of hours.

For a cruise soon - you're headed into the north atlantic in winter - OK if you don't get seasick - andyou should certainly get some bargains.

tomfuller

If you choose Amtrak, take a morning train to Washington DC.
Spend 24 + hours there and then take the Star or Meteor overnight to Florida. There is one handicapped (lower level) room per sleeper car. The H room is right next to the shower.

clarkgriswold

Amtrak with a rollater sounds awful. He'll hate it and will let you know it .....a l l t h e w a y .

tomfuller

Your other Amtrak chioce is to drive to Lorton Virginia and load your car on the Auto Train to Sanford Florida. The coach cars have a handicapped bathroom downstairs. I've seen many people get on and off the trains in wheelchairs and with other mobility devices.
The conductors are good about bringing food to people on the lower level that can't climb the stairs.

John

I think Tomfuller has a lot of stock in Amtrak☺

WhereAreWe

What do you consider interesting? What about your father?

Since he's specifically mentioned Savannah, why not just go there for several days? Then rent a car and explore some other areas within a reasonable distance. It's hard to give specific ideas for what other areas to visit without knowing what both of you find interesting. But I don't think you need to continue all the way to Florida to find worthy destinations.

flpab

There is one handicapped (lower level) room per sleeper car. The H room is right next to the shower.

That is a nice option and decent room. They will bring meals. The station is a little bit far from Savannah and you will need a cab. Stay on Bay St. Hampton Inn there is nice. My parents did the auto train and the train from Wilmington and enjoyed it. You sleep a big part of the time.

garyt22

at 85, a short flight to Atlanta seems like the best way to get him closer to Savannah... drive there and maybe hit a part of north florida before flying back... good luck...

gail

Fly to Savannah. Spend a few days. Then take a cruise out of Charleston, SC - just checked and there are multiple cruises leaving in March from Charleston.

persimmondeb

Nothing with a car, rented or otherwise, is an option, since neither of us drive. He likes the idea of Amtrak, but he is going to have to fold the rollator up and be stuck with the canes, and I'm a little concerned about him moving up and down the train while it's moving. It's been a couple of years since we tried that, and he was only using one cane at that time.

Neither of us get seasick and I'm going to have a hard time talking him into flying anywhere he can take a train to.

gail

You have now defined a situation where driving is not an option, trains may be logistically problematic, you would prefer not to fly. But he really wants to take a train. I fear this may be based on romantic notion of train travel rather than accessibility realities.

Even if you take a train, you still have to get to/from the train to do or see anything.

clarkgriswold

Re: Amtrak It may be your best option just get ready for the barrage:

"This is nothing like it used to be !"

"Why didn't you book the nice wide train we took last time?"

"They must have bigger berths than this, like the one we had last time!"

"Can we get off here and switch to a train with wider aisles"?

"When we get home remind me to sell all of my Amtrak stock!"

"We're not taking this train on the way BACK, are we?"

doug_stallings

American Cruise Lines offers river cruises in the US. They are expensive but probably not more than a river cruise in Europe plus airfare. And they do some itineraries from Baltimore.

But a cruise seems like a good option. Most river cruises are already sold out.

What about a short trip to Bermuda or the Bahamas? It's off season for Bermuda now and a short flight. Or you could go to Nassau in 3 hours or so

tomfuller

FYI: You can't buy stock in National Passenger Rail Corp. (Amteak)
You can buy stock in BNSF (owned by Warren Buffet) or Union Pacific.
I rode the Sunset Limited last night. We got into Tucson a half hour early- Imagine that.

persimmondeb

Um, yeah. There's a reason why I was hoping someone might think of something I hadn't.

He does really love trains, but I fear either frustration because it's hard to move around, or blithe disregard for safety. A sleeper will help, but still.

I periodically look at American, but it really is painful, and it's not Europe. Some locations can be tricky without a car, but Savannah's not too bad and I have various Florida strategies. I've never had a license and my dad has always preferred to do without a car when possible, so we're used to it.

He's been to Bermuda recently, but the Bahamas are very much on the table, by various means, including a train to West Palm Beach and then a cruise ferry to Freeport.

A cruise out of NYC is looking better all the time.

gail

Is this trip going to have as a backdrop anxiety over results and cost of construction being done on his house?

When traveling with my elderly mother, it is the transitions - cab to airport to train station to hotel, etc - that cause the most problems. So simple might be better than perfect destination. What about Puerto Rico - a place I never considered for a vacation until I went there 3 weeks ago. 4 hours non-stop from NYC area, no passport needed, use US money, cell phones work without additional charges. Find a nice resort and then there are still options for things to see if he wants to be out and about.