Cruise Alaksa or Mediterranean
 

My husband and I and another couple want to plan a cruise for our 40th anniversaries. Spring or Summer of 2012. We are all in our early 60's. We would like one of the luxury lines. We were thinking Mediterranean, but maybe Alaska. We are young-minded, but my husband uses a wheelchair. Any input to help us make a decision would be great!

Hi M,

>my husband uses a wheelchair. <

I think that that problem would make you lean toward the Med.

We spent last October on the Prinsendam.
The cruise is called "14-DAY PYRAMIDS AND RUINS".
http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-c...pCodeSearch=PR
((I))

I found it's easier to get around in Alaska vs. Europe and its cobblestones.

Thanks, Deyenu, are you in a wheelchair?

Complete guide to ships & discounts for travelers with disability.VacationsToGo.com
Acessible Journeys offers wheelchair travel, accessible cruises, and wheelchair tours, for slow walkers, wheelchair travelers, their families and their friends.
disabilitytravel.com

Search accessible cruises you will find plenty

The newer NCL HAL ships are good for this with good prices

Might base my decision on what I want to see nature or culture

Personally prefer eastern Med for the beauty and the culture

www.santorini.com ikies.com my fav best sunsets in the world

But Alaska easy to get to and lots of natural beauty.

So it really depends on your interests...

Forgot congrats on y'alls 40th

my wife and I just made 36

Hope we get there...

still a bit of a work in progress

First off, congrats on the big 40! We are going to make 35 next year ourselves.

Best time for Alaska is summer and most "tourist" areas in Alaska are relatively wheelchair friednly. I would suggest Alaska over Mediterranean, simply becasue it is closer to home, less travel time to the embarkation port. You can drive instead of fly if time is not an issue, the language, and if you have any health concerns, it is less problematic. An 8 to 10 hour flight to Europe can be challenging at the best of time as well. (unless you want to take a trans-Atlantic cruise to get there or back)

The Fall (after September) is probably best for the Mediterranean cruise, less crowded, and much nicer weather as summer is very hot. Spring weather is good as well, however, the temperature maybe dependent on which part of the Mediterranean you are going to be at (West vs East vs South).

I will be less concern about the wheelchair while on baord a ship. Most ships will ahve wheelchair accessible cabins. Make sure you ask for one when you book. However, wheelchair accessibility while you are on land maybe an issue if your ports are away from major urban centers. (example: many Greek Isles with smaller population are less wheelchair friendly than we are accustom to here in North America) Tendering ashore would be challenging but I won't worry about it as the ship will look after your safety, as long as you let them know ahead of time.

In Europe, areas away from major urban center will also mean steps and cobble stone or unpaved road. Even some major tourist area are not necessary wheelchair friendly. example: Acropolis, Cairo Museum etc.

I would say summer in Alaska (June/July/early August) would be a better bet, just be prepared for teh occassional shower and cooler weather.