I'm planning to take an 11-day cruise to Alaska (7 day cruise, 4 day land tour) aboard the Coral Princesss or Coral Island cruise ship next July (2005). I'm flying out of Newark (NJ) airport. I have MS and would like to take either my motorized miniscooter or a folding wheelchair to use on the cruisetour, since I can stand and walk short distances, but have difficulty with long walks and stairs.

Has anyone done this or a similar cruise? I'd appreciate any advice or tips, positive and negative. I'm traveling with 2 travel partners who are in reasonably good physical condition.

I'm planning to take an 11-day cruise to Alaska (7 day cruise, 4 day land tour) aboard the Coral Princesss or Coral Island cruise ship next July (2005). I'm flying out of Newark (NJ) airport. I have MS and would like to take either my motorized miniscooter or a folding wheelchair to use on the cruisetour, since I can stand and walk short distances, but have difficulty with long walks and stairs.

Has anyone done this or a similar cruise? I'd appreciate any advice or tips, positive and negative. I'm traveling with 2 travel partners who are in reasonably good physical condition.


I just returned from a Celebrity Cruise on the Summit ship and saw a few people on wheelchairs or miniscooters who had no problems getting around on the ship.

Once youre off the ship at the different ports, that may be a different story.

I just returned from a Celebrity Cruise on the Summit ship and saw a few people on wheelchairs or miniscooters who had no problems getting around on the ship.

Once youre off the ship at the different ports, that may be a different story.

Thanks for your reply. My main concern is with the shore excursions. It seems like many of the excursions include walking or hiking. Since we're taking a 4 day land tour in addition to the 7 day cruising, I'm just wondering if I should even plan on signing up for many of land excursions. I wouldn't want to overburden my travel partners with pushing me long distances or up hills.

Thanks for your reply. My main concern is with the shore excursions. It seems like many of the excursions include walking or hiking. Since we're taking a 4 day land tour in addition to the 7 day cruising, I'm just wondering if I should even plan on signing up for many of land excursions. I wouldn't want to overburden my travel partners with pushing me long distances or up hills.

Yes - most of the shore excursions were hiking/biking/helicoper/seaplane etc. Once the ship docks, Im sure you could make your way around the towns of Ketchikan / Skagway and Juneau.

You may want to call the cruise company and ask their opinion.

I just returned from an Alaskan cruise on Holland America. We went with my mom who has MS and is wheelchair bound (with a broken leg to boot!). Many of the tours are physically challenging and she did not take any of them. Our cruise stopped in Ketchikan, Sitka and Juneau each of which were easy walking (wheelchair pushing) towns. Ketchikan had a lumberjack show near the cruise ship that my parents attended. We also rented a minivan in Sitka for about $100 and toured the countryside.


Feel free to email me if you have any specific questions

tarcapone@hotmail.com