It's very difficult to decide whether a given trip or excursion will work when the only advice is that people with "mobility concerns" should "evaluate their ability" to manage said outing. It's so very vague and covers a wide range of conditions, and it's almost impossible to get more detailed information before booking an event that may turn out to be non-refundable! I don't use assistive devices. Personally, my "mobility concern" is that I can't walk as fast as some other people. Will the guide make allowances? No one knows. And my main peeve is constantly being asked "are you ok"? (By both the guides and other travelers) I always want to say "What if I say no? Are you going to carry me?" (Of course that would be rude so I don't.)

No question here, but all comments welcome. (Well except for "why don't you just stay home?")

I didn’t see this until now. I see the same thing when planning travel. A place will advertise that it is accessible, but I sometimes find out otherwise when I research or call to verify. I went to one place that had a beautiful wheelchair ramp, and advertised as accessible. When I got there, you had to use a 3 step stair to get to it. I just don’t get why they built a ramp that can’t be used. The hardest for me is hotels that are “accessible” with beds that are really high off the ground.

We are currently planning for a cruise next year that our organization plans to go on. I already see that I won’t be able to join everyone else for one day excursion on an island because I can’t trams fear to the tender.. Nothing wrong with that, but it makes me wonder if going at all will be worth it.

I don’t know if this is the kind of comments you’re looking for but these popped into my mind while reading the OP.

I have had a slowly degrading mobility issue. It mainly impacts my right leg. Foot is splade out. Lift height is about 2-3 inches. Balance, even with three years of PT is still iffy. I can walk unassisted in my home...known issue areas, wall and furniture to help. I do okay in my yard but have fallen and could not get up without help. I can do steps with rails, but not without. I use a cane most other times, but only the last 2 years. I walk at half speed. I can do about 1 mile in a row. If uphill or down is involved, I am even slower. I do not stand in one place very well, if more that 8 minutes. I say this, because without this information how could someone tell me if a tour, or outing is ok for me.

So, I do not complain when the references are vague. I want to travel, and I do so VERY often. So here are some random tips from MY experience. Not along the way, the above outline. Your issue may be radically different, and require other assistance.

Uber, etc. Try to get XL, usually allowing more door opening for me to get in. Rental car, MUST be two pedal, as I cannot lift my right leg high enough.

Airtravel. We, my wife too, get a wheelchair assist from the check-in counter to the gate (or club, then again on to the gate). She has some issues with speed and long distances. When I was the only one in a chair, it was hard to get the pusher to do a slow enough pace for her. We tip about $5 each per leg at the airport. This includes transfers of multiple legs and the final destination. I try to get them to help getting the luggage off the carousel too. AT SAN last time they took us out to our Uber slot!!! (and helped me with the booking on my phone). We have tried to do the walk from the check-in to the gate (we arrive very early and then can slow walk), but then the balance of our requested assistance is often cancelled. We inform the agent at the gate that we need preboarding. Using my cane aboard to get to the bathroom is iffy, as often they force me to put it in the bin above. Like at home, the seat backs provide plenty of places to help with balance. We also have precheck and global to make clearance easier. Another issue is planes without jetways. This is a challenge I have just suffered thru, as I know soon, I will be sitting. Recently, in Qatar, we were hoisted in a two-part lifting system up and into the plane on the opposite side from the stairs others were taking. IF we do have to walk (sometimes the wheelers are no show), it is VERY hard to avoid being bumped...as many children, late travelers, phone addicted walkers, shoppers, people with dogs on a leash, large groups, kids on wheeled shoes, carts (that will not stop and pick us up), etc. are threats...just another reason to get assisted travel.

Cruises/getting on: We cruise plenty. Two cruises ago was my last tender ride, with 3 tours cancelled due to tender or change in the description of the tours (more later). Getting checked in and on a cruise ship is a challenge. I know some ships take people on in a wheelchair thru a different entrance. That is not us. I have not found a way to bypass the effort needed to get checked in, climb ever changing step changes, being handed a glass of wine, and sent off for a long walk to check thru my emergency station.

Cruises/getting around: There are at least two main differences in getting around. At sea and docked or anchored...plus some differences in where you are going on ship. In the cabin, there are things to hold on to, so no cane. Outside the cabin I use my cane always. This was not the case a couple years ago, no cane. In the housing corridors there are railings...most of the way. But on deck one is on their own, so cane always. At meals, you can have the table staff "store" your cane, if you don't have a wall or spare chair to lean it on. Walking to the table or leaving is a dangerous time for safely getting thru the "traffic". Only use elevators, too risky on the stairs, especially going down. At the show room, the steps are too difficult for me, so it is sit in the back. We usually don't go to the shows. There are lots of seating areas on a cruise ship, so resting is not an issue...except getting out of some of those deeeeep seats!

TIME OUT FOR LUNCH, MORE WILL BE EDITED IN

Cruises/in room dining: We always have breakfast in our suite. This allows for a slower get up, and a two or three step program in getting ready for the day. Think bathrobe. Easy use of the bathroom. We also dine in our room when the seas are rough. Gone are the days when we can just sway from wall to wall going to lunch or dinner.

Cruise/Showering: Otten the newer ships have very nice showers. Often there is at least one grab bar. It still pays, at least for us, to plan for showering when the ship is in port or at anchor. Showering, drying off and dressing while the ship is at sea is risky, even if the seas seem calm. That can change mid-shower. On ship, the bathrooms have a 2-6 inch step over to get into the facility. Beware, especially in the middle of the night. Getting on and off the toi can be a chore.

Cruises/Debarkation: Like getting on, getting off is a more difficult time. Lines in the hallways, no seating open in the common areas and lots of people trying to get off "first" is often an issue. Some ships handle this better than others. Our experience is the smaller the number of passengers the better. The more expensive the cruise price the better.

Handicap Rooms: We have been in a handicap designated room twice on Regent Seven Seas, once on Holland America, and twice in a hotel. In my opinion you give up more that you get, unless you really need that type room.

Cruise/tours: Read the description carefully before your cruise, especially for clues. Reread the description found in your cabin, which will have updates. Go to the lectures on tours if offered on board. Watch the cruise tours summary on your in-room TV. Ask at the destination desk if you have a specific question. What kind of boat ride (rubber raft or cabin cruiser. Be prepared to sit on the bus, when a stop does not meet your needs (or to return to it). Realize you may have to miss out going into the church, or up to the demonstration, or across the small river to see the highlight. Do consider your endurance and safety. Hot day. Rainy. Snow or icy conditions. Or, like me, check to see if you need to tender into port for your tour. Take a cc, id and some cash with you along with the location of the ship, someday you might need one or more of them. Take notice of suggestions of taking water, bug repellant, jacket, hat, sunglasses. Be aware of the need to bring a towel from your room, wear your bathing clothes under your outer garb. Many ports it would be wise to bring TOI paper with you and some small bills to get into a "restroom". Always bring your flexibility, common sense and good humor.

So, to NotSoFrequentColorado, I too would like a different tour description. How many steps, with or without railings. What stops include bathrooms. How much walking, and in what length periods, and what surfaces and elevation changes. How much standing in place to see the highlight/demonstration. If there is free time in a small town or area, are there places to sit in the shade without going into a bar or cafe. What currency can I tip in besides the local currency (which I do not have). How likely will the people speak my language. How far is it from the ship to ...town, the beach or ?. There are just too many types of mobility "issues" and limited space to cover them. Truth be known, offten they just do not know the answer.

I have found that these clues are making their way into the descriptions of the tours on cruises. The generic legal statement that makes it your fault if something bad happens or you are not accommodated is not likely to change.

I hope this response helps some people. I have tried recently to make my trips writeup cover issues like these. I am 80, so I have been helped by Flyertalkers, and done a fair amount of posting to help others. I am not in the mode to make more requests, as what is new, is really new to me.