Explore the World with These 11 Accessible Shore Excursions

Think you have to stay on the ship while your friends and loved ones explore the ports? Think again! Discover the world’s most famous destinations at your own pace with these accessible shore excursions.

Accessible shore excursions are specialized tours or activities that offer modified transportation, wheelchair-friendly paths, assistance from trained staff, and/or other features for passengers with disabilities or limited mobility.

These shore-based excursions for all abilities offer an inclusive way to enjoy the diverse cultures, histories, and natural beauty of various destinations, ensuring that everyone can partake in the adventure.

Accessible Shore Excursions – the Challenge

Shore excursions are often the highlight of a cruise, but sadly many ports offer limited options for mobility-challenged travelers who wish to explore. Many popular tourist sites were not designed with mobility-friendly cruise port tours in mind, and efforts to make them wheelchair-friendly are hampered by preservation concerns.

Old European cities, for instance, frequently feature hilly terrains and surfaces like cobblestones, gravel, packed dirt, and pavement, which are unsuitable for wheelchairs and those with mobility issues. Historic homes and buildings also typically lack accessibility features.

In recent years, the number of cruise passengers with mobility challenges has grown due to factors such as an aging population, increased awareness, and advocacy for accessible travel. Fortunately, this has led to enhanced accessibility on cruise ships and in many ports.

Wheelchairs and Scooters

Whether you have a disability, walk slowly, have a health condition or injury that makes walking long distances difficult, or simply prefer having support options such as a walker, wheelchair or scooter available, there are places where you can disembark and enjoy your port(s) of call.

You might be allowed to bring your own mobility equipment onto the ship, depending on the equipment model and type. Some cruise lines also offer a limited number of mobility scooters onboard.

Alternatively, there are two companies – Special Needs at Sea and Scootaround – that provide mobility equipment (in addition to other medical items, as needed) to cruise passengers.

Shore Excursion Considerations

Keep these things in mind when choosing an accessible shore excursion:

You might be limited to collapsible chairs or walkers due to the size or layout of the vehicle

Wheelchair and scooter requirements (width, height, weight) can vary by tour, so check each tour description carefully

Wheelchairs often necessitate help with navigation, whereas travel scooters give you and any companions more freedom during the tour

It’s often easier to join excursions at ports where your ship can dock directly, as opposed to those that require the use of tenders (smaller boats that transport passengers from the cruise ship to the dock)

Consider taking a sightseeing tour by bus, trolley, or train if you can sit for long stretches

It’s important to consider your energy levels, as well as the accessibility of restroom facilities, for tours more than 2-3 hours in length

Small group tours are a good option, as they offer more personalized attention and flexibility than large tour groups

Some travelers like the convenience of a personal car and driver, so they can travel — and linger — at their own pace

At Shore Excursions Group, we offer a variety of wheelchair accessible shore adventures, often in small group settings. We also provide personal car and driver excursions at numerous cruise ports worldwide. You can find more information about a tour’s accessibility on each of our tour description pages.

Go ahead — explore far beyond the typical harbor or brief island drive with these inclusive onshore expeditions that offer you a variety of adventures:

For those who are wheelchair-bound

Destination: St. Petersburg, Russia

Highlight: Peterhof Park

Length: 4 hours

Exertion: Minimal

Accommodation: This tour uses a special wheelchair-adapted vehicle for passengers who cannot get up from a wheelchair; walkers are permitted

Journey to Peterhof Park, a 290-acre area containing several palaces and gardens as a summer home for Peter the Great. Enjoy the lavish gardens with fountains, including the renowned Grand Cascade, and see the restored Mon Plaisir, a small palace that was Peter the Great’s preferred retreat.

For those using motorized equipment

These tours are designed for more independent passengers with electric wheelchairs or scooters.

Destination: Kauai, Hawaii

Highlight: Waimea Canyon

Length: 5 hours

Exertion: Guests must be able to walk over gravel as well as paved surfaces to be able to visit some sites

Accommodation: ADA accessible upon request, allowing for electric wheelchairs and scooters, although some stops may have limited access

Waimea Canyon, known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, is a must-see in Kauai. Admire its vastness and stunning waterfall from the wheelchair-accessible overlook, just a 2-minute walk away. Your journey will also include the Spouting Horn blowhole and a drive through Old Koloa Town, home to the island’s first sugar cane plantation.

Destination: Quebec City, Canada

Highlight: Montmorency Falls

Length: 2 hours

Exertion: Guests must be able to enter/exit vehicle

Accommodation: This tour is ADA-accessible

Head out to Montmorency Park for a day in the beautiful Canadian outdoors. Explore the trails, ride a cable car (own expense), or enjoy local fare like venison burgers (own expense).

Of course, the main attraction is Montmorency Falls with its 83-meters of mesmerizing power! Capture stunning photos from the accessible viewing area below and explore the mostly wheelchair-friendly upper-level paths.

Destination: Muscat, Oman

Highlight: Dolphin watching and snorkeling

Length: 3 hours

Exertion: Guests must be able to enter/exit vehicles and boats

Accommodation: Collapsible wheelchair, walker, and motorized scooter access

Skip the lengthy land tours and embark on a sea adventure to watch dolphins in their natural habitat. Marvel at acrobatic Spinners, powerful Bottlenoses, and common dolphins as they entertain you.

While cruising the Arabian Sea, hop in and out of the boat (if able) to snorkel in crystal-clear waters, exploring Oman’s vibrant underwater world full of sea turtles, rays, and colorful fish.

Destination: Boston, Massachusetts

Highlight: Boston landmarks via trolley

Length: 1 day

Exertion: Guests must be able to enter/exit vehicle and trolley

Accommodation: Folding wheelchair; motorized wheelchair or scooter with advanced notice

Jump on a trolley and canvass Boston’s Old Town with 14 convenient stops at the city’s top attractions. This tour offers unlimited hop-on, hop-off access, giving you the freedom to sightsee at your own pace.

Discover historic Faneuil Hall, visit the Boston Tea Party ships, hunt for hidden gems on Antique Row, and drop by the original Cheers bar. And that’s just the beginning!

For the Partially Mobile and/or Assisted Passengers

These tours are designed for wheelchair passengers with companions who can assist, and/or those who can take a few steps into or out of a motor coach, walk short distances, and/or do not require full-time wheelchair use.

Destination: Juneau, Alaska

Highlight: Mendenhall Glacier

Length: 3 hours

Exertion: The Visitor’s Center includes some steps and inclines

Accommodation: Fold-up wheelchair/walker with prior notice

Explore Juneau’s downtown historic district, diving into the gold-rush era and visiting landmarks like the iconic Red Dog Saloon.

Then, venture to the Mendenhall Glacier and its Visitor’s Center featuring captivating exhibits and nearby trails of varying difficulty. The accessible Photo Point Trail offers a stunning view of the glacier, while the accessible Nugget Falls Trail brings you close to Nugget Falls and the glacier’s side.

Destination: Livorno, Italy

Highlight: Sampling wines in the world-renowned Bolgheri Wine region

Length: 9 hours

Exertion: Guests must be able to be able to enter/exit van

Accommodation: Collapsible wheelchair

Join this intimate group tour to explore Livorno, a city rich in history with its ancient fortresses, medieval churches, and bustling indoor food market.

Visit one of Bolgheri’s esteemed wineries, where you can tour the wine cellars and savor exquisite wines. Afterwards, indulge in a delightful Tuscan lunch (own expense) before discovering the medieval castle in the charming hilltop village of Castagneto Carducci.

Destination: Hilo, Hawaii

Highlight: Kilauea volcano and the Thurston Lava Tube

Length: 6 hours

Exertion: Guests must be able to enter/exit vehicle; many portions of Volcanoes National Park are wheelchair accessible, however the lava tube is walking-only

Accommodation: Collapsible wheelchairs/walkers with advance notice

Explore the Big Island’s hidden gems, including the stunning 80-foot Rainbow Falls and the unique volcanic sands of Richardson’s Black Sand Beach. Marvel at Kilauea and Mauna Loa, two of the world’s most active volcanoes.

Don’t miss a visit to Big Island Candies, an island treasure for decades, offering gourmet Hawaiian candies, chocolates, and Macadamia nuts to sweeten your adventure.

Destination: Sydney, Australia

Highlight: Sydney Harbor landmarks

Length: 4 hours

Exertion: Some easy walking involved; guests must be able to enter/exit vehicle

Accommodation: Collapsible wheelchairs/walkers

Unveil the story of Sydney with this cultural tour around the city’s famous harbor. See the Rocks Village, historic Macquarie Street, and the upmarket shopping district of Double Bay.

You’ll also visit the iconic Bondi Bay, taking the stunning Bondi to Bronte coastal path, on your way to the dynamic arts and entertainment district. Note: This path suits most ages and fitness levels, but includes stairs and is not wheelchair accessible.

Destination: Alexandria, Egypt

Highlight: Al-Saad Bassili Palace and Montaza Gardens

Length: 3.5 hours

Exertion: Some easy walking, on flat surfaces

Accommodation: Wheelchairs must be carried up a few steps at the museum entrance; after that, a small elevator is available.

Explore Alexandria’s rich history in a unique format at a museum housed in the century-old Al-Saad Bassili Palace. Discover treasures from the Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, and Islamic eras, including a replica tomb with a mummy.

Then, enjoy a peaceful ride through Montaza Gardens, a 115-acre seafront oasis surrounding the 19th-century Montaza Palace.

Destination: Cozumel, Mexico

Highlight: Underwater views of the world-famous Chankanaab Reef

Length: 2 hours

Exertion: Guests must be able to be able to enter/exit vehicle, and climb a 12-step ladder backwards to board the submarine

Accommodation: Folding wheelchairs/walkers (secured during the tour)

Explore Cozumel’s underwater wonderland hassle-free! Dive 100 feet beneath the surface to encounter Groupers, parrotfish, and vibrant reef life. Don’t miss the Felipe Xicotencatl, the area’s largest shipwreck at 154 feet long. It’s an unforgettable adventure into Cozumel’s marine marvels!

Tips to Make Your Shore Excursion More Enjoyable

Below are some tips for a more enjoyable and stress-free shore excursion:

Pre-Planning

Research Accessible Excursions: Choose shore excursions that accomodate travelers with limited mobility; consider the transportation, availability of ramps, elevators, and restrooms

Notify the Cruise Line and Tour Operator: Inform the cruise line and tour operator about your mobility needs AT LEAST 90 DAYS in advance; this allows them time to make necessary arrangements

Packing Essentials

Backpack or Carry Bag: Keep essential items such as medications, identification, snacks, and a water bottle handy in a lightweight backpack or carry bag that can attach to a wheelchair or scooter

Comfort Items: Cushions or padding is helpful if you’ll be sitting for long periods; bring a small, portable blanket or shawl for unpredictable weather

Mobility Aids and Equipment

Wheelchair or Mobility Scooter: Ensure your wheelchair or scooter is in good working condition; if renting one, verify its condition before the tour

Portable Ramps: Carry a lightweight, foldable ramp if you anticipate needing one for small steps or curbs

Extra Batteries: Bring spare batteries or a portable charger for electric wheelchairs or scooters, as well as adapters

On the Excursion

Companion or Assistance: Travel with a companion who can assist you if needed

Pacing and Rest: Take advantage of any available breaks to rest and avoid fatigue

Medical Information: Carry a medical information card detailing any conditions, allergies, and emergency instructions

Be Prepared for Changes: Shore excursions can be unpredictable; be flexible and have a backup plan in case of changes

Stay Positive: Focus on enjoying the experience; challenges may arise, but being adaptable can help you make the most of your excursion

Don’t Miss Out — Book Your Accessible Shore Excursion Today

Immerse yourself in extraordinary destinations with accessible shore excursions that offer unique adventures on land for all cruise passengers.

Perfect for travelers with limited mobility and their loved ones, our accessible excursions are not only convenient but also packed with excitement, ensuring that your journey is as enriching as it is unforgettable. Book now and make your travel dreams a reality!