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handicapped in Alaska- suggestions


tundra41

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I'm new to the board (and very excited that such a great site exists!!!!)and will be traveling to Alaska on the Golden Princess next month. We are trying to plan our excursions and I was hoping for some advice. My mother is handicapped and wheelchair-bound. Since most every excursion involves physical activity, I am asking for suggestions on what to do so we don't miss out on the amazing opportunities for sightseeing (other than from the balcony). Our ports include Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, and Victoria.

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I'm new to the board (and very excited that such a great site exists!!!!)and will be traveling to Alaska on the Golden Princess next month. We are trying to plan our excursions and I was hoping for some advice. My mother is handicapped and wheelchair-bound. Since most every excursion involves physical activity, I am asking for suggestions on what to do so we don't miss out on the amazing opportunities for sightseeing (other than from the balcony). Our ports include Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, and Victoria.

 

Go to the "Special Interest Cruising" and click on "disabled cruising" and you'll find information of all kinds. I hope this helps.

 

Cyndi

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Welcome to Cruise Critic!!!!!

 

The White Pass Roadroad in Skagway accomodates wheelchairs. The scenery from the train is amazing.

 

If she can get onto a whale watching boat, she could sit and watch without having to get back up.

 

In Ketchikan, try Ketchikan Taxicab Tours. If you email Kat and Dave, I'm sure they will find a way to accomodate you.

 

http://www.ketchikantaxicabtours.com/

 

Victoria has several excursions that just involve sitting on a bus.

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The Princess excursion booklet, which you should have received in the mail by now, clearly marks which tours are handicapped accessible. They even have a list of recommended tours listed on page 23 of the booklet. Some of the tours can also be booked independently, but the list gives you a good starting point.

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thanks! what do we do with her wheelchair during the whale watching or bus tours?

 

 

If you book an independent whale watching tour, you can call or email the tour operator to ask about the wheelchair. If the wheel chair folds, I'm sure most boats and buses can accomodate it.

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The Princess excursion booklet, which you should have received in the mail by now, clearly marks which tours are handicapped accessible. They even have a list of recommended tours listed on page 23 of the booklet. Some of the tours can also be booked independently, but the list gives you a good starting point.

 

This is correct. These are for those unable to take steps:

 

Ketchikan: Saxman Native Village, Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show

Skagway: White Pass Railway

Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier & Hatchery Tour, Deluxe Mendenhall & Juneau Highlights, Mt Roberts Tramway, Whale Watching & Wildlife Quest, 4 Glacier Adventure by Helicopter

Victoria: Grand city drive and Tea, Enchanting Butchart Gardens

 

These are only the Princess alternatives. If you are looking for independent vendors, you'll need to check with them.

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We have been to Alaska many times and we have really enjoyed the whale watching and another trip called the Taku glacier Lodge and Float Plane. We have seen them make accommodation for a man that I believe was paraplegic, they used a ramped to put him on the plane and met the plane at the lodge with a six wheeler. To help him to the lodge. When he was there he was able to get into his wheel chair and the couple were able to explore on their own. With any post I have ever made I have broken the rules and metioned that we use Discovery Excursions to book all of our tours, we are very happy with their operations. They also have good discounts....just ask.

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In Ketchikan there is also the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center where one's Golden Age Pass will get up to 4 people in free (otherwise it's $5). There is a movie to watch and ramps for being pushed up to the top floor, if that would work for you.

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