DESTINATIONS ALASKA | ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL
exper expert ASK THE “We love recommending
Princess Cruises to guests with limited mobility. They
ABOVE: The sights – and the sounds – of a glacier calving are exhilarating RIGHT: A curious sea otter PICTURE: Paul Nordmann
described each step, clipped me in, explained the body positions I needed to take and encouraged me throughout. With Grant guiding me between platforms, I felt the rush of flying through the trees. In Ketchikan, the axe throwing was unexpectedly empowering. Our instructor taught us stance, grip and release. I couldn’t see the target, but the unmistakable crack when the axe hit told me exactly how I had done. When another guest with mobility issues and I adjusted our stances to suit our bodies, the instructor welcomed it; adaptation was part of the experience, not an afterthought.
IN THE WILD
I never imagined whale watching was something I could truly appreciate, but that day in Prince Rupert became one of the most powerful experiences of my life. As the humpbacks surfaced, tails lifting high and spray catching the air, I found myself laughing out loud in disbelief. Even without my sight, their scale and majesty were palpable; the sound of spouts breaking the stillness, the rhythm of the water and the hush that fell across the boat created a shared atmosphere that words can barely capture. For me, it was not about seeing the whales, it was about being fully present with them. Travel is not only about what we see – it’s about sound, sensation and connection. Then came Glacier Bay National Park, which felt
travelweekly.co.uk
like another world, with 3.3 million acres of mountains, deep fjords and more than a thousand glaciers. Only a fraction can be explored by ship, and as we sailed, national park rangers gave a commentary across the decks. We passed five glaciers, but it was the calvings that took my breath away. Have you ever heard a glacier roar? We did, twice. A
deep crack and groan as the ice began to split, then with a thunderous boom it collapsed into the bay, sending spray and ripples across the water. The wildlife made it more magical, from puffins and seals to sea otters drifting on their backs and climbing onto small icebergs. What stays with me most is not just what I did, but how it felt. So often accessibility is reduced to checklists, ramps, lifts and wider doors. Those things matter, but are not the whole story. True accessibility is about dignity, autonomy and the freedom to participate fully. On this trip I was not a blind woman being questioned or second guessed. I was simply a traveller, speeding through the treetops, throwing an axe and listening to whales spouting beside me. As our catamaran slowed in Prince Rupert and the sound of a humpback’s spout echoed across the still water, Alaska felt exactly as I’d imagined: wild, untamed and unforgettable. And it proved something else too – adventure does not have to exclude. With the right detail, care and attitude, it can belong to all of us.
TW
offer excellent accessibility and first-class service throughout.
When booking, we check every detail is covered, including
travel to and from the port and any equipment or care support needed on board. Guests can relax knowing their cruise will be smooth, supportive and truly unforgettable.”
Angus Drummond, chief executive, Limitless Travel
BOOK IT
Princess Cruises offers a 10-night Inside Passage voyage on Ruby Princess, round-trip from San Francisco departing on May 11, 2027, from £899 per person, cruise-only, based on two people sharing an Inside Stateroom.
princess.com
11 JUNE 2026 39
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
