I went on an accessible group cruise around Europe – here's what you can expect

Scottish Sun

4 days ago

STEP-FREE FORWARD I went on an accessible group cruise around Europe – here's what you can expect
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I'VE spent over two decades travelling the world solo as a wheelchair user.
I'm used to doing everything myself – researching access, booking transport, managing my care needs, and staying in control.
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Plain sailing for Carrie-Ann on the deck
Credit: Carrie-Ann Lightley
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The group stop off to explore Marbella
Credit: Carrie-Ann Lightley
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The Arvia in the port of La Coruna
Credit: Supplied
That control has often been the difference between a joyful trip and one that leaves me completely wiped out.
So when I joined a supported group cruise organised by accessible travel specialists Limitless Travel, I wasn't just wheeling aboard a ship.
I was wheeling far outside my comfort zone.
The ship, P&O's Arvia, was set to sail from Southampton to Spain and France over two weeks.
Limitless Travel provided door-to-door adapted transport, accessible excursions and a full support team.
This was a world away from the independent travel I'm used to.
But something unexpected happened. I started to let go — and in doing so, I found a kind of freedom I didn't know I needed.
My worries that I'd feel patronised or boxed in faded from the moment I arrived at the terminal. Staff knew who I was and what support I might need.
Confidence is contagious
Instead of scanning for lifts or figuring out how to reach my cabin, I was free to just arrive. It sounds simple, but for disabled travellers, that kind of ease is rare.
That evening, as the sun set, I realised I hadn't checked the itinerary all day — for the first time ever.
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The group included people with a mix of disabilities and experiences, supported by a brilliant care team.
There was no pressure to stick together, but always the option to join in.
I shared meals, port outings and singalongs, and still had time to recharge alone.
One afternoon, I laughed so hard watching guests play on a playground that my cheeks hurt.
Another evening, I swapped stories with a fellow guest over cocktails while our wheelchairs shared legroom under the table.
And one of the most touching moments was seeing a fellow guest, Avril, get up and dance for the first time in 20 years.
There was no pressure to stick together, but always the option to join in
She said it felt like getting a piece of herself back. I knew exactly what she meant.
Support was always there, never intrusive. Whether it was helping someone down a gangway or a high kerb, or discreetly checking on comfort at dinner, the team handled it all with quiet skill.
Plus, my accessible room was as sharp and glam as the standard ones, unlike some I've used in the past which feel more like hospital wards.
There was a roll-in shower, plenty of space, and small but important details that made it feel welcoming, not clinical.
And then came the shore days. Limitless Travel offered a 'potter around the port' service so we could explore together without following a strict itinerary.
In Toulon we browsed a market for fresh pastries and fruit. In A Coruña we sipped sangria in a sunny square.
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Carrie having a dance with passengers
Credit: Carrie-Ann Lightley
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Carrie tucking in at the Beach House restaurant
Credit: Carrie-Ann Lightley
In Málaga, my husband and I left the group and took a P&O excursion to Marbella on an accessible coach.
Some days I craved company; others I wanted space. There was no pressure either way, just the freedom to do what felt right.
I live with complex PTSD as well as a physical disability, and travel often brings anxiety. In the past I've had meltdowns in airport lounges, restaurants and on ferries. I'm always planning for the worst.
But on this trip, something shifted. I didn't need to bark instructions or brace for chaos. Instead of scanning exits, I was scanning cocktail menus.
One afternoon, I used the ship's pool hoist — something I'd never dared to try before. With support, it felt safe.
Later, other guests said they gave it a go because they saw me do it.
That moment stuck with me. Confidence is contagious.
I watched sunrises, sunsets and a strawberry moon. I danced and didn't care who saw. I laughed. I rested. I belonged. And not once did I feel like a burden.
This isn't a sales pitch. Supported group travel won't suit everyone.
But if, like me, you've clung to independence because it felt safer than trusting strangers, then this kind of trip might just change your mind. It did mine.
I thought I was giving up control. What I gained was something far better: The freedom to travel without fear.