A harbour view, a fascinating local story, an afternoon enjoyed together. The best cruise memories often begin when you step ashore.
For passengers with mobility needs, choosing the right excursion means knowing what the day will involve, from coach transfers and walking distances to somewhere comfortable to take a break.
That is why Mobility at Sea attended a Portsmouth cruise networking event on 20 October 2026. Presentations from Portsmouth International Port, Ambassador Cruise Line and Excursions Ltd explored the city’s cruise ambitions and the work behind a successful day ashore.
We brought away useful insights for passengers planning their next holiday and travel agent partners helping them choose it.
Portsmouth’s next chapter in cruising
Portsmouth International Port shared plans for 2027 that included two visits from Holland America Line’s Rotterdam and four inaugural calls from Viking Cruises. According to the presentation, Rotterdam is set to become the largest ship to visit the port by length and passenger numbers.
These planned visits will bring passengers into Portsmouth to explore the area. They are separate from departures where holidaymakers join their cruise in the city.
Cruise tourism already makes a substantial local contribution. The port’s economic impact findings, based on 2024 data, put cruise visitor expenditure in Portsmouth at £10.8 million.
For local guides, attractions, cafés and independent businesses, those visits are an opportunity to introduce more people to what makes Portsmouth special.
Considering the city as your own departure point? Our guide to Portsmouth Cruise Port introduces the port and places to explore nearby.
More choice, closer to port
A memorable excursion does not always need a long coach journey.
At the event, Excursions Ltd reported 26 different shore excursion experiences in its Portsmouth portfolio. Examples in its presentation included Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Fort Nelson and Exbury Gardens, alongside wildlife and local food and drink experiences.
That variety offers different ways to enjoy a destination, whether you prefer exploring maritime history, spending time in a garden or discovering local flavours.
Excursions identified travel of around one hour or less from port as a desirable feature when developing tours. If long transfers leave you tired, comparing journey times could help you find an outing that leaves more energy for the experience itself.
A shorter journey is only one consideration. Check the complete itinerary, including vehicle access, walking surfaces, seating and toilets. The places mentioned in the presentation are ideas to investigate, with suitability confirmed for your individual requirements.
What makes a shore excursion work?
The best-organised outings can feel effortless. The presentations showed how much preparation sits behind that feeling.
Excursions described a process involving research, site visits, risk assessments, transport planning and coordination with local suppliers. Accessibility considerations were specifically included among its checks.
Ambassador highlighted the importance of offering experiences for different tastes, budgets and activity levels. Some guests want history and culture. Others prefer scenery, local flavours or a more leisurely introduction to a destination.
For passengers with mobility needs, that variety makes detailed information especially valuable. A tour title or an appealing photograph cannot tell you whether an outing will suit you.
Before booking, ask the cruise line or excursion provider:
- Walking and standing: How far will you walk, at what pace, and how often can you sit down?
- Surfaces and access: Are there steps, steep slopes, cobbles or uneven paths?
- Transport: Will you need to transfer into a seat, and can your wheelchair or mobility scooter be accommodated?
- Facilities: Are suitable toilets and rest stops available?
- Getting ashore: Will the ship berth alongside or use tenders, and what restrictions apply?
Share your equipment’s dimensions and weight where relevant, alongside your personal requirements. Specific information helps providers give you a more useful answer.
Why accessible experiences matter
The event’s Cruising to Success guide highlighted a finding that speaks directly to the importance of planning time ashore.
In its 2024 State of the Cruise Industry announcement, Cruise Lines International Association reported that 45% of cruise passengers booked an accessible tour for their most recent cruise.
The figure concerns accessible tour bookings, rather than the proportion of passengers who use mobility equipment. For us, it reinforces the value of clear, detailed excursion information when choosing a day out.
The same announcement reported that 28% of cruise travellers travelled with three to five generations. On a family holiday, manageable transfers, a comfortable pace and opportunities to rest can help different generations enjoy the day together.
Planning should begin with what you want to experience, followed by the practical arrangements that could help make it possible.
Better conversations for our travel agent partners
For travel agents, a useful starting question is: “What would you love to do when you get ashore?”
CLIA’s 2024 findings also reported that 73% of cruise travellers said travel advisors had a meaningful influence on their decision to cruise. Specialist advice can help clients understand their options and choose a holiday that suits them.
A conversation about time ashore can reveal details that discussing ships and cabins alone might miss. A client who walks comfortably over short distances may need equipment for longer outings. A family may want an experience everyone can enjoy together, with manageable transfers and regular rest stops.
Agents can use these insights to compare excursion travel times and activity levels, ask providers specific questions about access, and discuss cabin and equipment requirements early. It also helps to explain what has been confirmed and which arrangements still need checking.
Mobility at Sea can support that process by discussing equipment requirements alongside the client’s ship and cabin arrangements. Bringing those details together early gives clients a clearer picture of their holiday before departure.
Interested in becoming a Mobility at Sea travel agent partner? Explore our travel agent partner network, then apply to become a partner.
Planning your next cruise
Whether you picture yourself exploring Portsmouth’s maritime history or discovering somewhere new further afield, the right preparation starts with what you want to enjoy.
Tell us about your ship, cabin and personal requirements. We can help you explore mobility equipment for your cruise and discuss suitable arrangements.
Contact Mobility at Sea to plan your cruise equipment hire.