How hard is it to get on and off of Zodiacs for older people

[wwinfl91]

We are considering a cruise to Iceland and Scotland on Silverseas newest ship, the Endeavor,which uses zodiacs to take passengers to take passenger on to shore especially in a lot of the small ports we will be visiting. We are in are mid 70's and early 80's but are normally mobile and in decent shape for our ages. Will we have trouble getting in and out of the zodiacs? This is for people who have traveled on smaller expedition style ships. Thanks for help. 

[cenmn18]

I used zodiacs frequently during a trip to the Galapagos Islands, when I was using a cane prior to hip replacement. Our ship was the La Pinta (which I would recommend to anyone looking for a small ship Galapagos experience). They used 2 staff to assist each passenger on and off the zodiac with each staff grasping the passenger's fore arm and the passenger grasping theirs. The grasp was firm on the staff's part and I felt safe. Otherwise it was a matter of timing with the wave action on when to step. I would check with the ship and see what their boarding and exiting procedure is for the zodiacs. You do need a good sense of balance and need to step confidently and firmly both ways. Hope this helps.

[Rothko1]

Hi.  I was just on the Silver Endeavour in Antarctica.  

 

You board the zodiacs from the side of the side (as opposed to the Silver Origin in the Galapagos where you board at the back of the ship on the marina deck).  The Captain turns the ship so that typically you will be on the lee side when using the zodiacs.

 

There will always be at least 3 crew assisting you on and off:  two people on the ship and one in the zodiac.  You do the "sailors grip" which is grasping the forearms; it is very secure.  Backpacks or bags get handed in or out after you finish boarding or de-boarding the zodiacs.  They put a box in the zodiac which you step onto. 

 

Once onboard the zodiac you sit down and then scoot down towards the back of the zodiac to let more people on.  Frankly, you never want to be the first people on the zodiac because then you are back near the engine and it will be harder to hear the zodiac driver.  Plus, you get better views if you are near the front of the zodiac.  So let others board first.

 

When you make a "wet landing" at the shore, you scoot up to the front of the zodiac and they have you swing your legs around first and then exit the zodiac.  They usually have boxes there as well for boarding the zodiac.  Lots of crew to help you with the wet landings and boardings.

 

The crew is very very experienced at assisting passengers on and off.  They will make sure you are fine.  There was an older gentleman who could barely walk with a cane, and he was going on the zodiacs with very little problem.

 

You should go on the Endeavour.  It is a magnificent ship, and you will have a wonderful and safe adventure.

[debbieshomes]

In the Azores 2 weeks ago, had my first Zodiac experience at age 70. The crew was instructive and helped both in and out. Getting out was harder...gravity and all, lol. 

 

[CDNPolar]

This may sound crazy, but if you can do stairs well, and you can get in and out of a bathtub easily, you will be ok with the help of the crew.

 

We recently did Antarctica and I am fully active and mobile with no restrictions, but the help of the crew was appreciated none the less, as we were landing on rocks, and in water, and on ice and snow.  It was all about learning how to scoot along the side, and then swing the legs.  The most important thing that I learned was doing the right arm grasp with the crew.  This is key.

 

[mexico8]

On 8/27/2023 at 3:40 PM, CDNPolar said:

This may sound crazy, but if you can do stairs well, and you can get in and out of a bathtub easily, you will be ok with the help of the crew.

 

We recently did Antarctica and I am fully active and mobile with no restrictions, but the help of the crew was appreciated none the less, as we were landing on rocks, and in water, and on ice and snow.  It was all about learning how to scoot along the side, and then swing the legs.  The most important thing that I learned was doing the right arm grasp with the crew.  This is key.

 

A picture is worth a thousand words......  Thank you.    

[radiationman]

Did the Galapagos in 2018 when my wife and I were about 67 and had no trouble, especially with the crews help and use of the arm grasp.  We will be going to Antarctica in Feb 2024 and hopefully we will again have no trouble. We are of average fitness do lots of walking stair climbing and light weights.