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Trying to plan an adventure at sea with an aging parent? Be sure to choose a cruise line that can meet your needs ...

Cruising has long been billed as an excellent vacation choice for wheelchair-users and slow walkers; however, some cruises are more accessible than others. Although the newer and larger ships traditionally offer the best on-board access, the ship is only part of the equation. Choosing an itinerary with accessible ports of call is equally important. Although not every sailing makes the cut, a wide range of accessible choices are available, from intimate expedition cruises to large luxury liners.

On the smaller side, there's the Empress of the North, which sails the Columbia River and Alaska's Inside Passage. This 223-passenger sternwheeler has just 112 staterooms, including two that are wheelchair-accessible. Both accessible staterooms have wide doorways, level thresholds and adequate pathway access. The accessible bathrooms have a roll-in shower with a hand-held shower head, a fold-down shower seat, grab bars in the shower and around the toilet and a full five-foot turning radius. It's very nicely done for a small ship.

Although access is good on board, the Empress of the North really excels in the shore excursion department. All Columbia River shore excursions focus on the history of the region and are conducted on lift-equipped buses owned by Majestic America Line. Due to the retractable bow ramp on the Empress of the North, she can dock just about anywhere, and wherever she docks the buses are waiting. It's a very accessible way to explore the area.

If you'd prefer a more active cruise with the opportunity to get an up-close-and personal look at Alaska's natural beauty, then check out the MV Sea Wolf. Although most expedition-style ships this size are not accessible, owner Kimber Owen went to great lengths to make her 12-passenger vessel as accessible as possible.

The three accessible staterooms are furnished with twin beds, and the bathrooms include a shower with a transfer bench, accessible controls and a hand-held showerhead. Although these units are not considered roll-ins, there is adequate space for a wheelchair-user to roll alongside the shower and transfer to the 19-inch-high transfer bench. The accessible bathrooms also have roll-under sinks and toilets with plenty of room for a side transfer.

Of course, the shore excursions aboard the MV Sea Wolf are the highlight of the cruise, and most include either a kayaking expedition or a beach landing in a skiff. An overhead sling-type lift is used to transfer wheelchair-users into the kayaks, and the crew is happy to assist with paddling instruction and assistance. One of the double kayaks is completely open for easier access, and plenty of padding is also available. Even if you've never paddled before, it's easy to learn, especially in a double kayak.

Hawaii is another popular cruise destination, with the most accessible choice being an inter-island itinerary aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) Pride of Hawaii. Christened on May 20, 2006, the Pride of Hawaii boasts 21 accessible cabins in a variety of categories. All accessible cabins feature wide doorways and bathrooms with a roll-in shower, grab bars and a shower seat.

The Pride of Hawaii departs from Honolulu and her seven-night shore intensive itinerary features more than 100 hours ashore and overnight stays on Kauai and Maui. At least one accessible shore excursion is available in each port, with in lift-equipped buses owned by NCL. There's plenty of time to see the sights, and since the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) is the law of the land in Hawaii, there are many more accessible sights to see.

And for the traditional Caribbean cruise, you just can't beat one of Royal Caribbean International's (RCI) Voyager Class ships: the Adventure of the Seas, the Explorer of the Seas, the Voyager of the Seas, the Navigator of the Seas and the Mariner of the Seas.

Each of these massive beauties has 26 accessible staterooms equipped with roll-in showers, fold-down shower benches, roll-under sinks, wide doorways and plenty of maneuvering room. Ten of the outside staterooms also have balconies with ramped thresholds.

As far as the most accessible Voyager Class itinerary goes, experts agree it's the Eastern Caribbean sailing. "Accessible shore excursions are spotty throughout the Caribbean, largely because the region isn't governed by laws like the ADA," says travel agency owner, Connie George. "RCI's Eastern Caribbean itineraries do, however, call on St. Thomas and Puerto Rico," she adds, "and since both of these islands fall under U.S. law, you're more likely to find accessible shore options there. It's really the best Caribbean choice for wheelchair-users."

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Candy Harrington is the editor of "Emerging Horizons" and the author of "Barrier Free Travel: A Nuts and Bolts Guide For Wheelers and Slow Walkers." Visit her blog for access news, resources and industry updates.