First time with a Scooter - Suggestions please!

We're cruising next month & for the first time my DH will be using a scooter. He gets around (slowly) with his cane but we do a lot of walking while on the ship so I've rented a scooter. I don't think he'll need it all the time but, based on previous cruises, by dinner time I expect he'll be quite happy to hop on and ride.

I changed our mini suite to a real one because there's no way he could get use the tub. I might as well just push him down at home as let him try to climb in & out of the tub in the mini!

We're in an SJ on the Dawn & I'm hoping it's big enough for him to practice but I'm also hoping people here can offer some help & suggestions about using the scooter. We've both seen the best & worst of scooter users as well as inconsiderate passengers. I can't do anything about the passengers but I would like to do everything I can to ensure he isn't an inconsiderate user.

Any help or information you can provide will be greatly appreciated.............

Did you reserve an accessible suite? That may be more important than anything, aince the doors of a regular one may not be wide enough for the scooter.

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Pack your patience. Allow extra time to get everywhere, so that you don't feel rushed.

Remember there are two or more banks elevators. After a show it's easier to move to the second set while everyone's trying to get on the elevators closest to the show. Also it doesn't hurt to get on the elevator when the door opens no matter which way it's going, eventually goes the other way

Did you reserve an accessible suite? That may be more important than anything, aince the doors of a regular one may not be wide enough for the scooter.

 

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No, the suite isn't accessible but I confirmed the scooter will fit through the door when I made the scooter reservation. I don't remember the measurements, but it sounded like the scooter will fit through most cabin doors. It appears the reason you see them sitting in out of the ways places is because cabin space is so limited.

I did change our balcony cabin for our next cruise to an accessible cabin.

Pack your patience. Allow extra time to get everywhere, so that you don't feel rushed.

Patience isn't a problem & we're both sticklers about being on time which means we're always early.............

Remember there are two or more banks elevators. After a show it's easier to move to the second set while everyone's trying to get on the elevators closest to the show. Also it doesn't hurt to get on the elevator when the door opens no matter which way it's going, eventually goes the other way

The forward elevators are the ones we'll use the most often because that's where our cabin is. That said, if we go to a show, we'll be heading to the casino immediately after so I don't think it will be an issue.

I rented a scooter for our first cruise and now own one which will be coming with us to Alaska NEXT MONTH! WHEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, slight digression of excitement. ;)

I paid the extra for the covers-everything insurance. I didn't expect (or have) any problems but just didn't want the "what if?" worry.

Most people are very courteous to scooter users. I rarely had a problem getting onto the elevator. Take him to Walmart or someplace else that has electric carts so he can practice backing up - it's much easier to back onto an elevator than back out. Most scooters drive quite similarly to electric carts. The MDR waiters whisked my scooter away once I was seated and whisked it back when I was done. There was wheelchair/scooter seating available at shows. My husband loved the freedom of not constantly having to push me everywhere. We could even do different things occasionally and he didn't have to worry about me not being able to get where I wanted to go! I also scooted off the ship at ports and enjoyed the freedom. It was such a positive experience for me that I regularly urge people with difficulty walking to rent a scooter. They can EITHER spend their energy on getting themselves around a big ship OR spend it enjoying activities. I know which I prefer! (I don't use wheelchair or scooter at home, I walk around to retain what mobility I have. And at home, I will even walk into stores/restaurants if I know the distance is short enough for me to manage. I use it a lot more for special situations such as travelling and vacations.)

You must keep the scooter in your cabin (other than when he is using it). If you see scooters left in the hall, that violates maritime safety rules and you should let a ship's officer know about it. I didn't see any handicapped suites on the Pearl so I don't know if they even exist, but most of the problems with regular rooms, even minisuites (lack of space, stepping up to a bathroom) don't seem to apply to suites so you should be okay. I don't know the room codes but if SJ is a penthouse suite, check to make sure it does not require climbing stairs to get to it - when I was shopping suites I noticed one class was flagged that it was only accessible via stairs.

Thanks mamasylvia! Your response is just what I needed to know this was a good decision.

I'll definitely get him shopping so he can get in a bit of practice. The SJ doesn't have any stairs & I think it's big enough so he can get some practice there as well.

Best piece of advice I was given, was set the speed to sloooooooow till you get used to it.

Keep in mind that going down long passageways on decks with lots of staterooms have a lot of carts with classes and shower stuff along with towels and sheets etc. Those can be difficult to navigate around. The worst thing being on a scooter is that people don't see you and will step right in front of you and stop. There usually is a dial with a rabbit on it. It controls max speed. Turn it to slow when first trying the scooter out.

Know that pedestrians do not look where they are going. They stare straight ahead, and don't pay attention to see you coming from the side---even when you are on the main drag, have the right of way, and they could be injured. :o

When going down a passageway in a cabin area, listen for the "click" of a door opening; people step right out in front of you without looking first, so be prepared to stop on a dime (even though the scooter doesn't).

If you are waiting for an elevator, and you were there first, don't let the pedestrians cut you off, or you'll be waiting forever. If you are alone, pull up to the button and push it, then circle around to have a good angle on whichever elevator door opens first. If you back out, be careful if there's a staircase behind you. (I pull in straight, then back out, as I find that easier.)

People walking behind you will try to overtake you; let them. Otherwise they will somehow get close enough to walk right in front of you, without giving enough clearance. For some reason, just because you are the moving vehicle, when the pedestrians do something stupid and you hit them, it becomes all your fault. You don't need the grief.

Good luck.

My thanks to all who responded! I think I've got it & I'll make sure DH gets it.........

Be watchful of pedestrians, go slow, let people pass, go slow, practice, go slow, be patient & don't forget to go slow!

I had forgotten about the carts and stuff in the hall, but yes, that is an issue. I was on Royal and the hallways were wide enough that I could go around them. I don't know how Norwegian will be but I'll be finding out the same time you are. ;)

My thanks to all who responded! I think I've got it & I'll make sure DH gets it.........

 

Be watchful of pedestrians, go slow, let people pass, go slow, practice, go slow, be patient & don't forget to go slow!

And never forget that disabled people are also invisible.

Sad, but seems to be true. Pedestrians will look you straight in the eye, then walk in front of you. No matter how slow you are going!

My husband's scooter has a horn and he uses it! We were on RCCL and in the MDR they aslways found a spot for the scooter close by. Just be careful regarding inclines.....you don't want to try some that are too steep.

Getting on ship on the ramps was easy.

Recharge it every night while you sleep, even if the indicator shows that you still have plenty of power. You never know how much power you might need the next day, especially if you go on an excursion off of the ship. I think it is best to start each day with a full charge on the battery.

I hope your DH will also find that the scooter will save him from exhaustion and enable him to have much greater freedom on your trip. He may wonder why he didn't start using one long before this.Enjoy your cruise - I hope you both have a wonderful time!

> Recharge it every night while you sleep, even if the indicator shows that you still have plenty of power.

Excellent point that I didn't think of because I do it automatically. lol I've even talked DH into letting me spend $600 on a second travel battery for my scooter, which actually has a pretty good range but for Juneau I plan to scoot around Mendenhall and then the tram, and I'm not sure I won't run out of juice. $600 is a lot of money but less than another cruise would be to see what I wasn't able to get to this time!

We're cruising next month & for the first time my DH will be using a scooter. He gets around (slowly) with his cane but we do a lot of walking while on the ship so I've rented a scooter. I don't think he'll need it all the time but, based on previous cruises, by dinner time I expect he'll be quite happy to hop on and ride.

 

I changed our mini suite to a real one because there's no way he could get use the tub. I might as well just push him down at home as let him try to climb in & out of the tub in the mini!

 

We're in an SJ on the Dawn & I'm hoping it's big enough for him to practice but I'm also hoping people here can offer some help & suggestions about using the scooter. We've both seen the best & worst of scooter users as well as inconsiderate passengers. I can't do anything about the passengers but I would like to do everything I can to ensure he isn't an inconsiderate user.

 

Any help or information you can provide will be greatly appreciated.............

We just came off of our cruise a few weeks ago. It was the 4th time I took my scooter on a cruise. I also bring my collapsible cane and I brought a walker. I bring the walker so I can get a little exercise trying to walk a little outside of the cabin. I have a Pride GoGo Elite Traveller Plus Scooter. It fits through the door of a standard balcony cabin. The best advice I can give is to be patient. I'm on vacation, so I usually just let folks go ahead of me on the elevators. I'm in no hurry, and we use the AFT elevators. I have never had any problems while using my scooter. I am courteous, and other passenger have always been helpful, etc.

I would just suggest that your husband practices a little because it can be tricky if you're not accustomed to using a scooter. There is a lot of movement on a ship as you know, so be careful if the seas are choppy. I just say, take your time, put the scooter closer to the turtle speed, and not the rabbit speed. Be prepared to stop on a dime, because some folks could accidentally walk into you if they are preoccupied. I'm sure the scooter will be a great help. I know that I couldn't get around throughout the ship if I didn't have my scooter. Have a great cruise.

Best piece of advice I was given, was set the speed to sloooooooow till you get used to it.

Especially when reversing. I have my own scooter. I can't tell you how many times I have been crashed into by people who rent scooters. Once on the monorail at Walt Disney World a rental scooter crashed onto my scooter and got the scooters stuck together. Same thing happened in the elevator of a cruise ship. I have already changed the colored frame due to all the scratches. The person on the monorail laughed and said, "I bet you must have done the same thing when you first started using the scooter." I just smiled, but I wanted to say that I practiced using them in stores before renting, and when I purchased mine I practiced backing up and parking it in tight spaces. So my advice is to practice, practice, practice before taking the cruise.

We are renting 2 scooter for Alaska in a couple of weeks. Can you tell me how we will get the scooter off the ship in the ports (Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Haines. Can we drive them off or?

Thanks ahead for any info.

Ann

I don't know about Haines, but the others have docks that most cruise ships will dock at most of the time. If your ship is docked, you can scoot off and back on the ship on the same ramps the walking passengers use.

If you wind up tendering, or if Haines is a tender port, things get much more complicated. There are exceptions, but generally scooters cannot go on tenders. If you can walk a little and have a manual wheelchair and someone to push you arount in it, you and the wheelchair can get onto and off the tender. If not, you will most likely not get ashore in that port. However, check with the cruise line to see if you are tendering at all and if you will be able to scooter onto the tender - general information like this is worth exactly what you paid for it. ;)

I forgot to add that I bought a folding scooter that is coming with me to AK next month, and one of the many reasons I bought this particular one is that it only weighs 53 lb so it can go on excursions where full-sized scooters are not allowed. None of the cruise ports we will stop at are tender ports, something I looked into before booking this cruise.

It's nice to read other members say that fellow cruisers are polite and helpful on the elevators. Having cruised many times with my husband on his scooter, I am still waiting to find those polite people. I have learned that I need to be a bit "pushy" about him getting on the elevator. I usually am carrying his cane, and I will hold the cane up so people cannot jump in front of him to board the elevator. I politely ask them to wait, but many times I have to use the cane approach. We will be the first one at the elevator and will be waiting, but when the doors open people just jump in front of him. So, now I either use his cane or I become a line backer and set up a block so they can't get ahead of him. He is an excellent driver and can park that scooter anywhere!!! When it becomes hard for him is when he is backing into the elevator and people are moving around as he backs in. If people would just stay where they are at and he has seen them, then he can put the scooter exactly where he wants it. In the elevator too, I'm a bit pushy...."please just stay where you are and both he and you will be fine."

I recently bought him a flag that attaches to his scooter, we'll see on our next trip if that is helpful at all...though I'm not holding out hope.

I think it's that people are not used to scooters in general and aboard a ship there can be several. I think it's that people get in "cattle mode" and really don't think about any hazards. Of course there are those that have to be pushy because they get away with it. My premise is that all people can be thoughtful, in elevators that's really NOT a given though.

My solution is to get to the floor/deck of the restaurant about 30 or so minutes before eating, and have a cocktail before diner. Usually there are no elevator hassles on off times for dinner/lunch/theater.

Then of course is the run over the toes method ... we'll cover that at a later time ;)

We are renting 2 scooter for Alaska in a couple of weeks. Can you tell me how we will get the scooter off the ship in the ports (Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Haines. Can we drive them off or?

 

Thanks ahead for any info.

 

Ann

Depends if the ship in actually docked or tendered. If docked you can take the scooter off in ports. If tendered it depends on whether or not the tender has roll-on capabilities, weather conditions as well as sea conditions. For tendered ports the Captain has the final word if passengers with wheelchair, scooter and or other mobility equipment can go be allowed on the tender.

If renting through the cruise lines approved vendor note the following :

Embarkation Day: The rental scooter will be deliver to the cabin on embarkation day and must be left in the cabin on disembarkation day. If you use the cruise lines wheelchair assistance on embarkation day note that you will be dropped off in a public area and not taken directly to your cabin . Once cabins are available to passengers someone from your party will have to go to the cabin to get the scooter if you're unable to make the walk. The scooter rental contract states that the scooter will not be delivered until 2:00 PM . However it's important to note that rental equipment delivered to the ship is not given priority loading by the cruise line as ships supplies take precedent. Therefore the scooter might not appear in the cabin until closer to the sailing time though it was deliver to the port by 2:00 PM.

Disembarkation Day: The rental scooter must be left in the cabin on disembarkation day. The cruise line will not provide wheelchair assistance/pickup from the cabin. The night before a location for wheelchair assistance for disembarkation will be published in the daily cruise newsletter. You can ride the scooter to that location but than someone from your group must than take the scooter back to cabin for pickup from the rental company.

Other important info

• If you have not booked an accessible cabin than depending on the type of scooter required due to weight capacity it may not fit through the stateroom door. All scooters and wheelchairs MUST be stored in the stateroom. Due to the safety and escape way requirements established by SOLAS (Safety of Life at Seas) regulations, it cannot be stored in the hallways, stairways, or any other public area. Ignoring these regulations can and does impede the safety of others whether disabled or abled bodied moving about the hallways not to mention impedes the safety of all on board the ship in the event of an actual emergency. Even if the cabin attendant tells you it's Ok it's NOT ! I for one will contact the ships security to have the scooter removed if one is observed left in the hallway.
  
• After you obtained the scooter you should go to the dining room to check the location of your assigned table if traditional dining has been chosen. Reason you need to check that there is a good path to drive the scooter to the table. Once at the table you can transfer to a chair and the wait staff will than park the scooter in area that will not hinder others in the dining room. If there's an issue than go to the Matre'D and request a change in table location.
  
• Scooter keys are not unique as car keys. Scooter keys are universal and a scooter can easily be mistaken. Therefore I suggest you bring an extra luggage tag for the scooter to identify your rental scooter.
  
• The most common scooters rented by SpecialNeedsatSeas and or CareVacations are the Pride Go Go Elite Traveler or the Pride Go Go Sport which both have a very low under clearance of 1.5". Therefore it's not unusual that the scooter will get hung up on the gangway joints. Under no circumstance should you allow the ship personnel to force push the scooter over the joints which is their first reactive response. The scooter needs to be placed in freewheel mode and than rolled over the joints. If you aren't able to walk down/up the gangway than a person from the ship's crew must guide the scooter up/down the ramp while another pushes the scooter up/down the ramp while. If you're able to walk up/down the ramp it's recommended that you do so while the scooter is than freewheeled pulled up/down the ramp. If the scooter isn't placed in freewheel and the crew force pushes the scooter over the gangway joints the scooter can be permanently damaged and since it's a rental you will be responsible for the repair costs or possibly the complete replacement cost.
  
• The scooter does not stop a dime. It has a rolling stop. The slower the speed prior to stopping the shorter the roll. The faster the speed the longer the roll. Therefore you need to always be aware of this so as not to run into other passengers and or objects.
  
• you may encounter thresholds going to and coming from an outside deck that the scooter can get hung up on which makes it difficult to clear. You at times will have to scout out other routes that have a better leveled doorway threshold.
  
• Elevators will also be an issue with scooters as able-bodied passengers will just jump in front of you to get into the elevator first no matter that you were there first. It's not just kids. I have found that adults are often worse than the lids on-board. At peak times you're best to take the elevator that's further from your destination as it will be less congested.
  
• Get on the first elevator that has open space for the scooter regardless if it's going the opposite direction of what you want. What goes up must come down and vice versa.
  
• Arrive at the muster drill early to avoid all the crowds getting onto elevators.
  
• It's recommended that you remain at the muster drill location for at least 15 minutes if not more after it's ended to avoid the congestion at the elevator. It will be impossible to get onto an elevator until the crowds have cleared.
  
• Expect that there will be obstacles such as room service carts as well as inconsiderate passengers that have intentionally left their wheelchairs, scooters , other mobility equipment as well as baby strollers in the hallway of where you cabin is located. For any mobility equipment left in the hallway which blocks you passage don't think twice about calling the ships security to have it removed immediately . As far as the room service cart there's usually a cabin steward nearby so just yell out for assistance and it will be repositioned so you can pass .
  
• If you don't intend to go on excursions than suggest you wait to get off the ship until the masses have gone. Reason being that security and gangway personnel generally have to shut down the process to make certain you get off safely with scooter. Other passengers waiting in line get restless particularly if they're on a time restriction to meet up with an excursion.
  

Depends if the ship in actually docked or tendered. If docked you can take the scooter off in ports. If tendered it depends on whether or not the tender has roll-on capabilities, weather conditions as well as sea conditions. For tendered ports the Captain has the final word if passengers with wheelchair, scooter and or other mobility equipment can go be allowed on the tender.

 

If renting through the cruise lines approved vendor note the following :

Embarkation Day: The rental scooter will be deliver to the cabin on embarkation day and must be left in the cabin on disembarkation day. If you use the cruise lines wheelchair assistance on embarkation day note that you will be dropped off in a public area and not taken directly to your cabin . Once cabins are available to passengers someone from your party will have to go to the cabin to get the scooter if you're unable to make the walk. The scooter rental contract states that the scooter will not be delivered until 2:00 PM . However it's important to note that rental equipment delivered to the ship is not given priority loading by the cruise line as ships supplies take precedent. Therefore the scooter might not appear in the cabin until closer to the sailing time though it was deliver to the port by 2:00 PM.

 

Disembarkation Day: The rental scooter must be left in the cabin on disembarkation day. The cruise line will not provide wheelchair assistance/pickup from the cabin. The night before a location for wheelchair assistance for disembarkation will be published in the daily cruise newsletter. You can ride the scooter to that location but than someone from your group must than take the scooter back to cabin for pickup from the rental company.

 

Other important info

• If you have not booked an accessible cabin than depending on the type of scooter required due to weight capacity it may not fit through the stateroom door. All scooters and wheelchairs MUST be stored in the stateroom. Due to the safety and escape way requirements established by SOLAS (Safety of Life at Seas) regulations, it cannot be stored in the hallways, stairways, or any other public area. Ignoring these regulations can and does impede the safety of others whether disabled or abled bodied moving about the hallways not to mention impedes the safety of all on board the ship in the event of an actual emergency. Even if the cabin attendant tells you it's Ok it's NOT ! I for one will contact the ships security to have the scooter removed if one is observed left in the hallway.
  
• After you obtained the scooter you should go to the dining room to check the location of your assigned table if traditional dining has been chosen. Reason you need to check that there is a good path to drive the scooter to the table. Once at the table you can transfer to a chair and the wait staff will than park the scooter in area that will not hinder others in the dining room. If there's an issue than go to the Matre'D and request a change in table location.
  
• Scooter keys are not unique as car keys. Scooter keys are universal and a scooter can easily be mistaken. Therefore I suggest you bring an extra luggage tag for the scooter to identify your rental scooter.
  
• The most common scooters rented by SpecialNeedsatSeas and or CareVacations are the Pride Go Go Elite Traveler or the Pride Go Go Sport which both have a very low under clearance of 1.5". Therefore it's not unusual that the scooter will get hung up on the gangway joints. Under no circumstance should you allow the ship personnel to force push the scooter over the joints which is their first reactive response. The scooter needs to be placed in freewheel mode and than rolled over the joints. If you aren't able to walk down/up the gangway than a person from the ship's crew must guide the scooter up/down the ramp while another pushes the scooter up/down the ramp while. If you're able to walk up/down the ramp it's recommended that you do so while the scooter is than freewheeled pulled up/down the ramp. If the scooter isn't placed in freewheel and the crew force pushes the scooter over the gangway joints the scooter can be permanently damaged and since it's a rental you will be responsible for the repair costs or possibly the complete replacement cost.
  
• The scooter does not stop a dime. It has a rolling stop. The slower the speed prior to stopping the shorter the roll. The faster the speed the longer the roll. Therefore you need to always be aware of this so as not to run into other passengers and or objects.
  
• you may encounter thresholds going to and coming from an outside deck that the scooter can get hung up on which makes it difficult to clear. You at times will have to scout out other routes that have a better leveled doorway threshold.
  
• Elevators will also be an issue with scooters as able-bodied passengers will just jump in front of you to get into the elevator first no matter that you were there first. It's not just kids. I have found that adults are often worse than the lids on-board. At peak times you're best to take the elevator that's further from your destination as it will be less congested.
  
• Get on the first elevator that has open space for the scooter regardless if it's going the opposite direction of what you want. What goes up must come down and vice versa.
  
• Arrive at the muster drill early to avoid all the crowds getting onto elevators.
  
• It's recommended that you remain at the muster drill location for at least 15 minutes if not more after it's ended to avoid the congestion at the elevator. It will be impossible to get onto an elevator until the crowds have cleared.
  
• Expect that there will be obstacles such as room service carts as well as inconsiderate passengers that have intentionally left their wheelchairs, scooters , other mobility equipment as well as baby strollers in the hallway of where you cabin is located. For any mobility equipment left in the hallway which blocks you passage don't think twice about calling the ships security to have it removed immediately . As far as the room service cart there's usually a cabin steward nearby so just yell out for assistance and it will be repositioned so you can pass .
  
• If you don't intend to go on excursions than suggest you wait to get off the ship until the masses have gone. Reason being that security and gangway personnel generally have to shut down the process to make certain you get off safely with scooter. Other passengers waiting in line get restless particularly if they're on a time restriction to meet up with an excursion.
  

Thank you sooo much for this valuable information.

We are having our scooters delivered to the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver and then ride them down to check in and get onto the ship.

We have a very large suite which looks to comfortably hold the scooters. I will take a power strip in case the cabin does not have enough outlets to charge them. This was approved by Special Needs at Sea.

We are also renting a scooter here at home next week to practice on for 4 days before we leave on the 16th.

Ann:D