scooter practical in new england/canada ports?

I would appreciate some advice regarding taking a small scooter off the ship in several ports in an upcoming RCCL cruise of New England / Canada late Sept. 2010.

I normally walk with a cane, but I tire easily. I have no trouble getting on or off a scooter, and I have rented a small scooter for this cruise.

I will be with some family and friends and I expect we will take some local sightseeing excursions by van or duck or bus. But I am hoping to take the scooter on shore in some ports to explore areas nearby. If there are walking or strolling sites near the pier I would be able to stay with my friends while they meander around interesting "walking" areas. (I could get off the scooter to enter a shop or restaurant.)

How realistic and practical is this near the piers in Portland, Maine., Halifax, NS., and St. John, New Brunswick?

Thank you for any comments and suggestions.

I would appreciate some advice regarding taking a small scooter off the ship in several ports in an upcoming RCCL cruise of New England / Canada late Sept. 2010.

 

I normally walk with a cane, but I tire easily. I have no trouble getting on or off a scooter, and I have rented a small scooter for this cruise.

 

I will be with some family and friends and I expect we will take some local sightseeing excursions by van or duck or bus. But I am hoping to take the scooter on shore in some ports to explore areas nearby. If there are walking or strolling sites near the pier I would be able to stay with my friends while they meander around interesting "walking" areas. (I could get off the scooter to enter a shop or restaurant.)

 

How realistic and practical is this near the piers in Portland, Maine., Halifax, NS., and St. John, New Brunswick?

 

Thank you for any comments and suggestions.

Portland, Maine has sidewalks -- sometimes cobblestoned bricks, but with curb cuts and street lights -- no big problem. Some stores are stepped.

Halifax has the "Harbor Walk" -- flat combo of wood, pebbles and path -- no problem. If you go one block off -- all streets have curb cuts. Casino - just past Marriot Hotel is about 1 3/4 mile. Called New Brunswick Casino -- flat and accessible -- only can use Canadian money. Stop at Murphy's by the Sea for lobster. Fun day on a scooter if weather is nice. If not nice weather -- head for Pier 21 Museum (Immigration story) - in pier building -- accessible to scooter and enjoyable.

Saint John -- if going to the mall area there is a PEDWAY -- you may have to ask for instructions to get to the first elevator. (There are 3 total) to take you all the way to the Market. It's kind of fun to find and use -- indoor shopping so worth it -- it's a very steep hill otherwise. People are very friendly there - enjoy! Also "Steamers" across the street from terminal is a good inside-outside eating place for lobster. Enjoy. Vicki :)

Vickila, thank you, thank you for your very specific and encouraging response. I am relieved and getting more excited about our cruise and being able to stay with my friends in these ports by using my rented scooter.

Thanks for the information. My husband and I both use scooters . Sounds so nice an easy to do. Planning on next fall.

If it's a small scooter -- you should have no problem putting it on the bottom half of a full tour bus which they use for tours, i.e. where they would generally put the luggage. In Portland the lighthouse is accessible - except for the gift shop and Kenneybunkport is wonderful boutique shopping and restaurants. Freeport (L.L. Beane is also accessible). Now there are taxis -- (if scooter comes apart) at Portland that go to Kenneybunkport ($60 one way - 4 people) and Freeport ($40 one way - 4 people). The last time we were there we did The Foodie Tour - few blocks from the pier (not a ship tour) and very enjoyable with the scooter and hubby walkign - about 1.5 miles. (See Portland Foodie Tour).

In Saint John, the best tour is the one that goes to Saint Martins to see the sea caves imo. There is a scooter ramp to the restaurant where you can sit and enjoy the scenery while others investigate the caves.

Halifax - I scooter goes on the bus, a newcomer to the area should visit Peggy's Cove, HOWEVER -- can be very congested as it is a small restaurant/souvenier shop area. But worthwhle to see it all. If not stick to the Harbor Walk - if nice weather. Halifax can be tricky. For complete tour highly recommend Jonathan of www.yourcabco.ca. Or lots of choices on the street after you exit out.

Do your research on these ports as it has been my experience that shore excursions -- no matter what cruiseline do not know it all as they only go a few times each year. If you are a shopper, the tent right outside the pier in Saint John is nice and in Halifax the shops right outside in Pier 21 are interesting too. By all means take the scooter off the ship as just getting out of the pier area is a lot of walking. Vicki:)

Beware of St John. I did not have a scooter at the time but when we docked there was no problem getting off but in the afternoon getting back on, the ship was probably 20 feet higher because of the tides. It was impossible for me to negotiate all the stairs and they brought a wheelchair off and took me into the service entrance that was several floors lower then the main entrance. The service entrance was a ramp but NO SCOOTER would have the power to get up that ramp.

You might ask questions, when on your ship about the tides in St John.