Mobility Scooters on Cunard & P&O ships

[maitai999]

Mother has always taken her Go Go Elite traveller mobility scooter which fits through the standard cabin doorways and can be quickly and easily dismantled in 5 easy pieces and stored under dressing table/bed/wardrobe etc or has sat next to the bed without any problems before.

 

As we all know this rule changed in Easter 2013 unless you are travelling in a specially adapted disabled cabin (when mother does not need low sinks/bed etc so why take it when someone else more needy does??) or a Princess suite & above.

 

Now I understand this ruling has recently changed and the guest customer relations have a list of 6 mobility scooters allowed onboard in a standard cabin which are:

 

Sunspec SP410

Aquasoothe Travelite

Monarch Mobiscooter

Packascooter

Travelscoot

Luggi

 

Does anyone have any recommendations which are the best, as I would like to check out pricing in the UK?

[xxoocruiser]

Am only familiar with the Luggie and Travelscoot as those are the only 2 scooters on the list sold in the USA. The other models listed appeared only to be sold in the UK and or Europe. The common denominator of all the scooters listed is that they all fold up. Thus taking up limited floor space in the cabin.

 

Since all mobility scooters have a specific weight load maximum, suggest you first begin by researching which scooters can accommodate your weight. Another thing to consider is the seat to deck height range and if the seat height can be adjusted. This is important relative to one's height for maximum comfort and ease of getting on/off the scooter.

Edited July 14, 2013 by xxoocruiser

[happytravelleruk]

I was wondering where you heard about the change to the scooter ban?

Val

[maitai999]

Thank you, I will start to look into these but main criteria seems to be they all packaway into a case or bag as I have been told they have to be stored in your stateroom wardrobe. They all seem to be pretty expensive especially hits hard when mother only purchased her Go Go Elite traveller for cruising last year. I may look into hiring at Southampton as I know this is very easy for cruisers the other side of the pond. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity are happy to take the Go Go

 

This is 100% accurate information direct from P&O/Cunard in UK who have only just received the go ahead for these specifics to be allowed in standard rooms. All agents have been provided with a list of these 6 scooters.

Edited July 15, 2013 by maitai999

[xxoocruiser]

Thank you, I will start to look into these but main criteria seems to be they all packaway into a case or bag as I have been told they have to be stored in your stateroom wardrobe. They all seem to be pretty expensive especially hits hard when mother only purchased her Go Go Elite traveller for cruising last year. I may look into hiring at Southampton as I know this is very easy for cruisers the other side of the pond. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity are happy to take the Go Go

 

This is 100% accurate information direct from P&O/Cunard in UK who have only just received the go ahead for these specifics to be allowed in standard rooms. All agents have been provided with a list of these 6 scooters.

 

Not ever having been on P&O or Cunard not certain if this work. However since the criteria is that the scooter has to fit into the closet when not in use than perhaps depending on the size of the closet the Pride GOGO may still work. The GoGo breaks down into 4 pieces (5 including basket ). The Battery pack could be placed on the desk ( or even underneath ) at night for charging. The seat can be taken off /folded and placed in the sofa. The tiller could be taken and folded down onto the base. Than the whole base (both 2 pieces still in tack) could be stored upright in the closet. Have been on several RCCL ships in which this could done.

Edited July 15, 2013 by xxoocruiser

[LondonTowner]

maitai999

 

if I was you I would contact P&O or Cunard direct. Then you will have the answer. I would imagine they accept pride GoGo as it is a very common model here in UK.

[maitai999]

Thanks everyone - unfortunately I have already contacted higher level management in Special Assistance and in Guest Customer Relations at Cunard/P&O as they were the ones who provided me with the list of 6 mobility scooters allowed onboard in standard staterooms. I was advised NO other makes would be allowed through Southampton unless it was one of these 6. They still have our previous special assistance/mobility declaration forms on computer which states exact dimensions of the Go Go when it is dismantled. Will no longer be acceptable. It is absolute madness, as you can easily dismantle this scooter, and we even leave the armrests at home - it really is no size. Mother really is a Cunard die hard fan and is reluctant to go on Celebrity or RC, something to do with her diamond status. Looks like she will have to book an adapted room not as a Getaway fare, if she wants her Go Go onboard.

 

We live in the UK, so will keep our eyes and ears opened to see how this all pans out, now they are allowing some scooters back onboard .....

Edited July 16, 2013 by maitai999

[xxoocruiser]

Thanks everyone - unfortunately I have already contacted higher level management in Special Assistance and in Guest Customer Relations at Cunard/P&O as they were the ones who provided me with the list of 6 mobility scooters allowed onboard in standard staterooms. I was advised NO other makes would be allowed through Southampton unless it was one of these 6. They still have our previous special assistance/mobility declaration forms on computer which states exact dimensions of the Go Go when it is dismantled. Will no longer be acceptable. It is absolute madness, as you can easily dismantle this scooter, and we even leave the armrests at home - it really is no size. Mother really is a Cunard die hard fan and is reluctant to go on Celebrity or RC, something to do with her diamond status. Looks like she will have to book an adapted room not as a Getaway fare, if she wants her Go Go onboard.

 

We live in the UK, so will keep our eyes and ears opened to see how this all pans out, now they are allowing some scooters back onboard .....

 

Does Cunard and P&O really believe that anyone in a standard cabin that's actually using one of these approved scooter is really going to fold it up and store in the closet when not in use ??? :confused: Bet that's not going to happen !

[maitai999]

xxoocruiser - exactly what i was thinking !

 

I don't think we have heard the last of this one yet from Cunard - if they have brought in this change after 4 months of this new rule, who knows what the next few months may bring ...

[Chunky2219]

Maybe a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.

 

It was a completely dumb idea that was going to cost bookings and drive away passengers who couldn't get /didn't want an adapted cabin.

 

It's not a complete volte face but perhaps with luck they will continue to relax things and we'll get back into completely sensible terrritory.

.

.

.

[terrierjohn]

 

It's not a complete volte face but perhaps with luck they will continue to relax things and we'll get back into completely sensible terrritory.

.

Completely sensible and P&O/Cunard management are two things that just do not go together.

[Paul&Kathy]

This is fantastic news that P&O/Cunard have seen sense at last - or at least partial sense. If it is any help DH loves his Luggie, it has been on many cruises and we never had any trouble with it in any cabin, either folding it up to store (under the bed is usually better than in the closet) or in fact just leave it made up and ask the steward to take out the coffee table. If you buy one and need to fly then I recommend NOT folding the base part, as that leaves the tiller vulnerable to breakage (happen to us 3 times in 5 flights), just fold the tiller down then the seat and the seat covers and protects it, just hand it in like that and the baggage handlers can pull it along by the small wheels, it's not been broken again since we started doing that.

[Captain Beefheart]

Hi, as anybody been able to book one of these scooters into a standard cabin because after reading the post I rang P&O's booking office and TA's and nobody seemed to know about the change in the rules?

[maitai999]

Yes, with P&O and Cunard, keep trying - I can highly recommend a Personal Voyage Specialist at Head Office at Cunard, she can be reached on 0843-374-0002 ext 420 or email janine.furmage@carnivalukgroup.com. Her job is to offer a complimentary personal dedicated service with customers and assist them from enquiry stage through to booking your voyage and after. She has the list of scooters allowed in standard staterooms, and will also give you the special assistance department details if you need them directly.

[Captain Beefheart]

Hi maitai999, that sounds encouraging do you know if she (Janine Furmage) acts for P&O as well as Cunard ? Thanks.

Edited September 10, 2013 by Captain Beefheart

[maitai999]

Yes, it was both as under Carnivalukgroup. I found her to be extremely helpful as she would liaise between Guest Assistance Services and come back to me. There was never any hard sell or pressure to make a booking as her role is more customer service

 

I am sure if she can't help, she will get the right people in P&O to contact you.

 

We don't own one on the list unfortunately, and hesitating spending £1000+ on one we do not have any knowledge on. Can you recommend any of the scooters on the list ?

Edited September 11, 2013 by maitai999

[Captain Beefheart]

Hi maitai999,thanks for your reply,unfortuantly I myself have one of the bigger types of scooter that breaks into 5 peices so can't help you out on any of the six mentioned.

I personally took interest in the original post due to my concerns following the rules introduced to stop people taking scooters into standard cabins and on the effect it would have on the accessible cabins(I personally require a accessable cabin)and these being taken by passengers that would now have to book a one of these cabins to take on board a scooter even though they did not require the adaptions that the accessable cabins have(as you mentioned you did not want to take up one of these cabins for your mother for these reasons)but had no alternative.

I today phoned P&O and Cunard,Cunard new about being able to take onboard the smaller foldaway scooters and explained how to book one onboard were as P&O didn't know anything about the rule change and said i would have to book a accessable cabin.Iam at the present time in contact with cusomer service at P&O on the subject ,if I get no joy I will contact the lady you mentioned in your post .Thanks again

.

Edited September 11, 2013 by Captain Beefheart

[Love Planning]

My OH and I were loyal P&O cruisers until they brought in their ridiculous rule about us having to book an accessible cabin (not required as OH can walk - just not very far) or a mini suite/suite (out of our price range). Like many other people we engaged in protracted correspondence to try to get them to realise that there are scooters, and there are scooters. I was delighted to read posts from September 2013 giving the list of 'approved' scooters as we have a Luggie:)

 

I was not surprised however to find that there is still some confusion ....

 

Does anyone have any more up to date info? That would be much appreciated and if P&O HAVE changed their minds, we might consider cruising with them again although we have had our loyalty points removed because we haven't travelled with them since they introduced their ban on us travelling in a standard cabin. Maybe that is a new issue to take up with them ....

 

I will be very interested in any more up to date information.

[maitai999]

Hi Love Planning - it's all changed, yet again ! Apparently the list of "allowed" mobility scooters was only valid for August/Sept voyages on the QE and QV and has now been withdrawn completely! I phoned through to book my parents on a QM2 voyage and was told it was either a manual wheelchair in a standard stateroom or handicapped room if she wanted to take ANY mobility scooter. I said she can walk, just not very far - why take such a room from guests that need those facilities is beggars belief. We could have gone out and purchased an additional scooter based on Cunard's list and now found it's no longer permitted. How can they chop and change like this??

[retafcruiser]

.... why take such a room from guests that need those facilities is beggars belief....

 

That is the idiocy of these policy makers - Those truly needing the facilities of a handicap room will be denied because someone with a scooter is forced to book the room.:(

[pegleg45]

Can any one advise the situation regarding folding mobility scooters at the present time.

 

I had returned from a World Cruise in April 2012 (when I had a folding mobility scooter stored in the wardrobe for 3 months, as it had been on Adonia and Ventura)

 

After long discussions with P & O and with my MEP who raised P & O's use of the new EU Regulations with the relevant committee) I was advised that folding mobility scooters were not necessarily confined to certain cabins.

 

When this information was put to P & O they eventually gave me 'a personal exemption' for us of my folding mobility scooter with a few restrictions.

 

I will present this to them when I book my next cruise. My scooter sits in the wardrobe and the stewards were surprised to see me on it as they had no knowledge of it.

 

I totally agree that NO mobility scooter should be ever left in the corridors just as pushchairs should be banned from being left in the corridors. I dont necessarily ever use it on board but to use going on excursions.

 

Any information would be useful.

 

However I take some exception to those people saying they wold never be folded up - on the world cruise (and others) my scooter was in the wardrobe - a proper folding scooter takes no time or effort to fold and unfold, and there is no surplus space in the cabins. People who don't use a folding scooter are only guessing what they would do!!