Renting a Wheelchair for Equinox Question

[helen haywood]

Hey, very experienced X cruiser who just got a boot for a stress fracture.  If I’m not miraculously cured by my next cruise and still hobbling around with the boot I was thinking about renting a folding wheelchair just to get about on the ship.  Down long corridors...  I looked on the Disabled Cruising boards and didn’t see what I’m asking.  Has anyone else done this and do you rent/contact X or a land company for the rental?

[cruisestitch]

Go through Celebrity special needs department -- they make all the arrangements for you.  

[DUTRAVEL]

You can rent a wheelchair through either Specialneedsatsea.com or Scootaround.com.

[helen haywood]

Thanks!

[mom says]

Helen, I hope you aren't planning on wheeling yourself around in that chair. Self propelling is HARD work in those folding chairs, and they can be hard to get over thresholds by yourself. If you will have someone with you who can push, that's great. Otherwise I'd recommend looking at an ecv ( rent from one of the two sources listed up thread).

[helen haywood]

First of all I plan on a miraculous cure!  Absent that (and I am an advance planner) I will enlist my long suffering husband to push me through the corridors.  And I’ll stagger snail like on my boot once I arrive...

[Host Kat]

@helen haywood

 

Howdy!

 

If the miraculous cure does not happen and I certainly hope it DOES happen, perhaps this Cruise Critic article will be helpful about the prices: How to Rent a Scooter or Wheelchair for Your Cruise

 

Also, I have attached the Celebrity Guest Special Needs form for you if needed. The contact info at the bottom of the form is as follows:

 

For more information contact our Access Department at (866) 592-7225 (voice) or local number (954) 628-9708, fax (954) 628-9622, send an e-mail to special_needs@celebrity.com, or have your local Travel Agent or International Representative contact us.
 

I sincerely hope this information will be helpful and glad to have you aboard Cruise Critic!

 

Happy sails,

 

Host Kat

 

Celebrity-Guest-Special-Needs-Form.pdf

Edited January 4, 2020 by Host Kat
Additional information.

[chemmo]

7 hours ago, helen haywood said:

First of all I plan on a miraculous cure!  Absent that (and I am an advance planner) I will enlist my long suffering husband to push me through the corridors.  And I’ll stagger snail like on my boot once I arrive...

 

Hi Helen,

 

Sincere best wishes for a speedy recovery!

 

I can’t advise on hiring chairs as when I cruised in a boot I took one on board with me. I would, however,  agree with what ‘mon says’ about considering a scooter instead. My husband found pushing the chair hard work both on and off the ship and he is big and I am small! Cushioned carpeting  on board and uneven pavements off the ship do make it hard work. Although I am back on my feet now I still can’t walk far. On a recent visit to Florida I hired a scooter, what a difference! If I was to cruise again post surgery I would hire a scooter.

 

The staff at the Solarium pool were fantastic hoisting me in and out.  I am sure that continuing the exercises recommended by my physio in water really speeded up my recovery. Check nearer the time with your specialist if you can take your boot off for some water exercise...

 

I also requested a shower stool from my room attendant, useful both in the shower and for sitting on by the sink.

 

On the positive side remember packing will be easier, you only only need one of each shoe! We cruised on the Eclipse with Captain Leo who we had met before. He was kind enough to invite us to dine with him. I have a wonderful group picture outside Tuscan with me on crutches in my posh frock with a dainty silver sandal on one foot and the enormous boot on the other!

 

Hope you have a fantastic cruise regardless of the boot!

Edited January 4, 2020 by chemmo

[chemmo]

Just an afterthought...If you are cruising in a suite you will not be able to access the suite deck, there is a flight of stairs. I believe suite guests with mobility issues on our cruise were offered use of a cabana as an alternative. Something to discuss with the Suite Manager or Concierge on boarding...

[Essiesmom]

Have you considered a knee walker instead of a W/C?  Takes up a lot less space and you could still sit on it while waiting in line, etc. Go to a hospital supply store and try one out.  Saw two on one of my recent cruises (not Celebrity), a young father and a young boy - not of the same family.  EM  

[dogs4fun]

18 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

Have you considered a knee walker instead of a W/C?

This is what my sis used when she was wearing a boot. It is called the KneeRover but they have many names: knee scooter, knee walker, etc. They are much easier to maneuver & store than a wheelchair.

[HS2BS]

We need a wheelchair for my wife and from the curb, checkin, and boarding Celebrity provides a wheelchair and a “pusher” the same with disembarkation.  The pusher then leaves the chair for use on/off the ship. Booking is always far in advance so that we do have an accessible cabin that accommodates her needs. No need to rent a wheelchair, but if your partner is not able to push then a scooter is advisable. (Note: Princess does not provide wheelchairs so we bring our own.)

 

Hal

[helen haywood]

Thanks everyone for your kind advice.  I was going to ask what chemmo meant by a scooter...did you mean a motorized wheelchair?  We are not in an accessible cabin as I only just developed the fracture. Not in a suite either.  It sounds like the knee scooter might be a better option than the wheelchair.  My orthopedic PA said I did not have to wear the boot at all times...I think it’s more for when I am walking.  Not needed for swelling or such so I could probably take it off and use a knee scooter when out of the cabin.  I’m going to call and ask him on Monday.  (Side note:  try not to see doctors on Friday if you may have questions...)

 

I had the issue for two weeks before I saw the doctor and was hoping staying off it would heal it.  We now have three weeks before our cruise so hoping that five weeks total will mean I’m much more mobile.

[helen haywood]

8 hours ago, Host Kat said:

@helen haywood

 

Howdy!

 

If the miraculous cure does not happen and I certainly hope it DOES happen, perhaps this Cruise Critic article will be helpful about the prices: How to Rent a Scooter or Wheelchair for Your Cruise

 

Also, I have attached the Celebrity Guest Special Needs form for you if needed. The contact info at the bottom of the form is as follows:

 

For more information contact our Access Department at (866) 592-7225 (voice) or local number (954) 628-9708, fax (954) 628-9622, send an e-mail to special_needs@celebrity.com, or have your local Travel Agent or International Representative contact us.
 

I sincerely hope this information will be helpful and glad to have you aboard Cruise Critic!

 

Happy sails,

 

Host Kat

 

Celebrity-Guest-Special-Needs-Form.pdf 183.4 kB · 0 downloads

Thank you so very very much for this help!!  😇  That was so kind of you!  I’ll try to pay it forward by not snapping at my husband before I’ve had my coffee.

[Cwspy]

It sounds like you are healing nicely and you are smart to plan ahead. 

 

Here is what I have done in planning to cruise with my 92yr young Aunt in March. 

1. I contacted Celebrity and asked to have wheelchair assistance boarding from the terminal. The request is now noted on my reservation. When we arrive I need to request assistance in person and then be patient as they are helping others 

2. I contacted Specialneedsatsea.com

I reserved a reserved wheel chair to have for the week, on and off the ship. It will be waiting in our stateroom and we leave it in the stateroom at the end of the cruise.

 

I hope this helps!

 

 

[helen haywood]

Again, thanks everyone for your help!  I bought a knee scooter as it was cheaper to buy than rent one...  Hopefully I won’t need it until years and years from now 😜 but I’ll have it if I do.  And thanks to the person who pointed out I’d only need one shoe from each pair!!  New to this boot business!

[chemmo]

1 hour ago, helen haywood said:

Again, thanks everyone for your help!  I bought a knee scooter as it was cheaper to buy than rent one...  Hopefully I won’t need it until years and years from now 😜 but I’ll have it if I do.  And thanks to the person who pointed out I’d only need one shoe from each pair!!  New to this boot business!

 

Helen, I was suggesting what we call in the U.K. a ‘mobility scooter’ (electric light weight)...However, it looks like the knee scooter may be ideal for you! Hopefully you may not need it but at least if you do you will be prepared!

 

Have a fantastic cruise! By the way it was me who said you only need one shoe from each pair....just remember if you are out of the boot by your cruise you will need two of each!

Edited January 4, 2020 by chemmo

[helen haywood]

Ok, just one more question.  It seems I need to notify someone that in an actual emergency I would need assistance getting to my muster station?  I can go to the muster drill by just going early when the elevators are still operating...but do I call X ahead of time to say I can’t do stairs or go to Guest Services once onboard?

 

Thanks again for all the kind help.

[helen haywood]

Well, an update.  I tried out a knee scooter but that really didn't work for me.  I'd be straining a whole new set of muscles.  So I was looking into renting a scooter from Special Needs at Sea.  However, my cabin is a non accessible one with the bed by the bathroom configuration.  The scooter's dimensions are 41"x21"x36".  Celebrity's Access department (I phoned this morning) tells me the scooter will fit in the cabin.  I honestly can't see how.  It will fit through the door....but as it cannot go past the bed it would be stuck in the entrance way....blocking the door to the bathroom.  However, if both Special Needs at Sea and Celebrity are telling me it will fit I guess I'll have to take their word on it.  I have to make up my mind soon as the scooter needs to be rented no less than a week before the cruise.  I'm still in the boot and have no idea how far down the road to recovery I'll be next week.

[chemmo]

14 minutes ago, helen haywood said:

Well, an update.  I tried out a knee scooter but that really didn't work for me.  I'd be straining a whole new set of muscles.  So I was looking into renting a scooter from Special Needs at Sea.  However, my cabin is a non accessible one with the bed by the bathroom configuration.  The scooter's dimensions are 41"x21"x36".  Celebrity's Access department (I phoned this morning) tells me the scooter will fit in the cabin.  I honestly can't see how.  It will fit through the door....but as it cannot go past the bed it would be stuck in the entrance way....blocking the door to the bathroom.  However, if both Special Needs at Sea and Celebrity are telling me it will fit I guess I'll have to take their word on it.  I have to make up my mind soon as the scooter needs to be rented no less than a week before the cruise.  I'm still in the boot and have no idea how far down the road to recovery I'll be next week.

 

Helen, a scooter was regularly ‘parked’ at night time in the library area on our last cruise...Perhaps they were in a similar situation, not ideal but there must be a few storage areas etc that your room attendant must know about. I am sure that they will be able to work out something for you. Alternatively are there any other rooms available with the opposite configuration? 

 

I do remember seeing a picture where the top of a scooter folded down enabling it to go part under a unit....I can’t remember which room or even what bit of furniture it went under and certainly no idea about the scooter type  but hopefully someone will.

 

I assume you are on crutches, be really careful hopping over the shower rim, I found it really tricky at first...

[helen haywood]

Thanks for your help.  No, I'm not on crutches.  I'm in a walking boot.  But I haven't been really doing much walking.  Keep hoping that staying off it and keeping it propped up might help it heal faster.  So I can walk on it....I was just afraid a whole lot of extra walking might exacerbate the problem if it hadn't healed by our cruise.  And even if it was on the road to recovery, again, a whole lot of extra walking might set me back to square one.