sashas_mom

They ask your height and weight because certain scooters only hold up to 250 lbs, and you would need a larger scooter if you weigh more than that, which might cost more. More than that, they go by the amount of days you will be cruising and the port you are in at the end of the cruise. When you figured the cost of your rental (and I know I paid more than that, but it probably was a longer cruise), it isn't a bad deal at all. I've rented scooters at Disneyland and they are about $80.00 for the day, and recently rented a scooter at Sea World (mine was broken) for $46.00 a day.

We cruise often and I always need the scooter on a cruise and when I go to Disneyland, etc. (I have an annual pass....I'm really just a big kid :)). I decided after renting about 3 times to buy my own. I found a 3 month old scooter in my local pennysaver (where they have garage sales, items for sale etc.), for $450. Pride Go Go is an excellent scooter for travel. It comes apart and fits into any trunk. If you park where there is valet parking (even at our mall), the valet guys take it out of your trunk, etc. so you don't even have to lift it. The battery comes out for charging, so for all intents and purposes you could just leave the scooter in your trunk and you're ready to go wherever life takes you.

Princess does not rent scooters. Go to www.carevacations.com . They are wonderful. Not cheap, but a life saver, in my opinion. The scooter will be in your cabin when you arrive and you just leave it there when you disembark. If you need a wheelchair to get to your cabin, let Princess know ahead of time and they will have one ready for you when you check in and will also get you off the ship and to the curbside. I've even arranged it for our European cruise. I can walk, but getting around the ship is difficult for me because I have trouble walking long distances. I've also taken it on excursions (if it isn't a tender port, in which case Princess will loan you a wheelchair that you must reserve ahead of time). There is a lot of information about cruising with a scooter on the disability board locted on the home page of CC, where I learned all of this (love these boards, don't you?). If I can answer more of your questions, just let me know.

Oh, by the way. I leave my scotter parked between the elevators even though it will fit in a regular cabin, it's crowded. My husband removes the battery from it which I plug in each night. You will need to bring an a power strip which comes in handy for all the other gadgets you'll want to plug in like your camera, phone, etc.

We did a b2b to Alaska and it was great and very easy. In our case, we even had to move cabins because we wanted to be on different side of the ship...no brainer..

All you will have to do is go to get a new picture taken where you embark and disembark. Once you've done that you can come and go as you please or just stay on the ship. You don't have to leave the ship...just get a new picture (it's for security reasons since they consider a b2b two separate cruises).

Thank you Donna! Glad to hear you had a wonderful time. We're looking forward to staying there in October (and yes,we did get it for a great price on Priceline).

sasha'smom

the following is the responses I've had from the hotel when inquiring about arriving with a mobility scooter:

The best way to reach the hotel is taking a private watertaxi that takes you directly to the hotel in 30 minutes. Can you walk?

Because if you can get on board on the watertaxi without the scooter the cost is 100 euro, but if not we have to book a special one with the elevator to allow you to get on board on the scooter and the cost is 140

Alternatively we can book a private transfer with a hostess waiting for you with a sign displaying your name that accompany you to take the private watertaxi to reach the hotel

the cost is 210 euro for 2 persons.

From the hotel to the ship the best way is taking a private watertaxi that takes you directly to the ship The cost for a normal watertaxi is 60 euro up to 4 people the watertaxi with the elevator costs euro 90.

or from the airport you can take the Alilaguna the public waterbus that takes 1h30 minutes the ticket costs 15 euro per person.You reach s.Mark square or Zattere andf rom there you can take the Hilton free shuttle boat to reach the hotel or the public waterbus .

if you'd like to spend the day in Venice then head to the ship the hotel said: The check out is 12 am. You can store your luggage in our storage and pick up later when you have to leave the hotel.

Hope this helps.

Thank you for posting your experience. I found it very comforting knowing how well the crew did in assisting the passengers and I'm sure the sense of humor really put people more at ease. Since you said you were open to questions, would you explain more about the fire doors. I've been on a number of cruises and maybe I wasn't listening carefully enough (shame on me:o . What do they instruct us about the fire doors? Are we supposed to feel them first to see if they are hot?

We're glad you and your family are safe.

sasha'smom

I am so glad Chloe won. Her collection was gorgeous and she's been consistantly a good designer. I'm especially glad Santino didn't win...never liked anything he did anyway and can't stand his filthy mouth...even when introducing his own mom. Now I'm going to go through my Project Runway withdrawals. Just LOVE that show!!!

Am I the only one who is wondering why in the world Chloe would choose Diana as a helper? Diana??????? I don't get it!

I'm looking forward to seeing the collections, but if it was like last year, I'm sure the collection and designer I dislike the most is the one that will win.

I wonder why Jay turned down the money, etc. from his prize. Doesn't seem like he's doing too well. I guess he didn't want to be locked in to Banana Republic.

I am cracking up! I really enjoy these boards for all the cruise info I gather since my DH and I love cruising. Today I discovered this thread about my favorite show! Who would have thought there would be cc's talking about Project Runway!. Haven't watched last night's episode yet, and I glanced at the last post already so I know the outcome, but I for one love Chloe's work and hope she wins...Santino is obnoxious as far as I'm concerned..he'll probably make it to the finale. Anyway, I will now watch this thread...what fun!!!:)

sasha'smom