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United’s 24-hour Accessibility Desk is 1-800-228-2744 within the United States or Canada

Additional info here:  https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/special-needs.html

Here is some help from United regarding wheelchair assistance.   (You can hold on to your walker while in the wheelchair or the pusher can hook it on to the back of the wheelchair.)

https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/accessibility-and-assistance/wheelchair-assistance.html

The contact information for Princess' Access Dept is:   accessofficeprincess@princesscruises.com

Let them know you would like to request wheelchair assistance (a Princess wheelchair and a pusher) for embarkation and disembarkation.  There are lots of threads on this board about wheelchair assistance.   

For Celebrity accessible staterooms, the shower "chairs" are pull-down from the wall.  However, on our cruise in a Sky Suite on the Equinox last month, our room steward suggested we try another shower chair; one that we could move around in the shower.   So he brought us another shower chair and we then had two of them in the shower.   My husband liked the one the room steward brought better than the pull-down one.    If your stateroom is not accessible (which already have pull-down shower chairs), just ask your room steward for one; there is no charge.   

See photo of our shower chairs from last month.  

37 minutes ago, IceK said:

Do you mark your scooter in some way, for times when staff take it away, like what you explained in the dining room? Meaning, how do they (or you) know you're getting back the same device they took away? Sorry if that's a silly concern.

Well, it's not a silly concern because we had someone else's scooter (rental identical to ours) delivered to our dining room table and took off on it to our room.   It wasn't until we got to the room that I noticed it was the wrong scooter.   So I took it back to the dining room and we got "our" scooter.  The rentals pretty much all look alike.   We usually have a bunch of junk in the scooter basket and the wrong scooter that we got had the same stuff in their basket so we didn't know it was the wrong scooter.

Anyway, yes, we now use one of the pom pom luggage tags from one of our suitcases and attach it to the scooter.  And put it back on the suitcase when we go home.

You shouldn't have much trouble getting around on the ship with a scooter.   The automatic doors will mostly be for going from the inside of the ship to the outside.

Elevators are a long story and talked about frequently on this board.  If it is busy it takes longer to get an elevator because other passengers usually run over to the elevator door when it opens and get on, leaving no room for a scooter.  We always stay near one of the elevators on the end of the bank of elevators and specifically wait for that particular elevator door to open.   We get on (assuming there is room) no matter what direction it is going and we will get to our floor eventually.   The best times on the elevators is when it's not busy because you will often be the only one on it.  If there is no one on the elevator, we always back in so it's easier to get off.   If there are already people on the elevator, then we just go straight in and back out of the elevator when we get to our floor.  People are pretty good on the elevator and will stand around the edge of it so the scooter can enter (plus they are worried about their toes - ha).   You'll be able to reach the elevator buttons or ask someone to push your floor number for you.   

On a few occasions after waiting forever to get an elevator, I (my husband is the one with the scooter) will go to the elevator as it opens and stand in front of the open door so it doesn't close.  If others try to crowd on, I ask them to allow the man with the scooter to board the elevator because he has been waiting a long time.   This works.  Here are a couple of threads discussing this topic:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2778566-elevator-concerns-with-wheelchair/#comment-61041964

And one on renting a scooter:  https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2950950-scooter-rental/

In the dining room we select a table that is easily accessible.   My husband takes his scooter right up to the table and after he gets settled, one of the employees will take the scooter and park it near the entrance of the dining room (there will be other mobility aids there, too).   After the meal, just ask them to go get the scooter and they will bring it back to the table.  

If you need to park the scooter, just find a place out of people's way to leave it.   If you have someone with you, they can even park the scooter for you after you get in the pool.  This works in the casino, too.  

Another thing is getting off with the scooter at port stops (you cannot take the scooter on a tender).  Always wait at the top (or bottom) of the gangway for one of the employees to assist you down (or up) the ramp.   They will be there and will be looking for passengers needing assistance.  You do not want to use the ramp without assistance.  

You will need to advise Princess you will be bringing a scooter.   Have you seen this?  (scroll to accessible cruising)   https://www.princess.com/learn/faq/pre-cruise/prepare-for-your-cruise/

If you happen to rent from scootaround.com, try discount code USCRUISE (you may have to call them to have it applied).  It's from United Spinal and will save you some bucks.   

3 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

I went as far as the name entry and didn’t see where it said it was fully refundable with the accessible cabin.  Surely, if you booked it, then it would spell it out?

 

I’d just call my TA tmrw to check it out.  

That's exactly what I'm going to do.   Thanks!

Try booking Feb 8 2025 Sun Princess, accessible mini-suite.    Nothing comes up about refundable/nonrefundable deposit.    

OK, this only seems to work if you are booking a non-accessible stateroom.   I am trying to book an accessible stateroom and there is no option about Princess or me choosing the room.   I believe the deposit is probably refundable because when I selected a stateroom that was non-accessible, I did get the screen saying the deposit was refundable.   

I guess I'd better go through my TA so they can confirm about the deposit.

Thank you for the screenshot.   

I see, I see!   Thank you.

I am considering booking the Feb 8 2025 Sun Princess cruise.   It has a $250 deposit which is the 50% reduced deposit being offered.   I can find no where stating whether this deposit is refundable or nonrefundable.    I did a dummy booking and went all the way to the "enter your charge card information", but I didn't want to go any further fearing my card would get charged.   Where does it say whether this $250 deposit is refundable or nonrefundable.  

4 minutes ago, doghog said:

Does

You selected a check in time and not a boarding time. Celebrity needs to do away with pre cruise check in times. Dose Celebrity even enforce it anymore? They didn't on our March Apex cruise. We've got a 11:00 AM check in time for October Eclipse cruise. 

hmmm, now that I look at this (on the app) it's called "arrival time".   And when you click on the "arrival time" to select your time, the earliest time to choose (for the Reflection in Nov) is/was noon.  Where you choose your time, it says "you are required to select an arrival time for your wellness check".    They're not even calling it boarding time.   

On the Equinox in Sept, we did arrive at the pier around 11:15am, got checked in right away and on the ship within a few minutes.   There were already a lot of passengers on the ship.

6 minutes ago, lv2cruisgrl said:

We just had the same experience. Earliest time available was noon for our Beyond Nov cruise. I did our check in just after midnight on opening day.

I checked in the morning it opened up, too.    

We were on the Equinox in Sept and the earliest we could board was 11:30am.    I was checking the boarding times numerous times before sailing and there never was an option to choose an 11am boarding time.   

Now we are going to be on the Reflection in November and the earliest boarding time is noon.

Is everyone else experiencing later boarding times?   What happened to 11am?   

We were just on the Equinox in a suite.  Here's our invitation to the helipad.  

We have had wheelchair assistance many times from the luggage handlers (port employees who take and load your luggage onto the carts).   We do have our own wheelchair but I am fairly sure they will go get a wheelchair for you and push you if you ask for wheelchair assistance.   The port employees can only push you so far and then a cruise line wheelchair pusher takes over.   Tips are much appreciated.

The cruise planner says "pre-cruise pricing always lower than on board", but I don't know how true that is.   On our cruise on the Equinox a couple of weeks ago there was a special on embarkation day for a free massage sampler if you tour the Persian Garden and there was a special while in port at St Thomas (see attached flyers under "renew").  

Grab a glass of lemonade (you pour it yourself) from the buffet, add one shot of vodka from the bar = vodka and lemonade.

And yes, as mentioned, the Martini Bar has lemondrop martinis.   

Replacement costs if lost or damaged.  

Without the EPP (Equipment Protection Plan), Scootaround's rental agreement (as of 2 weeks ago) says:

Replacement costs for lost or damaged equipment without EPP Coverage:

Transportable Scooters - $800 Standard Scooters - $1200 Heavy Duty Scooters - $1800
Standard Manual Wheelchairs - $100 Heavy Duty Wheelchairs - $200
WHILL power chairs - $3,500 Power Wheelchairs - $800

Replacement costs for accessories with or without EPP:

Keys - $15 Chargers - $100 Front Baskets - $50
Rear Baskets - $75 Canopies - $100 Cup Holders - $20
Battery Packs - $200 Cane holder - $30
Other items to be determined at replacement costs.

We have rented from both companies.   I have found no difference; they even have the same scooters for rent.  However, NCL only allows Scootaround on their ships so you will have to rent from them.  

If you contact Scootaround, ask for discount code USCRUISE (from United Spinal); you usually have to actually call them to have the discount code applied.  

NCL will need to know you are bringing a scooter.   Do you have an accessible stateroom?   Here's NCL's information if you haven't already seen it:

https://www.ncl.com/about/accessible-cruising

If in the future you are on another cruise line that allows both Scootaround and Special Needs, check the pricing (for the same scooter) with both companies.  And make sure you are comparing the same thing because sometimes insurance will be added (that we have never purchased).  

We have never purchased insurance from Scootaround (or Special Needs at Sea, for that matter).   

Regarding their Cancellation Plans:  We always actually rent a scooter about a week away from the ship's departure.  If anything happens close to the cruise, we will be aware of it and if it is necessary to cancel the cruise, we will not have even rented the scooter.   

Their Equipment Protection Plans (there are two) do not offer much protection.   Here is an excerpt from our Scootaround rental agreement from our cruise on the Equinox 2 weeks ago:

Equipment Protection Plan

EPP can be purchased at any time prior to the delivery date. We offer two levels of EPP – Basic and Plus. If EPP is purchased it must

be purchased on all items, excluding accessories and stationary items such as recliners, hoyer lifts and concentrators. EPP is optional on

stationary items. The same level of EPP purchased must be the same for all items on an order, excluding accessories.

1.1 EPP Basic for all non-motorized rental equipment is $2.00 per day, per rental item.

1.2 EPP Basic for all motorized rental equipment is $5.00 per day, per rental item.

2.1 EPP Plus for all non-motorized rental equipment is $4.00 per day, per rental item.

2.2 EPP Plus for all motorized rental equipment is $10.00 per day, per rental item.

EPP Basic covers damage to the equipment, excluding keys, chargers, baskets, cup holders, battery packs, canopies and other

accessories.

If damage should occur during the rental period, the customer is responsible for a $50 deductible on non-motorized and $250 deductible
on motorized equipment or the full replacement/repair cost, whichever is lower. The deductible will be charged immediately after the

rental to the credit card used for the rental. EPP Basic does not cover loss or theft of the rental equipment. The rental cost is not

applicable to the deductible.

EPP Plus covers damage to the equipment, excluding keys, chargers, baskets, cup holders, battery packs and canopies. In addition, it

also covers loss or theft of the equipment.

If damage should occur during the rental period, the customer is responsible for a $50 deductible on non-motorized and $250 deductible

on motorized equipment or the full replacement or repair cost, whichever is lower. The deductible will be charged immediately after the

rental to the credit card used for the rental. The rental cost is not applicable to the deductible.

In the event of theft, the customer is responsible to file a police report and provide a copy or claim number to Scootaround within 48

hours of the occurrence. Any theft will have a $100 deductible for non-motorized equipment and $500 deductible for motorized equipment

or the full replacement cost, whichever is lower.

Failure to provide a copy of the police report or the claim number will negate the need for a deductible as the customer will be responsible

for the full replacement cost of any equipment, including accessories. All charges will be processed immediately after the rental is

complete to the credit card used to place the rental. The rental cost is not applicable to the deductible or replacement cost.

Any damages (excluding: Accessories), will require a $50.00 USD deductible. Any theft will have a $100.00 USD deductible for

non-motorized equipment and a $250.00 USD deductible for motorized equipment excluding accessories. All charges will be processed

immediately after the rental is complete to the credit card used for the rental.

On 9/12/2023 at 7:09 AM, annie is cute said:

would there be a problem if i took my own wheelchair on board

Please post your cruise line / ship.   Each cruise line's website has a section on mobilitiy devices (you will need to let them know you will be bringing your own chair).  But @GeezerCouple pretty much summed it up above.   

There are many, many wheelchair users on this board who can give you more specific responses (and links) once we know what cruise line you will be on.

We did this itinerary on the Eclipse April 29-May 9, 2019.   Weather was great.   The water got a little choppy the last 2 days (going toward Vancouver).  

If you can book on board, do it.  You get extra perks.    Then transfer to your travel agent if you want.  

We just boarded the Equinox on Saturday and even though we had already uploaded photos,  they took them again.   This has happened a few times.... 

We are going to be on Alaska this Friday from PDX to FLL.   They definitely have a presence at PDX and we have flown them many times.   They are our go-to airline, assuming their prices are in line with other airlines.   Very comfortable and I definitely recommend them.