scooter versus wheel chair

[molsonschooner]

For our next cruise I would like to rent a scooter for DW. The problem is, I don't know if I can talk her into using one. She can only walk very short distances before she is out of breath. For example, walking from the pub to the elevators is about as far as she can go without stopping for a minute.

I might have more luck getting her to use a wheel chair than a scooter. Can I rent a wheel chair for her to use all week on the ship? If I can, where do I rent these from?

[champagne123]

A wheel chair is much more exerting...if you are pushing yourself. Especially in ports. If someone else is pushing her, it is exerting on them. I got my scooter last year and it is sooooo easy and wonderful. I was scared and nervous at first, but practiced for about an hour before going into public areas. LOVE IT. Hope you can talk her into it. Yes, there are 2 places you can rent mobility equipment and they deliver it to the ship. Looking it up....be right back

https://www.specialneedsatsea.com/

Could only find this one

[jpcello]

For our next cruise I would like to rent a scooter for DW. The problem is, I don't know if I can talk her into using one. She can only walk very short distances before she is out of breath. For example, walking from the pub to the elevators is about as far as she can go without stopping for a minute.

I might have more luck getting her to use a wheel chair than a scooter. Can I rent a wheel chair for her to use all week on the ship? If I can, where do I rent these from?

 

Post this on the Disability board https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=190

 

I believe Special Needs at Sea works Royal Caribbean. You can rent a wheelchair from them. Also remember that if you do rent a mobility scooter you need a cabin it will fit in. They do make smaller scooters that will fit through the regular cabin door but if you need a larger scooter you'll need a handicapped accessible cabin. You can also rent wheelchairs from Special Needs at Sea.

[MooNGaTe27]

1 is scootaround tel # 1-888-441-7575

2nd special needs at sea 1-800-513-4515

I looked up the prices for a friend it was I belive $ 235 for a 5 day cruise rental.They will deliver to the ship

[molsonschooner]

A wheel chair is much more exerting...if you are pushing yourself. Especially in ports. If someone else is pushing her, it is exerting on them. I got my scooter last year and it is sooooo easy and wonderful. I was scared and nervous at first, but practiced for about an hour before going into public areas. LOVE IT. Hope you can talk her into it. Yes, there are 2 places you can rent mobility equipment and they deliver it to the ship. Looking it up....be right back

https://www.specialneedsatsea.com/

Could only find this one

I am a little bit afraid of her backing a scooter up, especially into an elevator. If she bumped into someone I am sure it would be the other persons fault. As for me pushing her, I would just look at it as exercise, or fun if I happened to find the plank.

[champagne123]

I am a little bit afraid of her backing a scooter up, especially into an elevator. If she bumped into someone I am sure it would be the other persons fault. As for me pushing her, I would just look at it as exercise, or fun if I happened to find the plank.

You sound like a great husband! Wishing you the best of luck and hope you both have a wonderful cruise!!!!!

[wendychloecruiser]

She would have a lot more independence with the scooter.

[newcruiser1956]

For our next cruise I would like to rent a scooter for DW. The problem is, I don't know if I can talk her into using one. She can only walk very short distances before she is out of breath. For example, walking from the pub to the elevators is about as far as she can go without stopping for a minute.

I might have more luck getting her to use a wheel chair than a scooter. Can I rent a wheel chair for her to use all week on the ship? If I can, where do I rent these from?

 

 

Have you considered an upright walker, They have the new ones that you are not hunched over...they have a seat also if she gets tired she can stop and rest. Maybe the walker will help support her and help??

[jpcello]

I am a little bit afraid of her backing a scooter up, especially into an elevator. If she bumped into someone I am sure it would be the other persons fault. As for me pushing her, I would just look at it as exercise, or fun if I happened to find the plank.

 

You don't back up into the elevator with the scooter. The easiest way is to pull straight in right in the middle of the elevator. You hold the door open using the "Open" button, while she pulls in. When it's time to get out, you simply ask people to move and you guide her out (yes, ultimately she will have to back out).

 

Most grocery stores have scooters. Have her practice.

 

I cruise with my sister (she brings her own scooter).

[Havingfun2010]

Assuming you will continue going on vacations, and assuming that what you described as a low chance of going away, you should be a kind husband, and buy a scooter. Although on the pricier side, I recommend a travel scooter, such as made by scootaround or Tzora. They fold up, easy in ports, can go in a standard taxi, airline friendly and best of all, they weight the same amount of a fully loaded piece of luggage. The plus side is you won't need a HC room for it.

 

If I travel without it, my wife would be sitting and I would be exploring. Now she can be with me, without me slowing down.

 

If she won't use it, the best thing is, and this might be harsh for some to hear, just say "goodbye" and go off on your own. Leave her on the ship, while you enjoy your travels.

[ObstructedView2]

If I travel without it, my wife would be sitting and I would be exploring. Now she can be with me, without me slowing down.

 

If she won't use it, the best thing is, and this might be harsh for some to hear, just say "goodbye" and go off on your own. Leave her on the ship, while you enjoy your travels.

 

Not harsh whatsoever, 100% entirely predictable & expected.

 

 

:rolleyes:

[cruziJenn]

Scooter would be MUCH better for her and I believe they are usually narrower than a wheelchair. As for elevators I have defo seen people back them in (but if they can be backed in then they can also be backed out) and usually people are going to be very accommodating or maybe even helpful. Yes there are always jerks and whiners but that is on THEM not you.

[Enforcer]

Hi,

 

I am a scooter user and have used my scooter on many cruises.

The hardest thing for me was accepting to use a scooter, I had to get my head around it, it was as though I was giving into my disability but when my family coerced me into getting one I have never looked back and it is the best thing that I have bought, it gives me my independence back.

I see that you are from Ontario in Canada which (I think) means that you have to travel to board a ship, either by road or flying, both methods are very easy especially flying as most airlines will let you drive your scooter to the gate then take the scooter off you an load it onto the plane.

Getting onto a ship is easy with a scooter rather than a wheelchair as there is no effort from you pushing, if you do rent one they are delivered to your room so it means that you still have to push her on the ship.

The newer ships are better for disabled access.

OK it costs about US$250 for a week to rent a scooter, I don't know how much they are in Canada but I would imagine about US$1000 so in 4 cruises it is paid for plus she will get daily use out of it.

Make sure you get a scooter that fits her needs, this is very important, don't just go off recommendations from non experts.

Lifts are a bit of a nuisance on ships, I do like to reverse in as it is easier than reversing out but that is sometimes impossible, you will get some knobhead saying that you have run over their foot but even in the crowdest of lifts places I have never run over anybodies foot. If the lift door starts to close just put your hand in the opening and when the doors touch your hand they will open back up, but it is easier holding the door open button.

If your trouble and strife is a bit worried about using one on a ship get her to go around a shopping mall a few times until she builds up her confidence, that's what I did.

Hope this helps

Happy cruising

[Hypo]

If you are flying in a day or two before, the scooter rental company may be able to deliver your scooter to your hotel.. That way you have use of it pre-cruise, when you go to the ship, just throw it in the back of the shuttle van and go to the port, unload it and off you go. At the end of your cruise, you will leave the rental in your cabin or a designated area. RCCL will have staff available to push her in a wheelchair off the ship and through Immigrations, and Customs, all the way to the taxi.

Edited June 29, 2018 by Hypo

[leisuretraveler223]

I say scooter is the way to go.

 

Just.

 

Don't.

 

Park it.

 

In the.

 

Hallway!!!

[champagne123]

Assuming you will continue going on vacations, and assuming that what you described as a low chance of going away, you should be a kind husband, and buy a scooter. Although on the pricier side, I recommend a travel scooter, such as made by scootaround or Tzora. They fold up, easy in ports, can go in a standard taxi, airline friendly and best of all, they weight the same amount of a fully loaded piece of luggage. The plus side is you won't need a HC room for it.

 

If I travel without it, my wife would be sitting and I would be exploring. Now she can be with me, without me slowing down.

 

If she won't use it, the best thing is, and this might be harsh for some to hear, just say "goodbye" and go off on your own. Leave her on the ship, while you enjoy your travels.

Wow! Luckily the OP sounds very dedicated to his wife and would not do this, as I think most men wouldn't. God forbid your spouse slows you down! Hopefully, the day does not come when YOU sir, do not have a medical issue and you slow HER down. I would leave your arse in the dust.

[actuarian]

My wife has similar issues; she can walk short distances but, due to severe rheumatic arthritis, no more than about 50 feet. We have been renting scooters for her from Special Needs at Sea for years (and also from Buena Vista Scooter when we take our grandchildren to Walt Disney World). She is scared to use the scooter in elevators and in very crowded areas like casinos. No problem since she can walk short distances; I drive the scooter in elevators and in very crowded areas. Special Needs delivers the scooter to our stateroom and picks it up there. Royal Caribbean and the port provide wheelchair service to get her on and off the ships. It is worth remembering that it takes two different people to push a wheelchair onto or off a ship since port employees cannot enter the ship and cruise line employees usually cannot leave the ship at US ports. Both of those people are compensated primarily by tips.

[sailingmickey]

I have used both a wheelchair and a scooter on a cruise. I would definitely recommend the scooter. As mention earlier pushing the wheel chair is very taxing (bother for the person pushing or the individual in the wheel chair attempting to navigate themselves) especially when you are attempting to go over thresholds or the metal protectors used on carpets. If the front wheels of the wheel chair are not in perfect alignment, you have to back up and try again.

 

I prefer the scooter because it gives me independence that a wheelchair does not. When using it, I pulled into the elevator as I felt it was easier than backing in.

Good luck and enjoy your cruise!!!

[Havingfun2010]

Wow! Luckily the OP sounds very dedicated to his wife and would not do this, as I think most men wouldn't. God forbid your spouse slows you down! Hopefully, the day does not come when YOU sir, do not have a medical issue and you slow HER down. I would leave your arse in the dust.

 

Well, she does now, because she has a scooter.......but since, I'm dedicated to my wife also, and spent $2000.00 on scooters for her to use. The problem is, when a person refuses to use what is necessary, they create problems. Nothing wrong with using a scooter, but sometimes, it's better to show some tough love, than being stuck and limited because of stubbornness. So if a person says I'm not using one of those things, and you say, but we are doing this, and this and this, how to you plan on doing it with me? I lift it, drag it, transport it for her. But she uses it, and we get to travel the world. So I stand by the tough love statement.

[sdrocks]

MY husband has mobility issues also & cannot walk fast or far at a time. We are cruising in September on the Explorer & really want to go

back to Alcatraz. I know we take a ferry across & their are steps & hills, can't remember if anyplace accessible for a scooter if we would

go that route ? Thanks.

[Enforcer]

MY husband has mobility issues also & cannot walk fast or far at a time. We are cruising in September on the Explorer & really want to go

back to Alcatraz. I know we take a ferry across & their are steps & hills, can't remember if anyplace accessible for a scooter if we would

go that route ? Thanks.

 

Hi,

 

Visit the Alcatraz web site it has some great info on accessibility, I do know that they have shuttle buses from the jetty up to the entrance.

I was put off going by one of my neighbours but the couple who we were on holiday with went and they said it would have been fine for me.

Hope this helps

[sdrocks]

Thanks. Good information. I will check into it.

[broberts]

I am a little bit afraid of her backing a scooter up, especially into an elevator. If she bumped into someone I am sure it would be the other persons fault. As for me pushing her, I would just look at it as exercise, or fun if I happened to find the plank.

 

Pushing a wheelchair can be hard work, especially on carpeted surfaces.

 

A few years ago one of our party had a scooter that was too wide to fit through the cabin door. Cabin steward would take the scooter somewhere and plug it in (most of the time, but not always :(), then bring it back when needed.

[Gary72]

As a compromise, my wife uses a rollator (walker with four wheels and a seat)...no problem since it folds...

[sdrocks]

Have been looking at the rollator also. Looks like a good option. Thanks for your help.