ECV on DCL -- Cruising

[jsfein]

My stepdad, who has limited mobility with a walker, will be joining us on our upcoming November 7 day cruise (Western Carribean). The plan is to rent him a scooter that will be waiting for us when we board the ship. Anyone out there have any experience with a scooter on a Disney cruise? Specifically, was wondering how easy/difficult it will be to maneuver in and out elevators and cabins (will the scooter even fit in the cabin? we booked a handicapped accessible cabin); are the waits for elevators very long; are any of the pools zero entry or handicap accessible; leaving the boat at ports of call or participating in excursions; wheelchairs at Castaway Cay; etc. TIA.

 

[videogal1]

My stepdad, who has limited mobility with a walker, will be joining us on our upcoming November 7 day cruise (Western Carribean). The plan is to rent him a scooter that will be waiting for us when we board the ship. Anyone out there have any experience with a scooter on a Disney cruise? Specifically, was wondering how easy/difficult it will be to maneuver in and out elevators and cabins (will the scooter even fit in the cabin? we booked a handicapped accessible cabin); are the waits for elevators very long; are any of the pools zero entry or handicap accessible; leaving the boat at ports of call or participating in excursions; wheelchairs at Castaway Cay; etc. TIA.

Western. Tender ports. Scooters are not allowed on tenders but I was able to borrow a ship wheelchair for the day, which was pushed around by DIS-friends. As for managing a manual wheelchair on a tender you might want to insist that the tender pilot understand that it is very dangerous to allow the able-bodied passengers off the tender first as it causes the tender to become unstable, bob like a cork, and rise to about a foot above the ship's landing platform. Be very careful or you could take a swim. For non-tender ports there is a long gangplank, sometimes two, that they construct for unloading passengers. One of the gangplanks will be unsuitable for scooter use (think moguls and bottom step) It is almost a rule!) If you spend some time at the large portholes watching the gangplank construction you'll be able to tell which exit to take before getting all wrapped up in lines packed with people possibly having to go all the way to the other end of the ship for the scooter-friendly gangplank...

I think the rental scooters have solid foam-filled tires...be sure to secure your teeth before heading out across cobblestone streets...

As for the scooter fitting in the stateroom it depends on which stateroom you end up with...Think agility, recharge every night without fail, and have a good time...

 

[dclfun]

For the Western cruise you will be able to leave the ship via the gangplank only in Key West and Castaway Cay unless he can use a manual w/c for the tender as Lynda mentioned. Depending on when you're going Cozumel's pier still isn't repaired so it will be a tendering situation- Grand Cayman is always a tender. As long as the ECV is fully charged he can get around Key West without a problem. He'll be able to do the train tour since they have a lift and also access the Truman House for a great tour. The aquarium is accessible but not the Shipwreck Historeum. From what I've heard the new Pirate Soul museum is accessible. If he can take a few steps then he should be able to do anything in Key West. For Castaway Cay he can drive the ECV to the beach and switch to a sand wheelchair if someone has strong arms. The sand w/c's do not do well on pavement...only in sand. It's easy to get around the ship although sometimes you may have excessive waits for the elevators. The midship ones are larger and thus may accomodate your party, otherwise it's probably just the guest in the ECV and one other person who will fit. If you want to sit upfront for the theater shows ( not the movies....all w/c seating in the rear which is fine) then arrive early and you'll be escorted down an elevator and into the front. If he can transfer from the ECV it can be parked outside the theater and he can then sit in the back in a theater seat...again you'd want to get there early to secure that seating. The buffet line upstairs can be a little tight but there is always a crew member waiting to help go through the line and carry a tray or help at the soda station or snack bars. You will always find someone willing to assist. Have fun! ---Kathy