Cruising with a scooter

[go2cindys]

Hi all,

I am reposting this from the DCL forums.

I am going on my first cruise this Aug 24, double dip, on the Wonder, with my DD, DSIL, DGS, & DGD. I have mobility problems and will need a scooter; which we have rented for DW before our cruise. I have used a scooter at the parks and am quite comfortable using it. Since I've never cruised, I'm a bit uneasy about using one onboard. We have booked connecting cabins 6600 & 6602. Even though the lady I spoke with at the rental place said she had taken her scooter in the stateroom with her, she admitted it wasn't on DCL. :

An accessible cabin is not available. It is my understanding from DCL that it will not fit in the cabin and I must leave it by the elevator to charge it. I am able to walk short distances so that should be ok. I am wondering about the safety drill; I will need to use the elevator. I believe the cruise is sold out and I do not want to get in anyone's way.

Does anyone have any experience using a scooter on DCL? I would appreciate any help, suggestions, hints, etc.

Also, will I be able to maneuver around during sail away or pirate party pirate ? I want to take pictures and especially capture the horn on my camcorder!

I probably will not leave the ship although I was wondering if I could ride my scooter on the tram path to join my family for lunch on CC.


Thanx,

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

I was on the Magic last year but I did have an accessible cabin.

Basically there are two type of ECV, the travel and the standard. Do you know the type you have or will be renting? The travel scooter, such as the Pride Go-Go, is much narrower than a standard one. I think the staandard cabin door width is 24 inches. A Pride Go-Go is less than 20 inches wide, while a Celebrity (a standard ECV) is 24 inches, so the go-go would fit through the door.

Also there is the question of the charging system, is it built into the ECV or separate? The smaller ECVs have a single battery pack and the charger pugs directly into the pack (so you can take the pack into the room and charge it there; the ones with two larger batteriers will usually either have the cherger built in, ior where the charger must be plugged into the body of the ECV.

As far as manuevering, I used a Go-Go last year and did not have any problems in any maneuvering, although opening doors was difficult. I did have problems off the ship related to the hills in Nassau, as it did not really have enough power.

So I guess the real answer is that if you can use a travel ECV you may be a bit better off.

 

[go2cindys]

Thanks Chesire Figment.

I called the scooter rental place and I will have either a Go-Go which is 19" wide or a Rally which is 22" wide. The scooter batteries do not come part to charge. They said both scooters will fit in a DCL regular cabin. I have my own scooter but it is bigger than that although not by much. We are in 6600 & 6602. I understand manuevering in & out of the elevators is a challage.

We are going to WDW for a couple of days beforehand (I can't believe we've going in August!)

I have gotten so much info from the DisBoards.

 

[Vijoge]

I haven't cruised Disney with my ECV but I have used it on a Carnival ship. I own a standard ECV.

My ECV would not fit through our non-accessible cabin door unless we removed the back cover. Then we could roll it in.

There was plenty of room in our standard outside cabin for the scooter.

Our cabin steward recommended that we leave it plugged in (in the hall) across from our cabin door. We tried it once and found that our fellow cruisers viewed my basket as a garbage can.

Elevators were a royal pain. I always felt like I was inconveniencing someone, except early morning and late at night when not too many people were up.

I parked my ECV in the main lounge to watch a comedy show and I sat in a regular seat. Next thing I know there's a guy sitting on it drinking a beer.

Lastly, I'm sure most people know this but just in case. . .if the ship tenders at port you won't be able to take the scooter off the ship.

I travel all over with my ECV and a cruise ship is my least favorite place to use it.