Scooters (ECV)?

[NeverSayNever]

Hi All!

I posted this on the Disney Cruise Line board but thought it might be more applicable to post here.

We may need to rent a scooter to have on the ship due to mobility issues. Has anyone done so? Would you mind sharing your thoughts/experiences - did you find it difficult to get around etc?

Also, and maybe more importantly, is there a company that you would recommend or say stay away from for the rental? Looking for a company that will deliver and pick up from the ship. I worry about getting a defective scooter or one that does not hold a charge etc.

We are also spending two nights prior to the Cruise at the World - I was thinking of just renting the ECV at the park. Do you think this is ok, do they often sell out? What would you do ?

Any and all thoughts are most appreciated .

Thanks in advance!

Never Say Never

Edited to add: Not sure if it matters but we will need to rent a heavy duty scooter. Thanks!

 

[minnie mum]

You might want to look at Cruise Critic as well for info. Specifically the forum for Disabled Cruise Travel. They will have the names of the companies that will supply ECVs to cruise ships at most American ports.

 

[tobikaye]

Do you have a HA cabin reserved? If not, and you need an ECV, especially a heavy duty, then you will need a HA cabin. The doorway/hall of a regular cabin likely will be too narrow.

As for getting around, the only real issues are the narrow hallways when people are trying to go both directions or there is something in the hallway. Also, if you have to open any of the doors on the ship.

I cannot find the listing now, but there are quite a few places that supply medical rentals to cruise lines out of Port Canaveral.

 

[NeverSayNever]

Thank you both - this is helpful. Yes, we do have an HA cabin, but your point of the hallways and cleaning carts is well taken. Perhaps a wheelchair provides more flexibility?

Please do keep the thoughts and info coming - this is extremely valuable information and greatly appreciated!

 

[lanejudy]

I agree with the need for an HA cabin, otherwise your ECV will not fit into the stateroom. I'm not sure a wheelchair provides any greater "flexibility" with regards to narrow hallways, other than if you think you might stand up from the chair and fold it. I have read that the "lip" at some doorways can make it harder to pass through when using a mobility device, and the doors tend to be very heavy. So be prepared and hopefully you'll have someone with you to help with doors.

As for vendors -- I believe Brevard Medical is allowed to deliver rentals directly to the Port Canaveral terminal, as is Special Needs at Sea. I recently read a report that Walker Mobility delivered to the port for someone, but that was the first I'd heard of an Orlando-area vendor delivering to Port Canaveral. If you will need an ECV at WDW pre-cruise, Walker might be a very good option for you. To my knowledge, there are no ECV rentals available onboard (directly from Disney like at the parks) though there are some wheelchairs available for emergency/unplanned use.

Be prepared to wait for elevators, and maybe even get on one going the opposite direction (you want to go down but ride up first then down). The elevators aren't particularly large. The ones forward and aft are usually less busy than the midship elevator bank.

If you will need/want to transfer to a regular seat in the theater, plan to arrive early and maybe even talk to Guest Services in advance. Someone will take you in a side door, allow you to transfer, and move the ECV until after the show.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[NeverSayNever]

Thank you all!


Ok... From reading lots around here I seem to get to these three companies for rental:

• Scoot Around
• Care Vacations
• Special Needs at Sea

Still open to thoughts on these three or anything else!

Thank you all !

 

[Lindava]

Hi Never,
We took a cruise in January of this year and used Walker Mobility. They delivered right to our ship and picked up when we returned to port with no problems. I would suggest charging the scooter each night as you travel quite a bit at the various ports of call. I would also suggest you have Bonine with you if anyone in your party gets motion sickness as you can feel "movement" should a storm hit while at sea.
Have a wonderful trip.
Linda

 

[shoes99]

We have rented from Walker, which dropped it off at the Airport Hyatt, we took it on the cruise, then took it back to the resort for 4 more days. You have to be there to return the ECV to Walker, you just meet the truck and you both decide on a return time. We also are renting from Special Needs At Sea in Oct at San Diego. Brevard is also a choice at Port Canaveral. Yes Walker now delivers right to Port Canaveral too.
We have also rented from Buena Vista scooter and have taken it on the DCL cruise. We had an accessible cabin every time, it won't fit thru the door of a regular cabin, it fits under the DCL bus if you don't need a lift.