Boozebabe

My husband dropped me and the luggage off at the curb then parked the car. After the cruise I stayed at the curb with the luggage and he retrieved the car. The scooter was not on the lift when he paid but he did have the HC placard. Then he drove to the curb and picked me and the luggage up. No questions asked. I think you may be overthinking the situation.

Last few cruises we've done YTD and love it. Most times we have been seated at the exact same table every night without asking for it.

If you feel very compelled to give them something other or including cash, I would make it something consumeable. Like a batch of homemade cookies. They could also share with room mates. But like others have said, CASH, CASH, CASH!!

My friend always orders it. I think its about $5 for a gallon.

I plan on taking something similar on my next cruise to use for a shower. We usually get a suite and the shower chairs they provide do NOT fit in the tubs in a suite. My stool will fit in my luggage.

It's impotant to note that the overall life of the battery is longer by charging it after each use. Your battery won't last as long and you'll be buying replacement batteries sooner that expected by not charging it after each use.

At home I do plug it in often but not on vacation.

That is amazing. I have a Travelscoot and would never be able to cover that distance without having charged the battery. It does depend on the weight of the user and the level of the ground (uphill or frequent stops and starts etc.) I charge mine every night just to be on the safe side.

 

Wendy

I am considered "fluffy" and some of that distance was on the hills and cobblestones of San Juan. At home I usually charge it often.

On our last cruise my scooter was fully charged when we left home in Ohio. We drove to Florida visited a friend one afternoon, I used it at 3 hotels along the way. In Ft Lauderdale I rode it all along the river walk and around town. Got on the ship and rode it everywhere on the ship. Stopped at 2 ports and used it there. All that and only one light went out on my battery capacity dial.I did plug it in that night but I could have made it the rest of the cruise and home without charging it at all. Don't worry.

By the way 9mph is FAST on a scooter. My top end speed is 6mph and I am flyin when I do that, which is not often. On the ship I dial the limit down.

Couple years ago in San Juan we got off the ship and walked out to the street (he'll need the wheelchair. It's a long walk) and got a bus tour for $15 or $20 per person. It was a couple hours around old and new San Juan with lots of narration. It had a couple stops for pictures etc. Didn't require lots of walking and my wheelchair was folded and kept up front by the driver.

Now I have a scooter. Last February we stopped in San Juan and I was able to ride all over BUT the cobblestones made for a bumpy ride. Not bad for me but after back surgery would not be good. By the way, those ships are huge. My husband pushed me but I could tell it was hard on him. After I got the scooter he seemed much happier although he would never complain. He's a saint. I don't know about NCL but my larger scooter fit thru the cabin door on a Carnival ship with no problem. We did NOT have a handicapped room. Good luck with your decisions and have fun on that cruise.

We rented one once. It was a waste of money for us since we spent most of the day in the pool. They are air conditioned so if you aren't in the pool its a nice place to cool off. There are plenty chaise loungers around the pool. Your cabana has 2 loungers outside and a sofa and a couple chairs inside. There is no bathroom in the cabana, just seating. We ordered food and drinks on the cabana phone from Margaritaville but the service was really slow. We would not rent one again.

We had to go to a desk at Margaritaville to get our key to the cabana.

Theres always Atlantis Casino on Paradise Island.

Thank you for your response, Boozebabe. The Victory 10 does have a high enough weight capacity but I really need something foldable and lightweight to be able to tote it around myself - which is the whole point of me buying a powerchair or scooter. I'm so tired of having to arrange my life around my poor husband's free time. (I can see every handicapped person on the board nodding their heads in understanding!) The Victory 10 looks like it disassembles easily enough but I can't stand long enough to assemble/disassemble it. (You don't want to know how many Youtube videos I watched of people folding/disassembling scooters and powerchairs!)

 

I would happily go somewhere I could check out the scooters if I could find such a place. I'd even go as far as Denver (1-1/2 hours away) if I could find a place. One of my short list is only sold from Malaysia and the seller doesn't take returns. The others I'm contacting the manufacturers to ask about tryouts.

 

I'm not real worried about distance because all the folding scooters come with the fairly light lithium batteries and it's easy enough to take along an extra.

 

I have an accessible cabin with a 34" door so getting through it shouldn't be a problem.

 

Wish you had a photo of you taking your own luggage off the ship! Must have been a hoot. We had our own circus last trip, with DH (duffel slung on back) pushing me in my wheelchair while I tried to manage my big rolling suitcase with my laptop bag bungeed on top. Not a pretty sight! I'm hoping we can take our own luggage off this time as well, last time RCL managed to put my (properly tagged) suitcase in the wrong area and it took about 30 minutes to convince them to let me get it. DH could manage his own bag if he didn't have to worry about me and my stuff. I have fantasies of my unburdened husband smiling and chatting with me as we painlessly stroll through the airport, me on my folding powerchair.

 

Do you live in the Seattle area by any chance? I'll be posting later asking for recommendations of near-airport hotels with free airport shuttles - did a redeye to Ft Laud last time and it was NOT pretty.

Find a store that sells hospital and convalescing equipment in your area. Thats the type of store where I bought mine.

I looked into the Merits line but unfortunately they are too heavy for me to manage alone. Too bad because they have some really high capacity models! But thank you for mentioning them anyway.

 

Turns out the Luggie has a high-enough capacity model, the Luggie Elite. Has anyone used that? I'm a bit concerned because it folds in the middle and I would think that joint would be a weak point when ridden by a large person. But on the plus side, the vendor I found is very responsive to phone calls (unlike the Geo Cruiser, for which the 2 vendors I found don't actually know much about it and the manufacturer doesn't answer phone or chat or return phone messages).

I have no idea what your budget is but heres what I paid for my scooter and lift.

Pride Victory 10 scooter.....$1595.00 plus tax

Lift attached to my car (included instalation)....$1900.00

Hitch (bought and installed at U-Haul rental) $100.00

The lift has given me complete freedom. I lean on the trunk of my car while it is loading up or down. I ride it right onto and off the lift.

Since they were watching and from your account knew what was going on too bad the pit boss didn't say something. And I am sure they were upset. But it has been my experience that when you try and manipulate the system it usually doesn't end up well.

The pit boss probably wasn't to worried at first because they were making money off both the card player and the slot player. That was until the slot player hit that $6000. Royal Flush. Not sure what nationality they were but they weren't speaking English. One didn't need to translate to imagine what they were saying. LOL The card player played LIR all week and didn't have a clue how to play. The first 2 nights the dealers tried to help him in his language but he just didn't grasp the concept.

Thanks for your comments, Stevi. Do you ride yours for long periods of time - say, over an hour at a time? Do you find the seat comfortable? I would never ask anyone's weight but would you say you are near the 350 mark or not? If you want to ignore that part off the question, I will completely understand. I saw Travelscoot has an adapter so you can charge the battery in the scooter, do you have that accessory? Have you used it in an airport or cruise situation and have you carried luggage either on it or using one of the trailer accessories? I have to admit the idea of going through an airport without having to wrestle luggage is very tempting.

Hubby & I carried our own stuff off our last cruise. We probably looked like the circus came to town....but...oh well. I carry a purse with the strap across my body. A small wheeled carry-on behind my feet on the scooter platform, my camera case in the front basket. It left both my hands free and I was able to pull a large wheeled suitcase. Hubby pulled 2 wheeled suitcases. YES we overpack but we drive to port so no airline baggage fees.

I own a Pride Victory 10. I think the weight capacity is 400 lbs. Not giving my weight but lets just say I don't need quite that capacity. I love it. I could take it apart by myself, (I am female) but we decided to get the lift for the back of my car. I love it. I can load or unload my scooter in about one minute with the lift.

I would advise you to go where they sell scooters etc. in your area and test ride them all. Glad I did as the one I thought I wanted from seeing it online ended up being uncomfortable. The prices were the same as the best price I saw online. They also installed the lift. It required wiring etc.

As a sidenote....We went to Florida this summer and had room on the lift to also carry some vacation paraphenalia using bungee cords and starps to secure it.

My scooter has a 15 (I think) mile battery capacity. On our last cruise I only plugged it in to charge it once and I really don't think that was necessary. Almost the entire 12 day trip on a full battery. I took the armrests off my scooter. They bothered me and not necessary. They needed to be removed anyway to get it into the cabin which was easy to do by the about the 3rd time. You need to get a staright shot at the door but it is possible.

Good luck with your decision.

I asked this on the casino board and didn't get a definitive answer. If my husband is playing table games can I use his card in the slot machines at the same time?

This would increase the points on one card.

Anyone know for sure?

On our last cruise there was a family doing just that. She (the wife I suppose) had his card in a poker machine, within 6 feet of him playing Let It Ride at the same table as me. She hit a Royal and they wouldn't pay it. They were so mad. All week different people kept coming to him to get his card to play slots. The dealer and pit boss were paying very close attention to what they were doing. He also had the DOU card attached to his players card so whoever had the card would get the drinks.

I forgot about this post. I have my scooter and have decorated it in pink and glitters. The insurance paid the full amount. I don't have anything on the back of my van as I am able to dismantle it to get it in and out. Also, I will have my two son's with me.

 

I do have a passport and a HC placard that I use. We will be parking at Ft. Lauderdale for this cruise and Miami in Feb.

 

This is the first time I will be having a scooter with me. I have used my walker before. I am still going to bring my walker because I can for the most part use it on the ship. However, if I get too tired and I will need it for sure for getting off the ship at all the ports. I just cannot walk the long piers.

 

tigercat

I told my husband that I want pinstriping on my royal blue scooter. I have named her "Sapphire" My wheelchair was candy apple red and I named her "Ruby". I also need some sort of rear basket for shopping outings. My small one on the front will only hold a loaf of bread. I need more room for Christmas shopping at the mall....LOL

I have a platform that my scooter sits on at the rear of our vehicle also, it has a fold down ramp. I do not have a HC license plate or rear mirror blue placard however, as with my scooter I don't require to park in close. Is this also a requirement, or is just the scooter platform enough to qualify ?

 

Thanks.

So apply for one. In Ohio I asked my Dr. about it. He signed a document that I took to BMV and they gave me 2 placards on the spot. No questions asked. Not sure what the policy is in your state.

I have a question for anyone who might be able to answer it. I'm not a part of the current situation, but what of those who are booked to cruise in the next couple of days? What if they do not cancel, try to make it to port, but fail? Will they be compensated at all by Carnival (assuming they are not insured by a travel insurance company)? I honestly don't know, but it seems in that case it might be best to cut their loses, make the call and cancel, in which case they will be refunded in full, plus get a possible credit toward a future cruise. I know it's a tough decision and I don't know for sure what I would do, but canceling seems on the surface the best choice. Thoughts anyone?

I was just thinking how congested the roads will be going south after the storm passes. It will be a nightmare. All those evacuees will be trying to get back home. I know I wouldn't want to get on a ship after this storm for a week or so. We sailed on the Fascination out of Norfolk several years ago. There had been a nor-easter storm and the ocean was so rough all along the coast. I seriously thought we would die the first night. About 10% of dining rooms had diners. Women could not wear high heels. They cancelled stage shows to protect the dancers, etc. etc. etc. On the return to port the seas were just as rough if not worse. Even the crew couldn't function from sea-sickness. I saw a dealer get "sick" on the black jack table. My husband nearly fell out of bed. Again that night very few were in the dining rooms. It's a wonder we ever got on another ship. So no more cruises for me during hurricane season.

Not sure which cruise line you are traveling with. On our last 2 cruises on Carnival we booked a suite so I could have extra room since I use a scooter and need room for it. I also requested a shower chair. They brought one. It does NOT fit in the tub in a suite. I had to keep the shower doors open and put the chair half in and half out of the tub. It was very tippy and unsafe but I had no choice. Without it I could not shower. The whole showering process would truly be a million dollar winner on Americas Funny Videos. I would assume a shower chair would work in the regular shower of a standard cabin. As I recall there was a grab bar in the tub. I hope this info helps.

We always check caller ID before we answer the phone. As soon as we see Miami, FL we don't even answer any more. But I don't want to p!ss my PVP off. she has called me with some great offers .

YTD takes place in only one designated dining room. Show up any time you wish within their open hours. We've done it the last 4 cruises and we have never had to wait more than a minute or two for a table but we also avoid the DR during busy time.

If you find a wait team that you really like you can request them. I find that we are usually seated in the same wait station every night anyway. I'm not particular about the waiters. I get along with all of them just fine. The pink slip thing must be new since February. At that time people just asked for the waiter they wanted. There is usually a wait time if you request someone specific.

They used to hand out beepers like the land based restaurants use if there is a long line waiting. We have never gotten a beeper.

All that said, we love YTD. Theres no rush to get to dinner on time. No frustration over "late" table mates. If theres a line we just go have a drink and wait til there is no line.

Both CareVacations and SpecialNeedsatSea offer the Pride Victory 10 as an option for rental if a full size and or bariatric size scooter is required being that it has a weight capacity of 400 lbs. However being that the width of the Pride Victory 10 is 22.5" it will not fit through the doorway of a standard cabin on most cruise ships even with the arm rests removed. Though most standard cabin doorways are 23" wide the actual threshold clearance is only 21" since 2" has to be deducted for the depth of the door as it does not open flush to the wall. You noted on another thread that you were able to get your Pride Victory 10 Scooter through the doorway of Suite with the armrests removed. So as not to mislead anyone reading this thread/post it needs to be stressed that "Suites" are NOT considered to be a standard cabin and generally have a little wider doorway.

 

FYI even when a Pride Scooter is purchased on-line and service is required whether still under warranty or not it can be done locally. You're not required to go back to the on-line provider unless of course the scooter was received completely damaged in the first the first place. All one has to do is contact Pride for the name/address of the nearest approved service provider.

I used my Pride Victory 10 on the Glory this past February. Although it was a tight fit, it did fit thru the doorway of a suite cabin with armrests off. I had to get a good straight aim at the doorway but after 2 or 3 times I was a pro at getting into the cabin the first try.

Trying to plan ahead for another cruise I was concerned that it would not fit a regular cabin door. So I used my mini tape measure I carry in my purse and measured a regular door and it was exactly the same width as our suite door. I am convinced it will fit. I can't always afford a suite so will have to figure out parking it inside a balcony cabin. Wish I could afford a Havana Suite as I would park it on the lanai since they have access from the promenade. Now that would be convenient.

The standard scooter that both http://www.CareVacations.com and http://www.SpecialNeedsatSea.com currently rent is the Pride Go-Go Sport that has a weight capacity of 325 lbs. Retail List Price is $1,925.00 but can be purchased on line for around $1,229.00. There are several other models in the Pride Go-Go series that cost less. If insurance is not assisting in the cost than it pays to shop around as purchasing on-line more often than not results in $ savings.

When i purchased mine at a medical supply company I told them the price that I found online and they matched the price for the same scooter. I have the Pride Victory 10. I like the idea of having someone close who can help me with any problems that may occur. My salesman told me they rent the scooter I bought for about $100 per week. They know about the 22" doors etc.