Travelling first time with person on scooter

[crazyboys]

I have finally convinced my 89 year old Mom to cruise and she seems excited but a little apprehensive. She is pretty much mobile via her walker but is going to take her scooter for long distance treks on the ship and it gives her a little more comfort knowing it may be more stable than using her walker if rough seas prevail. We are going on the 8 day Eastern Caribbean out of Port Canaveral on the Liberty January 3, 2015 and have secured a Handicap (HC) room on the Upper Deck (deck 6). Since I have not cruised before with a HC person, is there anything I should be aware of when we get to Port Canaveral as far as embarkation for HC cruisers? Should I invest in the FTTF so she can go directly to her room? Is there a different entrance she uses to get into the terminal? Any help would be most appreciated. I think she will have a wonderful time and I just want to make sure her experience is a delightful one. Thanks CC friends.

[cruisergrandma]

We checked in with someone in a scooter in Seattle. They were sent to a special check-in counter and allowed to board with us (we are platinum). They took a plug strip with them to plug the scooter in at night. You might need to put the plug strip in your closet when you leave the cabin because their cabin steward took theirs and it took forever to get it back. Don't know anything about the FTTF or if it would be necessary. You might want to call Carnival and also ask them your questions.

[FireEater]

The group in the room will be escorted to the front when checking in so FTTF is not needed for that. There is no special door...She will go thru security just like the rest of us, but after that it is like a blur....The ground personnel will be as nice as humanly possible and will ensure she is treated with kit gloves....No worry.

 

She WILL enjoy the freedom and mobility more....

[crazyboys]

We checked in with someone in a scooter in Seattle. They were sent to a special check-in counter and allowed to board with us (we are platinum). They took a plug strip with them to plug the scooter in at night. You might need to put the plug strip in your closet when you leave the cabin because their cabin steward took theirs and it took forever to get it back. Don't know anything about the FTTF or if it would be necessary. You might want to call Carnival and also ask them your questions.

 

Thanks for the power strip and storing it away during the day tip.

[crazyboys]

The group in the room will be escorted to the front when checking in so FTTF is not needed for that. There is no special door...She will go thru security just like the rest of us, but after that it is like a blur....The ground personnel will be as nice as humanly possible and will ensure she is treated with kit gloves....No worry.

 

She WILL enjoy the freedom and mobility more....

 

Thanks FireEater for the assurance. I think she will too.

[FireEater]

Thanks for the power strip and storing it away during the day tip.

 

Talking about taking stuff onboard, use her floor board area for at least 2 12 packs of your fav soda if it is not what thy carry onboard.....

 

Take the scooter baskets and let her carry the carry on stuff in the rear one...What ever will fit :)

 

Here is a tip, try to find a long pole with orange flat on top that you can put on the scooter. This way when in crowds, she will be seen and she will not be walked over.

[billys mom]

My father uses a scooter too. Only problem we have ever had is getting around the dining room. It's hard with all the tables and chairs.

We get him on the ship in his wheelchair and the scooter is waiting for him in his room. Saves us all from pushing him all over.

[SadieN]

Look on the Disabled Cruising board for more info.

Edited June 9, 2014 by SadieN

[cmitch9999]

We emailed the maître d before our sailing on the Freedom and requested a table near the dining room entrance, it was a huge help

[ccarnut]

We did the liberty out of Miami two years ago with my mom on a scooter. If you search handicap access on the carnival website there is a special number you can call. They had everything arranged as far as a table in the dining room near the door for easy access and they can answer all your questions. They thought of things I didn't even ask. The only problems I remember were when the promenade deck was busy it was sometimes difficult for her to get through. Also when getting off at ports they only let one of us go with her in the elevator the rest had to go down the stairs. We sent my son and we had all the sail and sign cards because we didn't expect to be split up. It took a while to get us all together and off the ship. Kind of crazy. Once we got the hang of it and knew what to expect it was fine. The crew was so helpful just ask and they were great. It will make it so enjoyable for all of you. Have fun. We loved the liberty.

 

 

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[goduckies05]

My only request... make sure she drives safely... I had to jump out of the way of a scooter on the miracle in Feb. Then the darn lady yells at me because I moved left instead of right.

 

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[CruisinKibble]

Check out the Disabled forum...the folks over there seem to be very helpful.

 

 

I hope you all have a great time. Everyone should be able to cruise if they want to, and I'm sure it will be a memorable experience for her. Enjoy!

[Rosefloater]

My only request... make sure she drives safely... I had to jump out of the way of a scooter on the miracle in Feb. Then the darn lady yells at me because I moved left instead of right.

 

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Someone on 1 of my roll calls used a scooter. She went zipping by honking her horn. We all knew when she was near.:D

[sweetsixteencruisers]

My only request... make sure she drives safely... I had to jump out of the way of a scooter on the miracle in Feb. Then the darn lady yells at me because I moved left instead of right.

 

Sent from my SM-G900P using Forums mobile app

 

I agree with driving safely, especially up and down the ramps. We had a bad experience with a scooter as well. A lady on a scooter came up the ramp behind us and crashed into my daughter. Knocking her down, cutting her leg. Scared the hell out of us. The worst part was, she never apologized :mad:

[mommom of 7]

I agree with driving safely, especially up and down the ramps. We had a bad experience with a scooter as well. A lady on a scooter came up the ramp behind us and crashed into my daughter. Knocking her down, cutting her leg. Scared the hell out of us. The worst part was, she never apologized :mad:

 

Larry & I both have scooters. NEVER use the ramp until it is clear, it seems like there isn't as much control on them.

Also tell her to be ready for a LOT of HELP.

Larry has to use his most of the time & we have had them take his plate away from him to HELP him fill it. They get very hurt if you say NO.

Tell her to just take her time & watch out for the kids, they seem to stop & look at the scooters.

Char

[RWolver672]

The only problem we had when SIL was in a wheelchair was that trying to get into an elevator when returning from an excursion was that people would push past her. After about five times, her grand daughter said in a very loud voice that she was going to kick the next person right square in the you know what if they try to push past her again. She got on the next elevator. I suggest when you want to get into an elevator, park the scooter sideways blocking the door so that you can get it right away.

 

On one cruise, an elderly lady was in a scooter going up a ramp. She hit it too fast and tipped it over backward. Her husband said "I've told her a hundred times it's not funny when she does that!"

Edited June 10, 2014 by RWolver672

[RuthlessBoss]

The only problem we had when SIL was in a wheelchair was that trying to get into an elevator when returning from an excursion was that people would push past her. After about five times, her grand daughter said in a very loud voice that she was going to kick the next person right square in the you know what if they try to push past her again. She got on the next elevator. I suggest when you want to get into an elevator, park the scooter sideways blocking the door so that you can get it right away.

 

On one cruise, an elderly lady was in a scooter going up a ramp. She hit it too fast and tipped it over backward. Her husband said "I've told her a hundred times it's not funny when she does that!"

 

I can relate to the w/c or scooter thing. Happened on another cruise line years ago when a w/c was part of our lives. After several attempts to get on one and people barging around him, he finally lost his cool too.

[billys mom]

We emailed the maître d before our sailing on the Freedom and requested a table near the dining room entrance, it was a huge help

 

Great idea...how do I find out the email address of the maître d of Sunshine?

[ibcnusoon]

Be sure to know where the handicap waiting area is during muster drill! What's great about it is they let the HC people and those with kids in strollers to leave a few minutes before they release the rest of the passengers during Muster Drill.

 

If you think trying to get an elevator during normal hours is tough, try doing it when muster is let out! NCL - take note, Carnival has a special place for their HC passengers AND let's them get a head start before the masses!

[cmitch9999]

Maitre de list

 

To request a table email – two letters of ship

 

__maitred@carnival.com

 

CQ Conquest

DE Destiny

DR Dream

EC Ecstasy

FA Fantasy

FS Fascination

FD Freedom

GL Glory

HO Holiday

IM Imagination

IS Inspiration

LE Legend

LI Liberty

MI Miracle

PA Paradise

SE Sensation

SP Spirit

SL Splendor

SU Sunshine

TI Triumph

VA Valor

VI Victory

EL Elation

PR Pride

BR Breeze

MC Magic

[isaiahsnana]

Thanks for the power strip and storing it away during the day tip.

 

 

The back of my scooter has a storage pocket, when I unplug the scooter in the morning, I put the strip in the back pocket of the scooter so it is always with me. Works great.

[crazyboys]

I agree with driving safely, especially up and down the ramps. We had a bad experience with a scooter as well. A lady on a scooter came up the ramp behind us and crashed into my daughter. Knocking her down, cutting her leg. Scared the hell out of us. The worst part was, she never apologized :mad:

 

So sorry that your daughter experienced that. What ramp are you referring to? Was this the ramp boarding on the ship like a jetway boarding on a plane? One of my concerns for my Mom is the ramp transition that actually connects to the ship. Even when I am walking on the ship from the ramp, it is difficult to maneuver so I really worry that the scooter might tip sideways. I am a worrywart when it comes to my Mom.:)