Canada/NE cruise/newby scooter user

[annie0501]

We are headed for NE/Canada in September on RCCL. Will rent a scooter to help me get around (usually use a walker) in port. Question: how easy is it to navigate a scooter off the ship and down the gangway at these ports: Portland, St. John, Halifax? Only previous experience doing so was in Bermuda. Am truly paranoid about this, so any explanations would help!:p

[xxoocruiser]

We are headed for NE/Canada in September on RCCL. Will rent a scooter to help me get around (usually use a walker) in port. Question: how easy is it to navigate a scooter off the ship and down the gangway at these ports: Portland, St. John, Halifax? Only previous experience doing so was in Bermuda. Am truly paranoid about this, so any explanations would help!:p

 

How easy or difficult going up down the gangway regardless of the port depends on several variables such as the ground clearance of scooter and the incline angle of the gangway and gangway joints.

 

Full Size and Bariatric Scooters have a higher ground clearance and generally do not pose any difficulty.

 

If you rent a Light-Weight scooter or Mid-size scooter from Carevacations or the standard scooter from SpecialNeedsatseas these are typically a Pride Go Go Model with only a 2" ground clearance. Therefore the scooter can easily get hung up on the gangways joints. The ships crew's initial reaction is to just give the scooter a hard push over the joints but DO NOT ALLOW THE CREW TO PUSH THE SCOOTER WHEN IT'S IN THE LOCKED DRIVES MODE as it can damage the motor rendering it useless and you will be responsible for the full replacement cost. Rather you need to place the scooter in freewheel mode ( yellow is below the seat on the back wheels).

 

If you are able to walk up down the gangway than it's best to do that. The scooter can than be placed in Freewheel Mode and the a crew member can than roll the scooter up/down that gangway.

 

If you not able to walk down/up the gangway than remain seated and have the scooter placed in freewheel mode. This method will require a crewmember in front of the scooter when going down the gangway to hold tiller to guide it in a controlled free roll and a crew member behind the scooter to make certain the scooter does not roll back especially when going up the gangway.

Edited March 2, 2015 by xxoocruiser

[annie0501]

Great information! Thanks so much!