scooter rental for British Isles cruise?

[scottbet]

We will be on Caribbean Princess for a British Isles cruise. Usually we cruise with my husband's manual wheelchair, and fold it/store it in the cabin as he does not need it for the few steps in the room. We never book an accessible cabin; he does better with the bathtub available in suites than an accessible shower. Recently we rented a scooter for him a couple of times on a non-cruise vacation and I found it much easier on everyone! He keeps up with everyone and I don't have to push.

 

Does anyone have experience with renting a scooter for a cruise leaving from London? If we do rent a scooter, we want one that is fold-able and able to go on excursion buses, cabs, etc. Will a scooter work on the cobblestone streets we expect to encounter in some locations? Will storing the scooter in the cabin when not in use be a problem (we are in a Vista Suite)?

 

We will still have his manual chair with us for the pre/post cruise travel. This is new to us so I appreciate any feedback!

[xxoocruiser]

We will be on Caribbean Princess for a British Isles cruise. Usually we cruise with my husband's manual wheelchair, and fold it/store it in the cabin as he does not need it for the few steps in the room. We never book an accessible cabin; he does better with the bathtub available in suites than an accessible shower. Recently we rented a scooter for him a couple of times on a non-cruise vacation and I found it much easier on everyone! He keeps up with everyone and I don't have to push.

 

Does anyone have experience with renting a scooter for a cruise leaving from London? If we do rent a scooter, we want one that is fold-able and able to go on excursion buses, cabs, etc. Will a scooter work on the cobblestone streets we expect to encounter in some locations? Will storing the scooter in the cabin when not in use be a problem (we are in a Vista Suite)?

 

We will still have his manual chair with us for the pre/post cruise travel. This is new to us so I appreciate any feedback!

 

 

Checkout http://www.CareVacations.com (also known at Scootaround) as it's website states it service London England and its also an approved Princess Cruise Vendor. However they do not rent foldable scooters. http://www.SpecialNeedsatSeas.com is also a Princess approved vendor and claims to service over 30 countries. SpecialNeedsatSea also does not rent foldable scooters.

 

Scooters are very uncomfortable on cobblestones. The underclearance of the scooter can present issues on cobblstones. You have to drive it slow. Being that cobblestone can present uneven surfaces s you sometimes have to shift your weight to compensate for the varying levels so as not to tip the scooter over.

 

The doorway into the cabin could pose an issue. Not certain if Princess Vista Suites have a larger doorway but the typical standard cabin doorway is 23" wide. You than have to deduct 2" for the depth of the door as it does not open flush to the wall resulting in the total threshold clearance only 21" . The scooter has to be less than 21 ". The scooter CANNOT be stored in the hallway or any other public area if it does not fit into the cabin as by doing so it violates SOLAS regulations. Storing it in the hallway or public area if it does not fit into the cabin impedes the safety of all passengers in the event of an emergency.

 

If you must have a foldable scooter than purchasing one might be your only option.

Edited October 15, 2016 by xxoocruiser

[Enforcer]

Hi,

 

It is possible to hire foldable scooters in Southampton but you would have to collect them from the shop as I doubt that Princess would allow them to be delivered to your room. I think they cost about £80 a week plus VAT (20%) then you have to return it.

 

I would suggest doing a Google search for Mobility Scooters Southampton.

 

Pete

[LondonTowner]

A quick Google search brought up quite a few mobility scooter hire places in Southampton. I would rather deal with a local based company than one based in USA because if anything did go wrong you are dealing with a local company.

 

Yes, you can hire a small scooter which dismantles. You don't say which your ports of call are, but I use a mobility scooter in U.K. And don't really come into contact with too many cobblestones.

 

To be more mobile makes a huge difference in the enjoyment of the holiday.

[scottbet]

Thank you for the responses!

 

Our ports of call include Guernsey, Cork, Dublin, Belfast, Liverpool, Glasgow, Invergordon, Edinburgh, and Paris (le Havre), France.

 

We are ruling out the Military Tattoo in Edinburgh as many posts I read state it is not easily accessible for wheelchairs.

[LondonTowner]

There is a special section for wheelchair users at the Edinburgh Tatoo as well as 'career goes free' concession. There is also a special drop off/pick up area for disabled people.

 

The majority of your ports are disabled friendly. We did the HOHO bus in Dublin last year and I cheekily asked for disabled discount and we were only charged 5 Euros each. One of the best and certainly the cheapest HOHO buses we have done anywhere.

 

Where are you from? If not a U.K. Resident we can possibly give you some more tips.

[scottbet]

Thank you so much! We are from Michigan, in the USA. Great to hear about the HOHO in Dublin. I am just starting research port by port to decide on excursions.

[LondonTowner]

Scottbet

 

I have been to all those places except Invergorden and Belfast. You shouldn't have problems in them.

 

Here in the U.K. All state museums have free entrance, but you pay for special exhibitions, but anybody with a disability gets free entrance for their companion. In any National Trust or English Heritage places your companion will also get in FOC.

 

Glasgow, Edinburgh and Liverpool all have xcellent museums and art galleries. Of course, in Liverpool you also have the Beatles.

 

In Le Havre I personally would not go to Paris, it is a long way. I would do Honfleur and/or DDay beaches, Mont San Michel. Or hire a car as the driving is easy.

 

There is lots of info about all the ports of call on the Ports of Call forums or on TripAdvisor.

[scottbet]

Thanks, LondonTowner. Do you have any recommendations for transportation between Heathrow and a London hotel? Not sure exactly where in London yet, but I dread trying to manage husband in wheelchair and 2 suitcases by myself. Same for London hotel to the ship in Southampton.

[LondonTowner]

Scottbet

 

I can't help you there as I live in central London and don't have to use those services. However, if you look on the British Isles in the Ports of Call threads there are plenty of recommendations there. For transport into central London I see a company called Blackberry cars always gets good recommendations.

 

If you look on the London forum on Tripadvisor there is plenty of information regarding car services. Be sure to pre arrange your special assistance in Heathrow as it is a huge airport.

 

What time of year is your cruise?

[Enforcer]

Hi Scottbet,

 

I wouldn't write off the Military Tattoo just yet, I would contact them via their web site, explain your situation and they will come up with solutions.

 

A good point to start with your research would be the "British" section in the "Ports of Call" in this forum as there are plenty of users who will be able to help.

 

Pete

[the english lady]

I live in the UK.

I know once I thought I may need to hire a mobility scooter, as the cruise was not long after an op. As it was I didn't need one, but this is the company I was looking at

 

http://www.mobilityatsea.co.uk/

 

the website below might be worth having a look at.

 

https://www.londontoolkit.com/

 

hope you find something suitable

[teddytumtum]

I think Princess do a special coach service from certain hotels in London to Southampton. I would check it out with either Princess or your TA. As others suggest I would hire a scooter from a Southampton hire shop. I am also a scooter user and have cruised on the Caribbean Princess in an ordinary cabin with no problems. The scooter I have is a Shoprider Pride which is quite small but adequate. I have travelled all over the world with it including Tallin, which has lots of cobblestones, I admit it was a bit bumpy but I coped. Have a lovely cruise and I do hope you enjoy the British Isles you will see some beautiful scenery.

[scottbet]

Thanks for all the responses. Working on the research now, and expect it will be a great trip!

[kitty9]

I'm a full time scooter user and had absolutely no problem going to the Tattoo. It was a major highlight of the entire two week cruise. They allow accessible vehicles to enter the Tattoo arena and off load passengers. Those in wheelchairs and scooters, along with their partners, are escorted to a special covered area for viewing. We could practically touch the members of the Tattoo, we were that close. At the end, they have everyone else leave the arena and then they bring the accessible vehicles back into the arena and we were loaded onto the buses. It was really very easy. But, the traffic after the Tattoo is very, very heavy, so be prepared for it to take long to get back to the ship. And, most ships, except for the small luxury lines, anchor quite a bit away from Edinburgh proper, so you will have to tender to get to shore and then to your transportation.

[Slugsta]

Hi Scottbet,

 

Are you planning to spend a few days in London and see the sights beforehand? If not, do you really need to go into London at all?

[scottbet]

We are spending a few days in London pre- and post-cruise. Browsing Cruise Critic, I am seeing several different car/bus services people recommend for transportation to/from the airport and to/from Southampton. I was wondering if anyone who travels with a chair or scooter recommends one over another?

 

Our thinking at this point is to have the scooter delivered directly to the cabin. We can just use the manual chair in London and the airport. That way I don't have to worry about returning the scooter either.

[LondonTowner]

If your manual wheelchair folds up and the back folds down it won't be a problem. You don't say where you are going to stay in London, but you would be best to pre book a car service. Just tell them how many suitcases you have and a wheelchair and they will send an appropriate size car.

 

I believe Blackberry cars have a good reputation, but I am sure somebody else will be able to tell you. There are lots of threads about this on the London Forum on Tripadvisor.

 

All public transport is accessible, but not all train and Underground stations are. You can find all information on Transport for London website.

 

However, if you are staying in London pre and post cruise, why don't you just hire the scooter in London and return it when you get back. If you are staying at the same hotel they could probably store the wheelchair for you until your return. Just a thought to make life easier. The hire of the scooter may also be cheaper in London.