Getting On & Off at Cruise Ports - with a Mobility Scooter - The Carnival Spirit

[@dooda2054]

I feel a bit ridiculous, sitting here with tears in my eyes, so proud of you for having the bravery that I want - to go ahead and Do all the things. I've had a hard time coming to terms with my limitations and the fierce determination to "not be a burden" - a label that I've placed on Myself - those around me have been pretty great. Time to Show Up, and you've helped me see that maybe I can not be afraid to do just that. Thank you😊😉

[@skrosnest4262]

I am so sorry, I have been meaning to write you back for about 3 weeks. I’m glad my video has inspired you to go ahead and try something different. Thank you for your kind words. I have included a link for my newest video, and at the end I talk about taking a chance. If you haven’t already, please subscribe to my KZbin channel. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l53Qg6eLfJ5oY7ssi=RuMgv2AUljMlK0HP

[@adventurewoman]

Thank you for saying the things I think about. Taking my scooter on an airplane for the first time and I'm scared too 81 years old.😢

[@skrosnest4262]

You’ll do fine. Allow yourself enough time at the airport. The airline will help you out.

[@proudasiangirl576]

You are VERY brave for sharing your story. I understand how you feel. I was there too. I had planned on staying home during my entire retirement years because of my immobility. But a mobility scooter and being "brave" has slowly helped me get out of the house too.

[@dearmepa1]

@@adventurewoman I take my scooter in all of my flights! Don’t be anxious because the airlines take care of everything for you. After going to your gate ( request an attendant), they will place your scooter in cargo and then bring it to the gate when you arrive at your destination. Travel and enjoy yourself!

[@AleshaBrownTheJoyGuru]

Thank you so much for this! I have finally reached the point where I need to rent a scooter for my next cruise and I wondered how this would work. You calmed my fears & I see that I will really be able to enjoy myself without angst. Thank you!

[@shellysnodgrass9546]

the tender staff and the crew staff are amazing ! ! ! ! !! !

[@skrosnest4262]

The crew is extremely helpful!

[@Ian-os7kp]

A great video - very inspiring !!! I rely on a mobility scooter and your video has been very helpful for me planning a cruise. Thank you

[@skrosnest4262]

Thank you. I am glad they are helpful for you. Be sure and watch my other cruising videos on my channel!

[@lauriedettelback1179]

I also use an electric wheelchair, so this was interesting to watch. One of the things I loved was how helpful everyone was on the crew and helping you get on and off of things. Thank you for sharing this.

[@skrosnest4262]

Yes, the crew is usually very willing to help you! Thank you for watching my video.

[@DonnaDavis-l1u]

I’m like everyone else. I hate having to need a scooter but I am so thankful that I have a choice. I can sit home and miss out on everything or I can use a scooter. ❤❤❤

[@skrosnest4262]

Exactly! Make Excuses or Make it Happen!

[@greglouch]

Thank you for the great information. I was kind of worried about me and my wife's upcoming vacation to Belize in November. So this video really gives me a description of what we're looking forward too.

[@FHunt-mt4bf]

Thank you so much. I am new to the Mobility chair and want to take our first time cruise this year.

[@southpawcrochetwithkatie9043]

Thank you for this helpful and awesome video! Myself, Son, and DIL are taking our first cruise on NCL Prima in October. I use a power wheelchair to get around. Fair wind and following seas.

[@barbarabell6155]

I'm fursr-time cruiser on NCL Prima this summer, with scooter. How was your experience? What would you have done differently?

[@rubent455]

Great video!! Thank you.

[@skrosnest4262]

Thank you for watching. I hope it was helpful. Please check out my other videos if you would, and please subscribe. It is Free! youtube.com/@skrosnest4262?si=Ch_HdSM71Ifnxa5K

[@LeonardFamilyFun]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. My husband will need a mobility scooter going forward for our cruises. He was able to test one on our recent cruise for the last sea and loved how it was much easier getting around. We decided to look for videos of other’s experiences on a cruise and your video popped up. We are excited about our next cruise now.

[@skrosnest4262]

I am glad you found my video. It was a tough decision on my part to finally accept the fact I needed a scooter to get around on the ship. I am glad I made the decision! I have plenty of videos about cruising with a mobility scooter on my channel. Please check them out and do me a favor and subscribe to my channel. youtube.com/@skrosnest4262?si=joRxUGIt3tBkjxhb

[@LeonardFamilyFun]

@@skrosnest4262 already subscribed and will definitely be watching more videos. He is enjoying the ones we have seen so far.

[@skrosnest4262]

Great! I am glad you have subscribed. I am glad you have found my videos helpful.

[@ABarry3711]

Thanks so much for making this. I now know that I can cruise! ❤

[@maryannpiccirilli454]

Awesome video! We sail her 12/9/23 and 2/24😊. So helpful!

[@jevinrichardson.]

Nice job

[@skrosnest4262]

Thank you! I am glad you found it helpful!

[@DonaMoore-zl3um]

Thank you for this video. This will help me to decide whether to get on and off at some ports. I will be cruising on the Mardi gras end September/October 2024

[@deirdresmith2094]

Very nicely done . My vertigo would have me nervous my first time but I would just do it to get to the fun. No drinking and driving because that's no place to have any impairment. I guess drinks when going on ports only when back safely in the ship.

[@skrosnest4262]

Yes, no drinking and driving even with a mobility scooter. Thank you for watching my video!

[@tadleygreen]

Based on our experience with my wife's mobility scooter, those ports all seemed to work remarkably well. As you say crew are always super-helpful but sometimes we find almost too much so and actually get in the way, when the best and safest thing would to let her drive herself unimpeded up or down the ramp. However, there are many challenges we have faced, which you seem to have avoided: Often the ramp has transverse ridges, to help people on foot if it's steep, but these make for a very uncomfortable ride on a scooter - really bad for someone with a back problem like my wife. On one occasion these ridges were so severe that the scooter wouldn't ride over them at all. The best ports are those that have airport-style bridges rather than a gang-plank, such as Southampton, Barcelona or Lisbon, where it's a straightforward drive on or off with no difficulties at all. Not so good for people who are mobility-challenged but able to walk as it's a long walk to get to the ship. We often find that at the top of the ramp there's an apex that is so sharp that the scooter grounds on it, so she has to get off to allow the scooter to be lifted past this. It's quite common for the ramp to be too steep for the scooter to get up it. Or sometimes, because tides have changed, it seems OK when we get off but has changed dramatically by the time we get back. On at least one such occasion, they had another ramp that was almost level and being used to load supplies, but this wasn't offered as an alternative for scooter and wheelchair users as perhaps might have been possible. As you found, often the short section at the bottom of the ramp is too steep but usually a push from a helpful crew member overcomes that. Tenders are a challenge. The only time we've done this was on Saga's Spirit of Discovery, which worked well as they had a nice loading platform on the ship that was level with the tender. My wife had to walk on but it was easy and then it was easy for the crew to get the scooter onto the tender. Sadly though on this ship, the tender platform was down a flight of steps; the staircase did have a wheelchair lift but it wasn't working at first (they fixed it half way through the cruise). Slightly off topic, several companies (e.g. P&O, Cunard...) don't allow mobility scooters on shore excursion coaches - even on those specifically advertised as accessible - it's manual and electric wheelchairs only for some reason.

[@sandralewis8682]

I'll be ok with this video I'm encouraged as a first time amputee. Thanks to my son for sending it to me.

[@skrosnest4262]

Just take it easy and go at a comfortable pace for you. Please watch my other videos about cruising with a mobility scooter, and please subscribe to my channel. Make Excuses or Make it Happen!

[@emeraldkimble7602]

Mississippi River at record low boat used cargo freight conveyor belt rather than gAngways I did it

[@skrosnest4262]

Interesting! Hopefully they had guardrails.

[@bearbullcruising6427]

That looks like a pretty small and very maneuverable mobility scooter. What about a larger and a bit heavier mobility scooter for a larger person such as myself do you still think it would be as maneuverable or easy to use in those locations on this video

[@cruisingisfunanytime]

Great information

[@skrosnest4262]

Thank you! I am glad you found it helpful.

[@debihartman9111]

Thank you for the video , I am in a wheelchair and didn’t know they had tenders you could drive on. I never try to get off the ship at a tender port because of the stairs I thought all tenders use. On my next cruise which has a tender port I will definitely check to see what kind of tender they have and get off the ship if possible.

[@skrosnest4262]

If you can’t find out ahead of time. Once you get on the cruise ask guest services what type of tender they use for their port stops. Thank you for watching my video.

[@runaroundsueaccessibletrav6357]

Really interesting the different types of ramps. Great content it exactly k y what I am trying to do here in the UK. HAVE SUBSCRIBED

[@pattyinsoflo5431]

Thank you for this video. I will be taking my first cruise in a wheelchair in January and was wondering how it would be getting on and off the ship

[@skrosnest4262]

Thank you for watching my video. I’m sure if you looked at some of my other cruising videos you would find them helpful too!

[@bewell8831]

Awesome thank you

[@bernadettecaberte2591]

i love your video.. it is very informative how they implemented accessible ports and ships.. can i share your clips for my video to show how looonnnng!! philippines is to be be fully accessible???

[@skrosnest4262]

Yes, you can use my clips as long as you put a link to my KZbin Channel. youtube.com/@skrosnest4262

[@emeraldkimble7602]

There’s tendering if more than five hundred feet from shore the gangplank a hundred yards. Max

[@rhondawilson1206]

Can you let us know which type&/model scooter you have please?

[@skrosnest4262]

Thank you for watching my video. The scooter is a Solax Transformer!

[@emeraldkimble7602]

How far can gNgplank go it seems like a hundred meters yards beyond that tenders

[@Mrsbigdog73]

Great video! Do you find people to be patient and helpful in general? Not just the staff but other cruisers. I know just navigating the local grocery store people see the scooter and try to cut us off or huff and puff behind us because we are moving too slow. I’m wondering if it’s the same on the cruise ships? What has your experience been? You look like you navigate very well! My hubby only has use of one hand so he struggles a bit.

[@skrosnest4262]

Thank you for watching my video. I have found the vast majority of people are considerate on cruise ships. Unfortunately there are some people no matter where you are at that will act like jerks. I sometimes drive my scooter with one hand if the driving surface is smooth. So I can understand how your husband can have an issue controlling a scooter with one hand.

[@chickadeeacres3864]

How long does the battery last?

[@skrosnest4262]

The battery should last about 13 miles. One thing I do is if I am sitting still for awhile is shut the Scooter off to save the battery. Thank you for watching my video!

[@emeraldkimble7602]

At least gangway not lifeboat repurposed as tender

[@skrosnest4262]

Yes, the lifeboat as a tender can pose a problem. I have only encountered that situation on one cruise. Thank you for watching my video!

[@proudasiangirl576]

2:02, whoever did the editing for this video, must have fallen asleep or something. How do you not proof this before posting? The narrative is one on top of another! No QA nor QC! 🙄😴👎Otherwise, great content to show the different ramps. The degree of incline/decline are a bit steep. I don't know what Carnival was thinking, after all there are and will be many passengers using those ramps for mobility scooters & wheelchairs.