Mobility Scooters and Equipment
Renting, bringing and using mobility equipment on an ocean cruise.
Get Free Accessible Cruise QuotesMany travelers who walk well at home find a ship’s long corridors tiring. A scooter or wheelchair can turn a good cruise into a great one.
Renting a Scooter or Wheelchair Delivered to the Ship
Specialist rental companies serve the major cruise ports. You book with them before you travel, and the equipment is delivered to the ship — often waiting in your cabin when you board — and collected at the end of the cruise. Cruise lines typically keep a list of approved suppliers for their homeports, and some only allow approved suppliers on board, so ask the line or your advisor which companies it works with before you book.
- Book well ahead, especially for holiday and peak sailings.
- Choose a model that will fit your cabin door and turn in the space available.
- Ask whether the rental includes delivery to the ship, a basket, and what happens if it breaks down.
- Confirm that it can be taken ashore, and whether it breaks down for taxis.
- Note the charger plug type and where it will charge in the cabin.
Bringing Your Own Equipment
You can usually bring your own manual chair, power chair, scooter, walker or rollator. Tell the cruise line in advance, giving dimensions, weight and battery type. On embarkation day, your equipment goes on board with you; do not check it with the porters. Label everything with your name and cabin number.
If you fly to the port, ask your airline about how it handles mobility devices and batteries, and request assistance at the airport. TSA Cares is a free U.S. helpline that can explain screening procedures for travelers with disabilities and medical conditions.
Oxygen
Lines typically require advance notice and a supplier delivery to the ship, along with medical paperwork. Ask how much to bring and how it is stored.
Dialysis and CPAP
CPAP machines are common on board; bring a distilled-water plan and an extension lead if allowed. Dialysis at sea requires specialist arrangements made well in advance.
Medical refrigeration
Request a cabin refrigerator suitable for medication when you book.
Spares
Bring a basic repair kit and spare parts for your own equipment; ports may not stock them.
Getting Around the Ship
Large ocean ships have elevators serving all public decks, ramps or lifts at most changes of level, and accessible public restrooms. Some ships have pool lifts, and many theaters have wheelchair spaces. Elevators get busy after shows and at embarkation, so give yourself extra time. On embarkation and disembarkation days, ask about priority boarding and assistance — most lines offer it for guests with mobility needs.
Scooter and Equipment Questions
Will my scooter fit through the cabin door?
Not always. Standard cabin doors are narrower than accessible-cabin doors, and many lines ask that scooters be stored inside the cabin, not in the corridor. Check your scooter’s width and turning radius against the cabin you book.
Can I bring my own power wheelchair?
Generally yes, with advance notice. Tell the line the dimensions, weight and battery type. Lithium batteries may have specific rules for air travel and for charging on board.
Does the ship provide wheelchairs?
Ships carry wheelchairs mainly for embarkation, disembarkation and emergencies, not for personal use throughout the cruise. If you need one for the whole voyage, bring or rent your own.
Need Help Arranging Equipment?
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will check the line’s rules and approved suppliers for your sailing and send free quotes.
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