My husband was 52 when he had a stroke during heart surgery. He’s now partially paralyzed on his right side. The scooter has changed our life and made it possible to travel. Cruising is by far the best option. His disability isn’t obvious to most but in general people are patient and kind. We are all going through something. Thanks to everyone who shows grace and compassion. Life handed us a bunch of lemons and we are trying to make some lemonade.

Let me add a personal note……People brazenly FAKE all the time. My extended family used this trick for decades! They openly bragged about it, telling their mother that it was time to “get to the front of the line.” Sad thing is when she actually needed a wheelchair/scooter, they stopped taking her on vacation as her now real needs were a burden to them.

I recently went on my first cruise. I can walk but not very far due to a severe back condition so had to use a wheelchair. For the most part people were very kind and courteous. Often if an elevator was crowded but had room for one or two people I’d let them go ahead, it’s a two way street. Honestly it’s not easy being in a wheelchair when you travel.

My late husband used a scooter because of his disabilities. I would not be able to travel with him without his scooter. Thank goodness for his scooter which allowed him to travel in his later years. The only problem with the scooter is the rude people that didn't let him in the elevator or made nasty comments because he couldn't move fast enough for them. Remember people if you live long enough you too will be old.

Are there rude people on cruise ships? Yes. However, not all the rude folks are able bodied. I have seen plenty of folks with physical limitations who were just as rude. We were on a cruise where the folks next door to us would park their scooter in the hallway blocking everyone's access. They were told on multiple occasions that the scooter needed to be in their room. They refused. This was a safety issue. One night, I had enough and I moved the scooter to the staircase area off to one side so it was not in anybody's way. The next morning, they raised quite a stink because their scooter was stolen!!! The hotel manager asked how someone got the scooter out of their cabin without them noticing, that is when they admitted to leaving it the hallway again. Hotel manager said, apparently the other folks had enough and they removed it. Basically, I towed their scooter.

From someone that requires a scooter on a cruise ship, please keep in mind that not all disabilities are visible. I could not cruise without it.

Don - I would like to give you some info regarding the use of scooters on the ship. While I do not use one, my wife does. We have been on about a dozen cruises now and encounter this every time. While there are some entitled people in scooters, I actually find more entitled people that don’t use them. While I understand waiting as everyone should, I have actually had to raise my voice to people to make them realize they need to wait their turn. Last cruise we actually encountered a lovely older gentleman who was crying waiting for the elevator as people were ignoring him trying to get in an elevator and going around him to fill it. It’s just reality on a ship. Some people realize we all need to work together as we are all on vacation, while some believe that their vacation is more important than anyone else. Moral of the story - be kind to everyone and enjoy your vacation.

People realise that they don’t have to suffer in pain walking everywhere (usually ending up too exhausted to do whatever they had planned) for stupid pride and can use a damned wheelchair and actually enjoy themselves. I had been doing that. I’d get halfway around the supermarket and be clinging to the shopping trolley because I was in so much pain and so fatigued, but kept forcing myself. I had this stupid notion that only people who were paralysed or amputees needed a wheelchair Then I had spine surgery, unrelated to my chronic illness, and had to use a wheelchair at a convention. OMG. It changed my life. I could get from place to place and still enjoy what I was doing. I could stay longer because I wasn’t in so much pain or so tired that I had to go lie down. Yeah, I bought lightweight, folding, mobility scooter within a year. I recently changed to an electric wheelchair, also a lightweight folding model, as it has a smaller turning circle and so works better in shops and onboard ships. I pay extra for an accessible cabin because I bring an electric wheelchair. I don’t know about other cruise lines but P&O require that you have an accessible cabin if you are bringing a scooter or electric wheelchair - to stop people leaving them in the corridors. That’s an extra cost for us. As there are so few accessible cabins onboard ships, we have to try and grab them pretty much as soon as the cruise is available. So no last minute deals etc. And, as they are larger cabins, we get charged more. No discount for letting the company allocate you a cabin. No. We have to pay the higher cost of booking a specific cabin number, too. And don’t get me started on the “but you don’t look disabled” brigade. They can GTFO, and when they are out, they can GTF further away, too. Next time someone feels like bitching about the person on the mobility scooter or electric wheelchair, remember they paid extra to be able to enjoy their holiday.

Wow I can't get used to hearing people complain about anything. Pack your patience, be kind and enjoy your vacay!

I don't use my scooter in my house but I do use it in grocery stores, hotels and galleries etc. Where ever I will need to stand or walk a lot. My leg will give out when least expected and I will be on the floor trying to figure out how to get back to a chair. How much of a problem I would be if people had to pick me up off the floor over and over again. I took a cruise without a scooter and I was in pain the whole trip. I enjoyed the trip but there is no way I would try it again without a scooter. I bought my scooter and it has brought so much back into my life and independence. I can wait for an elevator with my scooter. I can not wait without a place to sit down. It is not my brain, my health or most of my body that is a problem it is pinching of my spinal cord. That can happen at any age. Complain now but there will come a day when this could become a problem for you too. Especially with these mega ships.

I love the elevator battles between people with canes, walkers, wheelchairs, and scooters. A fierce battle for position takes place and the guy wins the scrimmage with a posture of pride straightening his back in triumph. This was short-lived when he heard the tricked-out scooter come around the corner trimmed with racing strips and fake flames along the side. The pecking order was established. lol

I've always thought people questioning whether someone needs a scooter, wheelchair, or cane to be foolish. I've often seen cars with handicapped tags have their drivers scrutinized by people. They see them get out and walk unassisted and point them out as fakers. How do they know they're not picking someone up who is handicapped? How do they know if the driver has a handicap that limits how far they can walk? Recently this has become personal for me because I now use a cane for intermittent balance issues. 99% of the time I could do fine without my cane, but for those unpredictable spells, my cane is a Godsend. The rest of the time it adds a little more exercise for my arms in a day. Cutting to the chase, there's no good reason to question someone's need for a mobility-assisting device. BTW, in the US, it's a law that cane users need not explain why they need one even to law enforcement. I wouldn't be surprised if similar laws exist about things like scooters and wheelchairs.

I get annoyed when there is a bank of six elevators and a person in a wheelchair is waiting and the furthest elevator away from them is the one that becomes available. All be abled body people or those just entering the area run for it. If I am near that elevator I typically hold the door and motion for them to come over and ask those inconsiderate people to wait for the next elevator.

Had one person on a scooter last year and they where in the back of line to go into the dinner and that person thought they had the right away to go ahead of everyone and was trying to make people get out of their way. Shame on them. Wait your time like everyone else dose

My father could walk but he could not walk more than a few feet and not for long times at once. When we went to the zoo I rented him a scooter. He would ride it until we got to an exhibit he wanted to see then would stand up to take a better look at it, walk over to it then go back to the scooter. If he walked more than that he would get pains in his legs and barely be able to walk. When we went to his doctor appointments I would drop him off at the door, park then get him a wheelchair. He needed it. He was not "faking it" because he could walk a little bit.

I own a scooter and take it on cruises. Trust me if I didn’t have to use it I would be grateful. Elevators are a chore, getting the scooter in our cabin is a chore, riding it down the halls to your cabin is a nightmare and getting on and off the ship is not easy. Can’t imagine any positive points for using one except it helps me see and do things that would be impossible before. I wait in line like everyone else and so I should. Is the crew helpful if I need it, absolutely! Most people are very gracious when I use it and I’m thankful. If I could walk like most of you believe me I would.

I do not use a scooter, but I am renting a wheelchair on my next cruise and will use it as needed. I have osteoarthritis in both knees and COPD. I can manage short distances walking unaided, especially if I can stop and rest for a few minutes. Some days are better than others. If people see me walking sometimes and using the chair on other occasions, that does not mean that I am ‘faking’ anything. It just means that the pain won that day. I try not to be judgemental towards others. I don’t know their medical situations. If you are able-bodied, be grateful.

My husband has Parkinson's and must use a scooter. We both appreciate it so much every time someone is courteous and considerate to him. He would never be rude or demanding!!

Able bodied here. My biggest issue is the scooters lining the halls

As someone who uses a wheelchair full time (spinal injuries), I wish to say these motorized scooters are a menace. I am keen to write the second half of a tripadvisor review where I complained that one of the un-attended scooters was blocking the hallway. I complained to my cabin steward, nothing was done. I later saw this collected from the ship by a hire place, when we docked. No wonder their was no intervention as business comes before all else. The famous hidden disability line I have heard infinite times.

HAL has a medical status form for handicapped cabin and use of scooter - plus HAL is very helpful and the public is nice too!

A dedicated elevator would be a crazy idea. I like you have seen people give way for people with scooters and wheelchairs. However there are rude people everywhere including those on scooters

Two main opposing concerns for scooters. I do see some people jumping in front of scooters and others that have mobility issues. I also see too many scooters that think they are in the Indy 500 race. If you want respect, sometimes you have to give respect. We can all work on this to make it better.

Part of the problem with mobility limited folks at elevators is that most cruise lines I’ve been on is there are no benches or chairs in the elevator lobbies for folks to sit while waiting. I’ve never seen any on Carnival ships. Holland America OTOH seems to have benches in every lobby. Benches take up little space.

I had a friend that would only use a mobility scooter at Disney World so she could cut the wait lines, I could just imagine the havoc she would wreak on a cruise ship. 🤦🏻‍♂️

I have had to use a scooter for 5 years now. I can walk, just not very far. I own my own scooter, actually I have two. As for the elevators, it can be frustrating at the elevators. My awesome suggestion is to designate one elevator for wheelchairs and scooters on embankment and disembarkment. It takes forever to get on one that day. Some people lose their patience on the last day. I don’t think it’s necessary to have a special elevator all week, but the busiest day, I think it makes a lot of sense. Thanks for bringing this topic up

I’m temporarily (6weeks) in a wheelchair from a recent surgery. It’s giving me empathy for others with mobility issues.

I was on a cruise back in March of this year. I was on the elevator. some women was came on with scooter and said you better get out of the way.

Faking a need for scooters to gain big advantages is a nasty problem and should be stopped. It’s both improper and morally reprehensible. But it continues. One way to stop these shenanigans is to put all scooters at the end of the line, not the front. If think this is outrageous, just look at the study recently done by the airlines…..17 wheelchairs boarding the flight, only 4 after the flight!

This year I needed a walker that converts to a transport chair. We are in our 70s and my walker gives us peace of mind. My husband would have difficulty getting me back to the shop or our cabin My walker gives us both independence. We always call the cruise line to let them know I am bringing a walker. This is imperative. They treated us like we were priority for boarding and at ports.

Hey Don. Have followed you for a few years now. Thank you for you perspective on issues. At 74 years old, with awful back problems, I’m incredibly grateful that I am still able to walk an (to some extent) use the stairs. I always allow wheelchairs and scooters on the elevators first. BTW, we travel HALF exclusively which, as you know, I primarily targeted to us older folks. Thanks again, from Calgary AB.

On my last cruise there was a couple using scooters. Don't get behind them in an aisle as they rode side by side. But wait until they got to the casino...they parked them and had no issues going to the slot machines😡 and you have seen them shake it when it came time for a dance completion. If you have a mobility issue I firmly believe in your right to have assistance.

One reason there’s more mobility devices, including scooters, is that cruising is a very accessible way to travel. I bring my own mobility device, an Alinker, and try to always get an accessible cabin so I can easily get into my cabin. I’m sure there are a few “fakers” out there but not as many as people think. I have MS, so unless you saw me walk without my Alinker, you wouldn’t know I have a mobility issue.

Happy birthday to my mom who just turned 93! We cruise on Celebrity and both of us use walkers although I wish my mom would use a scooter for her safety. Generally we have never waited for more than 2 elevator cycles. It's much harder to get around with a walker versus a scooter where you can sit while you are waiting. Most of the time other people have been very kind assisting us on getting on an elevator.

I try to use the stairs as much as possible on ships. Like getting some exercise in and looking at the artwork displayed……..

As a 2 time lung cancer survivor I do not use a scooter. My doctor would love if I did but I do use benches and chairs a ton. I can't walk over 100ft most days

I don't mind the scooters but sometimes the people operating them can get spicy🤦‍♀️

I recently cruised with my aging mother who uses a cane. We saw many people onboard who required scooters and wheelchairs. Most seemed to need them. We also saw a group of very able bodied people who had mobility scooters as shore transport. Some of the group could be seen doing regular morning walks on the walking track and clearly did not require scooters.

My wife uses a scooter and we NEVER got priority boarding. When she had to use a wheelchair, we never got priority boarding. We've experienced very rude people on the ship pertaining to using a scooter. The ships are bigger now and that means longer. It's harder to go from one end to the other. I'm glad you were able to experience what it's like to use a scooter.

The increase in the number of scooters comes with the increase in people cruising in general. Plus, the knowledge that a cruise is accessible, attracts scooter-users. That is why you see more scooters.

My husband can walk fine for short distances, but longer hallways will result in severe after awhile. Some might see him and think we are faking his need, but we are not. Too many critics today.

I was recently on a cruise that had many scooters and the people using most of them were zooming by pushing us out of the way! No way all of them needed those scooters or they wouldn't be driving them like they're on a race course! There needs to be a medical note from a doctor...jmo😊

I have two quadriplegic sons and have just booked our first post covid cruise on the Queen anne. I have two adjoining accessible staterooms and have had to give all medical information. I am also hiring a specialised bed and taking our own hoist and shower chair . Pre covid I certainly noticed a few scooters on board but mostly they were used by people off ship. I can't say we either boarded or disembarked faster if anything it was slower and we didn't get preferential seating in dining rooms or at the theatre. It often takes twice as long to get anywhere due to the lift situation . I therefore think if anyone can manage without the scooter they will soon do so . My boys obviously can't and as neither can self propel they and the carer have to often wait for another lift as it is unlikely they can both get on one together. We are all on holiday so take your time and a bit of courtesy goes a long way.

I used one after breaking my hip. I can walk but long distances exhaust me. I really am glad my son talked me into renting one!

Sometimes I wish I had a scooter, due to arthritis in my back. But I'm not quite there yet. You can bet when I am, I'll be the most polite person (like I already am) on board!

I can no longer walk long distances and use a walker. I do wait my turn and find most cruisers are very considerate. Was in an elevator where a person in a scooter insisted she could get on the elevator causing everyone one to cram in, stepping on feet, and no room to breathe. So I do see both sides of the issue.

On the Mardi Gras last summer there was a large group who had booked a number of rooms down the hallway. They would leave ten scooters out cluttering the area. During the day you would see adult individuals using them but at night they would go out without them and their kids would play with them!

I am a person who looks able bodied. I stand ok, and walk fine, but am in great pain due to scoliosis in my lower back. Doing every day things such as making my bed, cooking, washing dishes and even showering are difficult. I don’t have a scooter simply because I cannot afford one, so at the airport or cruise port I need assistance getting to the gate/on the ship. I haven’t been on a huge ship, but can imagine how difficult it would be for me to get around.

My wife had mobility issues and is now the proud owner of two Titanium knees. Seeing her struggle for a couple of years was upsetting but now she is OK, not fast but no mobility aids. There was a lighter moment on our cruise to Canada and USA a couple of years ago on Sky Princess. Our last port of call before coming back to the UK was St Johns, Newfoundland. We were in a small park where the statues of a Newfoundland and Labrador dogs look out across the harbour. The main roads run along the side of the hill, across the road was a seating area with steps climbing up to the next road. We happened to see a gentleman driving a mobility scooter approaching the steps across from us. He pulled up and got off, what would he do now? He picked the scooter up, and trotted up the steps like a goat. When got to the top he put the scooter down and drove off along the footpath. We stood there for a moment and burst out laughing, it looked like something from a TV sketch show. Truth is, I guess he was taking the scooter to somebody and the easiest way was to ride it.

My husband uses a mobility scooter as the ships are getting bigger and he cant possibly walk those distances. We have never had a problem with rude people. We’ve had very nice people been helpful. As far as elevators, if there are lots of people, we wait for the next one. We’ve met o many nice people who are considerate.

In May of this year I traveled to Alaska from Seattle on the NCL Encore. There was a gentleman passenger who was in a power chair. He was operating it using a blow device kind of like a straw. He had two very attentive caregivers who were looking after him with great respect. I even saw him on the street in Skagway, so he was able to get off the ship in port. I hope he had a great vacation. Several years ago, my wheelchair bound husband agreed to go with me on this same trip, different NCL ship. We had a nice time. I wish others could appreciate how much effort and planning is required to make a trip like this happen for a disabled person. I'm sorry to know some people feel a need to fake illness or injury due to their selfish greed.

I’m younger and look totally healthy. I have a rare chronic condition so my stomach is paralyzed, so there are time, due to lack of nutrition, I almost faint and am too weak to walk. I quit taking my wheelchair lots of places and I just risk it because people see a healthy person and are so nasty about it. I either won’t leave my home or I risk it. It’s sad.

I guess it depends on your definition of faking. In my definition of faking YES they are. I have a really bad knee. I need a new knee. My doc says I am just too young to do it. There are mornings I can't walk to the bathroom, it's that bad. I trudge through it and do my exercises. I limp and walking is exercise. Exercise is good. But my mindset is a get it done attitude. Others try their best to take the easiest way out. And I can't count on all my hands and feet the number of times I have been hit, bumped into from behind, run over by people of those things. It sucks!

Disney ran into this with the scooter customer using the courtesy for the whole 10-15 person party. I will 💯 be courteous, but I do find myself 🤔 more and more at this situation.

I applaud your comments here about scooters. While neither my husband nor I need one, we have seen both kinds of folks you referred to - most, either on wheels or off, as you said, are courteous and considerate, but there are (always) a few that think only in terms of how fast they can get where they are going and the heck with anyone else, with or without a scooter! We just sigh and wait for the next elevator or head a different bank of them (we have found the midship elevators are easier after the theater gets out.)

My daughter is disabled. Celebrity gave us a handicapped room. My daughter decided not to rent a scooter on our next cruise. However we can sure use the extra room with all her medical equipment. She's on a vent. I do feel guilty we got a handicapped room. But not having to climb over equipment is going to be nice. Leaving in less than a month.

I am 85 yrs. old and I use a wheel chair even though I can walk limited distances but due to age and mobility issues I can never tell how far I can go before I start aching in my feet and legs. I find people for the most part very courteous and kind and I am also.

I had my knee replaced in late June and will be cruising to Alaska mid Sept., so I'm expecting to have some mobility issues. I'm planning on bringing a cane and probably using elevators more often. Truth is, travel with mobility issues of any type is difficult. And yes, consideration from other passengers is greatly appreciated and very helpful. Biggest help sometimes is just having the ability to sit and rest.

I.have issues myself with long walks Walking on a cruise ship is still doable for myself,better than getting around Walmart and other places

I can walk short distances without aid. But any longer than that I need a walker because of back and disc issues. We book regular cabins since I can fold the walker and go into our cabin on my own and leave the disabilty cabins for those who truly need them. Our biggest problem is in the evening when all the service carts are on yhe hallway. We either maneuver arond them or Bruce simply lifts them up and over the carts.😊

5 years ago I found out i have prostate cancer the last 3 years I’ve been walking around with a cane I only need a wheelchair getting off and on the ship, I want to say people have been so nice to me letting me get on elevators or holding doors for me and my wife now this past April my wife and I was departing the visita and a woman in a scooter just ran over people feet getting in the elevator and it almost started a fight I just moved over but seeing that at the end was so sad, I just want to say people have been great to me thanks.

As a genuine scooter/wheelchair uses it is very frustrating that people use them for no reason we noticed this on our last cruise. We always book an accesible cabin because of my disability.

The hallways have narrowed over the years to get more rooms on the ships. Yet some people are so large, that they must have larger wheelchairs or scooters, and this makes it difficult for anyone else who is trying to just walk down the corridor.

Thank you for saying, "Wait your turn!" I have seen more entitled scooter people who believe that they should go 1st, rather than wait their turn.

Yeah those people that complain about scooters are the ones that cut in front of them at elevators , rude isn't what I call them , I would use another term to describe them

I am still able bodied enough to almost exclusively use the stairs, it’s good therapy. If I must go several decks I consider an elevator unless there is a line.❤

We always respect those in the scooters or walker. People with strollers. We will get out and wait, and let them in first.

My husband is in a scooter as he cannot walk long distances or do ramps. He also needs an accessible cabin with a roll in shower that has the seat in it. He cannot step into a tub nor can he balance well on a rough sea. We wait our turn in line like everyone else for the elevator but we still have people coming up 5 minutes after us and pushing into the elevator. Just be kind people.

While we were on the Jubilee last February I would say you are correct most of the time people are cordial and allow the scooters in, unfortunately we did witness at least 3 occasions when people pushed ahead of the scooter but us as well and grabbed the elevator. Humanity today unfortunately is not what it used to be , the “ it’s all about me” people are everywhere 😢

I use a cane, and for the most part, I use the stairs as long as we're not in a hurry. I see the stairs as physio. After the show let's out we either find somewhere to sit until the crowd thins out or we walk away from elevator and take one in another part of the ship.

Scooters have been a life saver for me, had we not had them and affordable I would not be cruising. When I had good knees I didn't need a scooter, I even took the steps when I didn't prefer too. Yes, I can't do long distances, I can't stand long i'm bone on bone w/arthritis, knee replacement surgery pending. People just need to be more patient and considerate. They are on vacation what's the hurry? We have to be patient & considerate so they can they.

I always thought that there has to be a way to install ramps for people with wheelchairs and scooters on cruise ships

I am old and handicapped and can walk maybe 100 feet. My handicap placard in the vehicle says it all. No one holds elevators for me. I line up in all the regular lines for meals, shows, TSA etc.. I wish I could climb stairs again and not rely on elevators. I am smart enough to go to the less used elevator bank. Before losing my legs use I always rode the elevator up but would always walk down. I am sure there are fakers but be careful as not all disabilities are visible. For instance my daughter gets a low blood pressure incidence and passes out (She doesn't use a scooter). People who say mobility elevator only are not thinking clearly. That sounds a whole lot like entitlement.

Most people are kind to people with mobility issues

I can t understand why people do that. what a world.

I use a scooter. I have been sick for 2 years. I believe, along with several of my doctors who unfortunately are not the specialist who can diagnose me, that my issues are related to medication I took for a long time. I do have disability parking also. People who see me on my scooter doubt my issue, but my walking is so impacted that I see shock on people’s faces when I walk a short distance. My muscles no longer work properly. On a normal day my pain level is about a 6. I don’t take pain meds because I want to get better not worse. I have learned to shut out the pain. When the pain shoots up to an 8 or higher, nothing I do will allow me to continue to hide how I feel. In January, I went to Universal Studios with a friend who also has mobility issues coupled with serious vision disabilities. Her son who is able bodied also came. I was not allowed to bring my scooter in any of the lines. I was shocked because I can use my scooter on in all but two lines in all of Disney World. My friend has an electric wheelchair. This was allowed in the lines. I could transfer to a manual wheelchair. The issue is the low lighting in most of the ride lines made it impossible for my friend to see. So her son had to push her in line. There was no one to push me. I tried walking the line. The pain was excruciating. I ended up only riding three rides during my three day pass. I did get a disability pass, but even those lines don’t allow scooters. My point is that every time I hear people say there are too many scooters or that people who don’t need them are using them, I get scared. I actually walk sometimes when it isn’t necessary so people can see that I truly need a scooter. You can see the change in people the minute I try to walk. People who were giving me that “she is just fat” look start trying to get me to let them help me. By the way, my weight gain was caused by the same medication that caused my mobility issues. The doctors missed that symptom for 10 years and instead made me feel subhuman for gaining weight. Please understand I am not trying for sympathy but understanding. I only cruise Disney. I have had very little problems. I am one who waits my turn and does my best to insure that my scooter is out of the way. Busy hallways are little more of a challenge. People tend to walk in front of me because I go slow. My scooter doesn’t stop on a dime. Once I stop it takes a second to get going again. On my last cruise, a woman in line for one of the dining rooms saw what was happening as I made my creeping progress. When I was about 5 feet away, she told me I should use my horn. I said like “I am Southern. I couldn’t do that.” When I go close to her, she reached over and beeped my horn. She laughed and said loudly “I couldn’t resist.” Many people, myself included laughed. I tend to avoid busy times in hallways and elevators. On Disney cruises I have had very little problems. Of course, I have only gone on two cruises with my scooter. I get scared because I can’t even go to church without my scooter. If people worry more about someone maybe getting some undeserved benefit by faking a disability than about someone with a disability not getting what they need my life gets infinity harder. Honestly, I not sure how to handle that. By the way, I have never gotten on a cruise faster because of my scooter. The only real benefits I get are sitting in the front of the theater and a larger room. I wouldn’t choose to sit so close in the theater. Honestly, the scooter is a hassle. I would give almost anything to just be able to walk. I do believe I will get better. It is just going to take time.

I have 3 broken rods in my back. I can walk short distances but even to go through a grocery store I use a scooter or wheelchair.

After being on the Sun Princess, their elevators are absolutely wonderful. On other ships, I've waited for elevators, sometimes for 10-15 minutes. On Sun Princess, most of the time, the elevator was there within a minute. When it was a busy time (like shore excursion mornings), the longest we waited was 3-5 minutes. Love those new elevators on the Sun Princess!!!!

I think there are a lot of people that have valid needs to use a mobility scooter on cruise ships that do not need them in their daily lives at home. I know standards for a power chair or mobility scooter to be covered by insurance is much higher than most people realize. Renting a mobility scooter on a big ship is truly a need for a lot of people due to the huge size of the ships. I personally think my Dad and step mom should have rented scooters on their last cruise in Feb of 2020 as my step mom was in need of a stent in her heart at the time. In fact for them the leave the ship the coordinator of their tour group arranged for her to get a wheelchair for disembarking the ship and when they pointed out my Dad probably couldn't push her wheelchair through the terminal they said no problem and got him a wheelchair too. I do know they said she sometimes had to stop and rest several times just walking to the dining room. A scooter would have been a much better option for her.

I do not have a problem with people in wheelchairs/ scooters, but I think when boarding they only need one person to board early with them, not the whole family they should board at a time they choose. I have seen up to six people boarding with one person in a scooter.

I’m sure there are intentionally rude to scooter people. There are probably unintentionally rude people in greater numbers. My personal experience has been that scooter riders get pissy that I, a person not in a scooter, can just “take the stairs”. Invisible disabilities are real. No. No I cannot just use the stairs. My legs work, my heart does not. Do I SAY that? No. Do I let them on? Yes. Do I need to go sit before standing again? Also yes. Like you, I have seen people give way to scooters. I have not personally observed the same in reverse. I know that “not all”, but my personal experience has been more negative than positive by a large margin when interacting. Even when I’ve exited an elevator because they wanted on and were blocking the door from closing. We have gotten off to make room and stop the childish behavior. We just got the next one. I wish these were isolated incidents. Scooters are a necessity for some. I get that. Just don’t be a jerk. I have had scooter-ers thank me, made room to their ability, asked me to go first, all the good elevator etiquette things. Sadly, they are in the minority.

Best thumbnail ever Don, loved it. I'm not there yet but I can honestly see it in the coming year or so. Show respect for others as you would like to have respect shown to you

You're absolutely right, Don, in that some people can stand and walk short distances, but are not able to walk longer distances and/or do many stairs, etc., because of fatigue or balance or gait instability, etc., so they do indeed need a mobility device when out and about. And, I honestly doubt that many people will fake using a mobility device, because they can also be a pain to get around in (but better than no mobility, of course), unless you don't mind getting anywhere/everywhere a lot slower. That being said, I have also seen people use mobility devices (and/or age, for that matter) as an entitlement to blatantly butt in line without so much as a word, even when there is very obviously a whole line up of people who have been waiting for a while, and it is unfortunately these cases that stick out in people's mind the most. It takes all kinds, and it is unfortunately the few bad apples that indeed spoil the barrel. :(

I see some points on both sides. I always give up my spot in an elevator to allow people in scooters to get on. They should wait in line just like all the other people. I even get out of the elevator to allow people access. Especially disabled veterans. But people in scooters don't deserve priority treatment except for disabled veterans. What also is an issues when scooters block main transportation areas. Where they don't realize how much space they occupy. I believe that scooters are a necessity for some people and they should be accepted. Wheelchairs get an elevated pass with me as they do not have any alternative. We all have to work together and share the space we have with respect for all.

My wife and I do a cruise a month on different cruise lines. Sometimes there are so many scooters they are blocking traffic flow in the common ship areas. I have often wondered how many scooters can be on a ship before it becomes a safety hazard in an emergency? If the ship was going down and everyone needed to get to their muster station could it be done with all of the scooters in the path to the muster areas? Also on one cruise I was talking with several women in their early 40's that all had scooters. They admitted to me that none of them needed scooters but that they always rented them as they didn't like doing all of the walking on the ship. My wife and I have noticed for years that some people using scooters don't really need them. There needs to be some kind of "check" to make sure that everyone that is using a scooter needs a scooter.

Smaller ships can function with a cane. The humongous ships would require a scooter.

My wife and I are new to cruising, number three is next year, but I was taken back by the lack of respect and self awareness by those using scooters. They were demanding, pushed themselves to front of lines to get elevators and main dining room, a scooter doesn’t mean you get to jump the line.

Our last three cruises, my husband has used his scooter, and we have had no problem at all. He wait for our time to get into the elevator, never getting on first! It is education!!! You need to be aware of other people!!! Everyone has a chance to go into elevators, with or without a scooter or wheelchair.

I can see myself needing a scooter at some point-I have chronic back issues that make walking longer distances difficult already now. Would NEVER want to use one if I didn’t need it. And to anyone who thinks someone is faking needing a scooter-well I would just ask them if I could trade their healthy back for my scooter. I’ve done this when I get “looks” when exiting my car in a handicapped parking spot as my disability is invisible.

The elevator problem could change if they would have a two door elevator so people don’t have to back out. A drive through elevator would eliminate the problem of scooters stopping in the middle of the elevator. Then the difference between transport wheelchairs and self propelled wheelchairs. Self propelled wheelchair users have a higher skill level and are more maneuverable than scooters. Transport rentals are more likely to be more difficult for people to maneuver in tight spaces. Scooters rentals are more common on cruise ships and there operators are less likely to have allot of experience with how to operate them in confined spaces like elevators. The same problem with rentals is they don’t have a good understanding about accessible seating in the common space. I see many times they would park on the wheelchair accessible companion seat and walk down to a lower seating. They should have a wheelchair user class for wheelchair users just like the muster drill class. I am a manual wheelchair user.

That's true. Elevators are very crowded. I opt to use the stairs mostly to stay out of people way.

I will get flack for this, but nobody seems to fake using a wheelchair, but as mobility devices have transitioned from the chairs that used to have a stigma to them to a scooter which appears more fun than functional more people feel OK faking the need. Add to this that our definition of disability has expanded over the years, which is not entirely bad but has increased the number of people using such devices. This is not limited to cruise ships, I recently read an article about airlines having big problems with this. I have seen it at theme parks also. As far as I know the ADA forbids asking anyone to prove the medical need for any mobility device. Not sure if the cruise lines need to follow the ADA, but most do voluntarily at least. I have no doubt that there are abuses happening on each and every cruise, but I am not sure how big a problem this is.

Don't forget about rollator walkers. My husband needs one and many a time has been almost trampled by people rushing onto an elevator. I am continually amazed by rude elevator people.

Southwest Airlines had a problem because of their open seating. People were saying they needed a wheelchair to be allowed to board first (with their entire families), yet they didn't need a wheelchair when it was time to get off. The airline has clamped down on it somewhat by restricting ho many people can accompany a wheelchair person for early boarding.

I use a rollator walker and I will wait until there is an elevator that is empty or has fewer people on it I just smile and motion for them to go on. I will wait. I am not in a hurry.

There are more people with functional capability issues since covid. I’ve noticed this in my everyday job. There are people with increased numbers of ailments. So no wonder there are more people using mobility scooters. Personally I don’t cope with a lot of walking and especially if I need to lift and carry as well e.g. embarking and disembarking the ship, so I request a wheelchair and same at airports. However, no scooter on the ship as I can stop and start walking.

I appreciate that some need these devices, but that is also why I choose the lines that don't allow them...

I also try to use the stairs if it’s not a ton of floors. It’s faster and frees up the elevators for those that need them.

Yes they are! On our last cruise we saw this several times! A pod of Whales were seen and a woman who had used a scooter at every port ran across the large area to take pictures!

I have to use a scooter because I have developed balance issues and can't walk distances. Believe me, I would soooo much prefer to be able to walk and stroll with my family than to have to deal with the mobility issues. I cant even walk into a restaurant without holding my husband's hand because of balance. I miss being able to go places without having to lug this heavy thing when I want to go shopping, etc. I could, if necessary, break it down and load/unload it myself, but it's very difficult for me, so I need someone to go with me to do that. How much fun is it to never be easily able to go somewhere by yourself?