Cruise Mobility Services Now Different Among Lines, Ships

Posted onAuthorChris Owen

While many elements of what makes up a good cruise have been redefined over the years, mobility services for those who want to travel but have special needs have not budged an inch. Oxygen, scooter & wheelchair rental and more were taken care of by a company called Special Needs At Sea for most cruise lines.  Now, Carnival Cruise Line has gone in a bit different direction,  now offering those items and much more.  Here’s a quick announcement you may have missed.

Forward-thinking Carnival Cruise Line has made a move which speaks volumes to the future of cruising for those with a mobility issue. Perhaps more significant, the move signals an expanding universe of special traveler health concerns and this cruise line’s desire to enable those affected to sail.

Carnival Cruise Line, “The World’s Most Popular Cruise Line®”, has selected Scootaround to be its preferred provider of scooter, wheelchair and other mobility equipment rentals.

As a preferred vendor, Scootaround is the only provider allowed to deliver rented equipment onboard Carnival ships in North America. Through Scootaround, Carnival guests can rent scooters, wheelchairs, powerchairs, rollators, oxygen, hospital beds, Hoyer lifts, and other medical equipment. Guests will still have the option to bring their own equipment onboard as well.

The cruise industry as a whole has seen a steady increase in the number of passengers requiring mobility assistance, a trend that is likely to continue as the nation’s population ages. This move sets the stage for Carnival to open up more travel opportunities for those with special needs.  I’d look for that to happen industry-wide the next decade.  Carnival’s commitment here may also keep travelers anticipating future health issues sailing longer. That’s a rare and unusually thoughtful move that brings bonus reasons for Carnival fans to stick with the brand.

 

LEARN MORE

Cruise Line Mobility Services