If you're a fan of cruises but find it challenging to walk across the expansive ships, a cruise ship-approved folding mobility scooter could be the solution. Investing in a portable mobility scooter will provide you with additional freedom, making it easier to explore the ship and enjoy your vacation to the fullest. When choosing the best scooter for your cruise, it’s essential to prioritize portability, ease of storage, and maneuverability. Here’s a look at the top mobility scooters for cruise ship travel and key features to consider when making your decision.
Key Features to Consider for Cruise Ship Mobility Scooters
When selecting a portable scooter for a cruise, it’s essential to consider features that will help you navigate the ship and enjoy your trip with ease:
Compact Design
The size of your scooter is crucial when maneuvering through narrow hallways, elevators, and staterooms. A compact scooter with a small wheelbase, narrow width, and a tight turning radius will ensure you can navigate the cruise ship effortlessly.
Folding or Disassembling Features
Having a scooter that can fold or disassemble is a major advantage on a cruise. These features allow you to store your scooter efficiently in the stateroom without taking up too much space. A scooter that folds flat or disassembles into smaller, manageable pieces is perfect for confined spaces like narrow doorframes.
Overall Performance
While portability is key, you don’t want to sacrifice performance. Look for a scooter with a decent drive range of at least 10 miles on a single charge to ensure it lasts throughout the day. Additional features like a good top speed, ground clearance, and durable wheels are especially important if you plan on going on shore excursions.
Our Favorite Mobility Scooters for Cruising
Here are some of our top picks for portable mobility scooters that are ideal for cruise ship travel:
Golden Technologies Buzzaround CarryOn
The Golden Technologies Buzzaround CarryOn is a manual folding mobility scooter designed specifically for cruise ships, where storage space is limited. It folds flat to just 12 inches, allowing you to easily store it under the bed or in a closet. Weighing only 47.5 lbs. (without the battery and seat), it's easy to transport and maneuver. We made an unboxing video you can watch here.
The scooter is also equipped with a comprehensive lighting package, which includes both front and rear lights. These lights significantly improve visibility and safety, especially when navigating in low-light environments or at night. Whether you're cruising through an airport terminal or heading out for a day of sightseeing, the Buzzaround Carry-On ensures you travel in style, comfort, and safety.
- Fold Function: Yes – Manual
- Disassembles: No
- Weight of Unit: 47.5 lbs (with seat and battery removed)
- Turning Radius: 48.75"
- Max Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.
- Price: $2,019.00
EV Rider Transport AF+
The EV Rider Transport AF+ is an automatic folding scooter that folds and unfolds with the push of a button via a key fob. Weighing just 49 lbs., this scooter offers a tight 31” turning radius, making it ideal for navigating narrow spaces like cruise ship hallways and elevators. It is approved for both cruise and airline travel, making it a great option if you're flying to your cruise destination. We have an unboxing video for the AF+ here.
- Fold Function: Yes – Automatic
- Disassembles: No
- Weight of Unit: 49 lbs total
- Turning Radius: 31"
- Weight Capacity: 250 lbs
- Price: $2,250.00
Enhance Mobility Transformer 2
The Enhance Mobility Transformer 2 is an ultra-portable automatic folding scooter with a solid performance on various terrains, thanks to its 3.25" ground clearance. With a drive range of 13.5 miles on a single charge, this scooter is perfect for shore excursions. It’s also airline-approved, making it ideal for both cruise and air travel. Watch our full review here.
- Fold Function: Yes – Automatic
- Disassembles: No
- Weight of Unit: 55 lbs. (without battery)
- Turning Radius: 55"
- Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
- Price: $2,775.00
Golden Technologies Buzzaround Extreme 3-Wheel
The Golden Technologies Buzzaround Extreme 3-Wheel disassembles into five lightweight pieces, with the heaviest piece weighing only 46 lbs. This scooter’s suspension, 14-mile drive range, and 4" ground clearance make it a solid option for shore excursions. While its turning radius (48.75") is not the tightest, it still offers a smooth ride with impressive durability.
Comfort is paramount with the Buzzaround EX's stadium-style seat, designed to provide both support and ease of use. The seat is height-adjustable, allowing users to customize the seat height for optimal comfort. Additionally, it features flip-back armrests, making it easier to board and exit the scooter with minimal effort. The standard seat width is 18 inches, offering ample space for most users, with an optional upgrade to a 20-inch seat for those seeking extra room. Whether you're using the scooter for short errands or all-day outings, the Buzzaround EX ensures a comfortable, user-friendly ride.
- Fold Function: No
- Disassembles: Yes – 5 Pieces
- Turning Radius: 42"
- Heaviest Piece: 46 lbs
- Weight Capacity: 330 lbs
- Price: $1,832.00
Taking Your Mobility Scooter Off-Board
Check with the Excursion/ Tour Provider
Before booking an excursion, it's essential to check with the provider to confirm whether they can accommodate your mobility scooter. Different excursions and transportation options have varying levels of accessibility, and not all will be able to accommodate scooters. Here are a few things to consider:
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Space Availability on Buses:
- Some excursion buses may have limited space, primarily designed to carry passengers. This could mean there might not be enough room for larger mobility devices like scooters.
- It's a good idea to inquire if the bus or vehicle used for the excursion can accommodate your specific scooter size.
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Dedicated Spaces for Scooters and Wheelchairs:
- Many excursion providers offer buses or transport vehicles equipped with dedicated spaces for scooters and wheelchairs. This ensures that your mobility device will be safely stored during the ride.
- Ask the provider if their vehicles are equipped with such spaces and if there are any size or weight restrictions.
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Special Assistance or Custom Arrangements:
- Some excursions might offer special accommodations for people with mobility challenges, such as extra help with boarding or tailored transportation options.
- It's always best to communicate your specific needs in advance to ensure a smooth
Ask About Accessible Shore Excursions
Contact your cruise line directly to inquire about accessible shore excursions. They may offer in-depth experiences that reveal the true culture of the ports you visit. Here are some of the key features that may make these excursions accessible and comfortable for everyone (every cruise line is different - contact them directly):
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Accessible Vehicles with Wheelchair Lifts or Ramps:
- They may have transportation that is equipped with wheelchair lifts or ramps to ensure easy and safe boarding and disembarking, allowing you to comfortably travel to and from the excursion location.
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Accessible Attractions with Flat or Ramped Entrances:
- They may know of attractions that feature flat or ramped entrances, allowing easy access to museums, parks, and historical sites. This would allow you to enjoy the best each destination has to offer without the concern of accessibility challenges.
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Accessible Bathrooms with Wide Doors for Wheelchairs:
- Ensuring comfort is key, and that includes providing accessible restrooms with wide doors, so you can easily navigate and use the facilities as needed during your tour.
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Step-Free Routes:
- Ask about excursions that avoid steps, stairs, or curbs. Step-free routes ensure a smooth journey, offering you the ability to move through the destination without worrying about barriers along the way.
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Experienced Local Independent Operators Familiar with Accessibility Needs:
- They may work with local, independent operators who are experienced in accommodating guests with mobility disabilities. Their knowledge and expertise may ensure that the tour is enjoyable, comfortable, and tailored to your needs.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
To ensure you have a seamless and enjoyable experience with on your excursions, here are some important details to keep in mind:
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Limited Availability: Excursions are offered in select destinations only (contact your cruise line). Availability is also limited, so we encourage you to submit your request early to secure your spot and avoid disappointment.
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Request Details: When submitting your request, please provide the type of mobility device, its dimensions (Length x Width x Height), and the weight of the device. This information will help make sure the excursion can accommodate your needs.
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Accompanying Guest: For the safety and comfort of all guests, they may require that an able-bodied person accompany a full-time wheelchair user during the excursion.
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Staff Assistance Limitations: Most cruise staff is unable to lift or assist guests in or out of vehicles. Please ensure that you or your accompanying guest can manage the transition into and out of the vehicle independently.
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Vehicle and Equipment Variations: Please note that the vehicles, ramps, and lifts used for transportation may vary depending on the port of call and availability. These may not be identical from one destination to another.
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Seated on Mobility Device: Guests must remain seated on their wheelchair or scooter at all times when using the ramps or lifts. This is essential for safe boarding and disembarking.
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Regulations Outside the U.S.: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations and guidelines do not apply outside of the United States. Accessibility standards may vary in different ports, so it's important to check specific destination details ahead of time.
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Private Arrangements: In ports that do not offer accessible excursions, private arrangements may be available. Please contact your cruise line for more information.
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Submit Requests Early: We recommend that requests for excursions be submitted at least 10 business days prior to your departure to ensure availability and allow adequate time for accommodations.
By following these guidelines, you'll help your cruise line provide the best possible experience during your accessible excursion.
Summary
Each of the mobility scooters highlighted above meets the criteria for an ideal cruise mobility scooter, offering portability, easy storage, and dependable performance. At Suncoast Mobility, our experts are here to help you choose the right scooter based on your personal preferences and travel needs. If you need a scooter that folds for easy storage in tight spaces, we recommend the EV Rider Transport AF+. For those who need a high-weight capacity and the ability to handle various terrains during shore excursions, the Golden Technologies Buzzaround CarryOn may be the best choice.
We also recommend choosing an ADA-accessible stateroom for your cruise, as these rooms typically offer wider doorways and extra floor space to accommodate mobility scooters. Be sure to contact your cruise line in advance to inquire about available options.
If you need help selecting the perfect mobility scooter for your cruise, or if you have additional questions, please reach out to our team at 727-537-6275. We’re happy to assist you in finding the best portable cruise ship mobility scooter for your lifestyle.