Cruising is a fun and engaging way to spend a vacation on the water, enjoy diverse activities and visit several places at once. Nevertheless, cruising leaves some logistical question marks for the organized traveler especially those with mobility issues or other medical complications. The good news is that it is possible to rent medical equipment when on a trip since this is a practical option. Whether it involves moving in and out of the ship or requiring mobility throughout your cruise to shore stations, hiring medical equipment is just the solution that will make this journey satisfying.
Since this is still a niche market, one of the companies that have emerged as dominant players is Special Needs Group. Created by Andrew Garnett, this company focuses on providing traveling people with a wide range of medical equipment needed for travel and can be rented and delivered to cruise terminals or the client’s hotel. This convenient service makes it possible for the clients to have fun during their holidays without any stress that comes with the moving of personal medical devices.
Why Rent Medical Equipment Instead of Bringing Your Own?
There are several reasons why renting medical equipment can be a smarter option than bringing your personal equipment on a cruise:
Convenience: In general, renting is free from the problem of how to pack and transport large medical equipment such as a wheel chair, scooter or portable oxygen apparatus. It saves you the agony of wondering where you will store your car or if the air line risks damaging your equipment while in transit so the cruise ship can have your rented equipment right and waiting for you. Special Needs Group delivers the equipment right into your guest cabin, or directly at the cruise terminal so that you can start your trip with the least amount of stress.
Peace of Mind: It can be quite stressful traveling when you are in the medical or nursing profession. Do you like the equipment to arrive safely? But is it going to operate optimally in new conditions? When you rent from a reputable firm like Special Needs Group you are assured of equipment in the best condition and ready for use. In case of any concerns the company’s customer care team is always ready to offer solutions in case of any concern.
Flexibility: Renting gives more freedom than buying equipment as much as owning equipment does. You are able to choose single pieces of medical equipment appropriate for your particular traveling needs. In case you require the scooter only during the time period of the cruise, then renting is a way better option as you will not be using the device very frequently thus incurring an expensive cost. This flexibility also applies to the type and size of equipment as well, for instance, Special Needs Group has a variety of types of equipment.
The mobility equipment that can be hired include: For travelers using walking aids such as wheelchairs or those with other mobility impairments, it is possible to have mobility aids such as wheelchairs or electric scooters allowing travel at your own pace.
Wheelchair Assistance: Cruise lines are very considerate of the situation for passengers with disabilities and typically provide wheelchair service to get passengers on and off the ships. But then, should you require more freedom of movement on the cruise, it is advisable to hire your own wheelchair or scooter. Cruising here can often come with wheelchair hire from the cruise operators, however, this only covers short distances so to go further afield a rental is useful.
Electric Scooters: For self-organized trips, electric scooters or power chairs are great equipment to use. These gadgets increase your mobility and thus allow you to exploit all the services and other operations that are in a cruise ship. Special Needs Group offers a variety of electric scooters, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your needs:
Standard Scooters: Most appropriate for people who require some amount of help in moving around during the trip. These are light and easy to manage, and they can conveniently be used in the cruise ships, lifts as well as the tight corridors.
Heavy-Duty Scooters: Improved scooters are specifically meant for passengers with different requirements that may need more powerful equipment, increased bumper weight and additional stability. These are perfect for use by anyone who is to engage in a lot of touring and moving around, more so whether on board the ship or during the visiting trips.
Bariatric Scooters: These scooters come with extra features and are meant for passengers with increased weight bearing capabilities. They add extra comfort and stability without a doubt to the design that never compromises usability for comfort and allow for a more comfortable cruise experience.
More Health Care Equipment for Land and Cruising.
Apart from mobility aids, there are several types of medical equipment that may help cruise travelers with special needs to have comfortable and safe voyages. Special Needs Group has good stock Health care devices that can be hired for the duration of the trip thus enabling clients to have improved health while onboard.
Portable Oxygen Concentrators: Oxygen concentrators are mandatory for people with respiratory illnesses like COPD or asthma for those who are traveling. Special Needs Group offers travel mobility equipment like lightweight and easy to carry Portable Oxygen Concentrators allowing you to have access to oxygen treatment on the ship and on the shore. They are portable to enable you ease your mobility without necessarily having to be attached to a bulky or massive gadget.
CPAP Machines: This disorder can reduce the quality of your sleep, but if you’re traveling with your CPAP machine from home, it might be cumbersome. Special Needs Group provides renters with CPAP equipment so people can sleep soundly at night during the cruise- no need to carry personal equipment. Renting a CPAP machine means you wake up fresh to enjoy all the pleasures a cruise has to offer.
Shower Chairs and Bedside Commodes: Unfortunately many cabins are not created with access in mind; therefore, for a disabled individual something as basic as a shower or using the lavatory is a problem. Hiring a shower chair or bedside commode makes it possible that when taking a shower or getting to bed, one will have his or her needs met in the most comfortable way possible. These items bring normalcy and make the ordinary hygiene tasks much easier for the individuals.
Walkers and Rollators: The walkers and rollators are therefore most appropriate for passengers who require support especially while walking but more than they would need a wheelchair or scooter. These mobility aids provide support and support for getting moving and stationary when wanting to move around the ship or engage in shore excursions. Some Rollators come with an added bonus of a seat making it easy for you to sit whenever you feel like doing so.
Hoists and Lifting Equipment: Where transferring is more challenging for those with inadequate mobility, there is a hoist and lifting equipment provided. Whether to move from bed to the floor or from a chair to bed, hiring this type of equipment guarantees one an adequate support system within the cruise. With so many lifting devices, Special Needs Group ensures that travelers and caregivers find it easier to perform daily activities.
Ways to prepare for an easy to experience
These following tips are going to help you in planning for the smooth running of medical equipment rental. Special Needs Group advises its clients to order their rentals as early as possible before their cruises set sail. This makes it possible for the company you book through to arrange with the cruise line so that the equipment is delivered to your cabin or to the terminal, before you get there.
When you order ahead of time, you will have the confidence that all your requirements in regard to your medical needs will be well catered for and you won’t have to worry.
