How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Wheelchair on Celebrity Cruises?

Many travelers assume that Celebrity Cruises will provide a wheelchair for the entire cruise, but in reality the situation is a bit more complex. While the cruise line does provide complimentary wheelchairs for embarkation and disembarkation, these are not meant for continuous personal use during the cruise. If you need a wheelchair or mobility device for the entire voyage or for use on shore excursions, you will typically need to rent one from a third‑party vendor. The costs vary based on the type of equipment, how long you will be using it, and which company you choose.

Why You Might Need to Rent a Wheelchair

Passengers who require a wheelchair or mobility device throughout their cruise often come from two scenarios. First, some guests have limited mobility or chronic conditions and need consistent access to a chair or scooter to get around the ship and to manage excursions. Second, others may not own their own mobility device or prefer not to travel with it, and find it more convenient to rent for the duration of the cruise.

Celebrity Cruises does provide wheelchairs for guests during embarkation and disembarkation. These are complimentary, but they are not intended as rentals for use all day long or off the ship. As many guests and online reports confirm, these are quite limited in number, and are generally used to help guests board or leave the ship or to move guests on and off the ship at ports. 

If you know ahead of time that you will need a wheelchair, especially for use beyond boarding and leaving the vessel, it is wise to arrange a rental with a third‑party company that specializes in cruise mobility equipment.

Rental Providers

Several reputable companies specialize in mobility rentals specifically for cruise guests. These companies deliver wheelchairs, scooters, and powerchairs directly to your stateroom before embarkation and pick them up at the end of the trip. Two commonly used vendors are:

• Scootaround — They support many major cruise lines and cruise ports, including those used by Celebrity Cruises.

• Special Needs at Sea — This company offers manual wheelchairs, powerchairs, scooters, walkers, and other assistive devices. 

• Cloud of Goods — Another mobility rental partner that offers a range of wheelchair types specific to cruise use. 

These vendors are considered “cruise approved” and understand the logistics of cruise ship pick‑up, delivery, and port restrictions.

Typical Cost Breakdown

Here is a breakdown of typical costs you might encounter when renting a wheelchair or mobility device for a Celebrity cruise, based on publicly available rates from third‑party vendors.

1. Manual Wheelchair

   • According to Cloud of Goods, a standard wheelchair costs about $45 for one day, $60 for two days, and around $115 for five days.

   • The additional per‑day cost for more than ten days on their chart is roughly $5 per day for that standard wheelchair.

   • Scootaround also provides standard wheelchairs, with rates depending on port: for five days out of Miami or Fort Lauderdale the cost is about $100. 

2. Ultra‑Light or Travel Wheelchair

   • Cloud of Goods lists an ultralight wheelchair at around $55 for one day and $135 for a full seven‑day cruise.

   • The ultralight model tends to be more expensive per day because of its lightweight and travel‑friendly design.

3. Power Wheelchair / Electric Wheelchair

   • According to Scootaround, their WHILL powerchair has a rental rate of about $225 for five days out of a major embarkation port.

   • For a longer trip, say 20 days, the cost might go up to around $305 for certain ports.

   • These powerchairs are usually delivered to your cabin fully charged and are picked up at the end of the cruise.

4. Scooters / Mobility Scooters

   • If you prefer a three‑wheel transportable scooter, Scootaround offers them too. For example, a five‑day rental from Miami or Fort Lauderdale is about $225. 

   • For longer trips of about 30 days, the cost might be around $325, depending on the embarkation port.

Why the Cost Varies

The reason the pricing varies so much between manual wheelchairs, powerchairs, and scooters comes down to several factors:

• Type of device — Manual wheelchairs are simpler to manufacture, transport and maintain, so rent for less. Powerchairs and scooters are more complex and expensive.

• Length of rental — Vendors typically offer discounted rates for longer rentals.

• Port and ship — Some embarkation ports have higher delivery or pickup fees. Also, not all ships or ports are easily accessible for large mobility devices.

• Demand — Mobility equipment is in high demand, especially during peak cruise season, so early bookings can help lock in a better price.

• Insurance or damage waiver — Some rental companies may offer or require damage waivers or insurance for the equipment, raising the cost slightly.

How to Reserve a Wheelchair Rental

1. Plan AheadBook your wheelchair or mobility device as early as possible — ideally weeks before your cruise. Rental companies often have limited inventory, especially for powerchairs or scooters.

2. Provide Cruise DetailsWhen booking, give the vendor your cruise line, ship name, sailing date, and stateroom number. This ensures the equipment is delivered to the right place at the right time.

3. Choose the Device TypeDecide whether you need a manual wheelchair, a powerchair, or a scooter. Think about where you plan to use it — just on the ship or also on shore excursions.

4. Check the Vendor PolicyBe aware of delivery and pickup details. Some companies deliver on or before embarkation day, and pick up on the final evening or disembarkation morning.

5. Understand the ChargesConfirm the rental fee, any additional per‑day cost, and whether there is any deposit, waiver, or cancellation fee.

Things to Keep in Mind

• Onboard Accessibility — Even with a rental device, you should confirm your stateroom is accessible and has enough space for your mobility device. Some accessible cabins have wider doorways, grab bars, and roll‑in showers. 

• Storage and Charging — If you rent a scooter or powerchair, it usually needs to be stored and charged in your cabin. Rental companies that specialize in cruise mobility typically deliver a fully charged device and pick it up at the end. 

• Ship Limitations — Some assistive devices may not be allowed in certain areas on the ship due to fire safety or route constraints. It is wise to check with both Celebrity’s accessibility team and your rental provider.

• Bring Documentation — Some rental companies ask for a doctor’s note or special needs form. Celebrity itself has a Special Needs form that guests can fill out at the time of booking to notify them of medical or mobility requirements.

• Own Wheelchair — If you already own a wheelchair or scooter, you may bring it on board, provided it meets the ship’s safety and size requirements. 

• Celebrity’s Onboard Chairs — Celebrity does offer wheelchairs on board, but these are primarily for embarkation, disembarkation, or short‑term use. 

Example Scenarios

• Short Cruise with Manual WheelchairSuppose you are going on a five‑day cruise and you rent a manual wheelchair from Scootaround out of Miami. The cost might be around USD 100 for the five days.

• Week‑Long Trip with PowerchairFor a seven‑day sailing, you could rent a powerchair from a third‑party provider, paying about USD 260 or more depending on the port, battery, and model.

• Long Cruise or Extended TripOn a 20‑day or month‑long cruise, renting a powerchair could cost in the ballpark of USD 300 or more, again depending on the provider and port.

Conclusion

Renting a wheelchair for your Celebrity cruise can be very cost effective, especially when you factor in convenience. While Celebrity Cruises itself does not rent out mobility devices for entire voyages, partnering with trusted vendors like Scootaround and Special Needs at Sea means you can still access reliable, cruise‑approved equipment. The cost you pay will depend heavily on the type of device, how many days you need it, and where you are sailing from.

If you need a wheelchair or mobility device for your Celebrity cruise, it is smart to arrange the rental well before your sailing date. Provide clear details about your trip, choose the right device for your needs, and confirm delivery and pickup times with the rental company. Doing so can make your cruise smoother and more comfortable from embarkation through to disembarkation.