What’s included in an
"Autism on the Seas"
price that’s not included in a regular cruise price?
For those never before cruisers let’s cover what a regular cruise price covers. Accommodations,
gourmet meals in the dining rooms & cafes’ and snacks throughout the day. Even 24 hr room service. All
of your entertainment, use of the fitness center, sports equipment, ship sponsored activities and more
are included.
We include all of the above and more. Please go to our
What's
Included page for
our Exclusive Services
and Private Autism Group
Activities.
Back to top
Will "Autism on the Seas" Staff members be onboard with us?
Yes, there will be at least one Autism Group
Specialist (with more as required), as well as a Cruise
Concierge. Please visit our
Staff
page.
Back to top
What do the
"Autism on the Seas" Staff members do onboard?
We are onboard to ensure your cruise meets and exceeds your expectations. We will be there as your personal concierges, providing you with assistance in any matters or requests you may have. We will be available 24 hours a day and just a phone call away. We will also be coordinating all group activities.
See the
What's
Included page for details of the
activities.
Back to top
Can I book this cruise through another travel agent or Royal Caribbean?
Yes you can. BUT IF YOU purchase a cabin through an outside source (another Travel Agent, Royal Caribbean, etc.), you will be EXCLUDED from all
Autism Family Cruise related events and activities.
Back to top
Can we book this cruise
even if no one has autism in our immediate family or in the same cabin on the cruise?
Yes, everyone is welcome to join us, and there are no
restrictions or special criteria to book this cruise!!!
Back to top
PASSPORT INFO: What Travel Documents and identification do I need?
"Closed Loop" Itineraries
Cruise passengers who are U.S.citizens (USCs) sailing on
vessels with voyages commencing in a USA port, calling
in at least one foreign port and then returning to the
SAME USA port are sailing on what is known as a "CLOSED
LOOP" itinerary.
The documentation requirements for passengers on CLOSED
LOOP itineraries are NOT scheduled to change on June 1,
2009. USCs may continue to sail with their
birth certificate plus a government issued pictured ID
card (such as a normal drivers license). They may also
sail with a valid passport, passport card, state issued
enhanced driver's license, NEXUS card, SENTRI card or
FAST card.
"Open Loop" Itineraries
Cruise passengers who are U.S. citizens (USCs) sailing
on vessels with voyages that depart from one USA port
and return to a DIFFERENT USA port, are sailing on what
is known as a "OPEN LOOP" itinerary
June 1, 2009 Change
What is scheduled to change on June 1st are the
documentation requirements for US Citizens sailing on
"OPEN LOOP" itineraries.
US Citizen passengers on OPEN LOOP itineraries must hold
a valid passport, passport card, or other specific USG
approved card. They will NOT be allowed to embark with a
birth certificate and drivers license.
NOTE:
The information above was valid on 2-2-09 and may change
without notice to you, or on this website. For
current information, please see below.
Click here to find out more on what you will need.
Click here to find out
WHERE to get your Passport
Click here to find out
HOW
to get your Passport
Family Legal Documents
Should the last names of the parent and minor child
traveling with them differ, the parent is required to
present the child's valid passport and visa (if
required) and the child's birth
certificate (original, a notarized copy or a certified
copy). The name of the parent(s) and the child must be
linked through legal documentation.
Different Surnames (Last Names):
If a woman has several surnames on different documents
such as birth certificate and drivers license, then she
must bridge the difference with other documents, such
as, marriage license and/or divorce papers. The
additional bridging documents must be the original or a
certified or notarized copy.
Adults who are not the parent or Legal Guardian of any
minor child traveling with them are required to present
the child's valid passport and visa or the child's birth
certificate (original, a notarized copy or a certified
copy) and an original notarized letter signed by
at least one of the child's parents. The notarized
letter from the child's parent must authorize the
traveling adult to take the child on the specific
cruise, must authorize guardian to sign legal
documentation/waivers for participation in any
activities requiring them (i.e. Rock Climbing, Flowrider,
Bungee Trampoline, Inline Skating, or Ice Skating) and
must authorize the traveling adult to supervise the
child and permit any medical treatment that must be
administered to the child. If a non-parent adult is a
Legal Guardian, the adult must present a certified
certificate of Guardianship with respect to the child.
Back to top
How early do I need to arrive if I make my own travel arrangements?
You should plan to arrive at the pier at least two hours before the ship is scheduled to depart. Boarding times varies by itinerary. Please check your cruise ticket booklet for confirmed boarding time. It is your responsibility to arrive on time. In preparation for prompt departure, cruise check-in will close 30 minutes prior to sailing. Guests arriving after will not be permitted to board.
See
the
Transportation - Air / Ground
page for more info.
Back to top
What will I be charged if I cancel?
Please see our
Booking / Pricing Page
Back to top
Can I use my Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor numbers on this cruise?
Yes you can use your Crown & Anchor numbers to get credit for your cruise and receive your coupon booklets from RCCL, on all Alumni Cruises. Either give your C & A numbers when you register or you can make sure you fill them in, on the RCCL website when you do your pre-boarding information online, just before the cruise.
Back to top
Are there
Cruise Line sponsored children's programs onboard?
Yes, RCL's award winning Adventure Ocean Youth
Program is included in your price.
Fun isn't just for adults at Royal Caribbean,
as exciting programs for guests of all ages, starting at just 6 months old
are offered! And you can feel confident leaving your children, over three years of age, with
RCCL staff because every member of holds a college degree in education or other related field, or has qualified experience in working with children.
Please visit our
What's
Included page
for information on Royal Caribbean's Staff Autism
Awareness program.
From 6-36 months of age, our tiniest guests and their parents are invited to participate in the Fisher-Price Aqua Babies and Aqua Tots Programs. Developed by Fisher-Price exclusively for Royal Caribbean International, these activities are hosted by trained youth staff. A parent or caregiver MUST accompany children during activity sessions.
Kids from 3-17 may take part in our complimentary Adventure Ocean® Youth Program. Adventure Ocean was specially designed to blend educational activities with just plain fun.
See our Special Potty Training Provisions.
Also visit our
What's
Included
page
to learn about our special Autism related
activities.
Click here to learn more about
RCL’s Family Cruising.
Back to top
How will my child with
autism be grouped in the Adventure Ocean Youth Program?
Royal
Caribbean’s children program (Adventure Ocean), will
allow our families to choose which group their child
with autism can attend.
The regular rules, which we have exception to,
requires children to be grouped by their age.
Our children with autism will be put into the most
appropriate group based on their ability.
Parents will have the opportunity to visit
each Adventure Ocean Group and meet privately with
the Adventure Ocean Staff to decide which group is the
most suitable for their child.
Beepers
will be issued to parents to allow the counselors the ability to
reach a parent if necessary. One
Parent or guardian must be present on the ship
whenever their child is in
the program.
Back to top
Does
the ship cater to special Dietary and other Special needs?
Yes. Royal Caribbean makes
every effort to accommodate our guests' dietary and
disability requirements
whenever possible.
RCCL can accommodate special needs such as, Food
Allergies, Gluten-free, Vegetarian (except for
vegan/macrobiotic), Low-fat, Low-Sodium,
lactose-free/Soy Milk, Ensure, and
Kosher meals at no extra charge.
We also address the needs of people with
disabilities.
Click here to see our Access
on the Seas disability accommodations.
Alumni Cruises has
arranged specific services for our autism group.
Please visit our
What's
Included page to learn more.
Your choices can be selected on our
Booking
Form.
Back
to top
What are the guidelines for Tipping (Gratuities)?
So that you can thank those who have made
your cruise vacation better than you could have
imagined, Royal Caribbean has developed these gratuity
guidelines:
|
Suite attendant: |
$5.75 USD |
a day per guest |
|
OR |
|
|
|
Stateroom attendant: |
$3.50 USD |
a day per guest |
| |
|
|
|
Dining Room Waiter: |
$3.50 USD |
a day per guest |
|
Assistant Waiter: |
$2.00 USD |
a day per guest |
|
Headwaiter: |
$.75 USD |
a day per guest |
Note: These gratuities apply to guests of
all ages and are at your discretion for the service you
receive. Gratuities for other service personnel
are at your discretion. A 15% gratuity will
automatically be added to your bar bill or wine check
when you are served.
Envelopes for gratuities will be provided
in your stateroom on the last night of the cruise.
Gratuities may be paid in the following ways:
1. Pre paid by having them added to your reservation by
Alumni Cruises.
2. Added to your onboard SeaPass account.
3. Paid in cash at the end of the cruise.
Back to top
Can an individual with autism
participate in activities if he or she is not potty
trained?
Yes, to learn more please
visit our
What's
Included page.
Back to top
What are the dress
codes onboard?
There are three distinct
types of evenings onboard: casual, smart casual and
formal. Suggested guidelines for these nights in the
Main Dining Room
are:
Casual: Sport
shirts and slacks for men, sundresses or pants for women
Smart Casual:
Jackets and ties for men are suggested, but a collared
shirt (no tie)
is acceptable, dresses or pantsuits for women
Formal:
Suits/jackets and ties or tuxedos for men, cocktail
dresses for women
3 to 4 night cruises
include one formal night and the remainder nights are
casual.
5 night cruises
include one formal and the remainder nights casual.
6 night cruises
include two formal nights, one smart casual and the
remainder nights casual.
7 to 9 night cruises
include two formal nights, one smart casual night and
the remainder nights casual.
10 to 13 night cruises
include three formal nights, two smart casual nights,
and the remainder nights casual.
14+ night cruises
include three formal nights, four smart casual nights
and the remainder nights casual.
Please try to conform to these guidelines as close as
possible for your children, although the cruise line is
more lenient with them.
Exemption for Dinner Dress Code
People with
Autism have been granted a complete
exemption
to these
guidelines, so they may wear whatever they are most
comfortable wearing, when attending Dinner in the Main
Dining Rooms.
REMEMBER:
You always have the option of eating at the buffet
restaurant(s), where the dress code is always Casual.
Please note:
Ice skating on the Voyager and Freedom Class Ships
requires that all skaters wear long pants and socks (Capris
and long shorts are permitted).
Rock Climbing Wall and Trampolines require that all
participants wear socks.
