What’s included in an Autism
on the Seas Cruise
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.
Autism
on the Seas includes all of the above and more. Please go to our
What’s Included page for Autism
on the Seas Exclusive Services
and Private Autism Group
Activities.
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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 from Alumni
Cruises. Please visit our
Staff
page.
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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.
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Can I book this cruise through another travel agent or
Disney?
Yes you can. BUT IF YOU purchase a cabin through an outside source (another Travel Agent,
Disney Cruise Line, etc.), you will be EXCLUDED from all
Autism Group Cruise related events and activities.
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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!!!
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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
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.
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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.
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What will I be charged if I cancel?
Please see our
Booking / Pricing Page
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Are there
Cruise Line sponsored children's programs onboard?
Yes, Disney Cruise Line's Children's Program is included in your price.
Disney's Oceaneer Club
Welcome to a place like no other, where kids
ages 3-7 find new friends and fun. Delight
in programs run by trained counselors who
know how to inspire the imagination. See why
no one brings adventures on the high seas to
life like Disney with activities tied to
kids' favorite Disney Characters and
stories. And Moms and Dads can always stay
in touch with the provided pagers.
Disney's Oceaneer Lab
Explore a world beyond your
imagination. Discover a giant
video wall with wireless
controllers, private listening
rooms with state-of-the-art
equipment, flat-screen computers
loaded with "family-rated"
software, animation programs and
activities you won't find
anywhere else. Be guided by
Disney counselors who know how
to facilitate fun. And Moms and
Dads can always stay in touch
with the provided pagers.
Ocean Quest
Show 'em you're a
nautical natural and
"steer" the cruise
ship in and out of
ports around the
world! In this
scaled replica of
the ship's bridge,
sit in a captain's
chair surrounded by
LCD screen "windows"
that let you look
out over the actual
bridge via live
video feed. This is
also the perfect
place for kids aged
10-14 to "chill" as
they play video
games, create arts
and crafts, or watch
a movie on one of
many plasma screen
televisions.
Aloft
Discover
the
ultimate
hangout
on the
Disney
Wonder®:
a
teen-only
(ages
13-17)
world
where
you can
relax by
yourself
or with
friends,
escape
with
music or
a movie,
sing and
dance,
or talk
and
play.
With
big-screen
plasma
TVs,
video
games, a
lounge
area,
Internet
cafe and
more,
here's a
place
where
the
counselors
are cool
and you
can just
be
yourself.
The Stack
Meet on your own terms in this personal space. Teens (ages 13-17) cruise in style in this place packed with music, movies, video games, big-screen plasma TVs, a lounge area, dance floor, Internet café and teen-only activities into the wee hours. And the counselors are always cool. Are you a teen? Then you can make this vacation what you want it to be — at the Stack.
Studio Sea
Get ready for action in this family club that looks like a television soundstage — with lots of TV monitors, director's chairs, film cans and all the bustling activity you'd expect. Get set to take the stage or just sit back and enjoy the activities that always add up to pure fun, Disney style!
Please visit our What's Included page
for information on our Cruise Staff Autism
Awareness program, and to learn about our special Autism related
activities.
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How will my child with
autism be grouped in the Children's Program?
Disney Cruise Line's children program will
allow our families to choose which group their child
with autism will attend.
Our children with autism will be put into the most
appropriate group based on their ability. Each
child's parents will have the opportunity to visit
the different children's areas and talk with the
counselors to decide which is the
most suitable for their child.
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Does
the ship cater to special Dietary and other Special needs?
Yes.
Disney Cruise Line makes
every effort to accommodate our guests' dietary and
disability requirements
whenever possible.
Disney 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.
Your choices can be selected on our
Booking
Form.
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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, Disney Cruise Line has developed these gratuity
guidelines:
|
Dining Room Server |
$14.75 |
per
person, per cruise |
|
Stateroom Host/Hostess |
$14.50 |
per
person, per cruise |
|
Dining Room Asst. Server |
$10.75 |
per
person, per cruise |
|
Dining Room Head Server |
$3.75 |
per
person, per cruise |
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.
For your
convenience, a 15% gratuity is automatically added to
bar, beverage, wine and deck service tabs. All
gratuities can be charged to your room charge.
Envelopes for gratuities will be provided
in your stateroom on the last night of the cruise.
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What are the dress
codes onboard?
Dining Dress requirements vary by
venue or theme night on your cruise. In general, most
meals are "Cruise Casual" — no shorts, swimwear or tank
tops. Most cruises also have special theme nights with
additional attire requirements. Here's a breakdown of
these events by cruise itinerary.
On 4-night cruises:
-
First night: cruise
casual — no shorts, swimwear or tank
tops
-
One pirate or tropical
night (deck party)
-
One "dress-up night" —
jacket for men, dress or pantsuit for
women
-
Final night: cruise
casual — no shorts, swimwear or tank
tops
On 7-night cruises:
-
First night: cruise
casual — no shorts, swimwear or tank
tops
-
Three additional "cruise
casual" nights — no shorts, swimwear or
tank tops
-
One pirate or tropical
night (deck party)
-
One formal and one
semi-formal night — formal wear for men:
tuxedo or suit; for women: gown or
dress; semi-formal wear for men:
suit/jacket; for women: dress or
pantsuit.
Dress for
dinner at Palo (adult
restaurant) on all cruises:
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.
