WITHOUT
our Staff
Assistance Pkg

Early Dinner Seating
We can guarantee (approx the first 150 or so passengers for Groups) in the early dining time for dinner (the earlier you book the more likely you will be guaranteed the early dining time).
 

Included

Included

Included

Included

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.
 

Included

Included

Included

Included

Group Dining for ALL Meals
 

We will be able to guarantee approx the first 150 or so passengers in the early dining time for dinner (the earlier you book the more likely you will be guaranteed the early dining time).

You and your family can dine in a Private Dining Room/Segregated Area and will be seated with your family, friends and other Autism Group Families for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.  You and your family will also have the SAME Table/Seating, with the SAME Wait Staff  for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (onboard the cruises).

Other dining venues are provided as well, as it is your choice to dine where you please for every meal......
 

 

Included

Not Included

Special Dietary Accommodations
We work with the Cruise Line and Resorts to meet most, if not all, of the dietary accommodations for each guest.  Special dietary requests include:
     Food allergies

Vegetarian (except vegan/macrobiotic)

Low-fat

Low-sodium

Lactose-free/soy milk

Indian-style vegetarian meals

Kosher

Requests MUST be received 45 days in advance in order to be accommodated.

Kosher for Passover meals

Requests MUST be received 60 days in advance in order to be accommodated.

Gluten/Cassien Free Diet

Each cruise includes the following basic GFCF items available at meals:

Bread

French Fries

Chicken Fingers

Pancakes

French Toast

Scrambled Eggs

Grilled Chicken Breast

Steak

Fish (Cod, Salmon, Tilapia, Lobster, Shrimp, ect), grilled or broiled
Vegetables

Fruit

Ice Cream

Other items may be available as well, and special requests are welcome.  You are welcome to bring your own GFCF food and beverages onboard the cruises, as long as they are in an un-opened original packaging/container.  Some items, like pasta, can be brought onboard and prepared by the ship chef's.

Rice milk (available on Cruises with our Staff only)
 

*Specific "Brands" of food items are not included in the above accommodations.  If a diet requires Specific "Brands" of food items, please contact us.

Included

Included

Included

Included

Included

 WITHOUT
our Staff
Assistance Pkg

Disability Access and Services
 

Mobility Impairments
Onboard staterooms and social areas are designed to accommodate guests with disabilities.

Visual Impairments
Discover how Braille is used to make cruising as enjoyable as possible.

Hearing Impairments
From Alertmaster monitors to ASL Interpreters, every attempt is made to help all guests.

Accessible Staterooms
Every ship has staterooms that are specially designed to be wheelchair accessible.

Medical, Dietary, Transportation and Other Needs
The cruise lines can accommodate all of your transportation needs, dietary needs, medical needs, including oxygen and dialysis.
 

Included

Included

Included

Included

Included

Included

Service Animals  
*Please contact us for other information regarding cruise lines other than Royal Caribbean and for resort stays.

Royal Caribbean welcomes guests with service animals onboard all of their ships.

A 4-ft x 4-ft wooden box with mulch or sod is provided in a relief area on a designated open deck.  Disney supplies grass in a plastic tray.

Service animals are welcome anywhere on the ship where there is public access.

Paperwork Requirements

The guest is responsible for supplying a copy of the following paperwork, and to bring a copy of each with them on the cruise:

A copy of the service animals current vaccination records to ensure that all shots are current.  NOTE: Some countries you will visit require the vaccination paperwork to be dated no older than 6 months (see website below).

Any required permits for the service animal to debark the vessel in Non U.S. Ports. You may access foreign embassy information at www.embassy.org to assist you in obtaining the required permits.

A copy of the service animal certification is recommended, but not required.

There is no requirement that Service Animals disembark at ports of call. Service Animals may not be left onboard unattended.

Included

Included

 WITHOUT
our Staff
Assistance Pkg

Our Guidance
We've made vacationing with autism and developmental disabilities our expertise and we're here to help you.  Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns, especially as it relates to autism and travelling.
 

Included

Included

Communication with your ship/resort
We communicate to the actual ship (via the cruise line headquarters) of your special needs information, and accommodation requirements.  Getting your information to the actual ship and resort you will be vacationing is crucial.
 

Included

Included

Vacation PECS
We offer a variety of PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) pictures for our special needs guests.  The photos depict a number of actual events that take place during the cruise and/or resort stay to help families develop a vacation picture schedule.  Our PECS photo library offers parents a number of choices they may want to use along with the child’s usual picture icons.  A printable link to the PECS is available to our guests approximately 2-4 weeks prior to your vacation.  If you need assistance in creating an PECS schedule for your child, feel free to let us know.  

 

Included

Included

Cruise Information and Tips Document
We have developed a document of cruise tips and information that first time cruisers and/or first time cruisers with special needs guests typically have questions and concerns about.  We have specifically addressed many special needs topics in this document.  A printable link to this Cruise Tips Document is available approximately 2-4 weeks prior to your cruise.

 

Included

Included

N/A

N/A

Vacation Social Story
A special "Social Story" has been created to assist our special needs guests.  The Social Story is designed to assist guests with what they can expect on the first day of the cruise and/or resort stay.  A printable link to the Social Story is available approximately 2-4 weeks prior to your departure.  We are constantly working to improve our service and provide families with the tools to ensure a successful transition on their vacation.  

 

Included

Included

Included

Excursion Reviews
We have compiled a list of reviews of Excursions (from different cruise ports) from parents and caretakers of our special needs guests, who have provided us with this information on the Feedback Form we send them upon the completion of their cruise.  These reviews provide invaluable insight to some of the choices of excursions available at the ports you will be visiting, from a special needs perspective.  A printable link to these Reviews is available approximately 2-4 weeks prior to your cruise.

 

Included

Included

Pre-Vacation Questionnaire
This questionnaire will be sent to you to complete approx. 3-5 weeks prior to your departure.  It is designed to collect specific information on each special needs person that will be traveling.  This information will be used to help us customize the activities we provide, and to prepare the staff for your children.  For Individual Cruises, this information will sent to the cruise line children’s program staff to help them prepare for your arrival.

 

Included

Included

Included

Special Requests and Needs
If you have any other special requests that would assist you or your child with autism in having an extra special vacation, then please specify when booking or contact us.

Included

Included

Included

Disney Special Needs Ride Guide
We've developed a guide to all of the Disney World attractions and rides to guide and assist you in choosing which ones are most appropriate for your special needs.

N/A

N/A

N/A

Included

 WITHOUT
our Staff
Assistance Pkg

Respite Time with the AotS Staff
1-on-1 Respite Service is available 
More info on our Respite and Staff
 

Respite time will be provided at various times throughout the cruise/resort stay, while parents can enjoy adult activities.  Our special children will be cared for by our Autism on the Seas staff during these respite times.  There will also be some activities (parties, games, movies) that will provide respite time as well.

In addition to our Autism on the Seas respite times, see the Children's Program section (on this page) for opportunities to have your children cared for by ship/resort staff professionals during the day and evening.  The Autism on the Seas staff is on call for additional support and guidance to the ships/resort children's staff.

1-on-1 Respite Service is available  More info on our Respite and Staff

Included

Not Included

Youth Program Activities
(Cruise Line / Resort sponsored, assisted by AotS Staff)

Royal Caribbean has an award winning children's program called Adventure Ocean, for children ages 3-11.

Note:
- Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line and Club Med Resort have similar
  programs.

- Children 6 months to 3 years can participate in the Fisher Price Aqua Tots
   program.  Teens, ages 12-18 can participate in Teen related activities.
 

Included

Included

Custom Child Grouping for children with Autism

Cruise Lines/Resorts policy is to group children by their age in the Youth Programs.  An exception is made for our group, and our children are allowed to be grouped by their ability, not their age. 
 

Included

Included

Staff

The Youth Programs are staffed by professionals with college degrees majoring in the health care, education and/or psychology/sociology fields.  The staff has experience caring for children with autism, and regularly cares for children with autism on a regular basis. 

Included

Included

Staff supported by AotS Staff

Our "Autism on the Seas" staff provides additional training and preparatory informational sessions with the staff,  that includes a review of the Questionnaires completed by the parents for their children.  While our children are in the Youth Programs, they receive special care from one or more staff members specifically assigned to them.  Our "Autism on the Seas" staff is in constant contact with the Youth Program staff.

Included

Not Included

Activities

The regular Youth Program activities are available for each child to participate in, which include: video games, movies, group games, educational (science related) activities and much more, click here for more info. Aside from the regular activities, our children will receive customized care, that will include activities provided to them, based on their special needs and likes/dislikes.  If your child wants to just sit and watch a movie, play a video game, or any other activity, then that is what they'll do.... 

Included

Included

Schedule

The Youth Programs provide the opportunity to have your children cared for throughout each day and evening.  This wonderful drop off service, allows you to bring your children to the program any time of day, and pick them up any time.
 

Included

Included

Private Meeting

A Private Meeting with the Youth Program Management staff is provided for the parents to register their children (siblings too) and to discuss their individual child's abilities and situation. 
 

Included

Included

Private Youth Program Open House

We will provide a Private Open House in the Youth program just for our group.  This usually takes place the first morning of the cruise, before the Youth Program opens.  Our staff, along with the Youth Program staff will play host and parents will be able to visit the actual areas of the Youth Program, ask questions and discuss the program with the staff.

Included

Not Included

Special Needs Name Tags

Autism doesn’t have a specific look that sets our children apart from typically developing children.  We have developed special Name Tags that we provide to each family for their special needs child, for use while they are cared for by cruise staff in the Youth Programs onboard.  These tags have become immediately recognizable by ship staff.

Included

Included

Beepers and Access

Beepers (or ship phones) are provided so parents can be contacted when their children are in the Youth Program, should the need arise.  You may visit the Youth Program any time, even to just catch a peak to see how your child is doing.  You may also call the Youth Program at any time, form anywhere on the ship, using any of the ship's public phones or your cabin phone.

Included

Included

Private Family Activities

Many cruise line policy's are to not allow adults to remain in the Youth Program rooms during activities, for security purposes.  We provide special and private times within the Youth Program, where all family members (parents, grandparents, siblings) and friends are welcome to participate.
  

Included

Not Included

 WITHOUT
our Staff
Assistance Pkg

Adults with Special Needs Private Group Activities
Adults with Special Needs are welcome on all of our Vacations with Staff.

All of the Services and Activities listed on this page (except the cruise line/resort children's program) are included and provided for each of our adults who cruise with us.

Please visit our Adults with Special Needs page, to learn more about the specific adult accommodations.

 

Included

Not Included

Teenagers with Special Needs
Teenagers with autism are welcome to participate in all of the activities and services listed on this page, as each activity and service is customized accordingly.

Included

Not Included

 WITHOUT
our Staff
Assistance Pkg

Cruise Line / Resort Standard Services

- All services that the Cruise Line / Resort provides are included.

- Almost everything is taken care of - your accommodations, gourmet meals
   in the beautiful dining rooms and cafes, and snacks throughout the day. 

- All activities including the amazing fitness centers, entertainment and
   award-winning Children's Programs are all included in the price.  

- Even room service is included....

For more details:

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line

Club Med

Disney

Included

Included

Included

Included

Not Included

Not Included

Not Included

 WITHOUT
our Staff
Assistance Pkg

ALL family members and friends who book with us will be part of our Group, and are open to participate in and take advantage of all of our Services and Activities.
Please Note: 
 - If you book with another Agency, or direct with the Cruise Line / Resort all "Vacations with our
   Staff" related Services and Activities are NOT included.
 - Some services and activities vary depending on cruise line, ship and resort.

Included

Not Included

Activities

All activities will be structured to match each individual’s abilities, and will accommodate people with special needs of all ages.

Included

Not Included

Excursion Opportunities and Assistance
There are some shore excursions that are better suited and accommodating to your family’s needs than others.  During each Cruise, we will coordinate a PRIVATE session with the onboard Cruise Line Excursion Specialist.  The Cruise Line Excursion Specialist will make recommendations, and answer any questions and concerns you might have in making Excursion Plans for each port we will visit.

This Private Session, also provides you with the opportunity to see which excursions other families are taking to help coordinate plans to go as a group.  Periodically our staff will accompany and/or help coordinate an excursion. 

NOTE: You can book excursions before the cruise (on the cruise line website) and you can also change or cancel them once onboard.  For Excursions from the Resorts, please contact us.
 

Included

Not Included

Family Activities
These activities may include some or all of the following:  Scavenger Hunts, Arts and Crafts, Animal Bingo, Karaoke, Dancing and more.
 Each of these events will be private to our group only, and will allow the participation of everyone in our group, including parents, siblings, grandparents and friends!!  Many of these activities include prizes.
 

 

Included

Not Included

Movie Showings
We will be showing specially selected animated, non-animated and other movie favorites in a private room just for our group throughout each vacation.

 

Included

Not Included

Pool (water sensory related) Activities
We will coordinate various water related sensory activities in and out of the pool.

 

Included

Not Included

Ship/Resort Venue Entertainment Sessions
We provide private sessions for our entire group (siblings, parents, friends and family) to participate in many of the ships entertainment venues, such as:
- The "Rock Wall"
- The "Jump Zone (bungee trampoline)"
- The "Ice Skating Rink"

- The "Inline Skating Course"
- The "Pool Slide"

- The "Shuffle Board Court"

- The "Basketball Court"

- The "Flow-Rider"
- The "Mini-Golf Course"
- The "Night (Disco) Club" for Family Dancing
- Bridge Tours
- Back Stage Theatre Tours
- Piano Sing-Alongs

Some or all of the above mentioned activities will be provided depending on ship/resort facilities, cruise itinerary and other activities.

 

Included

Not Included

Sibling Activities
Siblings of individuals with special needs will have the opportunity to interact with other siblings who understand what each other is going through, as there will be activities that will allow them to interact with each other. 

We always include our Typically Developing Children in all of the activities and events we provide, as we aim to nurture and promote the value this wonderful vacation provides.

 

Included

Not Included

Special Gifts
Various gifts will be given to everyone.  Some of the gifts will include AotS Family Travel apparel, game prizes, keep sakes, etc.   
 

Included

Not Included

 WITHOUT
our Staff
Assistance Pkg

Muster Drill - Private Area
Cruises with our Staff - We provide our group with an inside air conditioned lounge, which replaces the traditional standing side-by-side, outside on deck with hundreds of other passengers.

Cruises without our Staff - We will coordinate with the cruise line for you to have an inside air conditioned lounge (or remain in your cabin during the drill), which replaces the traditional standing side-by-side, outside on deck with hundreds of other passengers.
 

 

Included

Included

N/A

N/A

Potty Training Provisions
Note: These guidelines are specific for Royal Caribbean Cruises, but are very similar on Disney, Carnival and Club Med as well…..
For individuals with special needs who are not potty trained are as follows:

If an individual is less than 3 years of age by the cruise date, then:

- Participation IS allowed in the Fisher-Price Aqua Babies and
  Aqua Tots Programs.  This program requires parents to
  participate as well.
- Participation IS NOT allowed in the Children’s Program.  This
  program is for individuals 3 years or older.
- Participation IS allowed in the "Autism on the Seas" activities
  and events.

If an individual is more than 3 years of age by the cruise date, then:

- Participation MAY BE allowed in the Fisher-Price Aqua Babies
  and Aqua Tots Programs, if the parent feels this is the
  appropriate grouping for their child.  This program requires
  parents to participate as well. Special restrictions may apply
  here, please contact us if you have any questions.
- Participation IS allowed in the Children’s Program.  A consent
   form must be completed by a parent or guardian, and:
        • A pager, walkie-talkie or ship phone is required 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.
- Participation IS allowed in the "Autism on the Seas" Group
  related activities and events (for Groups with our staff only).
 

Priority Boarding onto Ship
We provide "Priority Check-In" at the port, for getting on the ship.  This greatly reduces the time in the normal lines.
 

 

Included

Included

N/A

N/A

Priority Disembarkation from Ship - with Staff
We provide our group with separate luggage arrangements and first group called for getting off the ship.  This allows for an expedited departure the morning the ship returns to port.  Having separate luggage tags keeps our luggage in a group for easy retrieval.

 

Included

N/A

N/A

Priority Disembarkation from Ship - without Staff
We provide you with the service of being first for getting off the ship.  This allows for an expedited departure the morning the ship returns to port. 

N/A

Included

N/A

 WITHOUT
our Staff
Assistance Pkg

Autism Awareness Ship/Resort Staff
Many Cruise Line and Resort Staff members, especially those in the children's program, have experience dealing with children that have autism.
 

 

Included

Included

Autism Ship/Resort Staff Training
We will be providing the ship/resort staff members, who will be in contact with our group, with autism awareness training customized to the children and adults with special needs that will be traveling with us.  We will also be working, and assisting directly with, these staff's during the entire vacation with any issues that may arise.
 

Included

Not Included

Autism on the Seas - Professional Staff
We have Autism Specialists travelling with you to coordinate all of our Services, Private events, Respite Time, support the Cruise Line/Resort Children Staff and will be available to you throughout the vacation.  The Autism Specialists will also be available to answer any questions prior to, and as you prepare for your vacation. 

More info on our Staff
 

Pictures are from actual "Autism on the Seas" Cruises
 

Included

Not Included

Professional Medical Physicians and Nurses
There is a full medical staff on-board each ship. If your child with autism has any specific medical issues, then you will need to provide that information when booking your cruise.  It is important to remember to bring all medications and any other paperwork that the doctor on-board would need to properly treat your child. 
 

Included

Included