Cruising with Ease – Accessible Seas and Autism Programs

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines is highly rated for cruisers with special needs. Disabilities can be permanent, temporary, visible or invisible. One out of Five people in the U.S. have disabilities. That accounts for about 56 million people in the U.S.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has made getting on and off the ship easy for those with mobility disabilities. They offer pier assistance, tender assistance and accessible transfers. Although Royal Caribbean does have a few wheelchairs available on board, it is recommended you bring your own. They should be stored in your room when not in use. They also work with Providers: Special Needs at Sea and Care Vacations if wheelchairs or scooters are needed.

Special needs should be brought up at the time of booking your cruise. They provide sign language interrupters for main production shows, major activities and presentations. If you are in need of special diets, dialysis, or oxygen, Royal Caribbean offers all of these services as well for the traveler by request.

For visual impairments, service animals are welcomed on all Royal Caribbean ships. There are designated relief areas provided for your service animal on the ship. Braille is incorporated in public areas and elevators. Large print menus and cruise compasses are also available.

Accessible Staterooms are available with wider doors, automatic doors on Radiance and Quantum class, Roll-in showers, Grab bars, lowered sink and vanity, raised toilet seats – 17-19″, and lowered closet rods and safes.

Quantum of the Seas has 34 accessible staterooms. All include automatic entry doors, roll-in showers and bathtubs, and the accessible interior staterooms have virtual balconies.

“Easy” tours are designed for guests with limited mobility. When it comes to booking your shore excursions you will note the “easy” or wheelchair symbol for your shore excursion. You will want to be sure to request your tour 10 days prior to sailing: 21 days for private excursions.

Alaska cruise tours have accessible motor coaches and railcars. Railcars feature accessible seating with wheelchair lifts to both levels and have an accessible restroom as well.

Royal Caribbean International is the first cruise line to be certified as “Autism Friendly” by Autism on the Seas. The “Autism Friendly” certification recognizes Royal Caribbean’s efforts to make sure their products and services are accessible by guests with autism. Currently Royal Caribbean has achieved a Bronze Certification with “Autism Friendly” and plan completion of the Silver Certification by end of 2014. Silver Certification means that they will begin autism awareness training with their Adventure Ocean staff on-board.

Autism Friendly Features include:

Priority check-in, boarding and departure
Gluten-free and other special dietary offerings
Adventure Ocean flexible age grouping
Adventure Ocean toilet-trained policy exemption
Pagers for parents of children in Adventure Ocean

New Autism Friendly Features include:

Autism Friendly Films
Autism Friendly Toy Lending
Autism Friendly Activities
Cruising Social Story

To book your trip today:
All About Travel
6104 Northwest 63
Oklahoma City, OK 73132
415.384.3880

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Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas out of Galveston, TX

Recently I experienced the 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise out of Galveston. Stayed in a room with a balcony, which I highly recommend. I’ve always stayed in interior rooms, but really enjoyed the balcony and probably won’t sail again unless I am in a balcony room.

As always on a cruise, the staff that waited on us were great! We had a great crew that cleaned our room and knew our schedule pretty well. Then the dining room wait staff was great and very helpful with our special needs with food allergies. Of course we alerted the maitre d’ on the first night and they were consistent in meeting our needs.

Our first stop was in Roatan, Honduras. Roatan is home to the second-largest coral reefs in the world. Our shore excursion we chose was the Shipwreck Snorkel & Beach. We took a ride out to a remote private island and met our guides at the Fantasy Island Beach Resort, which was beautiful.

Fantasy Island

Then the following day we were in Belize City, Belize. Belize City was founded in the 1700’s by former pirates. Home to lush tropical rainforest and the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. We visited the ancient Mayan city of Altun Ha, which was once a major trading center before the Europeans arrived. Afterwards we took a boat ride along the coast on the River Wallace.

Altun Ha and River Wallace

Our final stop was Cozumel, Mexico where we did an underwater Helmet dive.

Tips on lowering your risk of being a victim of petty theft or non-violent crimes while away from home:

1. Leave your valuables and irreplaceable items inside your stateroom safe.
2. Avoid wearing flashy and obviously expensive jewelery.
3. Carry only the cash or credit cards you will need on each of your outings.
4. Use discretion when handling cash in public.
5. Keep your belongings secure and out of sight.

To book your trip today:
All About Travel
6104 Northwest 63
Oklahoma City, OK 73132
415.384.3880