Autism on the Seas..Special Needs Cruise Assistance Package

[Lisa Garcia]

We are taking our first ever Disney Cruise this Oct out of NY. I saw in another post that Autism on the Seas is participating in the cruise the week before mine BUT even though they are not on board for my cruise they do have a Special Needs Cruise Assistance Package. Anyone have any experience with this?

TIA

 

[lanejudy]

You'll have to talk to AotS about what specifically they are offering for your cruise on DCL. I do know that some of the services their website indicates are not actually available on DCL. I believe most that they offer as "assistance" can be arranged on your own directly with DCL, but that is true of most TA's and travel services. Does AotS charge of their "assistance" package? I guess it comes down to how much effort/control you want to put into the planning versus leaving it to someone else. Have you tried contacting DCL's Special Needs Department (407-566-3602) with any of your questions or concerns? I have found them to be very helpful, but I prefer to control my travel arrangements myself.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Lisa Garcia]

Yes i have spoken to DCL's special needs department. They were great, but Autism on the seas told me they can get me private drills, PECS made just for the cruise (my son is nonverbal), Priority check in, etc. When I spoke to DCL they were very nice and noted my account but did not offer any of this. I booked thru a TA and told Autism on the seas I want to remain with my TA so there is a $75 fee for everything. If I booked thru them or transfer thru them its free.

 

[lanejudy]

I'm not aware of any "priority check-in" on DCL other than concierge or platinum Castaway Club members. DCL does not do disabled priority boarding. If your child may have challenges navigating a crowded, busy terminal at check-in, I suggest NOT arriving in the midst of the chaos. Arriving around 12:30-1:00pm is often considered a "sweet spot" because the crowds of early arrivals have boarded and the buses from the resorts haven't yet gotten there. It's usually open boarding meaning you can check-in and walk right on the ship.

I also have never heard of a private muster drill. I'm saying it isn't possible, but I've never heard of anyone scheduling one on DCL. I suggest your child wear earmuffs as the sirens are LOUD, and it's possible you could be dismissed early if the CM at the muster station is aware of your situation.

It is possible that someone at AotS has developed some PECs which are cruise-specific.

Since you are currently booked through a TA, you probably cannot transfer your reservation to AotS. The current TA would have to release the booking to you, which can be challenging and they might drag their feet doing so and/or may charge a fee. Plus if you are more than 30 days past initial booking DCL won't allow the reservation to be transferred to any TA.

I do recommend asking DCL specifically about whatever services interest you from AotS, not just say "it wasn't offered." They may be able to help you and without the charge. I also recommend getting specifics from AotS about the services mentioned above to make sure you understand exactly what you are purchasing. I have heard experiences of people with an expectation that doesn't match the "service" they actually received. Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Lisa Garcia]

Ok great thanks! Thats why I posted here as well. I was hoping someone went thru this before so I know what to expect! THANKS!

 

[AutismCruiser]

Hello,

Some clarification on Autism on the Seas “Cruise Assistance Package” services:

Private Muster Drill
On Disney Cruise Line (DCL), this means the exception to remain in your cabin during the drill. DCL will not commit to this pre-cruise, but the accommodation will be made once onboard.

Priority Check-in
On DCL cruises the port personnel will accommodate the ability to either be moved to the front of the check in line, or use any of the lines that are shorter. DCL will not commit to this pre-cruise, but the accommodation will be made once at the port.

Transferring a Cruise
Yes, if a cruise cannot be transferred to them (which means it is outside a specific window of time from when the cruise was booked), they do charge a nominal fee of $75 (regardless the size of your family). The tshirts alone they give you are worth half that, at least.

They are also known to NEVER turn away any guest, so even if you cannot afford the $75 fee, they will STILL assist you.

There are many things that AotS provides when you book with them. See their website for all the specifics. Some of which include:
- One of the most valuable things they provide is their expertise, which some families need and others not so much. They offer “Strategies, Services and Resources for Overcoming Cruise/Vacation Special Needs Challenges”.
- Excursion reviews to the ports of call written by special needs families.
- They will connect you with other special needs parents who have cruised.
- PECS, social story, child name tags.

 

[Lisa Garcia]

Ok Thanks!! I did fill out my transfer (but I did tell them I would like to stick with my TA) but filling out the paperwork is part of the process. Thanks for the info! I think Ill take any ideas on strategies and I would love to talk to other parents who have traveled!

 

[kathleendsm]

This is great information. We're actually taking a Royal Caribbean cruise in March that AotS will be on. My son is not autistic, but he does have developmental delays, and I was wondering whether it was worth contacting them and seeing what their services are. However, I was put off by the fact that we were way outside their window for transfer. Is it still worth getting in touch with them?

 

[Lisa Garcia]

This is great information. We're actually taking a Royal Caribbean cruise in March that AotS will be on. My son is not autistic, but he does have developmental delays, and I was wondering whether it was worth contacting them and seeing what their services are. However, I was put off by the fact that we were way outside their window for transfer. Is it still worth getting in touch with them?

I would still call them and see what your options are. Im on a cruise that they are not staffed on and they said they can still setup some things for me. Im talking with them and Disney Special services. Im new to their process, but if you do call please share what they said!

 

[AutismCruiser]

This is great information. We're actually taking a Royal Caribbean cruise in March that AotS will be on. My son is not autistic, but he does have developmental delays, and I was wondering whether it was worth contacting them and seeing what their services are. However, I was put off by the fact that we were way outside their window for transfer. Is it still worth getting in touch with them?

Hi Kathleen,

It is the cruise line window policy for transferring, not AotS. And yes, i would definitely call them and they will get you included in their group one way or another.

 

[DisneyOma]

Hello,

Some clarification on Autism on the Seas “Cruise Assistance Package” services:

Private Muster Drill
On Disney Cruise Line (DCL), this means the exception to remain in your cabin during the drill. DCL will not commit to this pre-cruise, but the accommodation will be made once onboard.

Private Muster Drill - when do they practice the drill then? After the original one? If they don't even practice it, that's downright scary - and probably illegal, IMO. Having worked on boats, and my husband having worked on ships, I know it is imperative for all passengers to know the safety procedures. How does this get handled on a cruise ship?

 

[AutismCruiser]

Private Muster Drill - when do they practice the drill then? After the original one? If they don't even practice it, that's downright scary - and probably illegal, IMO. Having worked on boats, and my husband having worked on ships, I know it is imperative for all passengers to know the safety procedures. How does this get handled on a cruise ship?

There is provision for this, as there are always some guests on each sailing who miss the drill for one reason or another. For guests staying in their cabin, they can still hear the announcements, and in some cases watch it on their cabin tv, and sometimes the families are instructed to visit their muster station at some other time that day. In other instances, they ask the family, or someone from the family to go to a muster drill meeting (usually on day 2), which is a repeat of the drill but in a separate venue.

 

[DisneyOma]

There is provision for this, as there are always some guests on each sailing who miss the drill for one reason or another. For guests staying in their cabin, they can still hear the announcements, and in some cases watch it on their cabin tv, and sometimes the families are instructed to visit their muster station at some other time that day. In other instances, they ask the family, or someone from the family to go to a muster drill meeting (usually on day 2), which is a repeat of the drill but in a separate venue.

As long as every adult member knows what to do, it should be safe - but I would hope one family member (and more if possible) would do the actual muster so that someone has the experience of what the decks would be like when crowded, etc. Hearing about it and actually doing it are so different. It's kind of like the spiel they do on the airplanes - pretty useless unless people actually get a runthrough so they know what it is like.

 

[blondietink]

Our experience with DCL was less than stellar with their accommodations. My son was too old to use the kids clubs and used a wheelchair. We had to muster with the masses. Assistance getting on and off at the ports was non-existent. We did get an accessible table for dinner, but could never find an accessible table on the Lido deck for breakfast and lunch. We have had better accommodations on other and cheaper cruise lines. Hopefully you will have a better experience.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

One thing they will not be able to do is provide accommodations for caretakers in secured programming at the kids clubs. The youth counselors are not able to provide one-on-one care for disabled guests and where programming is secured, no adults other than youth counselors are able to attend. DCL does schedule various "open house" sessions in the kids clubs where anyone can get access, so kids who must be accompanied by adult caretakers have the opportunity to experience the clubs.