cruise with special needs child

[mommyandmore]

My family is looking at taking a cruise next Thanksgiving. We are looking at a cruise leaving from San Diego/LA so not a Disney cruise. Just wondering if anyone has experience with a child with disabilities in the kids club on a cruise? My son will have just turned six at that time. He has a host of diabilities but of biggest concern would be cerebral palsy (but can walk by himself just not long distances or stairs), legally blind (but once I show him around someplace, he can see shapes and shadows enough to get around independently) needs MINOR assistance with toileting (no functional use of left hand and poor balance so needs help with clothing and sometimes getting on or off the toilet) and developmental delays. He is in a special class at school but has been in regular day care for years and does fine, loves playing with other kids and the kids have always been understadning if not overly helpful with him. Anyways, anyone have reccomendations for a specific cruise line or advice or anything?
Thanks SO much

 

[ducklite]

I imagine they would be able to deal with the balance and vision issues, but they will probably not help with the toilet. On DCL and RCCL the child must be able to completely use the bathroom, including handwashing, without assistance. They do'nt even go into the bathroom with the child. They check to make sure there is no one inside, then send the child in and stand by the outer door, not allowing another adult in until the child comes out.

That said, they will give you a pager, and will page you to take your child to the restroom, he'll just have to alert them when he needs to go--with enough time to allow you to get there.

Also, they do take the kids out of the club from time to time for activities, but I'm sure if you speak to them they can either let you know in advance so your son can be with you doing something else during those activities, or I would also imagine that he could hold a counselors elbow as a guide while they are walking to other areas.

Anne

 

[Michigan]

I have 2 daughters with spina bifida and we love to cruise. We cruise on Princess and the kids program is great. They have beepers for the age group your child would be in and would contact you if you were needed. When you board I would go to the kids area and let the staff meet your child and explain his needs. They aren't allowed to help with bathroom needs so you would have to come back to do that. The program runs from 9-12, 2-5 & 7-10 anytime after 10 is $5.00 an hour.

 

[susieq76]

I've cruised Carnival several times with my 2 autistic/delayed sons and they've always been great. On Carnival they will change diapers so they may be more helpful with toilet issues.

Take him and have fun!

 

[gabbysmom04]

I can't comment on your specific issues but I can tell you that when we cruised in sept. They were great! When I spoke to CM on the phone prior to the trip they made me think that they would not take DS in the nursery. When we got on the ship they told us that they was no problem at all taking care of him. They were so great that the girls in the nursery are the only people who have ever watched DS 1 His own grandparents had not fed him until last week! DH and I never go anywhere with out our kids but we leave them at the nursery on the ship!

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

well our experince with DCL with Ds was not good. We explained that he needs an extra eye on him since he was nonverbal and can get a hyperactive. He needs redirection so be aware to slow down. Well about 1 hour being there we got the call to come back. When we got there he was running around you coud tell they probably let him do what he wanted and he was really hyper. So basicically the ratio for the older kids DS was 5 is about 1 adult to 35 kids. So it was crazy for DS. Our typical neice and nephew didn't like it either it is too chaotic. The ratio should be smaller.

 

[flying_babyb]

I know in reglaur daycare theres lots of rules:
1 teacher to 4 kids (age 0-2)
1 teacher to 10kids (3)
1 to 12 (4 and up)

I know it varies from area to area but its never more than 1 to 14 for 4 and ups

 

[DisneyMomforLife]

We recently had a fantastic time with DCL on the Wonder and our 16 year old son who has Down Syndrome. I met with the Kids Club employees while still at the port and they met him and assured me he would be given all of the attention that he needed and he was. He was allowed to be in with his sister who had just turned 9 and he got along great. It helped that she was able to hang out with him (he's got limited speech and communication issues) and make sure he was ok. We never had any problems and even paid a surprise visit and he was doing great. We had a lot of confidence in them. I wish you the best!!

kat

 

[PatMcDuck]

My experience with Disney Cruise and my special needs son was not great. My son was about 11 yrs old, (5 years ago) Down Syndrome, autism, and not walking well at all, due to surgery on both feet a few months earlier. Sean is non-verbal for the most part, and could not use bathroom by himself at that time. I left him in the kids club only once, for about an hour. The employees, while NICE, had no training or experience whatsoever in a special needs child. They had a concern about Sean using the computer, and him not "sharing" as required. I explained that IF he started using the computer, he might not want to easily give it up (either not understand, or just not want to make the transition) They agreed to let him use it longer if that occurred. I guess I was disappointed that they were so uncomfortable with the situation.

I also had problems walking about the ship, because Sean was in his chair, and so many doors did not have the button for me to push to make it open automatically. MANY doorways also had a lip that was hard to push the chair over (I understand WHY it's there, of course, to keep water from getting in a storm or whatever). I was often with Sean alone, so I had to ask other guests to help me all the time.

I was glad it was a 3 day (only) cruise. DH and I took turns in the evening walking around the ship alone, while the other stayed in the cabin with Sean. My 3 other kids had a blast, 2 in the teen group, and my daughter in the kids area. Kids that are more independent and verbal, and/or walking, would be able to do alot more, of course.