Going on Cruise- Need Advice

[Autism Mom]

I have a 5 year old son, has chromosome abnormality and is autistic, so he can not talk and really can not communicate much with us. We have gone on two 4 day cruises with him, last one Oct of 2014, and he did great. We now have a 7 day booked for January this time and would be flying too. I am getting nervous. It is getting harder for him to sit for long meals. Have any of you took your children on long cruises and been okay? And what about the long dinner settings? Not to mention he has not flown since he was a baby because we have been worried about it.

Sorry for long post. I really just was was hoping I could talk to someone about this because I am already worried. Thanks

 

[Allison]

You might check out the disabilities board. There are people there who have experience with many different experiences involving their children.

 

[Marthasor]

My DS7 has autism and really did not communicate verbally until he was about 5 1/2 and even then it was very difficult for him to express himself. He has been on a few Disney cruises including 2 long European ones. He has gotten more patient and more communicative through the years, but the early years were hard! My advice, pick the early seating, ask for a private table (if you think that will help - that helped us) and tell your servers that it would be helpful to get his drinks and meals quickly. The servers on the DCL cruises are amazing. By the second night, they knew what my DS wanted to drink and what appetizer he would want (it was the same every night!) and they would have it ready for him when he sat down. They are very used to getting kids meals out fast. If you all need your meals more quickly, speak to your server and let them know. They will accommodate. I have experienced nothing but exceptional, friendly, helpful servers on DCL cruises! If sitting in the dining room gets to be too much, you can also take him to the buffet restaurant or even get room service to break up the main dining room evenings.

As far as flying, I would highly suggest calling your airline and speaking to them about your son and what accommodations they might be able to provide if you feel you need them to make your flight easier. We fly Jetblue as much as we can because they are so amazingly disability friendly. They provide early boarding for our DS and even have disability seats set aside (toward the front of the aircraft) which makes the getting-on/getting-off phase of the trip a bit smoother.

I hope you have a great trip!

 

[Autism Mom]

You might check out the disabilities board. There are people there who have experience with many different experiences involving their children.

Ugh, sorry! I thought I posted on that board! Lol

 

[chris31997]

You can always ask for his dinner fast. When he is done take him to the kid's club. On our last cruise, the servers had sitting(by the second night) for my niece and son a bowl of baby spinach and 2 cups of sprite. Another thing to remember this is a cruise. IF this is a Disney cruise, there will be things to distract him and point out to him.

A friend just went on their first cruise with their son who is autistic. They always carry video or gaming devices with them but they did not need those on the cruise.