FAQs
... Can't find the answers to your questions?
Adults with Special Needs
Can adults with special needs go on these cruises?
Yes, to learn more please visit our What's Included page.
Booking - Who can go on these cruises? How do I book?
Autism ONLY? Can guests with disabilities other than autism go on these cruises?
Yes, absolutely. Our professional staff has experience in managing guests with any developmental and physical disabilities.
Can I reserve a cruise through another travel agent?
Yes you can. Just ensure your travel agent is registered with Autism on the Seas, AND that you receive an Invoice and Welcome Letter from Autism on the Seas to ensure you are included in the Autism on the Seas Services for your cruise.
Can I reserve a cruise direct with the Cruise Line?
Yes you can. BUT IF YOU reserve a cabin direct with the Cruise Line, etc., you will be EXCLUDED from all of the Autism on the Seas services, including Respite with the AotS Staff. If you did reserve a cruise direct with the cruise line Transfer your Reservation to us.
Can I use my Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor (or other Cruise Line Past Passenger #'s) numbers on this cruise?
Yes you can use your Past Passenger Cruise Line numbers to get credit and any other benefits from the Cruise Line, on all AotS cruises. Simply provide us with your numbers when you book.
Can we book this cruise even if no one has autism in our immediate family or in the same cabin on the cruise?
Yes, everyone is welcome to join us, and there are no restrictions or special criteria to book any of our cruises!!!
Cruises are open to all Extended Family and Friends
Extended family and friends can book directly with us, and they also receive all of the same benefits and services, including:
- Expedited/priority boarding
- Private muster drill
- Dinner seating
- Private venue sessions
- Reserved show seating
- Siblings and child friends can attend our respite sessions
.. ect, ect
To book with us:
- Call Us, or
- Fill out our Booking Form or Quote Form
- And just let us know which family you are with
Already Booked?:
- You can transfer your booking to us.
Concerns, Issues, Fears...
Eloping - I am afraid since my child elopes a lot
Portable Door alarms can be used on cabin doors and cabin balcony doors. Many balcony cabin doors have double locks.
We ask each parent to complete a questionnaire prior to sailing on each guest travelling with special needs to prep our staff so they have the traits necessary to take appropriate precautions.
During our respite sessions, we have each exit door alarmed, and have staff specially assigned to monitor all doors.
When our staff are transitioning or walking a guest for any reason, we have a strict policy of 2 staff members per guest.
During our staff assisted pool sessions, our staff are positioned to help secure the perimeter of the pool area, and the walls to pool decks are enclosed floor to ceiling with glass walls.
STILL CONCERNED? You can speak or email with one of our professional Staff Members who have cruised with and continues to assist families on vacation? Contact Us
I'm afraid my child will jump over board
The reality is, that 95% of your time onboard a ship, will be in areas (mostly in-doors) where there is NO opportunity for your child to jump or climb.
Your children will be so engaged in activities that most of their time onboard, they will not even realize or remember that they are on a ship, and subsequently the idea of a railing to climb over or the sea to jump into will not exist. Furthermore, most all of the activities that they will participate in, take place indoors, in secure areas with supervision.
Even when you are on the Pool Deck there are Glass Walls at the edge surrounding each Pool Deck.
When you walk on the outside decks, above the Pool Deck, there are railings, and you never have to even use these decks unless you choose to.There are numerous other ways to get to all of the areas of the ship indoors.
STILL CONCERNED? You can speak or email with one of our professional Staff Members who have cruised with and continues to assist families on vacation: Contact Us
My child LOVES the water, I am afraid he will be drawn to the ocean
This is, and has been a very common concern for many families cruising with us. Many families cruising with their child for the first time board the ship with this fear, and then by the end of the cruise that fear has greatly diminished.
Cruise ships are just like a small city. They are best described as a large resort hotel with a mall inside of it. Some ships can have as many as 8000 people onboard (inclusive of 2000 crew members). Once you are onboard, most of your time will be spent inside, where you cannot even see the ocean, and children quickly forget, or very seldom realize they are on a "boat".
Don't take our word for it, take the words from our past guests, families who had concerns just like you do, who now cruise every year. We can connect you with these parents through our Parent Connect Pool as part of our Community Network of Services & Resources.
STILL CONCERNED? You can speak or email with one of our professional Staff Members who have cruised with and continues to assist families on vacation? Contact Us
Cost / Financial Assistance
How much do the cruises cost?
See here: https://autismontheseas.com/schedule-of-cruises
Is there Finaincial Assistance?
Dietary & Food
Food Allergies and Special Diets
All cruise lines will accommodate most food allergies in at least one of its restaurants, including nut allergies and gluten allergies and diets. If you or your child has a food allergy and you are concerned if the cruise line will accommodate it, please contact us for specific information. Cruise Lines also aid in accommodating many special diet requests, including specific brand food items.
Can I bring preferred food / snacks? – You can bring any non-perishable item with you as long as it is unopened and in the original packaging.
Is there refrigeration for medications? – Most cabins have cooling fridges, and you can request an in-cabin refrigerator for medications.
See What's Included for more information
Passport (not req) / Identification
What Travel Documents and identification do I need?
Passports are not required on most of our Cruises. Please visit our Passport page for more information on the identifiaction you will need.
Click here to find out WHERE to get your Passport
Click here to find out HOW to get your Passport
Family Legal Documents
Should the last names of the parent and minor child traveling with them differ, the parent is required to present the child's valid passport and visa (if required) and the child's birth certificate (original, a notarized copy or a certified copy). The name of the parent(s) and the child must be linked through legal documentation.
Different Surnames (Last Names):
If a woman has several surnames on different documents such as birth certificate and drivers license, then she must bridge the difference with other documents, such as, marriage license and/or divorce papers. The additional bridging documents must be the original or a certified or notarized copy.
Adults who are not the parent or Legal Guardian of any minor child traveling with them are required to present the child's valid passport and visa or the child's birth certificate (original, a notarized copy or a certified copy) and an original notarized letter signed by at least one of the child's parents. The notarized letter from the child's parent must authorize the traveling adult to take the child on the specific cruise, must authorize guardian to sign legal documentation/waivers for participation in any activities requiring them (i.e. Rock Climbing, Flowrider, Bungee Trampoline, Inline Skating, or Ice Skating) and must authorize the traveling adult to supervise the child and permit any medical treatment that must be administered to the child. If a non-parent
adult is a Legal Guardian, the adult must present a certified certificate of Guardianship with respect to the child.
Special Needs Accommodations
Can an individual with autism participate in activities if he or she is not potty trained?
Yes, to learn more please visit our What's Included page.
Do the ships cater to special Dietary and other Special needs?
Yes. The cruise lines we use for our Cruises make every effort to accommodate our guests' dietary and disability requirements whenever possible. They can accommodate special needs such as, Food Allergies, Gluten-free, Vegetarian (except for vegan/macrobiotic), Low-fat, Low-Sodium, lactose-free/Soy Milk, Ensure, and Kosher meals at no extra charge. Your choices and dietary needs will be collected after you book your cruise.
Please visit our What's Includedpage to learn more.
How will my child with autism be grouped in the Youth Program?
The cruise line children programs, will allow our families to choose which group their child with autism can attend. The regular rules, which we have exception to, requires children to be grouped by their age. Our children with special needs will be put into the most appropriate group based on their ability. Parents will have the opportunity to visit each Group and meet privately with the Cruise Line Youth Staff to decide which group is the most suitable for their child. Beepers/phones will be issued to parents to allow the children's staff 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.
PLEASE NOTE: On our Cruises with Staff, you will have the opportunity to use the Cruise Line Youth Programs at time they are open, and during specified times our Staff are in these facilities to care for them.
