Staffing, Respite & Assistance

Autism on the Seas Celebrates 20 Years!  

In July 2027, Autism on the Seas will celebrate 20 years of creating accessible, unforgettable cruise vacations for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.

For one incredible month, every Autism on the Seas sailing will become part of the celebration. Guests traveling with us in July 2027 can look forward to exclusive anniversary events, commemorative merchandise, special surprises, and unique experiences designed to celebrate the families, volunteers, staff, and partners who have made the past two decades possible. 

Whether you've sailed with us before or are joining us for the first time, we invite you to celebrate this milestone with us as we honor 20 years of inclusion, connection, and unforgettable memories at sea. 

The 20 for 20 Fundraising Campaign

As part of our 20th Anniversary Celebration, we're launching the 20 for 20 Campaign with one ambitious goal: 

To gift 20 Autism on the Seas cruise vacations to families who otherwise may never have the opportunity to experience one. 

Every partnership, donation, and shared story helps bring us one step closer to making that goal a reality. 

Ways to Partner

Staff Volunteer Qualifications & Requirements

Assisted Cruises ONLY

• The AotS Staff are Professional Volunteers who have degrees relating to child development, behavior therapy, and/or special education.
• We maintain hundreds of qualified Professionals from around the country (and internationally), to ensure our cruises are staffed appropriately.
• The AotS Staff have extensive professional experience caring for children and adults of all ages with developmental disabilities.
• The AotS Staff can manage all levels of behaviors or functioning abilities of all types of developmental disabilities.
• The AotS Staff are led by our professional volunteer "Cruise Group Leaders".
• The AotS Staff clear National Background Checks and Sex Offender Checks.
• The AotS Staff successfully complete extensive criteria and interviewing process.
• The AotS Staff conforms to and integrates with all applicable Cruise Line policies.
• JOIN OUR STAFF  See the form below.

For more about AotS Staffing, Assistance & Respite please visit our What's Includedpage.

Bilingual Staff - Espanol Staff

Assisted Cruises ONLY

• Ofrecemos personal bilingüe que habla español.  Haga clic aquí para obtener más información.

Selection of Staff for each cruise  

Staff Assisted Cruises ONLY

• We select our staff (from our pre-qualified staff pool) using special needs information collected from parents/guardians to ensure we have the proper skill sets, experience and sufficient number of staff to properly care for the children, teens and adults with special needs traveling with us on each cruise.

 AotS Staff Ratio   Staff

Assisted Cruises ONLY

• The staff ratio* is 1 AotS Staff per 2 guest with special needs. 
• During our cruises, we are able to afford periodic individualized attention (1:1) to our guests as required.
• Each cruise has an AotS Staff Group Leader who manages the staff and coordinates all of the accommodated activities and services with the cruise line personnel, as well as acting as our guests' personal concierge during their vacation.
• We also offer 1:1 Staff Service (additional fee applies)

*Staff ratios may fall slightly above one AotS Staff per 2 guests with special needs some cruises.

For more about AotS Staffing, Assistance & Respite please visit our What's Included page.

Interested in joining our Staff? 

Complete the form below to obtain Staffing information and an Application.

• Minimum Personal Requirements Include: 21 years or older and may be from any country
• Minimum Educational Requirements Include: 
  • 4-year degree in a qualifying major
    or
  • Licensed Physical Therapist, Physical Therapist Assistant, Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapy Assistant or Registered Behavior Technician
    or
  • 10 years or more of experience with individuals with developmental disabilities in a professional capacity
• Minimum Experience Requirements Include: 1-year minimum experience with individuals with developmental disabilities in a professional capacity

AotS Staff positions are volunteer, and cruise fare is complimentary, on a cruise-by-cruise basis.  No commitment beyond each cruise is required.   You can volunteer on just one cruise per year, whatever your schedule will allow.

Introductory Sessions  

Staff Assisted Cruises ONLY

Parents and Staff

We hold Private Introductory Sessions between our Staff and each family at the beginning of each cruise:

• To explain the Special Needs accommodations, Respite sessions and Private activities in detail. 
• To review each child’s unique needs using the Questionnaires the parents fill out prior to their cruise as a foundation.
• To spend some time with the children to begin our relationship with them.
• To answer questions, and to address any concerns families may have.

 

Pool Time - Assistance

Staff Assisted Cruises ONLY

We provide "Pool Times" during our cruises, typically each morning (when the pools are less crowded) for 2-3 hours on Sea Days and other times as the schedule permits.  This assistance helps allow parents to enjoy the pool themselves in a more relaxing mode.  Our staff helps keep the children in the area, assists inside the pools swimming with the children, assists with the children using the Pool Slides, etc. 

NOTE: Most ships have rules prohibiting guests that are not potty trained from using the pools (Contact Us for more information and options).

   

After Hours Care by our Staff

Staff Assisted Cruises ONLY

Our staff makes themselves available for after-hours in-cabin care, on a first-come, first-serve basis.  This service is not provided as a service of "Autism on the Seas" but between you and our staff.   The AotS Volunteer staff are not permitted to charge a fee for this service, but we encourage families to tip the staff, as they are providing this service on their own time.  Please feel free to inquire to our Group Leader once onboard.  This is not a service that can be arranged prior to the cruise.

Respite Sessions*  

Staff Assisted Cruises ONLY

Respite Sessions are held throughout the cruise, while parents can enjoy adult activities.  Typical Respite Sessions:

• Sea Days - At least Two Respite Sessions ranging in duration from 1 hour to 2 hours each (typically afternoon sessions are 1.5 hours and evening sessions are 2 hours)
• Port Days - At least One Respite Session ranging in duration from 1 hour to 2 hours each (typically evening sessions are 2 hours)
• A 3-hour Respite Session is provided one day during the cruise through dinner (for parents to enjoy dinner alone)
• Children and adults (of ALL ages*) with special needs are cared for by our Autism on the Seas staff during these respite times.
• Respite Venues may include Conference Rooms and/or various Ship Venues.  In some cases, when the venues are either not available or large enough for any specific respite session, the AotS staff may accompany some guests (13 and under) in the ships Youth Program Secured rooms during respite.  Other guests may be cared for in-cabin, and/or escorted to other activities around the ship during Respite, as appropriate.
• Typically developing siblings traveling with us are free to join any of the respite sessions.  Siblings must be at least 4 years of age.

* Respite for children with a Diagnosis under 4 years of age require a 1:1 Staff dedicated to them (during respite) to ensure the safety, proper care, and well-being of all guests during respite.  Children under 4 years of age without a diagnosis are not permitted in Respite. 

             

 ***AotS Staff Care Right of Safe Condition - AotS maintains a ratio of one (1) staff for every 2 to 3 special needs guests, and AotS priority during respite (drop-off sessions) is safety for guests and staff.  AotS reserves the right to relinquish care to the parent/guardian during any AotS respite care (drop-off) session, if and when the AotS Staff determines that the staff are not able to adequately care for their child, due to any safety, or hygiene reason.

Please contact the AotS office for details.

Ship Youth Center – Child Care

In addition to our Autism on the Seas Respite Sessions (Staff Assisted Cruises ONLY), the Children's Programs onboard the ships can also offer respite time, with their own staff, where our staff is on call to them for assistance.  

Toilet Training Provisions

Note:  These guidelines are specific for Royal Caribbean International Cruises, but are very similar on Disney, Celebrity, Carnival and Club Med as well…

For individuals with special needs who are not toilet trained, please note the following:

If an individual is less than 3 years of age by the cruise date:

• Participation IS allowed in the Royal Babies and Royal Tots Programs.  This program requires parents to participate as well.
• Participation IS NOT allowed in the Children’s Program.  This program is for individuals 3 years or older.
• Participation IS allowed in the Private "Autism on the Seas" activities within the Youth Center. (Staff Assisted Cruises ONLY)

If an individual is more than 3 years of age by the cruise date:

• Participation MAY BE allowed in the Royal Babies and Royal Tots Programs if the parent feels this is the appropriate grouping for their child.  This program requires parents to participate as well. Special restrictions may apply here, please contact us if you have any questions.
• Participation IS allowed in the Children’s Program.  A consent form must be completed by a parent or guardian, and:
  • A pager, walkie-talkie or ship phone is required to allow the counselors 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.
  • Participation IS allowed in the "Autism on the Seas" Respite Sessions.(Staff Assisted Cruises ONLY)

Port Excursion - AotS Staff Assistance

Staff Assisted Cruises ONLY

• Families are free to ask our staff to join them on port excursions to assist with small groups or individual families.
• This service is not provided as a service of "Autism on the Seas" but between you and our staff. 
• This service requires the fee of the excursion to be paid for the staff member by the family or small group.
• AotS Volunteer staff are not permitted to charge a fee for this service, but we encourage families to tip the staff, as they are providing this service on their own time.
• Please feel free to inquire to our Group Leader once onboard. 
• This is not a service that can be arranged prior to the cruise.

Transition Assistance Staff Assisted Cruises ONLY

We provide Transition Assistance during the cruise.  Whenever requested (or whenever our staff observes the need), our staff will assist in transitioning your child from/to any place on the ship to events, shows, respite, meals, etc..... 24/7 throughout the entire cruise.  We also provide assistance while departing the ship on the last day.

   

1:1 Staff Member dedicated to your family

Available on Staff Assisted Cruises/Resort Stay ONLY  *additional fee applies

Scroll down for Request Form

Our regular (included) staff ratio is 1 staff member for every 2 guests with special needs.  We understand that some of our families may require, or may like to have, additional and exclusive assistance during their cruise/resort stay.  We offer the opportunity for you to request one of our AotS Staff members to be dedicated to you and your family during your vacation.     

Services

• Staff will oversee the specific care for guests during each Respite Session within the general respite venue.

• Staff can accompany your child into the cruise line youth club during our respite sessions (provided your child meets the age requirements of the youth club). *Except on Disney Cruise Line, where adults, parents and our staff are not permitted in youth clubs

• Staff will assist family exclusively during Day 1 Port Check-in/Boarding ship

• Staff will assist family exclusively during Day 1 Muster Station visit

• Staff will assist family during the Departure off the ship and through customs at the end of the cruise

• Staff will assist the guest at all Group activities and events.  A sample activity/event schedule can be sent to you (with Pricing Request Form below) to review a typical schedule, before you choose to acquire this service

• Staff will assist you and your family in a mutually agreed upon substitute activity for any AotS Activity/Event you choose not to participate in

• Staff will assist and accompany you on two Port Excursions for 7-night or longer cruises.
  Guest may choose alternate Non-AotS Group Excursions *Excursion fee for staff member applies to Non-AotS Excursions

• Staff will assist and accompany you on one Port Excursion for 6-night or shorter cruises. 
  Guest may choose an alternate Non-AotS Group Excursion *Excursion fee for staff member applies to Non-AotS Excursions

• Staff will assist and accompany you during meals (3) each day

• Staff will assist transitioning from/to any places onboard the ship, throughout the cruise as requested

• You may request more than one Staff Member

• You may request additional in-cabin After Hours Care and excursion assistance (based on staff members availability)
  
  

Sample Cruise Schedule
Not familiar with our services onboard?  Complete the Pricing Request Form below, and you will also receive a sample schedule so you can see an example of how often the servcies above are typically applied.

Connect with AotS Staff PRIOR to Cruise
Once you have accepted a staff member, the AotS office will provide contact information of the Staff member for you to connect with prior to the cruise. You may connect with the staff member to just have an introductory chat, have your child connect with the staff member if you choose, and/or stay in touch with the Staff member until the cruise.  You can even choose to replace the staff member with another staff member after you have connected.

Questions?

Please do not hesitate to Contact Us

Comparison - Bringing your Own Caregiver/Aide versus AotS Staff

Pricing and Availability - Varies by Cruise

• The availability of this service is based on the availability of our Staffing resources, but we should be able to accommodate every request.
  

• 1:1 Fee pricing increases closer to cruise, so secure your 1:1 ASAP / LOCK in the Fee / Only requires a 50% deposit (of 1:1 Fee)
  
• Discount for 1st Time Guests using AotS Services - 25% off  one (1) 1:1 Staff member
  *Discounts  apply to bookings that are owned by AotS only.  
  * More than one (1) 1:1 Staff member for same guests/family per cruise/resort stay will likely be a higher rate.
  
  
• CLICK HERE FOR PRICING

NOTE:  3-6 months advance request will help ensure staff availability.

Dedicated Staff Member (1:1) - Request FORM for Pricing/Service