Royal Caribbean International has been certified ‘Autism-Friendly’ by Autism on the Seas. According the FAQ’s found on Royal Caribbean’s website, “Cruise lines are awarded for their efforts to ensure their products and services are accessible for inclusion and participation by the autism and developmental disability community”.

According to an article from Travel Weekly, “The certification requires that a cruise line make certain accommodations for autistic passengers, including special staff training. The guidelines also include providing sensory related toys, autism-friendly modification to youth activities, autism-friendly movies, priority boarding,  dietary offerings (including gluten-free and dairy-free), and several modifications to services for groups of guests with disabilities”.

“Autism on the Seas, a national organization, has been in collaboration with Royal Caribbean International since 2007 in developing cruise vacation services to accommodate adults and families living with children who have Special Needs, including, but not limited to, Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Tourette Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and all Cognitive, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.  These services quickly expanded to other cruise lines,” according Austism on the Seas’ website.

The organization can also send a staff member to accompany a family to better assist them on board and help them have the best experience possible. If the family chooses, they can decline this offer and still receive planning assistance.

Autism on the Seas also works with other cruise lines, such as Princess, Disney, Celebrity and Carnival as well as resort properties. Further information regarding certified ships and resorts can be found at AutismOnTheSeas.com and RoyalCaribbean.com.

 

Sources:

Royal Caribbean International (royalcaribbean.com)

Autism on the Seas (AutismOnTheSeas.com)

Bleiberg, Larry. USA Today. Royal Caribbean is First ‘Autism-Friendly’ Cruise Line. (2014, February 20).

Steighorst, Tom. Travel Weekly. Royal Caribbean Certified by Autism Group. (2014, February 20).