Mostly cruise topics, but making memories wherever we go.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Royal Caribbean is first 'autism-friendly' cruise line
This item was written by Larry Bleiberg, former travel editor of The Dallas Morning News and Coastal Living magazine. Bleiberg is serving as Guest Editor of The Cruise Log while USA TODAY Cruise Editor Gene Sloan is away.
For an autistic child, a cruise can be a minefield.
Everything about the experience, from waiting to board to crowded spaces to loud noises, can be frightening.
Royal Caribbean moved to address those issues today when it became the first line to be certified as "autism-friendly," USA TODAY learned in an exclusive story.
The new designation, awarded by the travel organization Autism on the Seas, indicates the line will take specific measures to help its guests with autistic family members enjoy their cruise.
The award marks "a turning point in the travel and cruise industry," says Mike Sobbell, founder and president of Autism on the Seas. "This shows a cruise line is actually committed to and will provide services and an expectation will be there. Our working relationship with Royal Caribbean has been top of the line, bar none."
Other cruise companies have also worked with Autism on the Seas, which provides staff experienced and educated in caring for special needs individuals. The company participates in about 30 sailings per year, the bulk on Royal Caribbean, along with some on Princess, Disney, Celebrity and Carnival ships. Group cruises typically have about a dozen families with an autistic child, and the organization provides a staff member for every three people with autism.
For example, Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas will offer an Autism on the Seas "Cruise with Staff" trip leaving New Orleans on March 8. For other cruises, seeAutismOnTheSeas.com.
Yet the entire Royal Caribbean line now has Bronze Level certification, which means it will provide sensory-related toys, autism-friendly modification to youth activities (where appropriate), autism-friendly movies, priority boarding and dietary offerings (including gluten-free and dairy-free).
Ron Pettit, Royal Caribbean's manager of ADA & Access Compliance, says the cruise line will work with individual guests to make sure each trip is successful. "Each and every person with autism is a little different. It's not a cookie cutter accommodation process."
One tool is a personalized story book folder called a social story that will help explain to autistic children what to expect on a cruise. It covers everything from finding the stateroom to the muster drill, which can be crowded and chaotic. This can help children adapt to the unfamiliar surroundings of a cruise.
Another addition will be autism-friendly movies, which will be offered on any trip with at least five autistic passengers. These films, based on accommodations offered by some land-based theaters, will feature family-friendly films. The lights will not be completely turned off, the sound will be lower and it will be acceptable for guests to talk or walk around during the films..
The cruise line beta-tested the films last August on Oasis of the Seas and it was well accepted, Pettit say
The line plans to reach silver level certification for each of its ships by the end of the year, which will ensure that all youth staff have received basic awareness training in autism and other developmental disabilities. There are also higher-standard gold and platinum levels.
The certification standards examine several areas, including staff training, youth programs, pre-vacation planning and services, dining and dietary, disability accommodations, guest satisfaction and feedback, and willingness to work with Autism at Sea staff.
Founded in 2006, Autism on the Seas organizes and staffs cruise and land resort vacations for families and adult guests with special needs, including autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other cognitive and intellectual developmental impairments.
The group says these trips not only offer parents and caregivers a sense of normalcy through accommodated group activities, but such trips help families recharge and reconnect with other family members that often take a backseat to a child with special needs.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Legend of the Seas, Making Memories.
Legend of the Seas! Our second Vision Class cruise! While our first was on the stretched Enchantment of the Seas, Legend feels pretty much the same, well, without the Enchantment extra.
We boarded after a few days trolling around Ft. Lauderdale looking at different areas we might want to relocate to. We like Florida, it must be the palm trees. Yeah, that's it. They have a calming effect along with the beautiful ocean views. We quickly met the Maitre D for My Time Dining and requested a table for two same time every night. And, yes, he made it happen. Prime real estate this table for two was! Along the railing center of the dining room. As a matter of fact, one couple had walked by one evening while being seated by a Maitre D and mumbled, "I see you gave my table away." (we sat here every evening but the ones when we went to Chops) The dining room was delightful. Our balcony cabin mid ship was a retreat. Aerial Acts in the Centrum were awesome. R Bar (for RETRO BAR) was an enjoyable spot to people watch...I have to comment on their crafting of a Chocolate Martini, negative. They use way too much chocolate syrup at the bottom to start and that made it so sweet it was undrinkable. I gave them my mixology recipe and we were good to go after that! The Diamond lounge was enjoyable. One evening a group of folks (well one couple from the group) came over and said they remembered us from our Enchantment cruise a year prior! Being good with faces, I recalled them all! I was impressed they remembered us from a year prior! We didn't miss a Promenade like we're accustomed to on Royal Caribbeans Voyager class ships. We had heard some negative things from a cruise a couple months before ours, but we are happy to say that we weren't missing straws. I really enjoyed this little ship!
We boarded after a few days trolling around Ft. Lauderdale looking at different areas we might want to relocate to. We like Florida, it must be the palm trees. Yeah, that's it. They have a calming effect along with the beautiful ocean views. We quickly met the Maitre D for My Time Dining and requested a table for two same time every night. And, yes, he made it happen. Prime real estate this table for two was! Along the railing center of the dining room. As a matter of fact, one couple had walked by one evening while being seated by a Maitre D and mumbled, "I see you gave my table away." (we sat here every evening but the ones when we went to Chops) The dining room was delightful. Our balcony cabin mid ship was a retreat. Aerial Acts in the Centrum were awesome. R Bar (for RETRO BAR) was an enjoyable spot to people watch...I have to comment on their crafting of a Chocolate Martini, negative. They use way too much chocolate syrup at the bottom to start and that made it so sweet it was undrinkable. I gave them my mixology recipe and we were good to go after that! The Diamond lounge was enjoyable. One evening a group of folks (well one couple from the group) came over and said they remembered us from our Enchantment cruise a year prior! Being good with faces, I recalled them all! I was impressed they remembered us from a year prior! We didn't miss a Promenade like we're accustomed to on Royal Caribbeans Voyager class ships. We had heard some negative things from a cruise a couple months before ours, but we are happy to say that we weren't missing straws. I really enjoyed this little ship!
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Friday, December 6, 2013
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Mama Mia!
Royal Caribbean Announces:
Mama Mia, Broadway show to be on board
Quantum of the Seas.
Sailing from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, NJ
Now booking!
Mama Mia, Broadway show to be on board
Quantum of the Seas.
Sailing from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, NJ
Now booking!
Monday, November 4, 2013
What Happens at the QUEST Stays at the QUEST
We're talking about a Royal Caribbean Game show.
An Adult Scavenger Hunt.
Can't say much. "What happens at Quest, STAYS at Quest" Or, ends up on a blog!
Bring your sense of humor and adventure. You might have to remove your shoes, or possibly just your laces.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)