The Royal Caribbean FlowRider Girl - gone viral

I wrote this story about our cruise on Freedom of the Seas on 1/17. It got quite a lot of shares, and later that day two executives from Royal Caribbean International called me directly to thank me for the story. Enjoy, it was a very special moment.

The Royal Caribbean FlowRider Girl

LEE ANNE BATTISTON·MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016583 Reads

While on Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas last week my daughter, Camille, observed people having fun on a surf simulator attraction called, “FlowRider”. She didn’t seem interested so we moved along to another activity. The next day, however, Camille declared that she wanted to surf! Once we determined that she meant that she wanted to try the FlowRider my husband, John, and I took her back up to the sports deck. We were a little hesitant, though - only because we were afraid that she would not be able to be successful in the time that they allowed each participant. But, we also did not want to say no. When we arrived we found two long lines of people waiting for their turn, along with an arena full of parents and spectators. As I signed her in, I mentioned to the attendant, whose name was Rojda, that our daughter had never done this before and that she has autism, and might need a little extra help and time. Rojda said to have her stand in line and that they would do what they could to help her. Knowing that simply standing in line is a huge challenge for Camille, I figured we were going to be turning around very quickly. However, as she stood in line, she became more and more excited, to the point that she was laughing uncontrollably and could hardly contain herself. Her joy/anxiety was very apparent to everyone in line and in the arena. During this time John ran to get Camille’s grandparents, so that they could watch in the case she actually was able to try.

Finally, when it was her turn, Rojda, appeared (as did her father and grandparents). Rojda gave Camille some verbal instructions, and John was nearby to help, but Camille simply could not get on the board. Camille was asked to step to the side and I figured her turn was over. However, Rojda talked to the other attendant and they began to reconfigure the FlowRider, removing the center divider and adjusting the flow of the water. This meant that both lines of people waiting were stopped while the adjustments were made - which took some time. Absolutely no one in line seemed to mind. Several ladies siting next to me commented on how they couldn’t believe, but were very thrilled by how hard the staff was working to help my daughter.

Everyone waiting with anticipation while adjustments are made...

Once set, they gave Camille her board back. As she attemted to lay her belly on the board over the flowing water the second attendant held her legs. Rojda got on another board and just as he let go of Camille’s legs, Rojda swooped along side Camille, firmly put her left arm around her - and they were off! Camille was “SURFING” with the biggest smile on her face. The crowd watching all began to cheer and the ladies sitting nearby were crying along with me. Camille and Rojda remained on the boards together for what seemed like a very long time until they moved to the edge and Camille gently stood up. Again - the crowd cheered even louder and with such enthusiasm, Camille ran to me and gave me the biggest hug and declared, “I’m the Winner!” Yes, Camille - you are!

During the remainder of the cruise we were stopped numerous times by passengers who told us that that moment was the highlight of their entire cruise and how thrilled they were that the Freedom of the Seas staff had taken the extra time to make one very special passenger so happy. One night after dinner we entered the elevator and the people in it declared, “Look, it’s the Flowrider Girl!”

Royal Caribbean was the first cruise line claiming to be “Autism Friendly” and the fact that staff members have the freedom to bend the rules is a testament to the crew, management and, I believe, the corporate culture of Freedom of the Seas and Royal Caribbean International.

At the end of the cruise we were sure to find Rojda - where we told her how much her actions had meant to us and we were able to properly thank her for a memory that we will always cherish.

So glad to hear that your daughter had a wonderful experience and that RCCL staff went out of their way to make it happen.

Had a similar experience on the Allure a few years ago where the Sports Deck Manager went out of her way to fulfill one of the items on my friends bucket list that he never thought would happen . Don't mean to highjack your thread but this story also supports how RCCL staff, especially the sports deck staff, go out of their to make a passengers with disabilities enjoy the features of the ship.

I cruise every year with a group that call ourselves the MSCruisers being that most of us have Multiple Sclerosis. One evening during dinner my friend who is confined to a wheelchair due to MS mentioned how it was a dream of his to ride a zip line but that that dream was over due to his condition. The next day I had scootered ( also have MS) up to watch the people going off on the zip-line, the Sports Deck Manager asked if I'd like to try it ? I politely declined as prefered to watch. In the process I told her the story about my friend and how sadden he was that that was something that was not going to be crossed off his bucket list. The Sports Deck Manager inquired about the group I was traveling with and asked that my friend get in touch with her as she'd like to assess the situation.

Gave all information to my friend at dinner that evening. He and his wife than contacted the Sports Manager. RCCL determined a way to make my friend's dream come true. It took quite a bit of planning and about 10 RCCL staff to pull it off but my friend went on the zip-line !!!

RCCL shut the line down for about an hour to get everything in place . Passengers in line were upset at first but when everyone realized what was happening all the passengers were rooting my friend on. RCCL had 5 people at that start that literally had to lift my friend up to the platform and keep him steady before sending him off. In the meantime his wife positioned his chair and service dog at the end so that it'd be ready upon the landing. RCCL had to have staff on safety lines at the end of the zip so that they could reach out to grab my friend's legs as he did not have the ability to raise his legs to land on his own. You should of seen these RCCL guys suspending out beyond the landing !!!

Passengers were all filming it. Those dining in the Windjammer all watched through the window. When the run was over everyone on the Boardwalk, Balconies , Sports Deck and anywhere insight of the zip-line all clapped and cheered. RCCL really went over and above to make this happen. He was treated by all RCCL staff and passengers the rest of the cruise like a celebrity.

Thank you both for your uplifting stories... I cried with joy at the wonderful experience that both the little girl had on the flow rider and the fellow on the zip line had... never to be forgotten....

So glad to hear that your daughter had a wonderful experience and that RCCL staff went out of their way to make it happen.

 

Had a similar experience on the Allure a few years ago where the Sports Deck Manager went out of her way to fulfill one of the items on my friends bucket list that he never thought would happen . Don't mean to highjack your thread but this story also supports how RCCL staff, especially the sports deck staff, go out of their to make a passengers with disabilities enjoy the features of the ship.

 

I cruise every year with a group that call ourselves the MSCruisers being that most of us have Multiple Sclerosis. One evening during dinner my friend who is confined to a wheelchair due to MS mentioned how it was a dream of his to ride a zip line but that that dream was over due to his condition. The next day I had scootered ( also have MS) up to watch the people going off on the zip-line, the Sports Deck Manager asked if I'd like to try it ? I politely declined as prefered to watch. In the process I told her the story about my friend and how sadden he was that that was something that was not going to be crossed off his bucket list. The Sports Deck Manager inquired about the group I was traveling with and asked that my friend get in touch with her as she'd like to assess the situation.

 

Gave all information to my friend at dinner that evening. He and his wife than contacted the Sports Manager. RCCL determined a way to make my friend's dream come true. It took quite a bit of planning and about 10 RCCL staff to pull it off but my friend went on the zip-line !!!

 

RCCL shut the line down for about an hour to get everything in place . Passengers in line were upset at first but when everyone realized what was happening all the passengers were rooting my friend on. RCCL had 5 people at that start that literally had to lift my friend up to the platform and keep him steady before sending him off. In the meantime his wife positioned his chair and service dog at the end so that it'd be ready upon the landing. RCCL had to have staff on safety lines at the end of the zip so that they could reach out to grab my friend's legs as he did not have the ability to raise his legs to land on his own. You should of seen these RCCL guys suspending out beyond the landing !!!

 

Passengers were all filming it. Those dining in the Windjammer all watched through the window. When the run was over everyone on the Boardwalk, Balconies , Sports Deck and anywhere insight of the zip-line all clapped and cheered. RCCL really went over and above to make this happen. He was treated by all RCCL staff and passengers the rest of the cruise like a celebrity.

I love this story! I also love how other people didn't mind - I think (for the most part) traveling people are kind people.

The stories bring tears to my eyes. So wonderful.

2 such wonderful stories! Like a special needs summer camp dream come true on the high seas... :)

So glad to hear that your daughter had a wonderful experience and that RCCL staff went out of their way to make it happen.

 

Had a similar experience on the Allure a few years ago where the Sports Deck Manager went out of her way to fulfill one of the items on my friends bucket list that he never thought would happen . Don't mean to highjack your thread but this story also supports how RCCL staff, especially the sports deck staff, go out of their to make a passengers with disabilities enjoy the features of the ship.

 

I cruise every year with a group that call ourselves the MSCruisers being that most of us have Multiple Sclerosis. One evening during dinner my friend who is confined to a wheelchair due to MS mentioned how it was a dream of his to ride a zip line but that that dream was over due to his condition. The next day I had scootered ( also have MS) up to watch the people going off on the zip-line, the Sports Deck Manager asked if I'd like to try it ? I politely declined as prefered to watch. In the process I told her the story about my friend and how sadden he was that that was something that was not going to be crossed off his bucket list. The Sports Deck Manager inquired about the group I was traveling with and asked that my friend get in touch with her as she'd like to assess the situation.

 

Gave all information to my friend at dinner that evening. He and his wife than contacted the Sports Manager. RCCL determined a way to make my friend's dream come true. It took quite a bit of planning and about 10 RCCL staff to pull it off but my friend went on the zip-line !!!

 

RCCL shut the line down for about an hour to get everything in place . Passengers in line were upset at first but when everyone realized what was happening all the passengers were rooting my friend on. RCCL had 5 people at that start that literally had to lift my friend up to the platform and keep him steady before sending him off. In the meantime his wife positioned his chair and service dog at the end so that it'd be ready upon the landing. RCCL had to have staff on safety lines at the end of the zip so that they could reach out to grab my friend's legs as he did not have the ability to raise his legs to land on his own. You should of seen these RCCL guys suspending out beyond the landing !!!

 

Passengers were all filming it. Those dining in the Windjammer all watched through the window. When the run was over everyone on the Boardwalk, Balconies , Sports Deck and anywhere insight of the zip-line all clapped and cheered. RCCL really went over and above to make this happen. He was treated by all RCCL staff and passengers the rest of the cruise like a celebrity.

Oh you may have just made me so happy!! We are going on the Allure next year, and my son who is in a wheelchair desperately wants to zipline.

We were on Oasis a few years back, and were told that he could go on the zipline, but needed closed toe shoes. We went back to the cabin to get them, with him beyond excited, but when we got back up to the area they had changed shifts and the new person in charge said it could not be done, that they would have to get approval from corporate and it would take to much man power. We just left with my son very disappointed. He asked me just yesterday if I thought he might be able to do it this time...

Any advice on how I might go about making this dream become reality for him?

TIA

I wrote this story about our cruise on Freedom of the Seas on 1/17. It got quite a lot of shares, and later that day two executives from Royal Caribbean International called me directly to thank me for the story. Enjoy, it was a very special moment.

 

 

 

The Royal Caribbean FlowRider Girl

LEE ANNE BATTISTON·MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016583 Reads

 

 

While on Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas last week my daughter, Camille, observed people having fun on a surf simulator attraction called, “FlowRider”. She didn’t seem interested so we moved along to another activity. The next day, however, Camille declared that she wanted to surf! Once we determined that she meant that she wanted to try the FlowRider my husband, John, and I took her back up to the sports deck. We were a little hesitant, though - only because we were afraid that she would not be able to be successful in the time that they allowed each participant. But, we also did not want to say no. When we arrived we found two long lines of people waiting for their turn, along with an arena full of parents and spectators. As I signed her in, I mentioned to the attendant, whose name was Rojda, that our daughter had never done this before and that she has autism, and might need a little extra help and time. Rojda said to have her stand in line and that they would do what they could to help her. Knowing that simply standing in line is a huge challenge for Camille, I figured we were going to be turning around very quickly. However, as she stood in line, she became more and more excited, to the point that she was laughing uncontrollably and could hardly contain herself. Her joy/anxiety was very apparent to everyone in line and in the arena. During this time John ran to get Camille’s grandparents, so that they could watch in the case she actually was able to try.

 

 

Finally, when it was her turn, Rojda, appeared (as did her father and grandparents). Rojda gave Camille some verbal instructions, and John was nearby to help, but Camille simply could not get on the board. Camille was asked to step to the side and I figured her turn was over. However, Rojda talked to the other attendant and they began to reconfigure the FlowRider, removing the center divider and adjusting the flow of the water. This meant that both lines of people waiting were stopped while the adjustments were made - which took some time. Absolutely no one in line seemed to mind. Several ladies siting next to me commented on how they couldn’t believe, but were very thrilled by how hard the staff was working to help my daughter.

 

 

Everyone waiting with anticipation while adjustments are made...

Once set, they gave Camille her board back. As she attemted to lay her belly on the board over the flowing water the second attendant held her legs. Rojda got on another board and just as he let go of Camille’s legs, Rojda swooped along side Camille, firmly put her left arm around her - and they were off! Camille was “SURFING” with the biggest smile on her face. The crowd watching all began to cheer and the ladies sitting nearby were crying along with me. Camille and Rojda remained on the boards together for what seemed like a very long time until they moved to the edge and Camille gently stood up. Again - the crowd cheered even louder and with such enthusiasm, Camille ran to me and gave me the biggest hug and declared, “I’m the Winner!” Yes, Camille - you are!

During the remainder of the cruise we were stopped numerous times by passengers who told us that that moment was the highlight of their entire cruise and how thrilled they were that the Freedom of the Seas staff had taken the extra time to make one very special passenger so happy. One night after dinner we entered the elevator and the people in it declared, “Look, it’s the Flowrider Girl!”

Royal Caribbean was the first cruise line claiming to be “Autism Friendly” and the fact that staff members have the freedom to bend the rules is a testament to the crew, management and, I believe, the corporate culture of Freedom of the Seas and Royal Caribbean International.

At the end of the cruise we were sure to find Rojda - where we told her how much her actions had meant to us and we were able to properly thank her for a memory that we will always cherish.

OMG The same thing happened with my son on Freedom many years back! My son is in a wheelchair, He has a neurological disease that effects all motor function. He is unable to walk at all. We were sitting watching people on the flowrider, and the crew asked if my son would be able to do this. We said we weren't sure, but he would love the opportunity to try. They told us to come back to the flowrider just before the closing hour and they would be ready for him. We did and several crew basically carried my son (who at the time was 16, and not small) and put him on a board and when he fell off they put him back on. This went on for a while, I'm crying right now just thinking about the smile on his face.

Everyone around cheered and cried, and I received pictures and videos in the mail from people who captured it, because I was so emotional I forgot to take pictures!LOL He was a rock star the rest of the cruise, just like your daughter. Hands down one of the best experiences of our life.

Thank you so much for sharing your story, and thank the crew on Freedom for caring enough to go the extra mile. If they only knew how much it means to families like ours.

Thank you all so much for posting these wonderful stories!

OMG The same thing happened with my son on Freedom many years back! My son is in a wheelchair, He has a neurological disease that effects all motor function. He is unable to walk at all. We were sitting watching people on the flowrider, and the crew asked if my son would be able to do this. We said we weren't sure, but he would love the opportunity to try. They told us to come back to the flowrider just before the closing hour and they would be ready for him. We did and several crew basically carried my son (who at the time was 16, and not small) and put him on a board and when he fell off they put him back on. This went on for a while, I'm crying right now just thinking about the smile on his face.

 

Everyone around cheered and cried, and I received pictures and videos in the mail from people who captured it, because I was so emotional I forgot to take pictures!LOL He was a rock star the rest of the cruise, just like your daughter. Hands down one of the best experiences of our life.

 

Thank you so much for sharing your story, and thank the crew on Freedom for caring enough to go the extra mile. If they only knew how much it means to families like ours.

This and the OP's report are AMAZING!

We haven't sailed with this cruise line, but this really makes us want to give them a try.

We would love to give our business to a company that deals with their customers with the obvious care that they do.

Thank you for sharing!