Ladypop

Hi Tracie-Lynn thank you so much for the advice. My boys are older (13 and 18) but have never done anything like this before. We've packed their small patchwork quilts that they always have on their beds for familiarity, plus they've both had a plan of the ship to study....they're both crazy about maps, lol so this was a big hit. They each picked out a lanyard for their cards, which they've worn for the last week. They both have iPads, so we've put some familiar TV programs on there for them (complete with headphones) just in case. They're not keen on dressing up ( buttons in particular are an issue) but we've brought formal clothes just in case. If they're not up to it, we go casual. Most of the time, you'd hardly even realise there's an issue, but this the biggest change in routine they've ever had, so I wanted to cover as many bases as possible. Because I'm Aspie as well, I tend to obsess and worry about the most ridiculous non events which are never going to happen. Just as well hubby's coming along to play zookeeper.

Thanks for all the responses :D Everything we want to bring is individually sealed, so I'm thinking we'll be good. We'll probably bring more than we need, but we're doing a few shore tours, and a couple of people advised us that the local kids are very partial to sweets as well, so I'm sure any surplus will find a good home.:D

Awesome:). I had visions of me being handcuffed and bundled into a paddy wagon for possession of contraband chocolate. My kids can rest easy knowing their Freddo Frogs can enter international waters:D

I can't believe I didn't think to ask this earlier instead of 48 hours before we sail!! Are you allowed to bring packed snack items onto the ship from home, like foil sealed crackers, wrapped sweets, mini chocolate bars?? Both my boys are Aspergers and like very particular brands of things. I'm sure they'll eat plenty of the ship's food, but if they're having an off day, sometimes a 'familiar' food item will really help. Is this allowed?? We're travelling from Brisbane, Australia to Fiji and New Caledonia. Any help would be greatly appreciated.:)

It's a bit like dirt flavoured liquid novocaine. Made my lips and some other bits numb, lol. But the Fijians LOVE that you try it. Big smiles all round. It's a big deal to them, so it's polite to try it.

We're cruising in 11 days and I packed last weekend. For myself, I have about 8 variations of the same outfit, lol. Long cotton drawstring pants and a sleeveless smock type top in the same material. Very light, very cool, but covered up enough so that I don't feel uncomfortable. Plus I can wear a shirt under the top if it's cool. I have a dress for formal night and some longer length gym type shorts for on shore, since my husband and kids have booked us all in for some fairly "energetic" excursions. DH and boys (18 and 13) have a suit, cargo pants, nice shorts and shirts, and gym shorts and t shirts for on shore. We got everything we need for the four of us into two suitcases. Which the cat is guarding. Now I just have to explain to him that he's not coming with us :(

We have two different signs, depending on what kind of day/night we're dealing with, as three of us have Aspergers, lol. We're all mad LOTR fans, so one says

"SPEAK FRIEND AND ENTER" and the other one says "ONE DOES NOT SIMPLY WALK INTO MORDOR". We're hoping for minimal Mordor days, fingers crossed.

We're going cruising in November and my son's three headed dragon will be travelling with us. He's a veteran traveller of 10 years, although cruising will be a step up for him....he's normally more of a backpack and tent kinda reptile. FTR his name is Fluffy, after the three headed dog in HP (named by then 3 y o son) but we rarely refer to him by name.

Why p!ss off a dragon unnecessarily ??:D

Reading here has been really interesting, as we are planning our first cruise as a family. Myself, 18 and 13 y/o sons have Aspergers Syndrome. Hubby does not, he's the zookeeper, lol. Both my sons have very low muscle tone, which means that they can walk fine, but have issues with standing. Queuing is very hard, as they find it very difficult to maintain upright posture without movement.

I rang our cruise line (Princess) to find out about embarking/disembarking procedures and was told that we'll be able to board with w/c cruisers instead of standing and queuing. It'll be interesting to see if we get the usual comments from people who open their mouths before their brains are in gear.

There's the classic "but you look so normal" in a tone of great surprise. Hubby's general response is to inform them that he had our neck bolts removed for servicing. I love that man:D

We are going on the Sea Princess to Fiji on Nov 22 2013. It's our first cruise and a combination holiday / high school graduation present for eldest son. Youngest son is coming too, as we couldn't fit him in a port locker. :D. I wanted peace and tranquility, so the tribe of three (hubby and sons) have decided that zip lining and a beach buggy safari are the way to achieve it. :p