7/7 HOS with autistic adult DS

Our first time on a RC cruise, and we were blown away. I chose this sailing because DS (28) saw a TV ad for HOS and had a very affirmative response to it...he didn't say "hey, I want to sail on that ship" but he did keep saying "Harmony", which is his way of telling me he wants to do something. So I booked it, and then had to change/delay the sailing several times due to my own job situation...it felt like I had this cruise booked forever!

By the time we actually got close to the sailing DH was sick of hearing about it and told me he knew he wasn't going to like it. I knew that wasn't true, because DH loves music and entertainment, but I just told him it was too late, we were past the 90 day mark, and we were going. My mom usually travels with us, so we were four in connecting Central Park View cabins.

I booked Central View cabins because I knew DS would enjoy people watching, and I was correct, he absolutely loved sitting on the window seat. DS used to love being out and about when we cruised, but not so much anymore. He still wants to go, and he actually enjoys events such as sail away parties and the shows, if he gets past the point of leaving the room. This time he was content with people watching and a few walks around the ship, but for the majority of the trip he was in the room. The CV cabins were perfect. Next time I will book Boardwalk balconies.

I completed the special needs paperwork approximately six months out, and RC was beyond helpful. I showed my paperwork at the embarkation desk, and the clerk immediately got someone to escort us to the ship. No lines, no shoving, no being blocked by photographers and crowds. It was fabulous. Same type thing for debarkation...we were escorted off the ship, and right to a customs desk with no one else in line. Best experience ever! We were also given a table for four, early seating, my request. We did not use any of the other autism services, such as the toy rental and autism channel. In hindsight I should have at least seen what the autism channel had to offer. We did not require any diet services, as DS is on keto but he breaks for vacations and holidays. BTW, for any of you toying with trying keto, it has been a huge help for DH. We did the GFCF diet 30 months along with DS, so I am very familiar with it, and I did notice lots of GF items at the buffet. Now how many were CF also I don't know.

Food and entertainment was wonderful. DH did enjoy the cruise, said it was his favorite so far :) For reference, we've done eight DCL, and one each on Carnival, HA, and MSC. We will definitely sail RC again.

Thank you for this review! I am so glad your DS with autism enjoyed his cruise. I work with adults with autism and my fantasy is to cruise with all of them and their families someday. Maybe not a realistic fantasy unless I win the lottery, but a lovely dream nonetheless! May you and your family enjoy many more cruises in the future .

I am super interested to know about this "paperwork" to help with the boarding. This will be our 3rd RC cruise and every time I have emailed the special needs department to get information about their 'autism friendly boarding' they just tell me to tell the pier workers that 'insert my sons name' has priority boarding for special needs. The problem with that is no one really knows what that means and we get shuttled to through with everyone else and then we have a sensory meltdown. Last time we were in a full on aggressive meltdown with him trying to elope and then when we got to the check in counter he wouldn't comply for anything and trying to get checked in and get his SeaPass picture was a nightmare. Of course the picture wasn't clear enough so when they scanned it for us to get on the ship they had to stop us to get another picture - which sent him into another meltdown. The rest of the day was well ... hard!

We had the same issue with embarking. The 1st time was no problem because we literally were one of the last families to get off the ship so it was a ghost town but the last time we had LONG lines (and waiting isn't our deal, especially in large, noisy crowds). Lots of screaming, hair pulling, hitting, etc.

They claim they offers 'autism friendly check-in, boarding, and disembarking' but no one has been able to help us with this other than to tell me "just tell the pier folks you can get priority check in"

In regards to the Toy Lending Program. It was great for my littlest (who was 2 and 3 at the time we used it) it was perfect for when we went to dinner. It kept him entertained and busy but I'm not sure the toys would entertain older kiddos. I have a 14yo (LFA) who wouldnt really be interested in that option.

The autism channel didnt seem to be anything exciting - to be honest the regular kids channels seemed more suitable.

I printed out the email from special needs...that is the paperwork I was referring to. From what you've said it sounds as if we were lucky, and that the experience may be luck of the draw. Rats, I was so hoping that ours was the norm. Now I'll be stressed for next time. When we sailed with MSC they actually had a line for special needs/suite guests, so that was helpful.

I feel for you w/ the bad day following the embarkation, have had many of those myself. And it is always the whole day, never 10-15 minutes.

I am very happy to hear that your family & your autistic DS had a great cruise. My brother aged 44 & ds aged 9 both have autism and cruising is the best way to holiday with them the motion of the ocean does wonders & I can relax for once.

I have also always been very lucky with checkin. I explain to the pier staff that I have 2 with autism & they get us through in no time.

TEGL I'm sorry that you had issues with meltdowns.

Autism makes life hard at times

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