Tourism & Technology Thursday

The cruise ship industry is often maligned for various reasons but in this instance Carnival Cruises needs to be praised.  Canival Cruises working in conjunction with a travel company called Autism on the Seas will launch on March 11th a cruise which includes 26 children and adults with special needs that will depart from Galveston, TX and travel to Key West, FL and Freeport and Nassau, Bahamas on an 8-day sojourn aboard the new Carnival Magic.  The best part of this is that the prices are 'comparable' to a regular cruise.

What makes this cruise so special, here is a list of some of the accomodations being made for children with special needs:

Dining

- Special Dietary Accommodations
- Private Dining Room/Area for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- SAME Dining Wait Staff for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Early Dinner Seating with group (Early Dining)
- Exemption for Dinner Dress Code

Expedited/Private Cruise Accommodations

- Priority Boarding onto Ship
- Priority Disembarkation from Ship
- Private Muster Drill Area
- Group Seating for shows

Staff

- "Autism on the Seas" experienced cruise staff
- Professional Medical Physicians and Nurses
- College degreed Cruise Line Children Counselors

As a parent of a child with Autism, I am happy to know that options such as this one exists for our family.   It is often difficult for families such as ours to find suitable travel choices. Once again, thanks for Autism on the Seas and Carnival Cruises for being accommodating and demonstrating the true meaning of hospitality.