How to Enjoy Holiday Cruises with Autistic Children
There is something so beautiful and exciting about embarking on holiday cruises. For several days and nights, you get to sail across the ocean, enjoying the salty air and the warm sunlight. At night, you get to gaze upon the expansive night sky and marvel at the moon and the stars as they cast lovely reflections on the water. Getting to visit different ports in different countries is perhaps the best part about these holiday cruises. You get to witness different sights, experience different cultures, meet interesting people, and sample different cuisines. Almost everyone dreams to be taken away on a fabulous holiday cruise. Unfortunately, for parents of autistic children, going on their dream holiday cruises is almost next to impossible.
It can be very challenging to take an autistic child on a cruise. The noises, the presence of too many people around, and basically the hustle and bustle that goes on in a ship can be too much for an autistic child to bear. This can result in meltdowns that can be very difficult to put under control. However, with careful planning and preparation, it is possible to take your autistic child to a cruise and not have to deal with too much stress and drama. The secret is to prepare your child for such an environment. If the port is relatively near from where you live, you can start taking trips to the port and acquaint your child with the surroundings. Get him or her familiar with boats and oceans so that his fear and anxiety of such things gradually decrease. Additionally, you can show your kid brochures and videos of holiday cruises. You can also work with your child’s therapist to help him or her become emotionally and psychologically prepared for the trip.
When planning your cruise, pick those months where you know there will not be so many travellers on board. In other words, avoid booking for the summer and major holidays. The lesser the crowds on the ship, the better it will be for your child. It is also advisable to check with the cruise company if they offer special services for autistic passengers. Some might be able to provide you with an autism card that you can flash at the crew and the passengers in case anyone should ever wonder why your child behaves so strangely. You can also bring caps or shirts for your child that bear the message “I have autism.” The cruise liner might also be able to give you your own table at the dining hall so that your child’s behaviour will not attract unwanted attention from other guests. When picking a room, choose a cabin that is far from elevators, stairways, and other places in the boat that are high traffic. Ask for one that is situated at the end of a quiet hallway. Indeed, with careful preparation on your part and by keeping an open line of communication with the cruise liner’s staff, going on holiday cruises can become a more pleasant and enjoyable experience for you and your child.