Having completed certification with Autism on the Seas, Celebrity Cruises offers a warm and welcoming environment aboard their ships for children and adults with
autism and other developmental and intellectual disabilities.
So, What Does That Mean?
Qualified Staff
Guests can relax with the knowledge that all Camp at Sea Youth Counsellors have a minimum of Bachelor’s Degree, and over 60% of the team hold Graduate level diplomas, making them truly qualified education professionals.
Choice & Options
Celebrity Cruises offers a variety of autism-friendly products and services for families, including:
- Sensory-friendly films and toys: Celebrity Cruises offers a selection of sensory-friendly films and toys that are designed to be calming and stimulating for autistic children.
- Dietary menu options: Celebrity Cruises offers a variety of dietary menu options, including gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options. This makes it easy to find food that your autistic child can eat and enjoy.
- Autism-friendly training for Camp at Sea staff: Celebrity Cruises staff members are trained to be understanding and accommodating of autistic children. This helps to create a safe and supportive environment for autistic children and their families.
- Priority check-in, boarding and departure
- Camp at Sea flexible grouping by ability for children 3 to 12 years old
- Camp at Sea toilet-trained policy exception
- Pagers/phones for parents of children while signed into the care of Camp at Sea programs (subject to availability)
Developed by Autism on the Seas’ Advisory Team, autism awareness training covers the following topics: characteristics of autism and developmental disabilities, and communication tactics, such as person-first language and terms, and skills to initiate a conversation with a parent about his or her child’s needs.
Autism-friendly Films
Offered on all autism group cruises and cruises with at least five children with autism onboard. Sensory-friendly films are presented in a calm and comfortable environment, with low light and low volume, where guests will be encouraged to walk and talk freely within that safe space.
Toy-Lending Program
Celebrity Cruises has partnered with Fat Brain Toys — a brand highly regarded by therapists — to offer an exclusive autism-friendly Toy Lending Catalog. These top-rated products are included along with non-toxic art supplies, building blocks, picture books etc. Upon request, a tote bag with the toys of your selection will be provided.
Autism-Friendly Activities
Celebrity Cruises offer activities for children of all abilities. They encourage families to consult with Camp at Sea staff regarding any special needs that their children may have, in order to identify which activities are appropriate for their child and any possible modifications.
Cruising Social Story
A Social Story is a written or visual guide describing various social interactions, situations, behaviours, skills or concepts. These Social Stories help individuals with autism to better cope with social situations. Celebrity Cruises offers a Social Story Booklet about cruising to help families with autism prepare for their cruise holiday.
Features for Teens with Autism
- Expedited check-in, boarding and departure
- Special dietary accommodations including gluten-free
- Autism Friendly Toy Lending Program
- Autism Friendly Films
- Social Story Booklet
- Teen Program with teens-only hangouts and activities
Please note: Some activities will be hosted, however, Celebrity Cruises do not provide supervision or one on one attention.
Features for Adults with Autism
- Expedited check-in, boarding and departure
- Special dietary accommodations including gluten-free
- Autism Friendly Toy Lending Program
- Autism Friendly Films
- Social Story Booklet
- Cruise Activities Program
Please note: Some activities will be hosted, however, Celebrity Cruises do not provide supervision or one on one attention. (Adults cannot access the Teen or Camp at Sea spaces.)
To discuss your next Celebrity Cruises holiday, please call our Cruise Experts on 02380 658 386, or start your search online.
