Is cruise a trusted holiday option for neurodivergent travellers?
Can cruise be a successful holiday for neurodiverse people? How can agents ensure they get it right the first time?
“Being neurodiverse means you are different, not that you need to be excluded,” says neurodiversity consultant Onyinye Udokporo when asked whether cruise can be a trusted option for neurodiverse people.
“The main reason people shy away from booking travel, cruise or otherwise, for neurodiverse people is their fear of getting it wrong.”
Yet with 15-20% of the world’s population neurodiverse (meaning they could have been diagnosed with conditions such as autism, ADHD, ADD, dyslexia or dyspraxia) and, according to Udokporo, 50% of Gen Z self-identifying as neurodiverse, it’s a market that must, and should, be catered for.
Udokporo asserts that cruise can be a great fit. “It is a structured environment – the ship’s itinerary is fixed and there are pre-planned activities, mealtimes and excursions. This can work really well for people with autism and can be comforting for lots of neurodiverse people as it reduces anxiety. For example, for people with ADHD, it takes away decision fatigue,” she explains.
Secondly, and Udokporo adds this is partly because cruising has always attracted plenty of elderly guests, cruise ships tend to be sensory-controlled environments.
“There are protected quiet spaces and different zones for activities. This provides a choice of environments. You also have your own cabin, something you would never get on an aeroplane without spending a huge amount of money. So everyone is afforded privacy.”
Thirdly, she explains, cruise offers inclusive activities and facilities, so there are lots of options for those with additional needs. Finally, the fact that you typically book a package and know what is included again takes away decision making.
WATERTIGHT PLANNING
So cruise can absolutely be a well-matched getaway for neurodiverse people but what should agents do to ensure their clients’ first sailings go without a hitch? Udokporo has plenty of tips.
“Plan ahead and ensure your communication is clear,” she says. “If you have a dyslexic client, don’t send long emails. It’s important they have all the information but maybe send an email outlining it and follow up with a phone call or video call. For autistic people who are non-verbal, provide pictures as well.”
She highlights the importance of helping your client with their environment too, saying: “There will always be things you can’t control so keep an eye out for the things you can.” Whether it is asking if the cruise line can set a preferred cabin temperature or provide noise cancelling headphones, or ensure your client can find a protected quiet space – one that won’t be invaded by people “quietly making a work call”.
Flexibility is key, she adds. “Build time into the schedule. Across the neurodiverse spectrum, having a good sense of time is a challenge.” Consider travel timings for your client and see if the cruise line can assist.
SAIL TO SUCCESS
Udokporo says that training can help agents feel more equipped to work with neurodivergent people and offers workshops that can do just this. In the meantime, however, it can be helpful to ensure you are booking with a line that has provision in place. Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line have specific programmes but Royal Caribbean particularly stands out with a long-standing Autism Friendly programme and a 50-employee strong Global Access Department that works with agents.
Ron Pettit, Royal Caribbean Group’s director of disability inclusion and ADA compliance, says: “Since we launched our Autism Friendly programme 10 years ago, we have doubled the number of autistic guests and their families sailing with us.”
“We offer an autism-friendly homepage on our website [royalcaribbean.com/autismfriendly] and a cruising social story [which is a written or visual guide to help families with autism prepare for their cruise]. This year, we plan to build on this with an Autism Friendly Cruise Planning Guide for parents and travel agents.”
Once onboard, neurodiverse guests are well catered for with trained staff, autism-friendly activities, priority check-in, boarding and departure and special dietary provisions among the services it offers.
Royal Caribbean also partners with Autism on the Seas, a US-based organisation that works internationally. It offers staff-assisted cruises that sees its professionally trained staff accompany families and support them onboard with a daily activity schedule, assistance at all three mealtimes and respite care in its own kids’ club so parents can have some time to themselves.
The agent’s view
InteleTravel’s Kathryn Freeman is a certified autism travel professional with a seven-year-old autistic son.
She says there is so much potential for cruise to suit neurodiverse people, especially sensory seekers and those with special interests such as Disney. However she warns it’s important to qualify that your client’s needs can be met onboard a ship before booking.
“The key is to work hard at understanding the client’s specific requirements and how the cruise line will cater for these. It could be avoiding queues, finding quiet spaces, room configurations, food requirements and even nappy policies onboard – this can affect kids’ club and swimming pool use, though some lines waive policies for those with additional needs,” she asserts.
Freeman advises agents to use deck plans and any available information to familiarise clients with the ship and the itinerary in advance to help them feel prepared.
She has also identified five holidays she’d choose for her autistic son.
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