Jamie Grover Moderator Director Group Development member is offline
Joined: Nov 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 46 Karma: 5
Re: Can this work for my son? « Result #3 on Dec 12, 2009, 5:55pm »
Alan,
Eloquently put & thank you! You’re correct about Mike Sobbell too… Our families don’t get to see the behind the scenes things that put our cruises together, Mike is always in the fight to bring our guest the best rates and making sure that every one of the needs of our families are taken care of months prior to sailing. Without Mike as my partner in crime, I could not do what I do onboard for the families we serve. It’s nice to hear you acknowledge Mike and give him the recognition he deserves. With that being said… this post will self destruct in 10 seconds!
Take care and Happy & Healthy Holidays! Jamie
« Last Edit: Dec 12, 2009, 5:56pm by Jamie Grover »
Joined: Nov 2008 Gender: Female Posts: 67 Location: Fort Myers, FL Karma: 1
Re: Feb 2010 cruise who is going « Result #4 on Dec 11, 2009, 8:36pm »
We just got back from a cruise and you will have a blast. I wish I would have realized earlier that this cruise is during a school break. I so wish we could book (just wish tax returns came sooner) Have fun!!
Cruises: Aug 2010 - Grandeur of the Seas - CocoCay, Cozumel & Key West Aug 09 - Mariner of the Seas - Mexican Riveria Jan 09 - Grandeur of the Seas - Cozumel Nov 08 - Enchantment of the Seas - Grand Cayman & Cozumel
Re: Feb 2010 cruise who is going « Result #5 on Dec 10, 2009, 9:05pm »
Yay!!!!!! This cruise is the next one coming up and we are getting so excited. As I said my name is Katherine my husband Robert my 11 year old son with autism Jonathan and our little princess Sarah who will be 18 months old will be going on this cruise. Wondering who else will be going on this cruise too.
Re: Can this work for my son? « Result #7 on Dec 6, 2009, 11:02pm »
Ken,
Jamie and Heather have done an excellent job of answering your questions.
I just want you to know that you will be surrounded by people that understand your son and what your family goes through. In this life we've been given, we all endure some moments that test our patience and bring tremendous stress. I think it helps tremendously to bond with people in your same predicament because you don't feel as isolated by the effects of your sons condition on your family life.
The people in our support group are a part of our family now because they understand us better than our own family does. If your family makes even one connection on this trip, it will be worth it.
I can tell you that I feel like Mike Sobbell is my friend now. He does not get enough credit for what he is doing for our community. He doesn't have skin in the game but he took the time to find Jamie Grover and together they created a program that fills a need for our community.
As far as your son goes, I can't tell you what your experience will be like. Jamie will confirm that my son because of his size, strength and the severity of his condition is a formidable challenge as well. The nice thing on a cruise is that your if your son melts down, you can return to the cabin. The bottom line for us is he's going to have his bad moments regardless of whether we are at home or on the cruise ship. We just make sure we try not to get him to overstimulated. The bottomline is we have been on 5 cruises and never regretted going once.
Try the pool later around 9pm. There usually isn't anyone in the pool at that time. That's when I like to take my son. My wife goes to the shows with family or friends and Kevin and I get our bonding time.
Jamie Grover Moderator Director Group Development member is offline
Joined: Nov 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 46 Karma: 5
Re: Can this work for my son? « Result #8 on Dec 1, 2009, 8:05pm »
Ken,
All your fears are those I most often hear from first time cruisers with a child on the spectrum. I'm sure I can help to ease your mind but need additional information from you to give you accurate information. Our services varies somewhat depending on the class of the ship and whether you are cruising on Royal Caribbean or Disney. Do you have a specific cruise you are most interested in doing with us in 2010? Knowing this information will allow me to accurately help you put some of your fears to rest. Feel free to email me directly at: jgrover@alunmnicruises.org
You should also check us out on Youtube and on our Facebook page.
Joined: Nov 2008 Gender: Female Posts: 67 Location: Fort Myers, FL Karma: 1
Re: Can this work for my son? « Result #9 on Nov 29, 2009, 10:31am »
Hi Ken! It sounds like you could really use a vacation. I can tell you from my experience as a single parent. I was scared to death to go and almost canceled our cruise, but we are so glad I did not.
1. My son is a runner and will sit at times and then once you relax, run off. I was so glad we had a private dinning room just for families traveling with autism on the seas. My son could wonder around the dinning room, sit in the window, or even on the floor and no one cared. When we went to the private activities a staff member watched the door to make sure no one bolted out. We also had pool time as a group so families and staff were there together to make it enjoyable for all. They also have respite time on the cruise so that they will have your son while you can go relax. 2. On the cruise they get worn out so they sleep well. I always get an inside cabin (no windows and it is dark) so that my son does not know when the son comes up and he sleeps in. My son never sleeps as well as he does on the cruise. 3. I think the pool time together would work well. Also my son and I love the hot tubs which our big enough to have fun in, but small enough that it can be more private. 4. For this I suggest a door alarm. They sell portable ones that go over the door knob just in case. You can also put luggage in front of the door at night as an extra obstacle. 5. How old is your daughter? On the cruises she could attend the kids program which many kids love. My son even spends some time there. She would also be able to do all the group activities and might make some friends. They also have private in room babysitting available if you and your wife wanted some time to go out together at night (gourmet dinner, dancing, drinks, etc)
I am so glad we went on our cruise and have done more since then. Every time I am nervous, but always glad we went.
Cruises: Aug 2010 - Grandeur of the Seas - CocoCay, Cozumel & Key West Aug 09 - Mariner of the Seas - Mexican Riveria Jan 09 - Grandeur of the Seas - Cozumel Nov 08 - Enchantment of the Seas - Grand Cayman & Cozumel
Can this work for my son? « Result #10 on Nov 28, 2009, 8:24am »
My son is 6, severely autistic (though mostly toilet-trained) and gosh, the idea of being on a big cruise ship is daunting to say the least. We are afraid to take him to the mall because of his tendency to bolt. I can't imagine a cruise ship. So that's fear #1.
Last month we stayed at a hotel overnight just to do a little test for how a vacation might work for us (we haven't been on a vacation in years). 1. So there's the bolting thing. Our son wants to explore his environment endlessly, meaning you can't stay in one place, sit and have a meal, or relax. 2. He was so excited he had a hard time falling asleep, sleep-depriving us. 3. Things were fine for a while in the pool until he grabbed another kid - I think he wanted to climb on his back like he climbs on our backs, but it freaked the other kid out bad. 4. He kept trying to escape our room but he couldn't figure out the door lock. 5. The burden of watching falls on me, because my daughter monopolizes my wife's time and usually splits us up.
All in all, I think this would be a disaster, but I really, really want to be talked out of my fears.
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