Sky Princess June 17-July 1 with autistic adult

[edspec]

Short version, Princess did an excellent job making this our best cruise ever.  For an excellent live review see 

 Beautiful pictures and a lot of information on what to do in the ports.

Background:  DS is an autistic adult, and until about 5 years ago loved to travel.  We had a couple bad experiences with flights, then the Covid shutdown, and it led to him becoming very reluctant to leave the house.  I hated this because I can't stand to see his life limited any more than it already is.  Last summer we did a 7 day Panorama out of Long Beach as a re-entry.  I thought that would be the easiest way to reintroduce him to travel and it was a success.  We were able to drive to the port and Carnival did an amazing job with embarkation, MDR seating, and disembarkation.  We followed that with a RC cruise out of FLL last November and that too went well so I felt we could safely book the Norway cruise we've been wanting to do for several years.

We chose Sky Princess for this trip because the itinerary looked interesting and the ship itself looked stunning.  DS cares a lot about aesthetics so I knew he would be happier and more likely to have a good time if the ship itself was glitzy and maintained.  Unfortunately I couldn't find any first hand information on how Princess handles the autism population, only a short video which said they provide services to the nuerodiverse.  I figured it would probably be ok, Princess is under the Carnival umbrella and I assumed they couldn't be that different so I went ahead with the booking.

I immediately contacted special assistance and explained our needs and they were prompt with their reply.  About two weeks out they called and walked me through the embarkation process and sent me information to print and have available at the port.  We discussed travel arrangements and transfers and they made sure I was comfortable and prepared.  The phone call was helpful and made me feel confident in my choices.  For this trip I booked Virgin Premium Economy which I would do again as it was non-stop from SFO, the seats were comfortable, and the flight left at 5:00 p.m. so it worked well for sleeping.  I booked an airport hotel because I wasn't sure how DS would be after the flight and I didn't want him to have to get in a bus or train just to get to the hotel.  I booked the Hilton Garden Inn at Heathrow terminals 2 and 3, see review and how to walk to the hotel here, https://youtu.be/-CQAjbGR-Xs

If you choose to do this be careful, there are two Hilton Garden Inns in the vicinity of terminal 3, but the other one is not actually at the airport, you have to take the tube or a bus.  I found this out when I was doing a last minute check of arrangements and had to cancel one booking and book at the correct Garden Inn, but I wasn't able to get connecting rooms at short notice so that wasn't ideal.  Given DS's euphoria during this trip I could have gone ahead and booked a London or Southhampton hotel which is what I'll do next time.  The location did make it easy the next morning though as all we had to do was walk back to terminal 3 arrivals to meet our Princess transfers.  I would highly recommend Princess transfers in this situation.  Yes, they were expensive but when I'm with DS there is enough to be nervous about, I don't want to add looking for the right bus/train, buying tickets, etc...  I'm on the QM2 in September and for that trip I'll be taking the $7 bus from Heathrow to Southhampton 🙂

There was A LOT of traffic the next morning, I think it took 2.5-3 hours to get to the port.  Once we arrived it was the smoothest embarkation ever.  I walked over to special assistance, they checked our names off of a list, we sat down for maybe two minutes and then were escorted through security and onto the ship.  I know the medallions aren't popular with everyone but we loved them!  So easy getting on and off the ship, opening the doors, etc..

We had connecting mini-suites for this trip because normally we spend quite a bit of time in the rooms and I like to be comfortable.  We always book two cabins because we like our privacy and also I don't want DS sleeping on a sofa bed.  He is 6'3" and deserves a comfortable bed.  We probably could have done deluxe balconies on this trip since DS loved being out and about but I didn't know that when I booked.

All the ports were beautiful and walkable and DS got off for each one.  This was a huge step forward for him and it was wonderful seeing him enjoy himself.  Had I known I would have done more research and booked more excursions but that is for next time, as both DH and I said we will definitely do this cruise again.  This time we did the North Cape excursion and then a visit to Stonehenge as part of the return transfer, both were fine.

Entertainment and activities were excellent, I had several instances of having 2-3 different things I wanted to attend which was great. DS loved sitting in the Piazza and watching the dance lessons, musicians, and games.

Food was fine, DS got hot dogs and soft serve each day for lunch.  The girl at the soft serve stand was extremely pleasant and I felt safe having DS go up by himself to order.  She was very patient with him and it was a developmental step up for him.  We were assigned a great table in the MDR and our wait staff was professional and kind, we were out of there w/in an hour or hour and a quarter each night.

We had the very best room steward we've ever had, the rooms were serviced within a couple minutes of us stepping out the door.  This is important to us as neither DS or I can stand mess.  One of my pet peeves on other lines is being out for hours and coming back to an unmade bed.  I realize that staff has been cut on almost all lines and that they're doing the best they can but the prompt service on this one added a lot to our vacation.

Love that Princess provides drink service in the buffet, it made it much easier with DS.

We've cruised DCL. HA, Carnival, RC, NCL, and MSC and enjoyed them all but I think Princess is our go to line for future cruises...well, except for our next family cruise in November.  DS made the request during our RC cruise that he wanted to sail on the Disney Fantasy again so we've booked that.  I don't see him wanting to repeat that though.

If you have any questions let me know and I'll do my best to help.

Edited July 10, 2023 by edspec
Addition of link

[Jeter02]

I'm so glad you and the whole family had such a wonderful time! It was indeed probably one of my favorite cruises I've done all around. We did have some fantastic entertainment that cruise. I agree with your DS, swirls is definitely mighty tasty 😉

[Teechur]

Great review! Thanks for posting it!😺

[paradiselivin1]

So happy to hear about your wonderful experience on that cruise. We're doing it next summer and followed Jeter02 every step of the way. It sounds like Princess really stepped-up to make this a comfortable cruise for your DS and that it may encourage him to continue on with his journeys. Congrats for being willing to take the step (and chance) of taking this wonderful journey together!

[MJU]

Such a great positive review.  I am cruising next year with my special granddaughter.  I did not know there was a special assistance department and I would like to contact them too.  I could not find a link on line.  Can someone please provide information on how to contact them.   

[edspec]

@MJU I used accessofficeprincess@princesscruises.com

I would email them as soon as possible with the accommodations your granddaughter will need.  Two things I wish I'd done 1. get the medallion on the wrist or bracelet holder.  DS is very good about wearing his medallion 99% of the time but a couple of times he stepped out into the hallway w/o it and got locked out.  He wouldn't have done that had he been wearing it on his wrist.  2. I should have put something on the door to clearly indicate his cabin to him.  He didn't leave the cabin w/o us but I would have liked him to have a little more autonomy.  Next time 🙂

[Lady Meer]

What a lovely review. It’s so refreshing to read a review so positive. May the travel gods continue to shine on you and your family.

[MJU]

Thank you edspec for the email address.  Good idea about marking the door - will probably use picture of her support dog and will get a medallion holder that fits on her Apple Watch as she wears it all the time.Hopefully dining room staff will be helpful as she is very sensitive to food textures.

[curlybelle2]

Thank you for your post. We can relate to your situation. We too have an autistic adult son.  He has done 9 cruises with us. He loves cruising and does a great job. But with his autism we never know how he will react or what will be too much stimulation for him.

We have been very happy with Princess. All of the crew have always been kind and helpful. Since we know the brand and DS is familiar with Princess, we stay with the Princess line. 

Thanks again for your informative review, and here's to many happy years of cruising for your family! 

 

Kaye

[pikwe012]

On 7/10/2023 at 9:49 AM, edspec said:

If you have any questions let me know and I'll do my best to help.

Hello edspec,

  Thank you for that great review. We too have a tall autistic adult son who is coming with us on his first cruise over Christmas this year. My question is that we have separate reservations as two separate cabins (booked by TA) and I need to get him on my Medallion app (dont I ?) for dining and payment etc. Only my husband and I are showing up on the app so how do I handle that? Will he need to carry his own iPhone and have the Medallion app on it? Also I want any purchases he makes on my credit card. Will I be able to put him and my husband on the one card?

Thank you.

[pikwe012]

36 minutes ago, curlybelle2 said:

We too have an autistic adult son. 

Thanks for input. Glad we booked Princess. How do we notify Princess that our adult son is special needs

(autistic).

Thank you

[curlybelle2]

1 hour ago, pikwe012 said:

Thanks for input. Glad we booked Princess. How do we notify Princess that our adult son is special needs

(autistic).

Thank you

It has been a while since we notified Princess. I think I just called them and asked to speak to someone that can help with disabilities. I can't remember for sure. But this is an email you could try. accessofficeprincess@princesscruises.com If they can't offer assistance, they should be able to direct you to the right person. 

 

kaye. 

[pikwe012]

7 minutes ago, curlybelle2 said:

has been a while since we notified Princess. I think I just called them and asked to speak to someone that can help with disabilities. I can't remember for sure. But this is an email you could try. accessofficeprincess@princesscruises.com If they can't offer assistance, they should be able to direct you to the right person. 

 

Thank you!

[edspec]

Hello @pikwe012,

I put the medallion app on his ipad for check-in purposes, and used my credit card on his app for the payment.  I added him to DH's and my dining and it worked perfectly.  Once you've added him to one dinner or activity he will come up as an option for the remainder, and you can track him if necessary 🙂 Actually DH and I only had to use that feature for each other.

[edspec]

Thank-you @curlybelle2!

[pikwe012]

1 minute ago, edspec said:

I put the medallion app on his ipad for check-in purposes, and used my credit card on his app for the payment.  I added him to DH's and my dining and it worked perfectly.  Once you've added him to one dinner or activity he will come up as an option for the remainder, and you can track him if necessary 🙂 Actually DH and I only had to use that feature for each other.

Thank you very much edspec! I may have another question later.

[Scougs]

I was sitting at the back of the bus behind you for the Stonehenge trip!  Glad you had a good time.

[CTGirl]

Did you dine in the aft dining room on deck 6. We sat to the left as you come in the two tops. My back was to the walkway but I believe it was your son I would hear when he came in. He sounded exactly like my adult autistic nephew. When I finally saw the person he even had the same gait as my nephew. We are going to be on the Regal in November for a family cruise. It will be the first time my nephew will be on Princesses. My brother normally cruises RC and my nephew loves it. I am very encouraged by your comments. Thank you so much. 

[edspec]

@CTGirl Yes, that was us 🙂 DS likes RC as well, especially the boardwalk view rooms on the Oasis class. 

[SenatorsFan]

Thanks for sharing your cruise review with us. I'm happy to hear that everything worked out and  everyone had a good cruise! 🙂