Autism On The Seas Makes Family Vacation A Reality

The wait is over! Getting onto the cruise ship is a breeze with Autism On The Seas. Words cannot express what this organization means to us. Even just knowing that they are on the cruise ship gives us a peace of mind for vacation. Thank you team orange! Day 1 is all about the sights and sounds of boarding a Royal Caribbean cruise ship! #weefam #autism #AutismOnTheSeas

[@mackenzieb2218]

“Most people double fist booze, but I double fist snacks” mood Stacey, mood 😂

[@TheWeeFamily]

😆 glad you can appreciate that!

[@heidineumann-venetianer5473]

Thank you so much for sharing this! We will be cruising with AOS this summer. (And my kiddo’s favorite song is also “shake it off”

[@TheWeeFamily]

That’s so awesome! I hope you all have a fantastic time!

[@kokorocky1]

Thanks so much for sharing

[@kavitadeva]

2 videos back to back. Yeah!! Hav'n fun. Good night guys 💕

[@nancyschrage2764]

Have a wonderful time ❤❤

[@PotatoQueen1989]

I've just been recently diagnosed with Autism and knowing that there is services out there makes me feel comfortable enough to go out and try things ♥

[@TheWeeFamily]

That makes us so happy to hear! We try to share what resources we know of to help others because there’s lots that we didn’t always know about either and they best thing is to share them!

[@PotatoQueen1989]

@@TheWeeFamily it definitely helps even knowing that there could possibly be services like that

[@williamvasquezvasquez9878]

David, I hope you and your family have great time at the cruise🙂! Thanks for bringing us along🙂! Love you all and God bless✝️🙏🏻❤️🙂🌈🛳!

[@maureenmadden5960]

Have a WONDERFUL time. Looking forward to seeing the videos and photos!!! 😄👍❤️

[@TheWeeFamily]

❤️

[@melissakitelinger7543]

All I could think of when I read the title was that song... I'm on a boat,take a good hard hard look cuz I'm sailing on a boat... Yeah yeah yeah. Love it. Looks like a good time

[@TheWeeFamily]

Hahaha yes!

[@robylove9190]

I'm looking forward to seeing all the adventures you had on the cruise. ❣️

[@lovingangel19]

I’m so glad you all had such an awesome time! Vacations are so much fun!!

[@autismparentingguide]

aww looks like lots of fun

[@lizzykate93]

Braylee did so well with how loud and crowded it was, that would cause me so much anxiety 😬

[@TheWeeFamily]

She definitely wore her headphones a lot of the time because there’s so many different and loud sounds going on. Some spaces were more crowded than others too. We did go back to our room every so often which was a good break for her too

[@aliciaallford5469]

My biggest dream/wish is to go on a cruise ship one day and apply for autism on the seas because I’m autistic myself and being on a cruise ship would be so much fun

[@subashiniharinath2514]

Wow Thanks a lot for sharing 😊 Hopefully we will be Cruising soon with our Son

[@TheWeeFamily]

♥️

[@karenhunter8095]

I've only been on one cruise but I remember that embarking process and that assistance you got was wonderful because I can remember how long that process takes. What a beautiful ship. Braylee's look of wonder at things... there was so much for her there to take in... for anyone to take in with wonder and to appreciate. Thanks for sharing it all with us.

[@TheWeeFamily]

They really helped out with streamlining the process. One of the hardest parts for Braylee is waiting in lines and so it’s super beneficial for that. Oh definitely! So much to take in for all! She did pretty well overall 🙂

[@kathleenmunoz4465]

So excited for you. Can not wait to see more about your cruise.

[@TheWeeFamily]

😄

[@murielerickson792]

I’m going to really enjoy watching this series of videos of your family trip. Looks like B is going to enjoy it!

[@TheWeeFamily]

She did enjoy! Can’t wait to continue sharing our adventure

[@rebekahearly1144]

I wonder if I’m the only viewer who had a certain Enya song play in her head when you said ‘sail away’… I hope so 😅 Looking forward to seeing the next instalment of the adventure!

[@TheWeeFamily]

Haha I’m guessing not! We did definitely sing some songs related to sailing

[@renecates9871]

Im always down for snacks. Best part of any vacation. Looks so fun.

[@winfredjaycooper3495]

Looks very awesome

[@rayray91764]

Thank you for these videos! Very informative and I think we will do a cruise with Autism on the Seas! We want to do the Alaskan cruise 😁 I watched your video about TSA cares, and our first airplane trip with our autistic 5 yr old son went very smoothly and got us through security very easily. I wouldn't have known about it if it wasn't for your videos, so thank you!

[@TheWeeFamily]

We definitely have an Alaskan cruise on our bucket list! I am so glad that it was helpful to you and the security process was so smooth! Those successful instances are great 😁❤️

[@maemonitored4186]

Yes,

[@unknowndope1014]

What a great ocean adventure! I love seeing you guys thrive. 🎉 We’re currently on an adventure of our own so this video really resonates. Btw we’ll be in our old home Japan a few months this spring if you’re feeling like taking a trip to the orient and want a guide. Studio Ghibli just opened their new theme park! -Tim from Colorado

[@TheWeeFamily]

Tim!!! Thanks for the message! Made my day. We would love to travel to Japan. I don’t think it is going to happen next year but that does not mean that we never will. We love traveling and experiencing new things. Japan is definitely on the list of future destinations. 🙂

[@jasonmartinson7758]

Looks like an amazing time Where did you get those amazing sunglasses I want a pair!

[@alexthesaintbernardlover5938]

Hope you have fun

[@TheWeeFamily]

Thanks!

[@tyreesetjjoyner1995]

Having fun? Good video. Continue on your road on getting the silver play button along with interviewing with Chris ULMER of SBSK

[@terriedenna7751]

The ship looks like a city. Does it feel like you are on a ship? Can you feel the movements of the sea? I've always wanted to go on the Alaskan Cruise. Braylee looks like she's in awe of the ship. 😎 Looking forward to all of your adventures. 🛳

[@TheWeeFamily]

What’s unbelievable is that it’s not even one of the bigger ships! The boarding process really doesn’t make it seem like you’re getting onto a ship. It’s almost like you’re going into a building haha it’s hard to explain. We couldn’t always feel the movements, but there were definitely times we could feel it throughout our trip. An Alaskan cruise is definitely on our bucket list too!! ❤️

[@aribelle9432]

Could we see what the bed look like that pulls down? I’ve never been on a cruise. Love y’all’s video always looking forward to the next❤❤❤

[@TheWeeFamily]

It’s shown in the next video 🙂

[@aribelle9432]

@@TheWeeFamily thank you so much!!

[@nathanjw940]

You do a lot with braylee which I think helps her. She's growing up so fast lately it's crazy. Seeing so many places you are taking videos from

[@TheWeeFamily]

I think the more we do with her, the easier that it is for her to do a variety of things too. It’s been good for all of us

[@nathanjw940]

@@TheWeeFamily she's a fun young lady that has autism. You are great parents that love her

[@Seneca_Sister]

She was staying with you all so well. I’ve missed some videos. When did she stop eloping without her service dog? I’m curious as my autistic daughter elopes. Thank you for sharing your experience with Autism on the Seas. I’m inching my way closer to using them for a future trip.

[@TheWeeFamily]

She’s gotten so much better about staying with us (generally) but still has her moments. We worked a lot on stop and wait at therapy for years and she follows directions better now and I think having her service dog helped her understand to stay with us more. Plus it gives her the independence

[@Seneca_Sister]

@@TheWeeFamily This gives me hope that we'll be there in a few years. Fingers crossed

[@lidonewyork670]

Have a great vacation! Where’s your Mom/Pam didn’t come along?

[@TheWeeFamily]

She stayed home with our animals. She will be taking her own trip this month

[@alisachamoy225]

How was the food? How were the activities? Was considering this for my child. Thanks.

[@lanavives91]

What was b and your favorite part of the cruise

[@raeph8693]

Hi it has been a bit how are you all doing

[@kwaktak]

How much support does Autism on the Seas provide? Do you have like a respite person along with sensory friendly options? Are the other families mostly with smaller children or are there also families with teens and adults with special needs?

[@TheWeeFamily]

The ratio stays pretty low (2:1 or 3:1 max I believe) but you can also pay a bit extra for a 1:1. They do also assist with teens and adults. We had an adult in our group this time. They typically have a conference room for respite or even just for the families to use at other times during the cruise too with sensory tools and things. They help during embarking/disembarking, designated meal times, part of port days, during shows/activities, and then 1-2 respite times each day depending if it’s port or sea day. And then of course you can also arrange other times and care if needed/wanted with the staff outside of those times. We haven’t done that but I know some families do. They’re there to provide support when, where, and how they can! Hope that’s helpful

[@cynthiagibson1595]

Do you think this is worth the extra cost? We’re thinking booking thru them this summer . I heard cruise companies also provide accommodation to family with special needs member. I’m not sure if AOs services are worth the extra cost.

[@TheWeeFamily]

In our experience, Aots is definitely worth the cost. The cruise companies are very helpful, but having Aots was so helpful. We did bring our own respite person on the cruise and we still utilized Aots a lot. I know every experience is going to be different but if you ask me, totally worth the cost.

[@cynthiagibson1595]

@@TheWeeFamily Thank you for your reply.

[@heatherchaplin4443]

Is autism on the seas for adults with autism also.

[@Jadyn_Sage]

So, since you were able to book this cruise with Autism on the Seas, does that mean that there were other families with autistic children or children with other disabilities on the cruise?

[@TheWeeFamily]

So it was a Royal caribbean cruise. They just need 4 cabins to be able to have it staffed by Autism on the seas. It was the 5 of us and 2 other families. Pretty small group.

[@apetulasmith]

Have the doctors said she will completely speak instead of the repetitive sounds she makes. Not to be rude but does the repetitive noses she make become annoying at times? Has anyone ever made a comment about while you have been out?

[@TheWeeFamily]

Doctors have not told us if she will speak or not. No one really knows. We are okay either way. The most important thing is making sure she has a way to communicate her wants and needs. No one has said she is annoying in public and we love hearing her. We always want to make sure she never feels bad about her repetitive noises because that is a part of her self-regulating her senses which helps her have great days. The only people that have said something negative about how she sounds is bullies and trolls on the internet.