SteelersNationVA

I assume the bridge has multiple internet connections. There must have redundant communication systems to ensure close to zero failure option just like airplanes and trains.

Are there vegan options for breakfast and lunch in MDR. DD1 and BF are vegan. I know there are vegan options in the Windjammer for breakfast and lunch and there is a vegan menu in MDR for dinner, but what about the other meals?

We are going to Alaska. July 2024. 1st cruise ever. So excited

Hey techies, will Starlink work at similar speeds in Alaska or will it be virtually unavailable?

Hello - just wondering if there is a way or place to figure out which way the beds face. DD1 nor I like to ride backwards on a train. We both surmise sleeping backwards would be disconcerting. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Let me understand, if DS2 (has autism) just can not handle the MDR after an all day excursion of hiking in Alaska, we can order a meal from the MDR menu for him to enjoy in the cabin. Tip of course, but no service charge?

If we stay in an Owner's Suite, is room service free?

Thanks everyone. We are planning a cruise to Alaska in 2024. DS2 has autism and ID. DS1 and DD2 have CP and ID. I assume we can get expedited check-in at Seward. They will be 27 when we sail and we should be ok once onboard. It will be fun. DD1 is a special ed teacher. So we get it. Just concerned about check-in.

5+ years ago that was the case. Her issues are minor compared to where she had been. She is back to work and living a normal life. Thank heavens.

The amenities are not that important to us. We are simple folks. With their disabilities we will have priority check-in. Not really concerned about concierge services and specialty dining is not a priority. Having them all together is important. The cost of a solo cabin will balance some of the cost of the suite. Right now a solo interior to Alaska is $2,000. is that about the cost of a 5th person in a suite? This is a trip of a lifetime. Money is important, but it is the experience and memories.

We are going to Alaska in 2024 on Radiance OTS southbound. DD1 gets motion sick (post concussion from March 2020). The cruise will be 4+ years post concussion. She will be in a balcony cabin. Would it be better to be on the Port side (looking at land) or Starboard (looking at the horizon above the sea)? Will it make a difference to get a cabin with the head of the beds facing toward the front of the ship? If so how do you make sure? She takes ginger pills and will try patches and other things before the cruise. I suggested getting a prescription dose medicine just incase it is needed. She wants to go, but wants to be prepared. As long as the seas are ok, she should be ok with fresh air. Thanks in advance

We will be going on Radiance OTS to Alaska with the whole clan during the summer of 2024. Is it worth it financially to get an aft 2 BR owners suite for 5 vs 1 balcony and 2 inside cabins. If we go this route, the 2nd inside cabin would be a solo for DD2. How much more will this cost? DW & I would be in the BR1 and DS1 & DS2 in BR2 and DD2 on the couch. Is the balcony that much bigger than a regular balcony cabin? Hard to tell from pictures. Note DS1 & DS2 and DD2 are adults with cognitive disabilities. Having them close by is important, but not in the same bedroom. UGH. DD1 and Boyfriend would get their own balcony and do not want to share with DD2. We will book as soon as the sailings are released. Thanks

Adding to my previous post. DD1 gets motion sick (post concussion). She will be in a balcony cabin. Southbound on Radiance. Would it be better to be on the Port side (looking at land) or Starboard (looking at the horizon above the sea)? Thanks in advance

I remember a post about vegan options in the Windjammer. There were lots of options, but were not labeled as Vegan. My DD1 is vegan. Will she have to ask everyday what is Vegan or has RC evolved into the 21st century to include symbols on the cards indicating Vegan, Vegetarian, GF, etc. In the MDR does she need to order from the Vegan menu the day before? Can she order off menu for a Vegan curry or stir fry if that is more appealing to her? If so how does she go about doing that? We are going to Alaska on a trip of a lifetime. I want it to go smoothly for her and the rest of the family. Thanks in advance for your replies.

I am also planning an Alaskan cruise for the summer of 2024. DW and DD1 have agreed. DD2, DS1 and DS2 are excited. We will go to Denali and Seward for a week on our own. Is Fairbanks worth flying into and visiting instead of Ancourage? We will do the SB on Radiance of the Seas. I do all of the heavy planning. DW wont look at much until we are on the flight to Alaska (reality from past vacations). I will need to get her attention for a few decisions before then. DD1 is a special ed teacher so we need to confirm the weeks of the vacation and the cabin locations. Are there anything else we need to decide before booking in November? I know I need to get DW's attention for booking excursions. UGH. In most of the ports we will divide up so we all have fun.

Go with the flow. If the MDR does not work, fine. Find the things that she likes and do it over and over again.

Good luck. We have triplets, all 3 with special needs. They are now 25 YO. Boy it makes me feel old every time I say their age. When they we little, we took them every place. The advise I would say is get your daughter involved in activities. Special Olympics was important for them and us. The interactions with other parents was critical. If another parent/adult says something on the cruise, ignore them. This is your vacation and your daughter's opportunity to learn. Have fun.

Thanks for all the help and support. By the way, "the American Institutes for Research (AIR) calculated in 2018 that the 20 million US working adults with disabilities—not including their extended families, support networks, and allies—had a collective after-tax disposable income of $490 billion, slightly lower than those of Black ($501 billion) and Hispanic consumers ($582 billion). " Companies that recognize this, get my business.

Thank you for the suggestion. We had planned to do that. Please keep the suggestions coming.

We are planning a vacation to Alaska in 2024. We need a travel agent to help us navigate all of the issues. We are a unique family. We are a family of 6 including 25 YO triplets with cognitive disabilities, including 1 (DS2) on the Autism spectrum. All are fully mobile. DD1 and DW are hesitant, but will go. DS1 and DD2 should be able to be somewhat independent on the ship once they learn to navigate the ship. DS2 will need additional help and supervision. In our mind, the trip will start with a self directed land based trip to Denali and Kenai Fjords NPs. Then the cruise from Seward to Vancouver. Everything I have heard is that RC has the best reputation with young adults with disabilities. Once we are on the ship, we should be ok, but not 100% sure. We will need help with the check-in process and a personal tour of the ship to help the triplets learn how to navigate the ship. We also do not know what we don't know. This is a trip of a lifetime. A bucket list destination. The hiking and excursions in ports are the priorities. Water slides in Alaska are not important on 60 degree-rainy days. But how our children are treated and respected on the ship and in port is by far the #1 issue. We know that things will change and we will need to go with the flow. We will do our best to help all, especially DS2 (autism) adapt to the change in schedules. We just will need a bit of help in understanding what may change so we can prepare him for the changes. Ok with that said, we need a travel agent who either personally or professionally has experience with individuals with disabilities. DD1 is a special education teacher and DW and I have dealt with these issues for 25+ years and can see through BS when a person does not understand working with the disability community.

Just wondering why Radiance of the Seas is still in dry dock. It arrived in dry dock in Cadiz, Spain in the end of August and is still there in November. Is the ship just docked, rather than sailing and spending money on fuel or are there major structural issues? You guys indicated it was just a technical dry dock. Seems a bit long for such a endeavor.

Check and see if your state has a registry. Virginia does and you can get a QR code that can be read by an app to verify the vaccination status.

Royal may not have a choice if the destinations require the kids over 5 to be fully vaccinated. If going on a cruise with the entire family, everyone will need to be vaccinated.

It looks like Radiance of the Seas is docked in Spain. Is this a sign of refurbishment?

Get the vaccine as soon as possible so you don’t get COVID-19.