In line with its goals on making cruise vacation more accessible and diverse, Carnival Cruise Line is the first cruise operator to be certified “sensory inclusive” by KultureCity, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to accessibility and inclusion for individuals with sensory needs and invisible disabilities.
Specifically, Carnival Cruise Line conducted a comprehensive fleetwide training program, hundreds of guest-facing team members, including guest services personnel and youth staff, who followed specific training to be able to help and understand adults, youth and children with sensory related questions or needs relating to conditions such as Autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, and PTSD.
KultureCity has an important role in the Line’s achievement, as it provided a sensory bag, available for check out for the duration of the cruise. The bag includes a variety of items to help calm, relax and manage sensory overload.
Items include comfortable noise cancelling headphones, fidget toys, and a visual feeling thermometer, as well as a KultureCity VIP lanyard to help staff easily identify guests.
According to Carnival, as the project has already been into force, the guests’ and their families’ feedback was positive
The rollout of the program started in October and all of Carnival Cruise Line’s South Florida-based ships are certified, with the balance of the fleet scheduled to be completed by March 2020.
Once on board, guests should inquire at the Guest Services desk to inquire about borrowing a sensory bag and any other accommodations that are available.
Vicky Rey, Carnival’s vice president of guest care and communications and the company’s ADA Responsibility Officer commented
Carnival Cruise Line and KultureCity share a heartfelt commitment to acceptance and inclusivity. Working together, all of our guests can maximize their enjoyment and be the truest versions of themselves during their time on board.
In addition to the KultureCity certification, Carnival will be the first cruise operator to complete an additional special needs certification program offered by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).
The program consists of 17 continuing education units of training in a variety of special needs, such as Autism, Down Syndrome, mobility issues, and various other disabilities.
Additionally, the cruise line’s youth staff have the know hot to assist soothe, calm and entertain children participating in the youth programs, such as weighted vests, conversation cards, sensory games and other aids.
Dr. Temple Grandin, a renowned autism advocate and author concluded that
Carnival Cruise Line is to be commended for training their staff about autism and offering sensory bags that will enable individuals with autism and their families to have an enjoyable cruise.
