So far I’ve traveled on two Carnival Cruise ships, although I think my mother is up to twenty. Carnival is an excellent organization, but if you are traveling with a special needs child, there are a few things you need to be aware of.

My youngest daughter has Angelman Syndrome, and cannot speak. Angelman Syndrome affects almost every aspect of her life. As a result, I often have to plan ahead so that our trips are a success. Even traveling on a huge Carnival Cruise Ship requires much planning, and paperwork.

Right after I booked our Carnival vacation aboard the Carnival Destiny, I had to get a medical form filled out by my daughter’s physician. This had to be faxed to Carnival before we ever headed down to Florida. I was informed that they had a doctor on board that was equipped to handle seizures (common among individuals with Angelman Syndrome).

My daughter also uses a Convaid stroller for long distances, so I knew I would need it on the ship. Carnival required that I fill out a form that listed the dimensions of the stroller, and submit that along with the medical information.

Once on board the Carnival Destiny, I headed to Camp Carnival, which is for the younger children. I found out that I was welcome to stay and participate in the activities with my daughter, but I was not allowed to leave her there. First, they do not have a staff member that could attend just to my daughter. Second, my daughter wears diapers. Children who are not potty trained are not allowed to remain in Camp Carnival without a parent because the staff does not change diapers.

Even though preparing for the trip takes time, it was well worth it. We all had a great time, and the staff was more than pleasant. My daughter enjoyed many seafood meals that she doesn’t get at home, as well as meeting Funship Freddie, Carnival’s mascot. Parents of special needs children should just be aware that there isn’t any babysitting available for their children. Of course, you can always book a room for your own babysitter and bring her along for the vacation of a lifetime.