Cruising with a Child Who Has Special Needs

Traveling with kids is always an adventure, no matter their age. But when you're traveling with a child who has special needs, it requires extra planning. My youngest daughter, Molly, has Down syndrome, and while we don’t make a big deal out of it, I always have some worries when we travel.

How will she adjust to new environments? Will there be food she likes? And most importantly—will she have fun?

I’ll never forget our first Dinogo cruise with Molly. I was both nervous and excited. I couldn’t wait to explore the ship with my family and see how Molly would react to being on the water. As soon as we boarded, my worries eased. There were so many friendly faces, and Molly was already making new friends before we even left the dock.

Just Another Kid

When we arrived at Camp Ocean for the first time, I could see Molly was thrilled to join in and have some fun with kids her age. The staff was amazing, making sure to ask about her likes, dislikes, allergies, and everything in between.

We emphasized that we wanted Molly to be treated like any other kid—no special treatment! The staff was fantastic and never singled her out because of her disability. Before long, Molly was off making friends again! She loved Camp Ocean so much that she got upset each time I came to pick her up.

It’s Time to Eat

Although Molly doesn't have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, I was delighted to see our dining room waiter take extra care during dinner each night. On the first evening, he promptly asked about gluten-free options, allergies, and even the foods our girls liked best. The kids' menu featured all of Molly’s favorites—chicken, PB&J, pizza, and even some new dishes for her to try. Plus, our server was quick to offer extra cookies each night after dinner (with our permission, of course).

One of my favorite moments in the dining room was on Molly’s birthday. We had pre-ordered a cake, and the dining staff brought it out while everyone gathered around to sing. It was heartwarming to see how genuine everyone was, and nothing could compare to the joy on her face—she knew she was the center of attention that day.

Call Me, Maybe

The Camp Ocean team was wonderful in alleviating our concerns about leaving Molly in a new setting. We were given an onboard cell phone so we could check in on her, and they could reach out to us anytime with updates or concerns.

My husband and I enjoyed some 'kid-free' time on our trip without constantly needing to check in. There were a few occasions when the Camp Ocean team called to let us know that Molly was either ready for a nap or seemed a bit hungry. One night, we stayed out a bit later than planned and decided to call to see if Molly was ready for bed. They reassured us that she was having a wonderful time playing with the other children, although she did seem to be winding down a little. We made it back in time to pick her up before she dozed off, and we cherished a few moments with her in our stateroom before tucking her in for the night.

The phone was an invaluable resource for us, allowing us to enjoy our trip without unnecessary worry. Molly had a fantastic experience, my husband and I were able to unwind, and we all came together for some quality family time as well.

Fun For All

This was the first time we had genuinely taken a vacation together as a family where everyone could relax. The staff at Camp Ocean truly enjoyed their time with Molly. I was grateful that the Dinogo crew recognized Molly as a typical kid—not just a child with an extra chromosome.

Although I felt a twinge of sadness as our trip came to a close, I couldn't help but smile when a staff member rushed over to give Molly one last hug and a high-five as we disembarked the ship. It was the perfect way to conclude our journey.

This post was created as part of my collaboration with Dinogo. As always, all opinions, thoughts, and ideas expressed in this post are my own.