Ahoy there Charity! Welcome to planDisney! I'm so excited for you and your crew to be planning an adventure on the high seas next summer with Disney Cruise Line!
I sailed on over to my fellow panelist Jackie P., who has a lot of experience on this front, and between the two of us, I think we have some great recommendations for what to be aware of for Guests with Autism Spectrum diagnoses! The additional good news is that the Special Services team is fantastic at doing their absolute best to help accommodate many needs ranging from Guests with severe food allergies to Guests like your son! While not every request can be accommodated, I've always found them to do their level best to help!
While there are no specific accommodations that can be guaranteed, one great way to help your son experience the amazing activities aboard is to check the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator app for times at the
youth activities clubs designated as "Open House!" This is a great way to explore the spaces together with your son! As the father of a little sailor who isn't yet old enough to enjoy the youth activities spaces alone, we enjoyed the open houses as a way to slowly introduce interaction with some of the characters, and fellow cruisers, and get a feeling for how he would do in the spaces.
Jackie suggests bringing noise-canceling headphones for spaces like the main dining rooms which have unavoidable levels of noise, which could also come in handy if your son decides he's up to attending some of the programs with his age group at
Vibe. You can also speak to your Head Server when you arrive at your first dinner rotation to see if it is possible to be sat at a table nearest an exit! And for when there's the need for a break, I found the hallways adjacent to the kids' clubs and the open-air deck on Deck 4 to be quieter spaces away from the bustle and hustle of the atrium or Grand Hall.
One final tip, if you haven't already, be sure to check out the
Information for Guests with Autism Spectrum Disorder and
contact Disney Cruise Line Special Services to discuss any special needs or concerns at least 60 days before your sailing!
I hope that helps you set a course for an exciting, but manageable time with your crew, Charity! Thank you so much for your question, and if you have any others, please drop us another line at planDisney!
Fair winds and following seas!
Andrew