Crystal blue waters and sparkling white sands of the Caribbean – a dream vacation. Sadly, for many people with hearing loss, organizing and embarking upon such a trip may seem like such a hassle that a dream is all it will ever be. If you have wondered how you might manage to make exotic travel a dream come true, Passages Deaf Travel has the solution. On October 28th, I set sail aboard the world’s largest cruise ship with Royal Caribbean International to Cozumel, Mexico, George Town, Grand Cayman, and Ocho Rios, Jamaica – the first-ever all-deaf and hard of hearing (D/HH) cruise – with almost 3,800 D/HH people making their dream of a luxury cruise a reality.
I experienced first-hand all the planning and accommodations that went into making sure that everyone could enjoy the cruise in the same way that the hearing community takes cruising for granted. As a hearing person, it was remarkable to be a minority in a floating microcosm of American Sign Language (ASL) users. At every opportunity, Royal Caribbean and Passages Deaf Travel had anticipated the needs of each passenger, ensuring memories that would last a lifetime.
This cruise was the brainchild of Tabitha and Mac Partlow, who started Passages Deaf Travel (www.passagesdeaftravel.com) to fill the void in services for D/HH travelers. Tabitha’s experience in the Deaf community and working as an interpreter gave her an insight into the specific needs of deaf travelers. With this cruise, Tabitha and Mac took D/HH travel to the next level by chartering an entire ship for D/HH passengers so that all aspects of the cruise would be accessible. Royal Caribbean was excited about the idea of an all-D/HH cruise, and Ron Pettit, access manager, Trade and Support Services for Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., said the Royal Caribbean staff and crew spent months preparing for this charter. In fact, it was Royal Caribbean who suggested chartering not just any ship, but the world’s biggest cruise ship, Freedom of the Seas.
Even though Royal Caribbean’s Access Department is prepared to address the requirements of any guests with disabilities or special needs, and in fact, any D/HH passenger can make advance arrangements for ASL interpreters, portable room kits (door-knocking alert, telephone-ringing alert, smoke detector and alarm alert – all with the option for visual/light or tactile/vibration sensors), nobody needed to make any special arrangements on this cruise. Royal Caribbean enlisted 125 ASL interpreters and equipped every single stateroom with a portable room kit created for this charter (the kits will now be distributed to all ships across Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. brands). Almost all the television channels in the staterooms were captioned, as were all movies shown on the ship. The four largest theaters and lounges on Freedom are equipped with infrared assistive listening systems (ALS), and additional FM ALS were installed in other popular areas on the ship. Over 100 receivers were also available on the charter. TTY telephones were provided as well, some in staterooms and also at the guest relations desk and around the ship.
John Maucere was enlisted as the cruise director and worked with Tabitha and Mac to secure entertainment planned exclusively for this group, as well as with resident cruise director Richard Spacey to seamlessly incorporate Freedom's existing line-up. Entertainers on the cruise included CJ Jones, Antony Natale, Bernard Bragg and Keith Wann, along with signature Freedom-class ship entertainment like Phillip Kaiser in “Now You See It,” Freedom Ice, the Royal Caribbean parades and the Royal Caribbean production “Once Upon a Time,” all completely interpreted in addition to being spoken or sung.
Most importantly, however, more than 1,200 members of the Royal Caribbean staff received 45 hours of training to prepare for this cruise – and it showed! From the first steps onto the ship terminal in the Port of Miami, I was overwhelmed to see the Royal Caribbean staff welcoming each person. Not only was eye contact made with each passenger, it was apparent that there had been extensive training in ASL and Deaf culture. Clearly designated interpreters were staggered throughout the terminal and port as guests arrived and were visible around the ship during the week. A picture menu in the dining room was even developed to help the wait staff and passengers communicate. Since the Royal Caribbean staff knew that all passengers were D/HH, the assumption was made that the person could not hear, not that they could, so there was never a need for explanations.
There were interpreters on every excursion at every port so each guest was able to get the full cruise experience without limitations. In Cozumel, Mexico, I joined a group that went into the Caribbean to snorkel. There were two interpreters present who made sure that each person was briefed on the safety precautions and general instructions. The group snorkeled together and the leader carried a flag so that the group would be able to stay en masse. Should anyone have had a problem, hand signals were determined in advance. Fortunately, we didn’t need the system as we all safely enjoyed the clear waters, reefs and brilliantly colored fish.
The Grand Cayman Islands met us with fine, white sand and clear bluegreen water that stretched as far as we could see. I joined a group that spent the day at a local beach club, where everyone enjoyed the relaxing and beautiful atmosphere and general camaraderie that was always welcoming.
In Ocho Rios, Jamaica, the cruise disembarked to an extraordinarily warm welcome from those on land – not only did a banner welcome guests to Jamaica, the tourism bureau even had arranged for their own interpreters to help assist those wishing to explore the island. Many shops made special arrangements, some employing interpreters, and locals were made aware of the special needs of this cruise ship’s passengers.
Back onboard, many guests enjoyed the FlowRider, which is a surf simulator that allows riders to surf or body board right on the ship. In addition to the children’s pools, one feature for kids was the H2O Zone – vibrant sculptures that sprayed water in all directions. The rock climbing wall, ice skating rink, Freedom Day Spa and cantilevered whirlpools were among the other amenities on the ship.
Hands on Video Relay Services, Inc. (HOVRS), a major sponsor of the cruise, brought clothing and collected financial donations for St. Christopher’s School for the Deaf in Jamaica. HOVRS was also on the pool deck daily welcoming guests. Deaf Nation was the media sponsor for the cruise and filmed most of the activities and many excursions, working also on the morning show and a daily video montage that was shown at the evening show each day.
Passages Deaf Travel is continuing to book travel for D/HH, as well as those with other disabilities. Upcoming trips include an excursion to Alaska in 2008 and one to Hawaii in 2009 – but start planning now for the next all-deaf charter by Deaf Passages onboard Royal Caribbean cruise ships. Most likely the second week of August 2009, Mariner of the Seas will be sailing with 3,000 people to the Mexican Riviera. Live your dream and don’t miss the boat!
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