Blog #1: Cruising With Autism
Cruising with Autism: Written on January 30th, 2024: Posted on February 15th, 2024
By: William Spencer
Any time a person brings up the subject of cruising on the high seas, the first thing most of us come to mind is: drinking endless alcohol by bar hopping all day and night for an entire week. Or getting a horrible sunburn, looking like a lobster for the remainder of the cruise. Or perhaps taking in one or all the shows in the theater.
When I talk about cruising, none of the above answers applies to me. In fact, the very thought of getting wasted does not cross my mind, due to the fact I am a very different and unique cruiser.
Maritime vessels caught my attention at a very young age. The infamous Titanic of the early 20th century was the ship which got me into loving such fascinating vessels. Not to mention the fact that I have always dreaded the taste of alcohol. Never been interested in getting drunk. And this character trait has stayed with me, being 30 years old.
Currently, I am sailing on Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas: the fourth ship in the award winning + game changer Oasis Class. It is an eight-night Southern Caribbean cruise out of Fort Lauderdale, my sixth cruise overall. I am what is known as "loyal to Royal" in the cruise industry.
The Oasis-Class is my favorite class of ships, and this will most likely not change. Ever.
Being autistic, there is something about the ocean + ships that together, bring such joy, peace, purpose, and a reminder to take life slow.
Unlike life on land, filled with the stress of constantly being at places, life on a cruise ship for an entire week is radically different.
My autistic brain is wired to not like a bustling life style: sustaining a nine to five job, working for someone else, living by their timeline + work schedule. Not to mention getting up at the crack of dawn five days a week just have enough time for breakfast before work. Even then it's not going to be a nutritious meal either.
Ever since my autism + ADHD diagnosis last summer, I have discovered that my brain is simply not wired to maintain a nine to five job: a quality learned the hard way.
Since July of 2023, I have been on a path of rediscovering who I am, due to the fact that I have been autistic my whole life, a realization that took the first 30 years to figure out.
After research on autism + the ocean, I know understand + embrace my love for the high seas, combined with ships. To take life slow, enjoying every second of each day, working on my own work schedule of being a writer + published author.
My career does not change on land. I am simply merging my passion for writing, ships, and traveling, a lifestyle that can only be lived by not having a nine to five. I need to be my own boss. My brain is wired this way. And this is true for the average autistic individual.
The sensation of joy, purpose, peace while living on a ship is hard to put in words. I already have a difficult time expressing emotions outwardly. I cruise for two reasons: the ship + the ocean. The only way for the average citizen to experience this planets ocean.
Sitting here in the incredible outdoor space called "Central Park" onboard the ship, is my favorite neighborhood on the Oasis-Class. It is also a fascinating realization that not only
am I in a real park with real trees...it is also on a ship five times the size of the Titanic! A vessel this large can float + move under its own power still amazing me: an engineering marvel!
My first cruise of three this year, and 2024 will be the year I want to be an accomplished writer and traveler. Passions which I was born to have, and being autistic gives me the ability to experience the world + life in a unique way.
And I will never stop trying to share this with readers, even if I do have social anxiety. Thank goodness for written articles!