Jenn Powell: Never Look Back Vacations (2024)

31/10/2024

Silversea invites you to save, indulge, and explore with savings of $3,000 per suite on Door-to-Door and Port-to-Port All-Inclusive fares, plus a 15% reduced deposit on a wide range of voyages. Choose from a collection of over 520 sailings covering all seven continents. Reserve your suite by October 31, 2024 to take advantage of this limited-time offer!

31/10/2024

Our family’s last cruise was July 2015 on Adventure of the Seas. I was pregnant with my daughter and my son was just short of being in the school age group for Adventure Ocean.

On Sunday, Mike and I (along with three other NLB travel agents) will be boarding Wonder of the Seas for a week. I am so excited to be able to learn more while on board, and also be able to enjoy the different ports. I’m also excited for inTENse, the show in the Aquatheater, and to see 365 Seasons on Ice. Oh, and I really want to try the zip line on board!

We will be visiting the following ports:
Perfect Day at CocoCay
Cozumel, Mexico
Roatan, Honduras
Puerta Costa Maya, Mexico

I will also try to focus on travelers with special needs and autism while on board. So, please, if you have any questions or concerns, let me know and I can ask.

28/10/2024

It’s Sensory Sunday (sorry, I totally missed yesterday).

The sense I’m going to feature today is touch. Touch involves more than just using your hands. It can be how things feel against you and around you. And sometimes, it can be connected with one of the other senses to cause issues, such as textures of foods, or the vibrations of a dental instrument.

Tactile sensitivity or craving can be difficult to manage in uncertain situations. But here are some ways to help:
Bring/buy clothing that is tagless, or you can cut off tags
Bring/buy at least one food that you know will have a similar texture each time (crackers)
Bring or inquire if the facility has fidget items that can be borrowed
Understand your child’s limits when it comes to touching different textures in museums
Try not to travel with new shoes, socks, or different types of clothing

As I said, there are certain venues that have fidgets available. KultureCity is one group that has supplied these bags to museums and zoos in my area. And another awesome tip is Royal Caribbean cruises have fidget bags that may be borrowed for the cruise. I am so excited to be sailing on a Royal Caribbean cruise starting next Sunday, so I can inquire more about sensory items that they may be able to provide

24/10/2024

Brilliance of the Seas is taking unforgettable Mediterranean escapes to the next level! ✨Sailing from Athens in Summer 2025, you'll sail through stunning Greek Isles and vibrant Turkey, including an overnight stop in magical Istanbul. 🌅 Every moment is an adventure waiting to unfold!

19/10/2024

It’s sensory Saturday!

As I’m sitting at a campsite at a campfire, the sense we are going to discuss smell.

Hyperosmia is the term used for heightened sense of smell that can cause strong discomfort or even illness from certain smells. Some smells that are known to cause a negative connotation can be perfumes, garbage, to***co, body odor, motor vehicle exhaust, fabric softener, asphalt, cleaning products, nail polish, and hair products.

Some common ways to help those with negative responses to smell are:
Wear a mask that covers both the mouth and nose
Moving out of the area to breathe in fresh air
Bringing a diffuser or air freshener for hotel rooms.
Having a roll on of essential oils or Vicks to put under the nose
Using swimmers nose clamps or simply holding the nose
Avoiding areas that you know have those smells

Here’s a tip that I learned as a nurse: If someone is feeling nauseous, place an alcohol wipe under their nose, and tell them to breathe in deeply through their nose. Hopefully, that isn’t smell that the person has a negative reaction to, but I’ve seen it work many times!

17/10/2024

Set sail on the Celebrity Edge to the awe-inspiring landscapes of Alaska 🚢🏔️. From spectacular glaciers to majestic wildlife, each moment is a masterpiece. Indulge in world-class dining as you discover the true meaning of unparalleled views.

13/10/2024

Come see me at We Rock the Spectrum - Forest Hill for their Trunk or Treat. We have candy, stickers, peanut free snacks, little treats and information about traveling with your family!

12/10/2024

It's Sensory Saturday again!

👂This week, I'm going to focus on your sense of hearing. There are two terms that involve the sensitivity to sound. Hyperacusis is a disorder that makes it hard to deal with every day sounds. Misophonia is a disorder where certain sounds trigger an emotional or physiological response that some may perceive as unreasonable given the circumstances. Think of the young child who is afraid of the automatic toilet flushers or hand dryers. Or a child who cries when you are singing Happy Birthday to them. While some noises we can understand why it may affect someone, there are other noises that you might not think about, like the buzzing from fluorescent lights or the hum of a computer running.

🎧Ways to address sensitivity to sound:
Avoiding areas of loud crowds or known noises, like construction
Using noise cancelling headphones or ear plugs. Even cotton balls or cupping the ears may help
Use jackets with hoods for uncertain times. That way you can always have at least some protection
Give the individual something to focus their other senses on, such as a fidget or tablet
Allowing for a calm, quiet area to rest and recharge

🚽One tip for the automatic toilet flushers: Bring a Post-it note pad with you. When you enter the bathroom, place the post it over the sensor. This will at least help alleviate the closest flush, unfortunately you can't tell everyone else to stay put, so you still may need to cup their ears on the way out. Bringing hand sanitizer instead of washing your hands may help with not using the automatic hand blowers and allow for a shorter bathroom exposure to noise.

10/10/2024

Have you always wanted to visit Antarctica but have been deterred by the daunting Drake Passage? Then this is the voyage for you. With Silversea, you can simply board a private charter plane in Punta Arenas to land in King George Island and begin your Antarctic experience straight away. Plus, you'll sail aboard Silver Endeavour, the most luxurious expedition ship ever built.

07/10/2024

If you are like me, you have been seeing the Amazon Prime Days commercial whenever you open Amazon!

Amazon Prime Days are a great way to stock up on items for travel. What kinds of things am I going to be stocking up on? Well, for our cruise in a few weeks and our cruise next July, I'll be stocking up on magnet hooks, lanyards for cruise cards, the power strip that Royal Caribbean accepts, a multicharger for Magicbands, and little wearable fans so we can stay cool on the trips.

Amazon Prime Days can also be utilized for Christmas presents too! So, what are you looking for on Amazon Prime Days?

05/10/2024

Welcome to Sensory Saturdays! This will be a new piece where I will focus on the senses and how you can be sensory aware while traveling. This is just one way that families with Autism, ADHD, and Sensory Processing disorder can help to make their travel needs met.

👀The sense I am going to start with is the sense of sight. Photophobia, or sensitivity to light, can affect more than just those affected by Autism and Sensory Processing disorder. Older persons, those affected by neurological issues like migraines or seizures, and even very young children can be sensitive to light.

😎Ways to combat photophobia while on vacation can include:
Wearing sunglasses or hats (you may even want to look for tinted swim goggles)
Avoiding prolonged sun exposure and exposure to fluorescent lighting (which may also have a benefit for your sense of hearing)
Using blue light filters when prolonged use of tablets and phones
Make sure that there is a calm, dark place available for the individual, if needed. Make sure to give frequent rest breaks, without sunglasses

🕶So, when packing for that trip, don't forget to pack your sunglasses or hat, and remember to take breaks inside to help protect your eyes!

📸Oh, and one travel photo tip that I learned from Walt Disney World. Keep your eyes closed until just before the photographer takes the picture. That way you don't have squinty eyes from light sensitivity!

03/10/2024

Explore the brilliant shores of the southern Caribbean — including the famed ABC islands — on weeklong wanders from Panama or Colombia. No matter where you’re headed, Serenade of the Seas is your gateway to every possible shade of adventure.

02/10/2024

Welcome to October! Sorry, I have been a little quiet. Now, I could tell you about Magic Kingdom being open 53 years today. Or I could tell you about Epcot turning 42 years old today. But instead, I wanted to talk about why this month is near and dear to my heart. It’s ADHD awareness and Sensory Processing Disorder Awareness month!

ADHD and SPD have been part of my life since I met my husband, and since my son was born (and truthfully I may have a little of both too). That was one of the reasons why I wanted to become a Certified Autism Travel Agent. I saw all of the things that I needed to think about with each trip, even in our normal lives, that wasn’t being addressed or thought of. From working with the dining and butler staff at Beaches to explaining his needs to Adventure Ocean on Royal Caribbean, I never wanted my son to miss out on experiences because of his sensory needs or boundaries.

So, I will take some time this month to highlight ways to incorporate those affected by ADHD and your sensory seekers or avoiders in your travel plans.

26/09/2024

ELEVATE YOUR JOURNEY.
The Retreat is an exclusive, elevated suite life section on select Celebrity Cruises ships that offers a true VIP experience to discerning guests. Stunning accommodations blend indoor and outdoor living spaces, while premium amenities provide next-level comfort. Guests of The Retreat have special access to a private sundeck (on select ships), restaurant, and lounge, as well as a dedicated team of attendants, concierges, and butlers ready to tend to every need.

19/09/2024

✨🌊 Are you ready for a sequel as good as the original? The second ship in our stellar Icon class of ships is Star of the Seas - sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida beginning summer 2025. Contact me for more information! [email protected]

15/09/2024

I may have eluded to this in a previous post, but I'm so excited to announce that I will be attending Semester at Sea, a week training course, on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Sea. Mike will be joining me for this fun adventure, starting on November 3rd!

🏖We will be stopping at Perfect Day at CocoCay; Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; and Puerta Costa Maya, Mexico.
🛳We will be staying in an accessible cabin in one of their 8 neighborhoods: Central Park.
🎭We are looking forward to partaking in the awesome entertainment on board, including the Aquatheatre, the Ice Skating show, and the Royal Theatre.
🦽I will be highlighting how accessible the cruise is and how I was able to manage both on the cruise ship and on the excursions.

Prior to our cruise, we will be taking the Amtrak Autotrain from Virginia to Florida, and I will highlight the disability suite. We will be staying at the Contemporary Resort in Walt Disney World for one night and heading to Magic Kingdom just for the day on November 2nd. So, stay tuned for some content featuring our trip!

12/09/2024

Catch the wave of excitement aboard Independence of the Seas! 🌊Whether you’re riding the FlowRider or battling it out in laser tag, every moment is yours to own. Dive into unforgettable memories at sea!

05/09/2024

It's the perfect time to grab your favorite partner-in-crime and meander through Mykonos, linger in Lisbon, adventure in Alaska, or bask in Barbados on ships that are destinations in themselves. With Celebrity Cruises, you'll never want to vacation any other way. ✨ 🛳️

02/09/2024

So, on a whim, we decided to head to Hersheypark for a few hours yesterday. We haven’t been there since they finished all of the renovations to the front of the park, which was really awesome to see. We ended up getting there after 4pm so we were able to use the reduced pricing for tickets, which was great.
🎢 Did you know that if you purchase tickets online you can get a huge discount on regular tickets? Also, you can bundle it with other things, such as parking, unlimited drinks, unlimited meals, game tickets, and Hershey’s version of Fast Pass.
🎠 From an accessibility standpoint, Hersheypark is great in some cases, and lacking in others. The park, as a whole, has lots of hills and valleys. Some of these can be pretty steep. You can rent ECVs and manual wheelchairs, but they ran out of ECVs when we got there. Pushing me up and down the hills was next to impossible at times, and I had to walk them with my crutches. There also seemed to be a lack of automatic doors at rest rooms, and even the wheelchair rental place.
🎡 They do offer a Disability pass, though. You fill out an online form, get your picture taken, and receive a booklet. It is good for up to 3 guests with the person needing the accessibility. This allows you to enter through the exit and gain access to the ride without standing in line. For some rides, this worked awesome. For the more popular rides, we had to wait a few cycles. There is an elevator to access the Trail Blazer platform. That was the only major roller coaster we did so I don’t know if there are others. The ride operator made me remove my AFO braces for the Hershey drop tower, which was an inconvenience but I’m also glad that they didn’t go flying off my legs. So, I’m assuming if you have a prosthesis, you would need to remove that as well. For the Chocolate Tour in Chocolate World, there is a back entrance where you can either choose to stay in a wheelchair or transfer to a regular seat for the ride.
We had a great time and look to return again, probably with my own motorized scooter. Hersheypark offers great options for Halloween and Christmas. And Chocolate World is open year round, so you can always get your chocolate fix .

29/08/2024

Take the Polar Plunge with Silversea! A quintessential Antarctic tradition, this invigorating leap into glacial waters is a bucket-list activity for many explorers to the White Continent. Silversea's all-inclusive voyages take you there in ultra-luxury, with a fleet of three expedition ships, butler service in every suite, superlative dining options, and world-class expedition teams.

26/08/2024

Did you know that today is National Dog Day? Now, while I can tell you information about Pluto, or even my own dog Zelda, but I didn't know if you knew that there is a Chief Dog Officer on board Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas. Her name is Rover, and she is a golden retriever pup. And her only job is to bring joy, love and happiness to those sailing on the world's largest cruise ship. Rover even has her own Instagram page . Rover, and her handler Allison, have their own room onboard, with lots of dog beds, and a specialty crate. And Rover has her own life jacket for muster drills!

22/08/2024

Your biggest, boldest Baja getaway begins on Ovation of the Seas sailing June 2025 from Los Angeles! 🤩 Discover the best of Mexico from the West Coast by visiting Ensenada and for the first time, Royal Caribbean will be staying overnight in Cabo. Unforgettable memories await – book today!

20/08/2024

Yet again, another way that I can try to help my clients is by becoming a Special Needs Accessible Travel Advocate. Completing this certification allows me to have some more connections for your special needs while traveling. It also connects me with webinars focused on special needs traveling.

One travel tip I learned during my training: Standard and Heavy Duty motorized scooters can fit through normal stateroom doorways on cruise ships. Bariatric motorized scooters require an accessible stateroom. I'm going to test out this information in November, but I'll save that information for another post!

13/08/2024

So, in my attempts to better myself as a travel agent who deals with disabilities, I decided that I needed to complete this certification. So, as of 8/12/24, I am a certified Autism Travel Professional through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards. This organization certifies professionals in healthcare, education, travel, and first responders, as well as certifies zoos, amusement parks, cities, resorts, and hotels as being Autism trained.

Using the information that I knew previously, and gained during the training, I will be able to help others plan their vacations to be a hopefully restful and fun for all.

10/08/2024

Well, unfortunately, the remnants of Tropical Storm Debbie caused us to leave Wildwood a day early. But, while we were there, I was able to check on some things you can do in Wildwood, despite having a disability.

The first night we tried out Star Lux Minigolf. At Star Lux Minigolf, they have three courses, each consisting of 9 holes. If you want to play 18 holes, you can do the water and beach courses. Or if you only have time for 9, they also have a boardwalk course. Not only is there an elevator for access to the boardwalk course, they also have an accessible golf club that allows you to use it at an angle, and it has a stopper on it to grab your ball from the hole. There was a slight lip coming off of the holes, but nothing that my motorized scooter couldn’t handle. There is also, Pirates of Wildwood, a 3d black light minigolf on the boardwalk that is on one level, and looks to have movable bricks for accessibility.

The boardwalk does offer some paved lanes that are normally used for the tram car. The tram itself is $5 per person per ride, but it does not offer any handicapped accessibility unless you fold up your wheelchair or walker. You also have to step up a small step. There are lots of people who rent scooters or bring their own. As long as you avoid the tram, you can use the paved lanes. At Morey’s piers, I was able to find some rides that had handicapped access and seats. The water park did offer a disability lift into the one pool, but I couldn’t see if they had any water wheelchairs as the park was closed by this time of the night. I wish I would’ve had the chance to see more, but the weather had other plans.

Jenn Powell: Never Look Back Vacations

31/10/2024

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