An Autistic Person’s Guide to Going on a Cruise

In June, I went on a one-week Nordic cruise with P&O aboard their ship Iona, departing from Southampton. I travelled with my husband, Simon, and overall, I had a fantastic time.

As an autistic adult with low support needs, I wanted to share my experience in case it helps others who are considering a cruise. Of course, no two autistic people are the same. For context, my biggest challenges are sensory and social, both of which impact my energy levels. I also want to say how lucky I feel to have been able to take such a special trip.

General Reflections

I loved waking up in a new location most mornings. The itinerary included both sea days and port stops, and we joined organised excursions at three out of the four ports. The trip struck a great balance between rest and activity.

I'd cruise again, although next time I’d make a few adjustments based on what I’ve learned.

Biggest Lesson Learned

Looking back, my biggest mistake was not letting P&O know in advance that I’m autistic. They made it clear that anyone with access needs, including hidden disabilities, should complete a form at least two weeks before departure.

At the time, I didn’t feel comfortable doing so. There are complex personal reasons behind this, which I won’t go into here, but ultimately, I regret the decision.

I did try to let them know halfway through the trip, and although the staff were kind and tried to update my details, I don’t think it made much difference.

The biggest impact of not declaring my needs in advance (I think) was on dinner seating. The main dining rooms had tightly packed tables, and from a sensory perspective, this made it difficult to focus or enjoy the experience. Even when we weren’t seated close to others, I felt anxious in case we would be. We often chose to eat at the buffet instead, where it was easier to find a more comfortable space. On a couple of occasions, I asked to be moved, which I found incredibly awkward.

I think (although I do not know this for certain) that if I had declared my autism before the trip, this information could be been associated to my cabin number and seen by staff when I made dinner reservations.

The truth is, I hate making a fuss. But I also paid a lot for this holiday, and I deserve to be comfortable. That’s a major takeaway from this trip: advocate for yourself early, and don’t feel guilty for asking for what you need.

Challenges on Board

1. Size and Busyness

Iona is a huge ship (see ship overview), and on sea days in particular, it could feel very busy. I chose not to use the pools or whirlpools for this reason, although I did not feel I was missing out too much.

As mentioned above, the biggest issue for me was the closeness of the tables in the main dining rooms (and some other venues too) as this placed significant restrictions on where we could eat comfortably.

2. Alcohol-Centred Activities/Venues

A lot of the adult entertainment, venues, and activities felt like the revolved around alcohol (albeit not explicitly). As someone who doesn’t drink, this was a bit frustrating, though to be fair, that’s true in everyday life as well! The good news is that there was a decent range of alcohol-free options, including mocktails.

3. Packing Difficulties

Packing for this holiday was unexpectedly hard as you need to prepare for all weathers. As someone who likes to feel ready for every occasion, this added some stress. Clearly there is nothing P&O could have done about this either outside of the packing and dress code information they already provide.

Highlights and Positives

Despite the above, there were many things I loved about this cruise:

Food

Although the main dining room was problematic, the buffet was a great, informal alternative. We learned to choose our times wisely—going at quieter times and sitting toward the far ends of the room helped reduce sensory overload.

We also enjoyed a special meal at Sindhu, the Indian restaurant on board. Great food, great service, and a booth to sit in.

Excursions

We chose some quite active trips:

• Fjord Kayaking: Two hours on the water was exhausting but absolutely worth it (as you will see from the photos below).

• Hiking to Briksdal Glacier: This was my favourite trip. We chose to skip the pre-hike coffee and cake and go after instead, which helped us avoid the crowds.

• Nordic Walking: This was the only slightly disappointing one. I had expected to use walking poles (I'm an experienced Nordic walker), but the guide decided not to bring them due to the possibility of a storm. The weather turned out to be lovely, and it felt like a missed opportunity (not least because the walk was fast and on uneven terrain).

These active excursions suited us well, but for anyone preferring a slower pace, there were plenty of other options.

Kayaking trip

Glacier trip

Cabin

We went for the best cabin our budget allowed, and it was absolutely worth it. Having a balcony gave us a private space to relax. Our steward, Roy, was amazing—he even brought us blankets so we could enjoy early-morning views of the fjords. A comfortable cabin is essential if, like me, you need a retreat when things get overwhelming.

Activities and Entertainment

The range of onboard activities was huge. Although I didn’t do many, it was comforting to know there were always options. A highlight was a fascinating talk on pop art from the ship’s art gallery manager.

Entertainment-wise, we saw some brilliant theatre and music shows. On the first night, we were serenaded during dinner by West End performer Kelly Mathieson—a real treat.

Casino

This might come as a surprise, but I loved the casino. For many autistic people, it might be a sensory nightmare, but for some reason, I rather liked it. I even finished the trip in profit!

Fitness and Routine

I find it challenging to be away from my usual routine; in particularly, my weekly exercise regime. The onboard gym was excellent and helped me stay grounded. Unfortunately, the running track was disappointing; it would have taken so many laps even to run a mile, but the gym made up for it.

Quiet Spaces

A helpful tip: some bars don’t open until later in the day, but you can still sit in them earlier on. These were often quiet and peaceful spots for a break.

Wi-Fi and Downtime

We opted for the cheapest Wi-Fi package—basic internet, but no video streaming. For me, being cut off from (video-based) social media felt brilliant. But if you need video access, you’ll want to prioritise this in your holiday budget (on our trip, it was pretty expensive).

Final Thoughts

I genuinely loved this holiday, and I’ll definitely cruise again—perhaps on a smaller ship next time. The biggest lesson for me was around access needs. Declaring my autism in advance might have made it easier to explain my seating preferences without feeling awkward or like I was making a fuss.

That said, this experience did help me grow in confidence when it came to advocating for myself. It’s not always easy, but it is important.

If you’re an autistic person considering a cruise, I hope this guide helps you prepare and feel more confident about what to expect. Everyone’s needs are different, but with a little planning and self-awareness, cruising can be an incredibly enjoyable and memorable experience.