News

Royal Caribbean has found its Godmother for its newest cruise ship, Harmony of the Seas, and that person is South Florida educator Brittany Affolter. Brittany’s work with Teach for America in Miami-Dade County has supported and inspired a number of high-needs schools in Royal Caribbean’s hometown. Following a search that lasted months, Brittany was among three finalists, who then competed in a vote by the general public. Brittany won and was selected to become the ship's Godmother. For winning, she will be recognized…

  Three original TV series, developed by Carnival Corporation, will focus on the experiences around cruising and ports around the world. The shows debuted on October 1 on ABC, NBC and The CW and will feature all 10 of the company's brands.  Each lifestyle series sets out to capture a different aspect of the cruising experience. “Ocean Treks with Jeff Corwin” will take viewers adventure-hunting around the world with the Emmy-winning host. “The Voyager with Josh Garcia” will focus on…

Yesterday at Cruise Shipping Miami it was announced that MSC Seaside, the first of the Seaside class ships, will be the first ship in the MSC Cruises' fleet to be christened in the United States. MSC Seaside will sail the Caribbean year-round from PortMiami starting December 2017. Special Needs Groups looks forward to delivering electrical scooters, wheelchairs, oxygen and much more to make this cruise vacation accessible to all! Enjoy the video with renderings of what's to come. CLICK HERE…

Traveling is exciting! Getting away from the bustle of daily life and experiencing new places can be a relaxing way to get refreshed.   However, we all know that sometimes things just happen. Many of us have experienced the frustration of lost luggage as a result.  We’ve come up with a few things to help you keep your luggage and start your vacation off right. Bright colors.  While black and grey are classic colors, the conveyor belt is full of look…

Before planning your next family vacation, consider Sydney, Australia. Traveling "Down Under" offers a unique experience. With its stunning beaches, fascinating wildlife, and laid-back culture, Sydney isn't just beautiful—it is also one of the most accessible destinations in the world, ensuring a relaxing and inclusive vacation for everyone. Accessible Beaches and Coastal Life When visiting Sydney, setting aside a few days for the beach is essential. The city has done an excellent job of making its coastline accessible for wheelchair…

Traveling can get expensive and well, a little bit stressful.  Hidden fees on top of hotel, transportation, and food can seriously add up.  Airport security lines, baggage claim, and busier travel days can make traveling hectic.  We’ve come up with some travel hacks to get more bang for your buck as well as a few things that make traveling a little bit easier. 1. Travel Agents.  A good travel agent will help you find the best vacation for your needs…

Ecuador is a truly magical place.  It is located only 4 hours from Miami, on the northwest corner of South America, situated between Peru and Colombia.  From the beautiful sandy beaches of the Pacific Coast to the tropical jungle of the Amazon rainforest, Ecuador is place like no other.  Enjoy the stunning scenery while traveling through the Andes to see one of the highest active volcanoes in the world, Cotopaxi Volcano.  Go island hopping through the Galapagos Islands to get…

  Most of us want to travel around safely and unnoticed.  The only problem is we often just arrive at our destination without having taken the time to really think about how to fit in.  When exploring a destination, it is obvious who the tourists and the locals are.  So how do you blend in?  Most likely, you will naturally blend in with the tourists, because well you are one.  However, your typical tourist will usually only experience travel destinations…

Most of us know of at least one person who loves to travel more than most.  It seems they are always traveling or planning their next adventure.  With the busiest shopping weekend of the year fast approaching we thought it would be a good idea to look at some ideal gifts for world travelers. Portable Phone Charger Most phones these days have great cameras and for many have replaced a traditional camera.  There is nothing more frustrating for the travel…

We all love taking pictures while on vacation.  It's a great way to preserve the moment so we can share it with friends and family when we return.  Here are some great tips on taking great vacation pictures.   Always Carry Your Camera:  When traveling you never know when you will see the perfect shot or when everything will come together for a once in a lifetime photo opportunity.  Take As Many As You Wish:  One of the best things about…

Everyone seems to know that we rent mobility aids for elderly travelers, including Motorized Scooters and Wheelchairs for people who are going on cruises however there is more, much more. Let's start by saying that we also rent travel equipment and deliver to hotels and convention centers. We deliver to hotels and convention centers at all the major cruise port cities throughout the world.   Mobility Assistance Transport/Companion Chair - Similar to a wheelchair except that it requires a companion to…

When planning an accessible vacation for your family, the Lone Star State, only second in size to Alaska, is just a natural candidate. Everything in Texas is big and big fun for the family is everywhere in the Galveston and Houston! Galveston offers 32 miles of relaxing beaches, superb restaurants, marvelous shopping, incredible art galleries, fabulous entertainment and one of the largest and well-preserved concentrations of Victorian architecture in the country. Galveston has long been the playground of the Texas Gulf Coast.  Children of all ages will…

Mobility scooters are one of the most popular rentals at SNG!  If you rented one please take a look at a few simple scooter riding tips you should become familiar with before you sail. · Remember to take the first page of your contract with you and read the guide that you will receive along with the mobility scooter rental. · Scooters should be charged every single night regardless of usage!  Make sure the scooter is turned off and that the key…

One of the best ways to really experience a new city is eating like a local.   When in Rome do as the Romans.  This holds very true when it comes to food.  If you are in Peru eat Peruvian food. Why would you eat at an American Restaurant when in South America?  If you eat like the locals you are also more likely to be eating fresh food. The last person you should really ask for a restaurant recommendation…

Art lovers will find plenty to admire on cruise ships. Oceania Cruises, for instance, has a collection of 2,000 original works on its Marina and Riviera, including a signed Picasso lithograph. The line recently published a color catalog of its world-class art, joining Celebrity Cruises, which published one last year. The cruise lines take different approaches with their collections. Some commission top artists for site-specific works. Most work with a third-party curator, such as International Corporate Art (ICArt), which buys…

The first ship built exclusively for cruising was the Prinzessin Victoria Luise of Germany, designed by Albert Ballin, general manager of Hamburg-America Line. The ship was completed in 1900 with its inaugural sailing on January 5, 1901.  She was in service until 1906.  Victoria Luise was designed to look more like a private yacht than any of her commercial counterparts. She had a trim hull 52.2 feet wide by 407.5 feet long.  Onboard, she also did not look like other commercial…

Whether it’s your first vacation or a seasoned traveler it’s always a good idea make a checklist of everything you want and need for your trip.  Start the list a month before so that you have plenty of time to get everything ready.  This will allow you enough time to think of everything you will want to take with you.   A Few Months Out Are your travel documents up to date?  Make sure you find out what travel documents…

I discovered Cancun many years ago, just shortly before all the shopping malls, tourist restaurants and bars were opened.  I fell in love with the gorgeous beaches and friendly people.  I've been fortunate enough to return a few more times and I am still in love.  Cancun is a family friendly destination with plenty of things to do and there is always the option to lie on the beach with a nice cocktail in hand and do nothing at all.…

Extending your cruise vacation by a few days is a great way to enjoy wonderful embarkation port cities.  Here are a few of our favorites with our recommendations of a few things not to miss. New York City Many Bermuda cruise vacations start in the city that doesn't sleep, New York City.  This is one city that you can definitely spend some time before AND after you cruise and still not have enough time to take it all in.  There…

  If you are going to be cruising from anywhere other than your hometown why not go a few days early and enjoy a new city?  Many of the most popular cruise embarkation ports are great cities to visit.  Instead of rushing from the airport to the cruise ship spend a few days getting to know the city.  It's also good to have the extra time should there be any weather delays! Seattle and Vancouver If you are going to…

Special Needs Group / Special Needs at Sea aims to make travel both possible and a reality for people with special needs, we believe in accessibility for all! Mobility scooter rentals can make a vacation more enjoyable for a slow walker or someone with limited mobility. Using a motorized wheelchair rental allows you the freedom to get around easily on your own. A client enjoying a mobility scooter rental while sailing in Alaska. Why Should You Reserve a Mobility Scooter…

  Traveling can be a wonderful, fulfilling experience that should be stress free and enjoyable.  For a slow walker, someone with limited mobility or special needs, an electric scooter can make all the difference in the world.   Here are some helpful tips to for a smooth, glitch free journey, and a fun-filled one too.   Book in Advance To be certain that you have everything you need, be sure to book early.  Advance booking will ensure that you have the…

Scuba diving. Nature walks. Beach excursions. What do all of the above have in common? They’re all frequently offered options for shore excursions/activities while cruising or traveling abroad. Did you know that all of these activities can be tailored to accommodate travelers with Special Needs, too?    Joy on the Beach (Beach Wheelchair) at Hollywood Beach   We’ve compiled some of our top tips for planning the hiccup-free excursion:  Key Considerations Firstly, asses what special needs you and your group…

Cruising with an oxygen rental is smooth sailing, once you know the guidelines! SNG is here to help you breathe easy. The first thing to note is that all major cruise lines welcome oxygen concentrators on cruise ships. However, it’s important to keep in mind that each line has specific guidelines/requirements for traveling with oxygen. Some lines may require (or strongly suggest) that passengers traveling with oxygen obtain a medical release form, clearing them for travel, before the sail date.…