Cruise Line Issues Apology Following Incident with Autistic Guest Removed from Mexico Cruise

A New Jersey mother, Carolyn Piro, is raising awareness after her adult son, Sean Curran, who has autism, was removed from a Celebrity Cruise ship in Cozumel, Mexico on Christmas Eve. The incident occurred during a family cruise that celebrated both the holidays and Piro’s 60th birthday. Although the specific cruise ship is not confirmed, it is believed to be the Celebrity Xcel based on the sailing’s itinerary.

For context, Piro was traveling with her four sons, including Curran, who is 31. The family initially enjoyed their trip until an incident involving Curran and a teenage girl took a turn for the worse. Curran, who was approached by the girl asking him to purchase a Long Island iced tea, was unaware that the drink contained alcohol and complied with her request.

While Curran was socializing with the girl in a hot tub, her parents spotted them and escalated the situation, causing security staff to escort Curran to a security office. Piro accompanied him, where he explained, “I have autism, and I was just trying to be nice.” Despite his lack of malicious intent and his mother’s presence, security decided to expel him from the ship, giving him just 90 minutes to pack.

Initially, the family was only provided an incident report and informed that authorities would be notified. No charges were filed. Once back home, Piro disciplined Curran but emphasized that his behavior stemmed from a misunderstanding rather than intentional wrongdoing.

The family chose Celebrity Cruises because the brand is recognized for being autism-friendly, holding a certification from Autism on the Seas for their services addressing the needs of guests with autism. Piro had also arranged special accommodations, such as quieter seating during meals.

After Piro went public with their experience, Royal Caribbean, the parent company of Celebrity Cruises, issued an apology. They acknowledged that their crew could have handled the situation with more sensitivity, especially considering Curran’s condition. They also stated that additional training for staff would be implemented to prevent similar events in the future.

Piro is seeking reimbursement for the approximately $20,000 spent on the cruise and related expenses, but it remains unclear whether her request will be granted.

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