Pop quiz time – what does the island of Bermuda and the state of Alaska have in common? If you guessed that Bermuda and Alaska both have famous “triangles” where ships and planes have mysteriously disappeared, you technically wouldn’t be wrong. But the correct answer to this question is that Bermuda and Alaska are both locations where our clients vacationed this summer. Today you are receiving a two-for-one special, and this time it’s all about cruises! While these cruises were two very different vacations, the spirit of adventure was present in both trips. Cruises have been a part of Universal’s community outings for over fifteen years – they are one of the best forms of travel for our clients to enjoy a luxurious vacation experience while also spending time at an exotic destination. Let’s check out more details below.

Bermuda
Royal Caribbean, The Liberty of the Seas

Bermuda is one of the staple destinations for our yearly cruises because of the Caribbean’s close proximity to New Jersey and, well, who doesn’t love an island beach? This Bermuda trip was extra special because it was the first time the entire crew of clients and staff were from our Long Branch, NJ location. As our Long Branch program has developed and expanded over the years, we’ve been able to do more activities and outings from their location. Our Long Branch facility has gathered some extraordinary staff who utilize their resources and ingenuity to their maximum, and the clients have benefitted greatly from the additional therapies, outings, and enrichment opportunities.

For many of the staff, this was their first time on a cruise with the clients. While it’s easy to forget that trips like these are “work”, everyone had a magnificent experience. Anyone who has worked a Universal cruise knows that each trip has it’s own feel depending on the destination, the clients, and the staff. This Bermuda trip was a perfect first cruise for everyone because, except for rare exceptions, the entire crew stayed together for the whole vacation – which doesn’t always happen. The clients spent their days by the pools enjoying island mocktails and dancing to the DJ (there were three different pools on the ship). Each night, everyone enjoyed dinner together – followed by dessert – and then indulged at the casino where they played blackjack and roulette. The dinner each night was at the same table with the same waiter; the waiter and restaurant staff knew how to accommodate the clients and were extremely hospitable to everyone, which made the nights and dinners stress free. During the two days that the boat was docked at the Bermuda port, the UI crew visited Horseshoe Bay both days to soak up the Caribbean sun. You can tell from the pictures below that the staff and clients had smiles on their faces for the entire five days. We’re happy to report that next summer’s Caribbean cruise is already being planned!

*Please click on any picture to enlarge it.

Alaska
Royal Caribbean, The Ovation of the Seas

From the warm islands of Bermuda, we find ourselves at the Last Frontier. Yes, we took two clients to Alaska. Yes, we realize it’s slightly insane – but it’s insane in a “no other facility is doing anything like this” type of way. The thing about Universal is that we adapt to all levels of our clients’ abilities and desires between both ends of the spectrum. This was a vacation that had more travel demands than our average trip, but Greg and Eric are some of our most seasoned and adventurous clients, and they both have travelled on more UI Rehab vacations than we can count. This was a very special ten day cruise to Alaska (ten days!). The Executive Director of Residential Services, Jaymee Bernstein, and her daughter Lindsay – who works each summer as an Activity Specialist – took Greg and Eric on this once-in-a-lifetime vacation.

The Fab Four first flew to Seattle to spend the night there where the cruise ship would be taking off the following day. Once they embarked, it was full frontier ahead. This specific trip took months of planning and coordinating between UI Rehab, the clients, and their families. There were so many excursions to choose from that it was difficult to narrow them down. Jaymee, Lindsay, Greg and Eric did everything from dog sledding to sushi making, from visiting the Butchart Gardens in British Columbia to touring both American eagle and bear conservatories in Juneau. Of course, they ate lots of fresh Alaskan salmon and enjoyed formal dinners at night on the ship. They laid out by the pools on the warm days, explored and hung out at the many bars, and even encountered waterfalls. They visited museums and absorbed some culture – we’re trying to think of things they didn’t do. By the time the cruise was over and they arrived back in New Jersey, they had photos and memories that will last them the rest of their lives. A very special thank you is in order to Jaymee and Lindsay who embarked on this Alaskan vacation with Greg and Eric. Where in the world will we explore next time?