Traveling With MS

Set Sail for Sunshine and Smiles: Join the MS Alliance of VA on an Unforgettable Cruise!

After a long hiatus, Cruising Together is back, bringing joy and accessibility to those in our community who might otherwise miss out on the magic of a cruise. Whether it’s due to disability, financial limitations, or apprehension, our goal is to provide an opportunity for everyone to feel truly whole again.

And now for some exciting news! The MS Alliance of VA is thrilled to announce our next group cruise, setting sail in November 2025 from sunny Miami!


Your Adventure Awaits!

Our incredible journey begins even before we board the ship. On Friday, November 14th, 2025, we’ll kick off the festivities by attending the MS Foundation’s annual Accessible Clothing Fashion Show in Fort Lauderdale. This black-tie affair is a highlight, and the MS Alliance will have a VIP table for an exclusive experience.

Then, on Sunday, November 16th, 2025, our magnificent ship, the Carnival Celebration, departs from Miami, Florida, for seven beautiful days of warm temperatures (not hot, but certainly not cold as it will be in Virginia in November!).

Discover New Horizons on a 7-Day Eastern Caribbean Adventure!

This unforgettable 7-Day Eastern Caribbean cruise offers a perfect blend of relaxation and exploration, visiting some truly fantastic destinations before returning to Miami:

  • Miami, FL (Departure)
  • Celebration Key™
  • Nassau, Bahamas
  • Amber Cove, Dominican Republic
  • Grand Turk
  • Miami, FL (Return)

For a detailed look at the cruise itinerary and ship features, you can visit the official Carnival page by clicking here.

 
Affordable Luxury and Limited Availability

Currently, 12 people are already booked, and prices for this fantastic cruise are incredibly attractive!

  • Inside Cabins starting at $600 per person
  • Oceanview Cabins starting at $700 per person
  • Balcony Cabins starting at $900 per person

Prices are based on double occupancy and include all taxes and port fees! Please note, these prices do not include airfare, transfers to and from the port, gratuities, or travel insurance.

Act fast, though! There are limited accessible cabins left, so if you require a handicapped room, it’s crucial to book quickly to secure your spot. We also have a couple of people looking for roommates, which can be a great way to save and make new friends!

Ready to Cruise? Book Your Spot Today!

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to connect with fellow MS Alliance members, enjoy breathtaking scenery, and create lasting memories.

To book your room directly, we recommend contacting Ronald Nipp at 1-800-819-3902 x 83301. Ronald was the agent who assisted with our last MSAV cruise to the Bahamas from Baltimore and has been reasonably responsive.

For more general information about the MS Alliance cruise or if you are looking for a roommate, please contact our MS Alliance travel committee coordinator, Dr. Russ Wiener, at Msav4hope@gmail.com, with the subject line “Russ Wiener/travel.”

 

Traveling With MS


Dear MSAV,

Have you ever gone on a cruise? We would like to start a travel committee and we are asking you if you would be interested and willing to join this committee to work on group travel opportunities for the MSAV, and to provide a basic travel planning tool you can use for your own travel.  Our goals are to involve members of the MSAV directly in our trip planning – to design adventures that go beyond minimum accessibility requirements and to truly enhance the travel experience for members (and families) of all abilities.

Your participation is completely voluntary, but we sincerely hope you will take this opportunity to help make travel more accessible for our community. 

If you are interested in joining the committee please email (wiener.russell@gmail.com). Your perspectives and insights would be incredibly valuable to our research. By sharing your travel experiences as a person with a disability, you can help identify challenges faced as well as opportunities to enhance accessibility. Our goal is to shape recommendations that will enable freedom of movement for all.  

As a committee member, you would provide additional input on potential destinations, activities, accommodations, transportation, and other trip features. We expect the committee to meet about once a month via zoom.  You would serve as an advisor and thought partner as we develop upcoming travel plans.  We hope you are excited about this opportunity to shape accessible group travel for the MSAV.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions.  We greatly appreciate your time and consideration. Working together, I know we can make travel more available. 

Sincerely,

Russell Wiener ~ wiener.russell@gmail.com 

& Suzanne Oconnell,  MSAV ~ Suzq852@yahoo.com