Buddy Cruise Inc.

10/10/2026

Big thanks to our Ambassadors Sylvia and Angelina for hosting a Buddy Cruise table at the Central Florida’s Down Syndrome event this morning!!! Looks amazing
💙💛💙

10/08/2026

Buddy Cruise 2026 Conference Opening Video! Three minutes of fun and smiles !

Buddy Cruise is a non-profit 501C3.This is the opening video for t...

10/05/2026

Maria Dellapina
Our 2026 Inspire Ambassador
Although we sail to amazing places, get empowered by insightful speakers, and dance nights away, that’s not the best
part of Buddy Cruise. It’s the connections we make with inspiring people from all
walks (and wheelchairs) of life. And no one embodies that spirit more than this
year’s Inspire Award recipient, Maria Dellapina. Though she comes from a small
town in Ohio, Maria’s impact can be felt by special needs families around the world.
Maria is the founder of SPECS4US, a company she created to provide specialized
eyeglasses for individuals with Down syndrome.
Maria is the proud mother of four children – Jamie, Anthony, Molly, and her angel
daughter, Erin – as well as a grandmother of seven. Despite the devastating loss of
her beloved Erin, who had Down syndrome and lost her battle with Moyamoya
in 2019, Maria continues to come aboard Buddy Cruise every year, generously
sharing her knowledge, love, and support as a treasured ambassador, presenter,
volunteer, and friend. As only Maria could do, she turned the loss of Erin into an
opportunity to give something meaningful to others. In 2019, Maria created Erin’s
Umbrella, which provides scholarships to first-time Buddy Cruisers, giving other
families the opportunity to experience the community Erin loved so much.
When Maria isn’t loving and supporting her family, running her company, or doing
whatever it takes to help Buddy Cruise, she is quietly connecting with special needs
families around the world – offering wisdom, encouragement, love, and support
without ever asking for recognition in return. Those who know her best describe her
as extraordinarily generous, selfless, loving, helpful, intelligent, and strong.
Maria doesn’t just inspire people through what she has accomplished. She inspires
us through the way she lives. The way she loves. The way she gives. And the way
she continues to turn even unimaginable loss into love for others.
We are so honored and blessed to have Maria as part of the Buddy Cruise family –
and so proud to celebrate her as this year’s Inspire Award recipient. (Credit Gina G)

09/26/2026

09/22/2026

Buddy having an amazing time with all his friends at the Buddy Cruise 2026 Walk and Roll on board the Symphony of the Seas !

09/12/2026

Today is the National Down Syndrome Society Buddywalk in NY! We are excited to see who will win the cruise this year!

08/22/2026

Thanks Jared and family who are representing Buddy Cruise at Southeastern Idaho Dash for Down Syndrome!!! Thank you 💙💛

08/02/2026

A heartfelt thank you to our Buddy Cruise Ambassadors who generously donated their time today. These guys assembled the conference bags for our big event! We sail in less then 7 weeks!! Having the bags packed and ready for shipping to Texas is a HUGE check of of our to-do list. We could not do what we do without the help of our Ambassadors💕💕💕

08/02/2026

Big shout out to my friends and family who came and stuffed 400 back packs for Special Needs kids today!!! What an amazing team we all made.
Thank you all for making this happen and for supporting the Buddy Cruise Annual Duck Tace that provides the funds for this adventure!!!

07/31/2026

RISE & SHINE! 🌞☕️
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