Single parent

[Mkripke]

I am a single father with a 6 yo girl. I am trying to decide if I should take her on a cruise. I have never taken her anywhere alone before. Could you guys e-mail me and give me some suggestions.

Thanks

Mkripke@onarollsales.com

[JJRide]

I am also a single parent. My son is 8. I'm not loaded with money, but I did manage to book a cruise on the Wonder for next week. I feel it will be a great opportunity for him, he'll have fun and learn a great deal too. It will be his first flight, cruise, beach, and many other experiences.
I have taken him to King's Dominion and stayed over night. Everything went very well. No discomfort or difficulities because we were just parent and child.
IMO, I think it would a super vacation for both of you.

Good luck!

[wovenwonder]

On the 7 day, DCL had scheduled times for singles or adults traveling alone. A nice chance to have adult time with others while your child is enjoying some special kid time in the clubs.

[peg2001]

I think a cruise could be a wonderful vacation for a father and daughter. If she decided that she liked the kids clubs, you could even have a little bit of time to yourself. Regardless, there are plenty of family activities that you could both engage in.

Share any specific concerns that you have and maybe we can reassure you.

I would say that any of the tips offered on traveling with children would apply to your situation. Prepare your daughter for what to expect, especially if she hasn't flown or been on a ship before. Bring things to entertain her on the plane/in the car.

[Mkripke]

We did take a 4 day land/3 day cruise as a family, she did love it. i will start to look into it.

Thanks

[kml2000]

I am also a single parent and debated whether to take my daughter on a cruise by myself. I came to the conclusion that it would be one of the best places to take her!! There was also a trip report from a single parent on the Trip report board but I can't seem to locate it. I linked an earlier thread to it but now I can't find it!!! It was GREAT.

With a cruise, you have the opportunity for "together" time and "alone time". From what I have read, the clubs and labs are wonderful and allows supervised care (that is enjoyable - not just a "sitter") for your daughter so you can have some adult time. There are so many activities you can do together, it would be fabulous. You have the best of all the worlds on the boat!!!!

Do it....it will be "Magic"al and/or "Wonder"ful I am sure!!

We are lucky to be going with a couple of other families from our gymnastics center, HOWEVER, we may go next year alone. I want to go on a 7 day cruise and we are only doing a three day this year...*pout*.....

Good luck on your decision, whatever you decide, HAVE FUN AND ENJOY YOUR TIME WITH YOUR DAUGHTER!

[Gina]

I'm a single mom of a 6 year old boy, and we went on the Magic in February. We had the absolute time of our lives -- both together and separately. I got to live like an actual grownup (gasp!!) for a week, enjoying the clubs and activities, secure in the knowledge that my little boy was safe and sound and having a ball in the Oceaneer Club. He never wanted to come out of there! :) But when I could talk him out of there, we had a ball together on excursions and family activities. It is really just the best of all worlds -- you're happy, your child is happy, you're both happy. We're counting down the days until next February. :)

-gina-

[SuAnne]

I am a single mom who will be taking my 9 year old daughter on the 7 day cruise in December. There are not many places that I would feel I would want to take her by myself, but I think DCL lends itself perfectly to a single parent vacation. As mentionned,there are opportunities for both "together" and "individual" time for us both.... and we both love anything Disney! We went to WDW ourselves last year and we had the best time and we are so looking forward to our Magic cruise in December.

[CindyandBrice]

I too, am a single parent and Have cruised twice with my son. He was 3 for both cruises and will be 4 when we go in August. We had a BLAST. He is counting the days till we go again. The only regret is not having someone to enjoy Palo's with. I have passed both times because I didn't want to eat alone. Anyone elso go to Palo's alone??

[Mkripke]

I thank you all for your help. My other concern is (it may sound stupid) being a man, I am not sure of some of the girl things, what to wear, how to do hair, etc. It was usually stuff her mother did.

Does anyone know if the beauty salon would do her hair for the dressier dinners?

[kml2000]

You know, I am a woman and I have trouble with the "hair stuff" for my daughter. I have found that a pretty headband looks nice and doesn't require a lot of "skill". I don't know about the salon, but I'm sure they would do it.

[Michelle]

Hi Mkripke! As others have said, you will have magical cruise vacation with your daughter alone. I'm not a single parent but I take my daughter on vacations alone all the time and will probably do a cruise alone with her this year too (my husband doesn't have that much vacation time).

As for the hair, the spa and salon are for those 18 and over only and they will not do children at all. I wouldn't worry much about the dress code! Just have one or two dressier dresses for her for dinner plus a couple of sundresses or capri pants and she'll be perfectly dressed for the evening meal. Also you may find that she prefers to eat dinner in the children's programming and if that's the case she can just wear the usual shorts and t-shirts and not have to change for dinner.

Enjoy your cruise! :)

[wovenwonder]

On the 7 day cruise, they now do hair braiding on the ship. You could have the island type corn rows put in her hair on the ship -- and have little styling to deal with thru the week. WARNINGS -- the hairbraiding books up quickly so be sure to arrive 1/2 hour before the posted starting time on the first day -- that is when they schedule for the entire week. And also, the head will burn where exposed. Brink along a sunscreen stick to apply to the scalp areas on a regualr basis.
:)

[SuAnne]

Hi Gina...
I was just reading your trip report again. For dinner were you seated with another single parent/kids? I'm wondering if they try to do that...I think it would be great. :)

[Mkripke]

Thank you all for your input.

[CarolAnnC]

I have cruised twice with my DD's as a single parent. The first time was only two months after my husband's death as we had planned the cruise as a family and decided to still go after the tragedy.

I can assure you that you will be perfectly comfortable cruising as a single parent on Disney ships. There are so many activities that you can participate in, and there is also plenty to do for those who prefer relaxation by the pools, in the sun, etc. Many two parent families even split up during the day and evening, so you will not feel that you stand out in the crowd so to speak.

Go enjoy your cruise with your DD!! There is nothing like making memories that will last forever with your children... :)

[peg2001]

I'm in the same boat as KML2000. I recently mentioned to a friend that I almost felt like a bad mom when I go out and see all the little girls with cute hair ribbons, etc. and my girls with their hair hanging in their faces.

Try simple ponytails or pigtails or those soft cloth hairbands. These are easy to do and even if they aren't quite straight and even, the cuteness of the little girls themselves shines through.

[Mkripke]

A little practice would help me also...

[kml2000]

You know, you also need to consider what your daughter would want. My daughter cares nothing about me "fussing" with her hair. Whatever I do to her hair has to be something "simple". She sometimes will let me "play" with it. Of course, she might not want me to play with it because I'm not that good at it.....*LOL*. We do pony tails with scrunchies (there are some really pretty scrunchies), headbands (there are some NICE headbands), and just some plain barrettes.

Good luck!!! You will love it and who cares what the hair looks like????? YOu will remember the time you spent together, not that the hair wasn't fixed a particular way!

[Mkripke]

That is true, she usually doesn't want her hair done.

[kml2000]

Take her lead then.......as long as it is clean and brushed, you are good to go!!! My main concern is making sure it is out of my daughter's eyes. That does drive me nuts. The sparkle of her smile and the stars in her eyes will WAY outshine if she has a ribbon in her hair.

She is lucky to have a Dad that wants to do something with her. My DD(9), hasn't seen her "sp--- donor" since she was 8 months old. One day your daughter will grow up and will always remember this. Don't take this time for granted. She will only be this age once and you don't want to miss it because she didn't have a ribbon in her hair!!!!

Have we convinced you yet?????

[Gina]

No, we were seated with a really nice couple about my age who had a 3 year old little girl. She and my son had a great time together at the table, at least the few times I could drag him out of the club to have dinner with his mommy. ;)

And as far as the hairstyling thing goes... I don't have a girl, but I am always really fussy about my own hair. It is *so* breezy on deck all the time, I ended up just throwing my hair into a ponytail pretty much all the time. I never touched any of my ribbons and bows except for formal night. :)

-gina-

[legs22]

This cruise is the BEST thing going for single parents and their kids. I took my DD4 and she loved the kids club and that gave me some much needed adult time while I knew she was nearby and well taken care of (plus I had a pager for them to call me).
Free, available any time, child care is a wonderful thing to have especially if you have no family help and are full time single parent who has trouble finding a sitter to do anything. We also had together time and had lots of fun.
I was seated with another single parent mom and her DD was the same age as mine!
Just bring a couple dresses for formal night and maybe headbands or bows and you'll be fine. What does she usually like to wear in her hair? Ask her. Keep it simple and don't get too carried away worrying about what to wear.

[bogino]

Do you have any fond or really special memories of when you were that age? If the answer is yes than that is what your child will come away with from this trip. They don't call it "Magic" for nothing. Good Luck.

[lespaul55]

While I'm not a single parent, my husband and I have gone on separate vacations with just one or two of our children. Last summer I did the 7 day land/sea with my daughters. The cruise part was definitely the highlight. Since my older daughter is a teen, she was gone most of the time, so my 9 year old and I hung out together. It was very special. We enjoyed the family activities, the deck parties, shows, the movies, family karaoke etc. Floating together on our blue mats in the clear water, holding hands under the beautiful sun at Castaway Cay is something I will always remember.

My daughter hates to have me do her hair. She has had braids done on a cruise in the past and hated getting them [though she looked so cute!!], so no braids. The cruise is only as dressy as you want it to be.

One suggestion, try cruising with another family, it is so much fun. And gives a chance for you a chance to hang with adults you already know. And companions for dinner. Maybe another single parent?? We had so much fun last summer that we have a bigger group going on the 7 day June 29th, 13 of us, my family of 7, plus my sister and her children, and Grandma.

Leslie

[Mkripke]

Yes, you've convinced me. Now i have to decide when. And what cabin to get. I would love a Cat 3.

[cruisnfamily]

Mkripke.....in regard to cabin size....If it is just you and DD you would probably be fine in the lowest category like a 12. But If your pockets can afford it, it sure would be grand to cruise in style in a Cat 3...If not, why not compromise on a Cat 7 Navigators Veranda?

Have a great trip!

[Mkripke]

I'm not rich, but I could afford a Cat 3, do you think there are any available during late Sept thru the end of the year? If none are, how about Cat 5.?

[kml2000]

I say book what you can afford and have a great time. Make sure you save out enough money to "play". If I had the extra cash flow I would have booked a higher cabin, but we are and will be happy with what we have.

Have a great time. It will be wonderful for you and your daughter. Memories to last a lifetime.

[Mkripke]

Thank you