New to Cruising - Should I go alone with the kids?

[Irish9697]

Hey there! I've never been on any cruise, much less a Disney Cruise, but have wanted to for many years. The kids and I have been to WDW alone, just the 3 of us, but now I am contemplating a cruise in October over their Fall Break. It's just a 3 day, but I'm nervous since we've never done it before to do it alone. Will I get lonely while the kids are in camps? I am not the type to dine alone or go to shows alone. Is there plenty to do together?

So, should I do it?

Part of me wants to go ahead and book it because...chances are someone might be able to join us. DBF has work obligations that week, but maybe a friend or someone would go??

[kcashner]

The cruise is one of the easiest vacations to do as a single mom. The kids can spend as much time as they choose in the programming, but they'll want to hang with you too. They'll want to swim and see the shows, and neither of those happen in the Club or Lab.

We have always had a couple of things we keep firm. We eat dinner as a family--that gives us time to reconnect, etc. DD had to do one activity in the programming each day--that gave me a little "alone" time.

It is likely that you'll be seated with another family, but that's no guarantee. There are lunches for "single parent or traveling single" with one of the cruise staff CMs....that's another time to meet people.

I've done 23 cruises as a single mom, 21 of them on DCL....I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I suspect you'll find that a 3 day is too short and come back for more!

[julielouhoo]

Originally Posted by Irish9697

Hey there! I've never been on any cruise, much less a Disney Cruise, but have wanted to for many years. The kids and I have been to WDW alone, just the 3 of us, but now I am contemplating a cruise in October over their Fall Break. It's just a 3 day, but I'm nervous since we've never done it before to do it alone. Will I get lonely while the kids are in camps? I am not the type to dine alone or go to shows alone. Is there plenty to do together?

So, should I do it?

Part of me wants to go ahead and book it because...chances are someone might be able to join us. DBF has work obligations that week, but maybe a friend or someone would go??

I would do it! I've been thinking about the same thing for November. Just having gone in August, I don't think my DH would want to go so soon, but we will!!

There are plenty of things for you to do alone. Like read a book on the comfy loungers on Deck 4, get a pass to the rainforrest at the spa, go to a cooking demonstration, galley tour, wine tasting, relax at the adult pool or cove cafe and plenty more. But, just because there are kids clubs, doesn't mean your kids will want to stay there all of the time. The cruise compass will list plenty of fun activities that you can do as a family and the shows are so wonderful that the kids will want to see them too.

If you decide to go, I hope you have a great time!!

Terri

[ldalvarado]

I just did it in May with my 7 and 10 year olds. I agree... easiest vacation ever. My kids didn't spend a stitch of time in the clubs, although they did spend half an hour or so in the cabin by themselves watching TV while I shopped in Mickey's Mates or Shutters. We had a blast and are doing it again in May 2010.

[mkmommy]

I too love travelling alone with my girls and cannot wait for the next cruise.

One loves the clubs and the other wants to spend time with me, so I never seem to get alone time, but that is fine with me, holidays is a time for me to spend time with the girls.

A cruise is much easier than the parks to do alone, I find I do not have to worry about them getting lost like I do in the parks and if they do not want to do the same thing, the kids club is an option that is there.

I would suggest getting a copy of "THE Passporter to DCL" and read that as it gives a great overview of what you can expect, and also read lots of trip reports.

[lbgraves]

to the DIS cruise board!

A good place to start is the DIS DCL FAQ thread that is linked in my signature below...second line. That is an alphabetical listing of lots of information about DCL and resources to help you plan your cruise. After you book, the next stop should be the meets thread for your cruise. This is on the meets forum and you can look for the link to your specific cruise in one of the first threads stuck at the top of that forum. They are sorted by ship and year and then listed chronologically. You can meet other people who are traveling with kids the same age as yours. You will probably find another single parent traveling alone and can link dining with your reservations. After that, just start reading the posts here. Ask questions when you have them and don't worry about if it is something that you think has been asked before. We were all newbies to DCL at one point.

[kaseyC]

Originally Posted by Irish9697

Hey there! I've never been on any cruise, much less a Disney Cruise, but have wanted to for many years. The kids and I have been to WDW alone, just the 3 of us, but now I am contemplating a cruise in October over their Fall Break. It's just a 3 day, but I'm nervous since we've never done it before to do it alone. Will I get lonely while the kids are in camps? I am not the type to dine alone or go to shows alone. Is there plenty to do together?

So, should I do it?

Part of me wants to go ahead and book it because...chances are someone might be able to join us. DBF has work obligations that week, but maybe a friend or someone would go??

In 2007, I did the 14 night WB TA Repo alone with my eldest DD. We had a wonderful time. What was really cool was that DCL seated us at dinner with two other moms traveling alone with their children. We had a blast together. I don't know if it was a fluke or something DCL does regularly.

In two weeks, I will be taking all 3 of my DDs alone on an Surprise E. Caribbean cruise on the Magic with a few days at the Beach Club pre-cruise. I'm looking forward to it. I don't mind doing things alone if the girls are busy elsewhere. As long as I have something to read I'm fine.

[mainegal]

Ohmigosh! It is a DISNEY cruise. Of course, bring the kids!

Have a great time. There be fun things to do for everyone.

[rahrah]

Also, since it is a Disney cruise, almost everyone likes to talk about Disney things. Just walk along the upper deck looking for someone at the railing, staring out to sea and start a conversation.

[awtigger]

I am taking my DD (9) on our 1st Cruise ever in May 2010 she will be 10 when we cruise. I dont know who is more excited her or myself. I am a single mom so travel all the time with just the 2 of us and we have a blast. It seems like we have more fun when it is just us, then traveling with other family members