A place for single cruising parents to ask questions.

[firepuppy]

I wanted to start an ongoing post for single parents taking your wonderful kids on a cruise. I know there have been posts before from other single parents looking for answers to many questions they have. No question is to small or silly. We have been there before and had the same question.

I am also a single mom of one who is now 19 years old and still cruises with mom. I have watched him change and experience so many different things while cruising. I know there are other parents who have cruised more them me who have a vast amount of knowledge. I want to add a place full of resources for other parents so you did not feel like you are on the ship alone. I hope you find this thread helpful.

I look forward to answering questions along with the other parents.


Thank you

 

[sdjen]

Great idea. I am a single mom to a 9 year old and we are heading to Alaska for our 4th cruise in less than a month!! I would be happy to help answer questions to. It can seem overwhelming when you are planning any trip, but especially a cruise. I remember what that felt like before our first cruise. This board was very helpful in making me feel more comfortable in my choice and I would be happy to help others too.

 

[firepuppy]

Thank you for helping. We are looking at taking the Alaska trip with in the next two year. Depending on when the new locks open for EBPC. We are cruising to Hawaii this year.

 

[annacali]

I just got off the Fantasy earlier this month with my 2 DD's ---our first cruise. We loved it so much we booked a placeholder for 2017 and are looking at doing Alaska (not Disney) next summer. A post for single parents is a great idea!

 

[TXTransplant]

Great idea for a thread! I've done three trips to WDW and an Adventures By Disney trip and will cruise for the second time out of Galveston this December...all as a single mom with my (currently 10 y/o) son.

I found cruising to be a great way to meet other single parents - you should definitely not feel out of place!

Maybe DisBoards could create an entire forum for single parents...they have one for adult and solo travelers?!?

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

Great idea for a thread! I've done three trips to WDW and an Adventures By Disney trip and will cruise for the second time out of Galveston this December...all as a single mom with my (currently 10 y/o) son.

I found cruising to be a great way to meet other single parents - you should definitely not feel out of place!

Maybe DisBoards could create an entire forum for single parents...they have one for adult and solo travelers?!?

That's what I've been wanting...an entire forum for single parents (like the solo travelers forum).

Firepuppy - thank you for creating this thread in the meantime.

 

[TXTransplant]

That's what I've been wanting...an entire forum for single parents (like the solo travelers forum).

Firepuppy - thank you for creating this thread in the meantime.

Look in the lower right hand corner and use the Contact Us link to send an email requesting it. I sent one. Maybe if enough people request, they will create one.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I am a single mom, too, and DD and I went on our first cruise last year. We're thinking about the next one, but no solid plans yet. I didn't meet other single parents, but we liked the cruise atmosphere for just the two of us.

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

I am a single mom of a 1 y/o DS. We went on our 1st Disney cruise just the two of us not long ago. It was actually very easy and we both had a great time. We are booked for Alaska next year and I'm looking forward to creating some great memories there too with DS.

Not sure if anyone else is planning to travel as a single parent with a toddler; if so, I'll be happy to answer any questions.

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

Look in the lower right hand corner and use the Contact Us link to send an email requesting it. I sent one. Maybe if enough people request, they will create one.

Great! I will certainly do that!

 

[CT Mom of 3]

I've been on 6 DCL trips with my 3 kiddos - booked the next one for April 2016 - happy to answer any questions!

 

[MousseauMob]

Single mom that's been cruising (DCL and other lines) alone, with kids since 2007, and truthfully my 2005 cruise may as well have been single. Personally, I think cruising is a wonderful vacation option for single parents, much easier than land vacations.

OP when I read your original post, I laughed because my Bryce (19) also still cruises with mom along with his little sister (12), and even more coincidental you and I share our first name initial. Anyway, I wanted to say: Great idea for a thread! I know when I was starting out, I would have felt so much better to have been able to ask some of my questions to a thread like this.

 

[genki3]

I'm not a single parent but for my recent cruise my DH couldn't take off work so I went on the cruise without him. I took my toddler with me and we were traveling with 2 other relatives but my 1 year old didn't want anything to do with them most of the time so I FELT like I was a single parent for the entire cruise.

It was still fun but I would've loved to have met up with other single parent cruisers.

 

[GooniesAndy]

Great idea... I am a single mom of two (6- and 9-year-old boys), and I was totally intimidated by our first solo trip in May. It turned out to be just fine. Cruising is the perfect vacation for us! We will be traveling with a larger group for our next trip, but I won't hesitate to book just the three of us in the future if no one else wants to go.

 

[jpeppers]

I am a single Dad of a 13 year old daughter and found this to be our best form of vacation and we will be doing our 4th Disney cruise next May. I did meet a single mother of a young boy from another part of the country on our 1st cruise so we have planned our cruises together since. It was pure chance we met and we only hang out once a year but it has been awesome. I have the advantage of having a friend on board now but I find it incredibly easy to meet people on the boat (mostly couples) and I'm not very social. I think it is a great atmosphere for a single parent.

 

[firepuppy]

I'm glad you were able to find a friend to cruise with. I have also found other single parents and keep in contact with them after the cruise. Enjoy you next cruise.

 

[DisneyClown]

I am single mom to 2, a boy and girl. Next Summer we will be going on our first cruise (on the Dream). My kids will be 4 and 7 at time of cruise. My plans are to fly in day before and get hotel shuttle to port next day. I am wondering if someone can "walk" me through what I might be expecting as we are dropped off from shuttle. From getting to where we need to go, until we actually get on the ship? I am just nervous about navigating two children through a crowd, when I'm not sure what I'm doing myself.

 

[firepuppy]

While you are at the hotel I would make sure I have all my documents in one please easy to get to. This would include your passports. The shuttle will drop you off just a few steps from the door. You will have several cast members helping you get in line and getting checked in. It is like TSA, just not as bad. You will go up the elevator and at the top you will again find several cast members helping you get in line for check in. The kids will need to be with you. They will take your photos and give you your key to the world (room key). As you are walking up to the ship there are photo opportunities you may not want to miss.

I know you are nervous getting around in the crowd with the kids I have seen parents have the kids hold on to the handles of the carry on. You do just fine and enjoy your cruise.

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

Look in the lower right hand corner and use the Contact Us link to send an email requesting it. I sent one. Maybe if enough people request, they will create one.

Did someone respond to your request? I sent a request; however, I haven't received a response yet. Do they respond when people send them requests/suggestions?

 

[firepuppy]

I have also sent a request and no response yet. I'm sure it will take a little time.