Considering a Cruise...Single Parent Questions..

[Lollipop's Mom]

3 weeks ago my daughter (8 yrs) and I had our first 'real' vacation in about 6 years. We went to Disneyland and Hollywood and had an absolute blast. Even more importantly, we had some amazing quality time and also it did me a world of good. I cannot believe how much a vacation can completely rejuvinate from the inside out!

Anyhoo.... I am now deciding to ebay and save all year for a vacation every January. I am very intrigued by a 7 day cruise. Needless to say I have never been on one.
After reading various trip reports and peeking around, I get the impression that the cruise is very 'sectioned' (for lack of a better word) into adult and child activities, but do not see much where you spend time together doing stuff. It comes across like a family vacation where the parents want some alone time while the kids are taken care of daily. This is not what I would be after. As a single mom, I would get really lonely spending day in and out by myself. I am fairly social, but still want to spend time with my daughter. I know that she would love the kids club stuff - she is a very social child. I wouldn't mind 'some' downtime to myself - but I get the impression that she and I would be separated lots. I am not really a spa person, and really not into learning napkin folding (haha), and would want quality time with my DD. Is this the wrong vacation for us? Would I be better off heading to Hawaii or Mexico or WDW with her? We really did 'too much' on the last vacation and had NO downtime until the last 2 days - one thing we decided was we wanted a vacation with more downtime - relaxing at the pool or on a beach.
Ok I digress.....thanks.

 

[missmulan]

welcome to the disney cruise line forums!

you and meg will have an EVEN BETTER time on the DCL! you'll be relaxing as little or as much as you want.....and still have a blast!

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Thanks missmulan....looking forward to more answers too. This is definately something that I will have to save for a LONG time for.....and hope to sail next January - so I will read up on stuff now, and when I see my savings picking up considerably I will be posting lots I am sure!

 

[kcashner]

I am a single parent. I have been cruising with my DD since she was 4 (before DCL), and on DCL since the infamous inaugural sail. We have done a total of 12 cruises on the Magic. DD has been in all 3 kid venues, and in every age group except the very youngest. The cruise is her all time favorite vacation.

There are lots of "family" activities that you can do together. Each evening, there is something in Studio Sea--a dance party, various games, etc. During the day, there are movies, activities like wacky racers, etc. Of course, you can always hang by the pool or do stuff on deck 9. The deck parties, etc. are also family affairs. In addition, the Oceaneer's Club and Lab feature "family time" where your daughter can take you into the lab and show you what she likes to do there, etc. During these times, there is only one counsellor at the desk, and kids aren't admitted without an adult--the main kid programming is taking place elsewhere.

How much time we have spent together vs. how much time she has spent in kid programming alone has depended on her age. We have always made a practice of meeting for lunch and dinner. The rest of the time, my rule is that she has to go to one kid activity per day (to give me some "down time")...from there, we look at the kid navigator the evening before and she decides how she wants to spend her day. Most of the time, she does a couple of kid activities and we do a few things together. Pictionary and the games like that are a blast for families. We've "Walked the Plank," turned into "Mickey Maniacs," etc. There are tons of things to do as a small family. I did one of the "single or travelling single" lunches once....wasn't too thrilled. On the other hand, we've met wonderful people at our dinner table on several cruises. Other times, we've been seated alone. If you have a preference, just let DCL know when you book. When we have been seated with other families, it has always been a "single child" family with a daughter about the same age as mine--once it was a girl 2 years younger, another time a granddaughter a couple years older. In each case, it was a good pairing! We've never had bad table mates with DCL's assignments, although this may be just good luck.

I wouldn't hesitate for a second to do DCL as a single mom who wants to spend time with DD. In fact, we have number 13 booked for this summer......

 

[Philadisney]

i don't have any kids, but just wanted to let you know that when my cousin and i when on our disney wonder cruise, we ate our meals with a woman & her daughter, and a woman and her grandson. they all were having a total blast.

 

[coinkc]

I'm planning a cruise for my 8 year (she'll be 9 when we go) daughter and I fror December. I had the same thoughts as you did but figured we won't know until we go! I'm sure she will want to spend some time in the kids club but I also know that she will want to experience some of the other stuff with me...shows, etc. Also, I found the thread on the cruise meet board and have been reading and "chatting" with other people who will be on our same cruise so hopefully I can meet up with some of them for some adult-time so I won't be alone.

 

[jweiss]

I'm a single parent also. My DD is 13 and this summer will be our 4th DCL cruise....it has become our August tradition. I now have an 11 month old daughter as well (adoption to be finalized next month.....YAHOOOOOO!!!) This August will be her 2nd DCL cruise. I, obviously, love this vacation. There is so much to do.....you will never do all that you want. If you want to be together all day, you will have no problem....meals, shows, Bingo, port excursions, poolside, etc,. etc., etc.
I DO see your concern. And I must admit that once or twice I sortof kindof missed seeing my DD. But, you can make what you want of it. I told her that this time around, she WILL be getting off at the oprts with me (last year she chose to stay on the ship several times!) I'd be happy to answer any questions/concerns!!! ~Jennifer

Oh, there have been several previousthreads on this subject, so do a "Search" for those threads....

 

[Amberle3]

I highly recommend going to the DCL website and requesting their DVD. They do a pretty thorough job of going through the ship and the offerings and explaining what's available for kids, for adults, and for families.

 

[JennsBabySky]

We've taken 2 DCL cruises and are planning a 3rd. Our daughter only spent a few moments in the clubs, we did almost everything together. We went to the pools, went dancing in the evening, had dinner every evening, went to the incredible shows, participated in the sail away parties when leaving each port, had the midnight buffet, ate room service, oh so much more that I'm forgetting. Even though we spent 99% of the time together, we felt like we had a "grown up" vacation and my daughter felt that she had a kid vacation. DCL is the best at having family activities.

Have fun,
Jennifer

 

[KarenMom]

I think a Disney cruise is one of the best vacations for a single mom. I've taken my two boys twice and had a wonderful time. We're going again in April during spring break (they'll be 10 and 14). My kids spent some time in the kids clubs, but not much. They preferred doing things with me and each other. I was fine with that. I enjoy spending time with my kids, they are great people! Even though I spent a lot of time with them, it was still easier than being a single parent at home. Someone else cooking, cleaning, etc. One of the great things is that at Dinner I could enjoy my meal because the servers cut up my youngest son's meat, buttered his bread, etc. My favorite line from my son when we returned home was "Who's going to butter my toast now?" There is plenty to do with your daughter and I found other cruisers to be very welcoming as well. Hope you have a wonderful time!

 

[pppiglet]

I am not a single mom, nor have I cruised yet, so I can't answer your questions. BUT....I loved your vacation pictures! Thanks for posting!

Debbie

 

[RKB]

Hello! I followed your Disnleyland vacation online - we went the week before you - rainy, but fun. I am getting ready for my 3rd DCL vacation. First I would say if you are serious about next January you will want to put down a deposit soon because the prices keep going up. If it does not work out you can get your money back (I think you have to cancel 90 days before sailing for a full refund). I am married, but my husband does not like to cruise (I know - weird huh?). Last January 2004 I took my two oldest on the Western - they were DD15 and DS 10 at the time. We had already been on the land and sea family reunion with daddy and all. This time was just us so I was basically a single parent. We had an absolutely great time. We did almost everything together, we went to shows, we danced we sang karoake, we played games, saw movies and shows, and did wonderful excursions (Stingrays, Dolphins, Turtles, etc...). We cannot wait to go back. Next time I am taking all three of my kids (my youngest is very shy, but ready to go this time!). Hubby wants to stay home - go figure... Anyway I say go for it, put down a deposit, save money, but be ready to be addicted and trying to find ways to go on more DCL cruises.

 

[Squeakcat]

I'm a single parent, and have done 2 Disney cruises with my older daughter at ages 4 and 5 and 1 Royal Caribbean with both my daughters when they were 8 and 3. Next year we are doing another Disney cruise when they will be 11 and 6.

We've always had a wonderful time. My girls love having my 100% attention. I do take them to the child care area for a while each day, but otherwise I do not have to tell them not to bother me while I do either housework or work from my office. Made beds, meals, and clean towels appear by magic. We don't do a lot of organized activities. We sleep late, eat slowly, hang out by the pool, and so forth. It's such a change from our usually hectic life that it's just awesome, incredibly rejuvenating.

I'll add this, which you most likely already know, be prepared to prove you have the right to be taking your child out of the country. Whatever your situation, you must be able to prove that the other parent has given permission, or is deceased, or has no parental rights, or doesn't exist. On my 3rd cruise, on Royal Caribbean to Alaska, when we were disembarking, I got stopped. I was asked for documents to explain why I was travelling alone with 2 children. I was able to provide from my carry-on notarized copies of my adoption papers showing I had adopted my children as a single parent. The Chinese adoption papers in both Chinese and English are bound together, and a Chinese-Canadian officer was brought over to read the pages in Chinese. I was SOOO glad I had everything with me. The people beside us got real curious, and the people behind us were upset about waiting, and their reactions were a little unnerving. What I brought with me were the Chinese birth certificates, Wisconsin certificates of birth facts, Chinese and Wisconsin adoption decrees, Chinese decrees of abandonment, and U.S. passports. Maybe that was document overkill, but the officials looked at everything, held pages up to the light, picked at the edges of photos, and ran their fingers over seals. They even compared the visa stamps in my passport to the dates on the adoption papers. The whole incident took about 10 minutes, not long, and everyone was polite, but you could also tell they meant business.

 

[mmouse37]

Can't comment on the single parent side of it....but we have taken our 3 kids several times on DCL and they love it. they are now in their early 20's and late teens and we just sailed the Wonder in January....it makes me so happy that each time they say thank you and that it again, was the best family vacation they have taken!!!

http://community.webshots.com/photo/249426676/249463342rHPlcO

But, OMG....I just looked at your photos and they were great and I have to so agree with you about the "characters" in front of the Chinese Theatre....

http://community.webshots.com/photo/249426676/249461565WFtrFK

This past August I took my two "princesess" on a girls only trip to Disneyland and Hollywood/Beverly Hills....well, I see characters out in front of the theatre and push my 16 year old to "go get a picture with Superman"....she agrees and then I see her face turn green thru the camera lens....she can't wait to get away from him....I take a closer look and see that the guy is filthy with teeth rotting out of his head and shady looking....I think he was a drug addict supporting his habit with a tacky, tattered Superman costume.....we also did not know that they were looking for tips. I just assumed they were like the disney characters...there for our picture taking pleasure...wow...did I got a dose of the real world!!!l


I had to laugh out loud when I saw the same superman in your picture!! I have to show my DD when she comes home from work!!

But, definately give DCL a try...you can have as much or as little time with your DD as you two want to have. They are not required to go to the clubs...your DD goes when she wants to.

Have fun....sorry this was so rambling!!!

MJ

 

[jweiss]

Wow. My kids are adopted as well and I have never been pulled over or questioned about anything. I am going to be extra safe (document wise) this year, as we are doing the Panama Canal. Last year I traveled with my daughter (single parent adoption), my niece, and my "foster"` daughter (soon to be single parent adoption). I was prepared, but never questioned about who or why on any of them!!!! ~Jennifer

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Thanks so much for all of the wonderful answers! I am going to be doing some serious saving this year!!! I am going to go through past posts on the boards - as I have a gazillion questions that I am sure have already been posted/answered 5000 times! (You know the typical 'hows the weather in January' 'Cheapest time to go?' etc...). I have lots of research now! Oh and mmouse37 - TOO funny - same superman!!!! I felt like such a dork out there!! LMAO! Meg can do a bang on Shirley Temple and told me we should dress her up and do ringlets, and go make some money on the weekends! LOL!