First cruise EVER, single parent, extremely young children

[Fielding Donovan]

Hello!

I am a single mom with a 4 yr old daughter and baby boy that will be 19 months old at the time of our September cruise. I am looking for any tips or advice you may have towards cruising with such youngsters and also towards how to meet up with the other singles. what are the hours of the nursery on board? 4 year old and the kid club and your opinion? Thanks!

 

[SteveMP]

Is it just you 3? Register your kids in advance or even at the cruise terminal after check in to save time. As for meeting singles, check the daily guide (personal navigator) for times they have single events and meets, etc. I beleive the kids clubs are usually 9-midnight?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Is it just you 3? Register your kids in advance or even at the cruise terminal after check in to save time. As for meeting singles, check the daily guide (personal navigator) for times they have single events and meets, etc. I beleive the kids clubs are usually 9-midnight?

That would be 9AM to midnight. Roughly. Can vary from day to day. And Oceaneer's Club/Lab will have Open House times (one side or the other) periodically during the cruise.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Also, the nursery is not free like the kids clubs are, so you might want to find out their rates to plan your days better. I'm wondering if you are cruising with other family /friends who will help you.

 

[Fielding Donovan]

Is it just you 3? Register your kids in advance or even at the cruise terminal after check in to save time. As for meeting singles, check the daily guide (personal navigator) for times they have single events and meets, etc. I beleive the kids clubs are usually 9-midnight?

Yes! Just us three!

 

[volfan1978]

I didn't do it as a single parent, but I've sailed with a 4 year old and 21 month old before

My best advice would be to keep your expectations reasonable about what you'll be able to see and do. Be ready to recognize when they've had enough and need some sleep. We picked the 2nd dinner seating because we were afraid our kids might be disruptive and so we wanted to keep the damage to a minimum...but that was a mistake! Two nights out of three they were so tired that they fell asleep in their chairs at dinner. If you somehow get stuck with 2nd seating, you might consider just skipping the MDR's and eating where/when you want. If your little ones are like mine were, the idea of sitting patiently through a multi-course meal is a non-starter, and that means you likely wouldn't enjoy your meal either.

I wouldn't advise trying to book a whole bunch of excursions or anything like that. I'm a big time planner, and so it was hard for me to just "go with the flow"...but in the end that was the best strategy for us.

We used the nursery for our smallest one evening when we dined at Palo, and we were happy with the service they provided. It's well worth the cost, and so I'd advise you to take advantage of it and the kids clubs to get some "me" time (like a spa appointment or just lay out at the pool and get a nap). If you want to meet other adults, there will be singles activities in the navigator.

Bottom line...there will be plenty to do on the ship, just let the kids' energy level be your guide on what you do. And make sure you make some time for yourself, the kids will be just fine without you for a little while!

 

[Fielding Donovan]

Also, the nursery is not free like the kids clubs are, so you might want to find out their rates to plan your days better. I'm wondering if you are cruising with other family /friends who will help you.

No one else, just us three. Gifted to us for surviving a very long divorce/custody battle!

 

[MSPeeler]

I think you are going to have a great time! It's a much more relaxed vacation that say, Disney World, and they have activities for the toddler as well scheduled around the boat that you and your 4 year old would enjoy as well probably if she doesn't want to goto the kids clubs.
You can take both to the Kids Club open house and let your 4-yr old get a feel of the place and see if she would even feel comfortable there. If she goes to a pre-school or daycare, she likely will do just fine. The CMs there are entertaining, characters stop by sometimes and there is plenty to keep them occupied IMO. Make sure to sign up for any meet and greets during your online check-ins and if you are wanting to do any excursions (I probably wouldn't want to PERSONALLY, alone with 2 kids, but that's me!) I don't know which ship you will be on but Nemo's reef is quite fun for the younger kids and the boat will be pretty empty and enjoyable on port days.

Join your cruise Meet thread if there is one here: https://www.disboards.com/forums/disney-cruise-meets.85/
and if there isn't go ahead and create one! You can meet some people who will be cruising with you there also

 

[Fielding Donovan]

I didn't do it as a single parent, but I've sailed with a 4 year old and 21 month old before

My best advice would be to keep your expectations reasonable about what you'll be able to see and do. Be ready to recognize when they've had enough and need some sleep. We picked the 2nd dinner seating because we were afraid our kids might be disruptive and so we wanted to keep the damage to a minimum...but that was a mistake! Two nights out of three they were so tired that they fell asleep in their chairs at dinner. If you somehow get stuck with 2nd seating, you might consider just skipping the MDR's and eating where/when you want. If your little ones are like mine were, the idea of sitting patiently through a multi-course meal is a non-starter, and that means you likely wouldn't enjoy your meal either.

I wouldn't advise trying to book a whole bunch of excursions or anything like that. I'm a big time planner, and so it was hard for me to just "go with the flow"...but in the end that was the best strategy for us.

We used the nursery for our smallest one evening when we dined at Palo, and we were happy with the service they provided. It's well worth the cost, and so I'd advise you to take advantage of it and the kids clubs to get some "me" time (like a spa appointment or just lay out at the pool and get a nap). If you want to meet other adults, there will be singles activities in the navigator.

Bottom line...there will be plenty to do on the ship, just let the kids' energy level be your guide on what you do. And make sure you make some time for yourself, the kids will be just fine without you for a little while!

Thank you!!! I wanted to use the nursery so that I could go get a massage! Lol. I sincerely appreciate the tips! It's a short cruise and the only day I plan to take them off the boat is for Castaway Cay. Any tips for that? Thanks!

 

[volfan1978]

Thank you!!! I wanted to use the nursery so that I could go get a massage! Lol. I sincerely appreciate the tips! It's a short cruise and the only day I plan to take them off the boat is for Castaway Cay. Any tips for that? Thanks!

The 4 yo could check out Scuttle's Cove (basically the kids club on CC), but your little one is too young and so if you want any "me time" on the beach then the younger child would have to stay in the nursery on the ship. To be honest I would just keep the kids with me, but you do have options.

If you don't mind messing with it, you could take some beach toys with you...or you can buy them on the island.

A couple of things that came to memory in the last few minutes...prepare for the likelihood that the characters will scare your kids. My wife got somewhat upset because ours wouldn't pose with Mickey et al. Yours may run up to him and give him a huge hug, but mine were terrified.

The other thing is to keep in mind that room service is free (but customary to tip). One of the highlights for my 4 year old was letting her call and order a cookie at bed time every night. You can also get donuts and milk and stuff from room service for breakfast instead of going to Cabanas, because I know from experience that buffets with small children are a chore.

Also, since you won't have a "plan B" in terms of parenting, don't let this be the time you find out that you get sea sick. Do a little research and/or talk to your doctor about your options there.

 

[Fielding Donovan]

The 4 yo could check out Scuttle's Cove (basically the kids club on CC), but your little one is too young and so if you want any "me time" on the beach then the younger child would have to stay in the nursery on the ship. To be honest I would just keep the kids with me, but you do have options.

If you don't mind messing with it, you could take some beach toys with you...or you can buy them on the island.

A couple of things that came to memory in the last few minutes...prepare for the likelihood that the characters will scare your kids. My wife got somewhat upset because ours wouldn't pose with Mickey et al. Yours may run up to him and give him a huge hug, but mine were terrified.

The other thing is to keep in mind that room service is free (but customary to tip). One of the highlights for my 4 year old was letting her call and order a cookie at bed time every night. You can also get donuts and milk and stuff from room service for breakfast instead of going to Cabanas, because I know from experience that buffets with small children are a chore.

Also, since you won't have a "plan B" in terms of parenting, don't let this be the time you find out that you get sea sick. Do a little research and/or talk to your doctor about your options there.

Thank you! Great tips!

 

[bbel]

If you are dropping your 4 year old off at the club for some 'me time', make sure you let the CM know when you check her in. They can then distract/redirect her for you (especially if its palo or a spa appointment), obviously they'll contact you in an emergency, or if they're really upset, but it stops them calling for you just because your kid forgot to tell you something or they wanted to show you their picture lol.
Even if its not an appointment but you just need an hour 'off', don't be afraid to say 'Im busy for the next hour'.

 

[Fielding Donovan]

Awesome tip!!!! I plan keeping them with me as much as I can, but I do want that darn spa appointment! Thanks!

 

[bbel]

Awesome tip!!!! I plan keeping them with me as much as I can, but I do want that darn spa appointment! Thanks!

And don't feel bad about it. Spa or no spa.
I had parents say 'I feel bad, but can you not contact me for the next hour, I just need a break/nap/shower'.
You parents work hard and deserve a break, and sometimes, kids need a break from their parents just as much lol. Especially when living in such a confined space...

 

[Fielding Donovan]

There is also a good chance you will be dining with another single parent wth kids.

HOw do I are sure of this? Is this something that is handled at online check in?

 

[Dug720]

HOw do I are sure of this? Is this something that is handled at online check in?

The default seating is with others. And DCL has all kinds of magic to somehow generally match up tables so that family type, ages of kids, etc. is similar. Sometimes even more so than that - people have reported being matched with people with the same job area, etc. - none of which is on anything you fill out.

 

[SteveMP]

They also have that whale dig that the young kids like but only at certain times so check the schedule.

Also the plastic "funnel" bottles they serve Coronas in make decent sand toys in a pinch. Don't jusge

 

[lspst8]

For our first cruise, my kids were almost 2 and almost 4. I put the youngest in the nursery every afternoon for her normal naptime. It was nice for a break, and that way, we weren't stuck in the stateroom for naps.

Non potty trained kids can't go in the pools, but the ships all have a splash area for those in swim diapers. It's really cute, and my kids loved it. There is also a splash pad on Castaway Cay if you have kids that hate the feeling of sand! They also really enjoyed the family dance parties and live music in the lobby at dinner time.

 

[mousefan73]

Never been a cruise but planning first.. I have traveled with my kids alone ( flown etc).. my .02 is try and get help on the getting to and off the ship.. Not sure how you are getting to the port.. but if possible have some one escort you there and help with luggage etc... Now sure if DCL is also like the resorts and you can check bags from airport to stateroom?? but I would think once you are on board its easy and you have help...

I would do everything possible not to have to carry anything but your kids... maybe a HUGE backpack iso of a small roll-on for embarking this way your hands are free for strollers etc... maybe it's possible to ship things to the ship? dont know.. but I found with traveling alone with small kids the only thing really wanted was a sherpa to carry the other stuff.

 

[cmwade77]

The nursery isn't free and I believe you have to reserve time in advance, so you probably will want to do that if you want some time to yourself.