Single Dad Cruising

[tbone lg]

New poster here. I am newly separated dad interested in doing a Mexican cruise with my 2 daughters, 5 & 8. Can anyone offer any info as to how single parent friendly the DCL is. I am not looking for a love boat, I just don't want to feel awkward. I have never been on a cruise before, but looking to try something different with my girls.

 

[kcashner]

I've been a single mom for 20 years and have done more than a few cruises. You'll find DCL to be as "single parent friendly" as it is possible to be. In addition to welcoming you at a huge assortment of family activities, you can drop the kids in the programming and enjoy some adult time. On 7 night cruises there are lunches for "single parent or cruising solo" with a member of the cruise staff hosting. These are actually nice and I've never felt like it was a "meat market" as some single parent activities are.

I find DCL to be great--while it is obviously family oriented, all the CMs realize that families come in many shapes and sizes.

 

[sabrecmc]

Single parent here, too! We first cruised in 2009. Now, we're about to embark on our 7th DCL cruise this summer. So, we're hooked!

Like the previous poster said, there are single meet options, but I've never attended. I like to just hang out and have a bit of time to myself! There are plenty of adult activities to go to, and I've never felt awkward about being there on my own. I've done the wine and martini tastings by myself and had a blast.

One thing to think about: for dinner, you may be seated with other single parents with young children around the ages of your children. This has been my experience, anyway. I love this, myself, and DD has a blast with other kids. However, if you'd rather dine with just you and your children, just let DCL know. They are pretty good about granting requests, if possible.

 

[EGHopeful]

I'll be going single on our first cruise on the Fantasy and you know I hadn't really thought about me being single that much all I care about is getting on that ship! and if my little girl is happy. I am!

Go for it.

 

[Jackson's grammie]

When you decide on the cruise get on the meet forum for that cruise. Its a good way of meeting some people. There is usually a meet the first day of the cruise; its nice to at least know some people to say hello.

 

[Evan&Kimberly]

Single mother to a dcl fanatic son who by the way is 6, you and your girls will have a ball, just remember that it is ok to have some me time, I really didnt have much of a choice my son loved the kids club!

 

[TitanBrett]

I did a daddy/daughter cruise in September with my 7 year old, we had an unbelievable time, absolutely do it.

 

[KBT35]

My DS & I will be going on our first cruise. It's nice to read other single parents had a great time! I wasn't overly concerned....as we have always only had each other & vacation often but never anything to this extent!!! This is a surprise for him & I can't wait to see his face!!!

 

[sdjen]

Just adding my two cents. We leave next week for our second Disney cruise. My daughter just turned 6 (today actually!!). We did one last year and absolutely loved it.

I think as a single parent is it a great way to vacation. You can do as much or as little as you would like. The kids clubs are great so make sure to take advantage of some "me" time. I have a spa reservation and both Palo dinner and brunch booked for our trip.

Your girls will have a lot of fun - there is so much to do you cannot possibly do it all. Plus, on a cruise, you are never more than a couple of minutes from your room for a nap or whatever.

I would also suggest (as a PP did) that you join the meets thread for your cruise. We have a great one going for our trip next week. There are about 40 families that have been chatting back and forth on our own facebook page. I know becasue of that group that there are several girls about the same age as mine that she will get to meet right away.

Also, there was another single mom on our meets thread. We decided to link our dining so we can dine together each night. But, last year, DCL sat us at a table with a family with daughters about the same age as mine. We had a blast all week. I didnt ever feel out of place

Have a great time!!! You wont regret it!

 

[ladyleslie]

I definitely agree with the other posters. My first cruise I was wondering what in the world I was going to do while my kid was at kids club.

The trip went by so fast and I didnt get to do half of the things I wanted to do on the navigator - I've been hooked ever since. . . . Ive been to some single cruiser activities - which were just a friendly atmosphere of swapping kid stories and tips and tricks to seeing disney world and disney cruising......

Just do it..... you'll have good time and if you don't, your kids will and that in itself is pretty awesome.

 

[tiggerb]

Not a single parent, but just want to say.... "Good for you!" creating great memories with your children. Have fun, take advantage of the special moments along and together as a family. And, join your cruise meet. I have met many new people and still chat w/ them even though I have had to cancel our trip.

From what I hear, you may be begging the kids to spend time with you!

 

[OrlandoDisneyFan]

I did a daddy/daughter cruise in September with my 7 year old, we had an unbelievable time, absolutely do it.

I also did a Daddy/Daughter cruise with my 7 year old in December of last year and I will tell you the memories will last forever. My wife (her Mom) and my 3 year old son stayed home that time.

I have one of the pieces of golden Mickey Head confetti from one of the shows in the clear pocket on the sun visor in my SUV. Everytime I look at it, I remember the awesome time my daughter and I shared those few days...including the time at the end of the final show (Believe...I think) when she leaned over and kissed me on the cheek and said some things to me that I will not repeat, but that I will remember for the rest of my life.....

You will have an awesome time with your two daugthers....

 

[OrlandoDisneyFan]

Oops...double post

 

[scootch]

I cruise without dh(and also take my girls solo to WDW). No issues at all other than you need to do some homework before hand as you don't have an extra body to say, "hey look this up". Joining your meet thread is a great idea too. Enjoy.

 

[Gina]

I've sailed 6 times on 3 different lines, and each DCL cruise really was the most fun as a single parent. I went to every one of the "singles/single parents/solo cruisers" get-togethers, and met some great new friends each time. And the Cruise Staff, at least on the Magic, always went out of their way to include us "known singles/solos" in whatever was going on. Dance parties, bingo, comedy shows, you name it. They just really do a great job of not making you feel like some lone weirdo.

You and your girls will have a ball!!

 

[Yougotit]

Just back from the Mexican riviera cruise on the wonder that sailed Jan 15 to 22, went as 1 adult with a 6 and 8 year old... You will have a blast, will never feel creepy ( even if you choose to do palo or any of the activities alone) and you can be as social with other adults as you choose. There are little meet ups organized for singles, I opted not to attend because I was very happy being with my children, and spending time alone with a book and a coffee.... Disney cruise line is in my opinion the BEST way to vacation as a single parent. I've done all inclusive resorts with the kids, but would never have felt comfortable using their kids clubs or babysitting. With DCL I was impressed with every minute of our trip

 

[Bear3412]

I would suspect also during a good portion of the cruise, those traveling as couples would not be together. With the high concentration of kids one could conclude that one parent may be here, and the other there, except for dinner and excursions. Just my 2 cents, also pointing out it's not like you are going to stand out or anything. Have Fun.

 

[anjuan]

I am happy to see that single parents have had such a great time on DCL. I am very excited about going on my first Disney cruise with DD.

 

[MTH]

It's great to read this thread...I'm also cruising single with my kids in April and am a bit apprehensive about it. While I am definately looking forward to spending time with my kids it would also be great to hang out and have fun with other adults in the evenings as well.

 

[Bear3412]

I'm not sure what happens during a Disney Cruise, but it somehow places "everyone" in the same class, Disney Magic, "We" are cruising and want have fun, "class". Everyone is wonderful, and is willing to have a great time too, regardless of whether traveling with a partner or not. No one knows who is traveling with whom. No one cares, we are all experiencing the Magic/Fantasy, and "we' are all traveling together as a DCL Family.
So please join us.