single parents ??

[bigsis1970]

Hi , I am seriously considering a cruise during Feb vacation 2005 and am wondering how many single parents have cruised before.
We have done Disney 3 times now ( will be 4 or 5 by crusing time ) so we are pros at traveling together but a ship I am thinking will be different .. at that time my Kids will be DD 11 and DS 8 .. ( and oh sure I may have a S/O by then but not holding my breath for Prince Charming.. LOL ) Thanks for any advice .. Like will I feel funny if my kids are at the kids club all day and I am by myself all day or eating dinner alone will people look at me funny..? Thanks Michelle

 

[disneydreamer1970]

Hi Bigsis1970!!!

How was your trip???

I can not speak for myself, however, my sister is a single mom and she took her daughter on a Disney Cruise and said that it was great!!!!! She had a wonderful time and was seated at dinner with a family of 3 and with another single parent who was with his son! She said that she would do it again in a second!! Go for it and have a great time!!!!!!

Talk to you soon!!!

 

[bigsis1970]

Hi Thanks for the Info.. My trip was great - did all we wanted and saw what we wanted despite the heat, humidity and rain encountered !! not sure I would go again in the summer ..

any other single parents have anything to add ? Thanks

 

[kjcolv]

I've posted a few times on the joys of single parent travels. My 3 DS's plan all year for our "family vacations". It is a big deal to us and I am an advocate for single parent vacations because we are a FAMILY!! When my sons were younger we had some bad experiences but we've also had some wonderful times. Last year we rode 42 different roller coasters at 4 non-FLorida theme parks in 10 days....But all of us think the Disney Cruise was the best vacation ever. It gave us something for everyone and I didn't feel like I was doing child care 24 hours a day. We had family time, one on one time and alone time. I NEVER felt out of place, there is every variety of "family" on board that you can imagine. We had dinner with a nice couple with their children so I even got a daily dose of adult conversation. I checked everyone into the kids club one morning and checked myself into the spa. It was a wonderful treat and my kids didn't seem to even miss me. The only thinh I felt like I missed out on was Palo, I didn't want to go eat by myself. This time I found another single mom on these boards that will be on the same cruise and we are planning a night at Palo's. It was a great time for everyone and as you can see we are more than ready to go again. I can't reccomend it enough for single parents. I don't know that it is the place to meet Prince Charming, (that was the question EVERYONE asked when we got back, so.... did you meet anyone???) but that wasn't my goal, I think there are other ships for that But if your goal is to have a great vacation with your child, this fits the bill. When you have a date locked in, be sure to post and you will find other families that will be on the same cruise. It's nice to feel like you will know someone else on board. Good luck and keep us posted

 

[bigsis1970]

Thanks for that report !! that is what I had wanted to hear ! I have been at this for about 4.5 years now you would think that I would be used to it .. oh well.. I am not looking either - we have a great routine and its working well for us now.. I will keep you posted about what I have decided.. any Idea on when they 2005 rates and dates will be out ?? Michelle

 

[kjcolv]

I'm not sure when the 05 rates come out, but keep planning...my boys all brag about what a great planner I am. I've been at it for 7 years now and really feel our trips are a big part of binding us together. This year we do the 4 day Wonder and then head to Portofino Bay for 4 days of IOA. I have told my sons they can find me at either place sitting by the pool reading a book with a drink with an umbrella in my hand Now that's a vacation!

 

[bigsis1970]

That is extremely funny - I also take at least 2 good books and bring kids to the pool - hop in to cool off every now and then myself and make sure to look up from time to time to make sure they are still around.. Heehee... Thanks for the encouraging words.. Michelle

 

[disneygal58]

Absolutely go - I have teenaged daughters, but have essentially been a single parent since they were 2 and 3. We have sailed on DCL five times (with #6 reserved for January). There is a great balance of family and solo activities. You will never feel as though people are looking strangely upon you. You will meet alot of people- some in our situation. There are planned activities/lunches for single travelers.
Go and enjoy,
Dawn Hope

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Hi Michelle. "Prince Charming" here - lol.

Like will I feel funny if my kids are at the kids club all day and I am by myself all day or eating dinner alone will people look at me funny..?

I was expecting my son to disappear each and every day to the offerings at the Oceaneers Lab. He liked it for certain activities but preferred to spend most of the time with Daddy. We had a great time! It has been just he and I since the dear lad was one. Our first vacation was at WDW when he was 4-and-a-half. After five of those, I opted for a Disney cruise. It's terrific. When I did find myself solo, there was so much to do that I had no time to even dwell about the possible loneliness of traveling without an adult companion. The CMs on DCL as well as the guests themselves are truly congenial, very thoughrful people. I never felt "out of place" and savored dinner conversations with our table mates. You AND the kids will most assuredly want to rebook a second cruise while still on your first...

 

[Verandah Man]

very thoughrful people.

BD you're slipping, usually you are the one correcting other's typo's. You got busted this time. But, I like your reply, we are seeing the softer side of BD, and we like it, as well as the witty side.

 

[moocow35]

Michelle,

I also am a single parent, and have gone now on 2 of my 4 cruises with DD only. I am going single again (with DD) in February of 2004. I have never felt out of place, and had the most relaxing vacation ever. I did however require her to attend dinner with me, and that was all. Of course getting off on the islands, she needed me also, so we ended up doing excursions together. I even did Palo brunch by myself, dinner I think I would have felt out of place, but brunch was great alone. I got extra service from my server, and I think it was because I was alone.

I think that the early 2005 dates will come out in August. I booked my 2004 cruise mid August of 2002, seems to me I jumped right on it as soon as the dates opened up.

Robin ºOº

 

[bigsis1970]

Thank you all for the kind replies ladies and gentlemen.. I am going to book as soon as I can when the 2005 rates/dates are released.. Michelle

 

[Francisca64]

I'm taking my first single parent DCL trip in September with DD, 7 and DS 12. I too had the same kinds of questions and have found some great advice and on these boards. I've been able to hook up with a couple of single folk for some adult companionship at night (when kiddies are to be in clubs) and maybe at Palos as well. The folk here have been a terrific source of support.

I love being single and traveling with my kids. We took our first solo camping trip on Mother's day. I conquered my fear of camping w/o another adult and had a fantastic time. I'm going to have the same positive outlook about our DCL trip...hey I won't have to cook, clean, pitch a tent or use public a shower...what more could a single mom ask for???

Hook up with these lovely people as soon as you know your itinerary and you won't be alone or lonely!!