Caribbean PR Princess

I’ve cruised many times with kids on Carnival. In full disclosure, I was always married but my wife would hide in the cabin most of the time.

Others were so used to seeing just me and the kids they assumed it was “daddy’s week.” I wasn’t really available, and I would try to make that known quickly. Nonetheless, it seemed I often met many single parents. At dinner, I was typically placed at a table as a family of 5...if the kids didn’t join me for dinner, the table was sparse.

 

Now that I’m actually single, I’m looking to take the kids on a cruise before summer ends. I’m interested in Disney. The idea that they cater so well to kids (4/5 of my party...and perhaps myself if I’m being honest) is very appealing. I’m going on an NCL cruise alone this summer while they are with their mother. NCL would be about 1/3 the price of Disney. If my solo cruise goes well enough, I’ll be taking the kids on NCL.

One big challenge for me; 4 kids and one adult. It is hard to fit in one room and I’m prohibited from another room w/o another adult. I have trouble justifying one of the excessively expensive suites, though the space would help solve my problem.

Some cruise lines have rooms that fit 5 i think. Disney does a great job with single parents and sits them with other like families. Im doing Royal C this summer and hope they do well too...

A cruise ship has thousands of private closed off bedrooms. Not saying anything will happen but if someone is on the ship with bad intentions they have a lot more privacy to do as they please than a mall or other public venue. Even the best behaved kids can be lead astray and find themselves in a situation they cannot get themselves out of. I think kids need to be older, wiser and more aware to be on their own on a cruiseship. I am all for independence and allowing children to prove themselves but at 7-9yrs old a cruise ship is not the place for this.

Totally agree

they don't run out of pagers because they limit the number of children of certain age on the ship. In 2016 we could not join our friends on a cruise because Princess didn't sell any cabins to families with children 4-8 years of age. They told us they reached the limit of the children in that age group and couldn't accept any more.

I never knew that! I learned something new. Thanks

My child wants to go to the kids club. He has a blast there! But he has dinner with me at the restaurants, does shore excursions with me, and is never at the kids club more than 3-4 hours, usually 2 hours in the day and 2 hours after dinner. I would not have left him at the clubs when he was 3-4, though.

Hi! I am looking for information on single parents cruises or on which cruise lines have special events, meet and greets, or seating arrangements to help single parents meet each other. I know Disney is great with single parents, but curious about others’ experiences with other cruise lines. Thanks.

I am interested in information on others’ experiences with different cruise lines traveling as a single parent with children. I know DIsney is great and that Disney sits single parents together at dinner, which makes it easier to make friends. But what about other cruise lines? Any advice is appreciated!

I am curious as to others’ experience traveling solo with children. I did it with Disney and it was great because they sit you with other single parents at dinner. But Disney is so expensive that I am hoping to hear of similar positive experiences for single parents with other cruise lines. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

hello,

 

What is the earliest time of embarkation at Rome port?

We were on board by 11 am.

Hello - my family of 4 will be on the July 12th sailing out of BCN. A few questions for anyone with information...

 

1) Hotel rec in Barcelona. We would like to be centrally located for a few days at the end of the trip. Anyone have any recs for family friendly hotel that won't break the bank :)

 

2) Keeping track of teens onboard - My husband will have international calling/data plan from his work but we kind of want everyone to unplug while on this trip so aren't planning to get anyone else the wi-fi plan. I anticipate my teen daughter being on her own a little (even if just in her room reading/chilling out) and would love to be able to text her. Has anyone rented the onboard phones I have heard about ? Do they work?

 

3) Wine on board - I know you can bring 2 bottle per cabin. When we booked, we put my husband and I together and kids in an interior balcony. Does anyone know if we can therefore bring 4 bottles since we have 2 cabins?

 

4) Valuables & cash in port cities - I have read all the boards and understand the dangers. I got my husband one of those little wallets that he can wear under his shirt with our money (we need to carry large amounts of euros for the private guides in Rome and Naples). My DH said he will be fine with wallet in front pocket. Anyone have good experience with that?

 

I think that is it for now - we are getting excited! Thanks!

I would not trust a wallet in front pocket for the large chunk of your cash. Those thieves are very good. The undershirt carrier is better.

Technically minors can't carry wine onboard so their cabin wouldn't count, but we didn't have any problems with wine at embarkation. They just ask for cabin numbers and I think it would be reasnable for you to say your have 2 cabins

Leaving in approximately 5 weeks and was wondering if they offer the laundry service for $25 (approximately) for a bag? We are taking our grandchildren with us and would make it easier if they did.

 

Also, is first dining at 6 or 6:30 p.m.? I have 6 on my reservation but have read 6:30 on some boards.

 

Lastly, what is the earliest you can disembark in Rome? Our reservation says 7 a.m. but not sure if that means we can depart then or not.

 

Thanks.

1. Yes, they do a bag of wash and fold for $30

2. Dinner is 6:30

3. If you carry all your own bags, you can depart pretty early. In Rome, the last fold disembarked by 9:30 am. We were out by 8:30-9.

Two quick questions...

I keep reading about discounts for chops once you on board...I have made a reservation and paid for our dinner there already...should I cancel now and wait till we are on board to book hopefully with a discount? Can I still cancel for a refund once we sail on September 13th

I see all about the spa on the rcl site but see nothing about a salon...love to have my hair washed and dried mid trip! A treat....is this available?

Thanks

Yes, we were offered a 20% discount while walking on board. So if I were you I would cancel your reservation and not prepay.