Single Parents

[SouthFLNiceGuy]

Alright we'll start up a list of single dads so you can contact us! :)

 

Jay

southflniceguy@yahoo.com

 

:)

 

How come when I'm cruising I never meet any of these single dads :(

[Starspangle1]

Hey, wouldn't it be great if we could get a whole bunch of us together, even those with kids, and plan to all meet on the same cruise. We could all hang out and everyone's kids would have each other, everyone give it a thought.

We can all still email if the cruise thought is a no go.

[cruzbabe]

Alright we'll start up a list of single dads so you can contact us! :)

 

Jay

southflniceguy@yahoo.com

 

:)

That's great!

[Starspangle1]

Does a single woman with a cabbage patch count?

[rambill]

Single Dad here wishing I could bring my kids on a cruise! At least my ex-wife can "afford" to take them......

[seamagic]

Right here with the big smile. And I can dance.

 

Too bad you aren't going with us next week. Dancing is my most favorite hobby and there aren't many good partners out there!

[LizaMM]

Too bad you aren't going with us next week. Dancing is my most favorite hobby and there aren't many good partners out there!

 

 

Oh! I could not agree more!!!! I belong to a single parents social group and I just love going out dancing with everyone!

 

Like the idea of emailing...you can email me at JuneRose667@aol.com ...just be sure to put Cruise Critic or something in the subject line so I don't delete!!

[klkca]

Jut curious how many single parents go on cruises? I am taking my kids on their 2nd cruise-ages 10 and 12 on Conquest. We went on Disney 3 years ago.

 

My first cruise since my wife left earlier this year is 28 May to Alaska. I will have my 21 year old daughter and my 23 year old son with me.

 

Regards,

Keith

 

Princendam - 1979 Alaska for Honeymoon ;)

Jubilee - 1989 E Caribbean :(

Royal Odyssey - 1991 Mexico :)

Veendam - 1992 W Caribbean

Royal Odyssey - 1994 Baltic

Symphony - 1996 Alaska

Renessaince 3 - 1998 Tahiti

Norwegian Wind - 1999 Hawaii

Statendam - 2000 British Isles/Norway

Ryndam - 2003 Mexico

[VACruzin]

I'm glad I found this thread. I'm a single mom taking my 17 yr. old son and 20 yr. old daughter on our first cruise in July. I am confident that they will meet friends and be out and about on the ship having a great time. But I have been a little concerned that everyone else on the ship will be "coupled" and I hate that "third-wheel" feeling. I have single friends I do things with and I even do lots with married couples but for some reason, when I'm in an unfamiliar environment, I always feel more alone. Anyone else ever feel this way?

[luv4trvl]

I'm taking my first cruise since I was little in Sept.Taking my 7 yr old daughter. I'll have family with me as well, but it won't be the same as I want to get out and have fun dancing and socializing when I can. Or just have others to hang out on deck with. I love my family, but I see them all the time!!! :)

 

Doesn't someone else want to join me on the Sept. 25th Mariner of the Seas :D

[cruzbabe]

I'm glad I found this thread. I'm a single mom taking my 17 yr. old son and 20 yr. old daughter on our first cruise in July. I am confident that they will meet friends and be out and about on the ship having a great time. But I have been a little concerned that everyone else on the ship will be "coupled" and I hate that "third-wheel" feeling. I have single friends I do things with and I even do lots with married couples but for some reason, when I'm in an unfamiliar environment, I always feel more alone. Anyone else ever feel this way?

I feel that way too... you're not alone. I have a 10 year old.

[klkca]

Right now I feel like a third wheel all the time! :confused:

 

Regards,

Keith

 

Princendam - 1979 Alaska for Honeymoon

Jubilee - 1989 E Caribbean

Royal Odyssey - 1991 Mexico

Veendam - 1992 W Caribbean

Royal Odyssey - 1994 Baltic

Symphony - 1996 Alaska

Renessaince 3 - 1998 Tahiti

Norwegian Wind - 1999 Hawaii

Statendam - 2000 British Isles/Norway

Ryndam - 2003 Mexico

 

I'm taking my first cruise since I was little in Sept.Taking my 7 yr old daughter. I'll have family with me as well, but it won't be the same as I want to get out and have fun dancing and socializing when I can. Or just have others to hang out on deck with. I love my family, but I see them all the time!!! :)

 

Doesn't someone else want to join me on the Sept. 25th Mariner of the Seas :D

:confused:

[seamagic]

I'm glad I found this thread. I'm a single mom taking my 17 yr. old son and 20 yr. old daughter on our first cruise in July. I am confident that they will meet friends and be out and about on the ship having a great time. But I have been a little concerned that everyone else on the ship will be "coupled" and I hate that "third-wheel" feeling. I have single friends I do things with and I even do lots with married couples but for some reason, when I'm in an unfamiliar environment, I always feel more alone. Anyone else ever feel this way?

 

It does feel a little strange to be alone on a ship. I mean, I miss doing couple things, like going to the adult restaurants, taking a moonlight stroll, or just having a drink together before dinner. I don't ever go to the dance clubs or bars, because I feel strange being completely alone and walking into places like that. Last time I did go to the casino and put a couple of dollars worth of quarters in a slot machine and got back $80. But I didn't have anyone there to celebrate with me!

 

On the other hand, I enjoy spending time going to a show or shore excursions with my sons. We do active/adventure kinds of shore activities, and that keeps them somewhat interested in hanging out with me for a little while. They can't believe I would do parasailing, sailing, climbing the falls, and scuba diving. Trust me I have the pictures and bruises to prove I've done them all!

 

So, even though being alone is not the most enjoyable thing, I still pick a cruise vacation over anything else we could do. Our ship leaves one week from today.....Hoooray!!

[VACruzin]

It does feel a little strange to be alone on a ship. I mean, I miss doing couple things, like going to the adult restaurants, taking a moonlight stroll, or just having a drink together before dinner. I don't ever go to the dance clubs or bars, because I feel strange being completely alone and walking into places like that. Last time I did go to the casino and put a couple of dollars worth of quarters in a slot machine and got back $80. But I didn't have anyone there to celebrate with me!

 

 

cruzbabe and seamagic: it's great to know there are others who feel this way too. I wish I had the courage to go into a bar or dance club alone but it is just not something I'm comfortable doing. But I will have a blast being with my kids in the ports and I do plan on climbing the falls and everything with them. So - I'm sure it'll be a great vacation.

[cruzbabe]

On one of the formal nights of my last cruise, I walked in the dance club and then immediately walked out:(

[LizaMM]

On one of the formal nights of my last cruise, I walked in the dance club and then immediately walked out:(

 

It is very difficult sometimes to be a single parent!

 

When I have cruised solo before this was a lot easier to deal with because I was simply "single" and was placed with tablemates who were single as well and we would go out together after dinner.

 

I have also been fortunate to cruise with another single mom and her kids 2 years ago. That was great! Since we were already friends and the kids got along we had a blast together.

 

On my most recent cruise I met up with a group of people through these boards. The CC folks were a mix of married couples. All were parents BUT some had left the children at home and some had kids with them. There was one couple who's brother (early 30's) was single and came along as well. I had a nice time hanging out a bit with the CC folks during the day. My DD made some friends in advance via email which was nice also. But with the exception of one night that we all partied together I was really on my own.

 

I have often gone into "night areas" by myself on a cruise and have a great time! It can be a little daunting at first but if you give yourself that little push it can be well worth it! I really LOVE to get out and dance and also really enjoy the piano sing-along at night. Last month on the Triumph I was with some of the CC people having a drink after dinner. They all headed to the casino and I started to go with them. I realized though that what I really wanted to do was get into the piano bar......I left them and headed for the piano.....It was crowded and rowdy and everyone was in couples and groups. I walked in and walked back out!!! I went over to a quiet bar and sat for a minute thinking about what to do. THEN I picked myself up and went into that piano bar. There were no seats so I just got a standing spot right in front of the piano and started singing along. Then I started talking to people around me and laughing and having a great time! WOund up closing that place down and heading off somewhere else with some new found friends. I went back there for awhile most nights. I went to the disco but it was SOOOO YOUNG on that sailing that I did not stay but I have done this before. I have had a lot of fun dancing with crew in the disco!

 

One of the reasons I really like having a balcony cabin is that I can sit there at night and enjoy the peace and quiet and relaxation. I never feel like a third wheel when I am enjoying my own company! Heck...I am the best darn date ever :D I also utilized that balcony during the day when the family thing got a bit overwhelming out on deck. It was a nice place to sit and have a cup of coffee and read a book.

 

It IS really hard sometimes!!

 

I belong to a local Parents Without Partners group and that is a great way to get out and hang out without "any pressure". As a matter of fact, the woman I sailed with 2 years ago is someone that I met through that group.

[caviargal]

 

I have often gone into "night areas" by myself on a cruise and have a great time! It can be a little daunting at first but if you give yourself that little push it can be well worth it! I really LOVE to get out and dance and also really enjoy the piano sing-along at night. Last month on the Triumph I was with some of the CC people having a drink after dinner. They all headed to the casino and I started to go with them. I realized though that what I really wanted to do was get into the piano bar......I left them and headed for the piano.....It was crowded and rowdy and everyone was in couples and groups. I walked in and walked back out!!! I went over to a quiet bar and sat for a minute thinking about what to do. THEN I picked myself up and went into that piano bar. There were no seats so I just got a standing spot right in front of the piano and started singing along. Then I started talking to people around me and laughing and having a great time! WOund up closing that place down and heading off somewhere else with some new found friends. I went back there for awhile most nights. I went to the disco but it was SOOOO YOUNG on that sailing that I did not stay but I have done this before. I have had a lot of fun dancing with crew in the disco!

 

One of the reasons I really like having a balcony cabin is that I can sit there at night and enjoy the peace and quiet and relaxation. I never feel like a third wheel when I am enjoying my own company! Heck...I am the best darn date ever :D I also utilized that balcony during the day when the family thing got a bit overwhelming out on deck. It was a nice place to sit and have a cup of coffee and read a book.

 

.

 

I am not a single parent but do cruise solo and the challenges for socializing are much the same. I agree with this post about just getting out there and doing it! It is really easy to have fun and meet people if that is what you want to do. You just have to get out there and smile and have fun and that attracts people who are also having a great time! And, yes, the crews on some ships can be really social and make for great dance partners. Sometimes, though, the male officers can be overly aggressive, at least in my experience. They are looking for easy pickins!

 

And having my own balcony is sheer bliss! It makes the whole cruise so much better!

[dad son team]

another single dad here.

 

There is no reason that you should feel out of place being alone in one of the night spots. Just pull up a stool at the bar, order a drink, and chat with the bartender. I have noticed that the singles tend to congregate at the bar. You won't be alone for long.

 

PS-I am available to go to the casino, dance floor, or piano bar. Ladies choice.

[VACruzin]

 

There is no reason that you should feel out of place being alone in one of the night spots. Just pull up a stool at the bar, order a drink, and chat with the bartender. I have noticed that the singles tend to congregate at the bar. You won't be alone for long.

 

dad son team, caviargal and LizaMM, you are all right and very encouraging! Thanks - I will make it a personal goal to go into a bar, smile, expect to have a good time and then do it!! ;) And if I do it on the first night, then I can do it every night after that, too. Right?

[LizaMM]

dad son team, caviargal and LizaMM, you are all right and very encouraging! Thanks - I will make it a personal goal to go into a bar, smile, expect to have a good time and then do it!! ;) And if I do it on the first night, then I can do it every night after that, too. Right?

 

 

That's right!! You CAN do it!

 

You GO!!!

[VACruzin]

That's right!! You CAN do it!

 

You GO!!!

 

Thanks!!! :D

[Valbram]

QUOTE I do wish there was a really good way to meet other single parents onboard, so we could enjoy some of the speciality restaurants or just have dancing partners. I'm not all that interested in finding romance...just some fun friends to hang out with during the week.QUOTE[/]

This will be my first cruise as a single ,(widowed) traveling with my two 15 yo sons. It would be fun to meet other single parents to hang out with or meet with in the evening entertainment when my teenagers will want to do things w/o mom!:)

That is what I am looking for too. I have two grown children and have an 8 year old boy at home and would like to take him on a cruise. Was wondering if he would end up totally bored. I would want to meet other single parents to hang out with.

[Valbram]

I would love to go on a cruise this summer with my 8 year old son, but would like to see if I could find other single moms or dads to hang out with. Anyone interested?:D

[cruisercathy]

Hi!!

 

I was introduced to cruising in my late 20's......Got married in my early 30's and got my husband hooked.....we did 3 cruises and then the kids were born. Unfortunately I am now a widow and the boys and I have been cruising since they were 9 and 5. (8 years ago). We have gone on cruises ..just us...I felt out of place at times and then we have done cruises with family and friends....a lot more fun......I would love to go on a cruise with a group of single parents and kids........I would be interested in looking into rates etc for summer of 2006....Anyone interested?????

[dad son team]

That is what I am looking for too. I have two grown children and have an 8 year old boy at home and would like to take him on a cruise. Was wondering if he would end up totally bored. I would want to meet other single parents to hang out with.

 

Valbram,

 

As long as your son is somewhat social, he will have a great time. I have taken 3 cruises with my 6/7 year old son and he loves them. He goes to the kids program and has the best time. He is not shy so I am lucky he enjoys them. We met another little boy(same age as my son to the day) on the last sea day of 1 cruise at the pool area and his parents said that he wanted nothing to do with the kids program, until he met my son Mr. Social. They spent the whole night in the program. His parents said that they only wish we had met earlier in the cruise.