single mother with tween

[tobymurph]

I'd like to go on a cruise with my daughter for spring break but am wondering what it will be like for me as a single parent - which is a new experience for me. Or should I go on a different type of holiday if I don't have another adult accompany me? It will be fun to do things together but when she is off at kids club enjoying herself, I'm wondering how comfortable I will feel being on my own. Have any of you been in a similar circumstance? Can you tell me about your experiences?

I love to bask up the sun by the pool or on my balcony during the day - no problem there. And of course there's lots of excursions during the day to keep us busy. I'm thinking more about evenings. How easy is it to meet people?

Thanks

[DukeFamily]

My husband doesn't cruise with me (he's a weirdo; I know!), so it's always just me and my 2 boys. I always take a good book; fun magazines....(I ALWAYS take "A Pirate Looks at 50" by Jimmy Buffet - GREATness) the boys and I always have dinner together and maybe agree to attend the show. Then after I'll just lay back on the pool deck with some coffee! We also always take a portable DVD player and favorite movies, so sometimes I'll just have my hot shower; snuggle in my little bunk and watch something I love. Or hit the casino for a spell! Most everyone is friendly on a cruise; you'll have fun!

[rebeccalouiseagain]

If you can do fixed dining with other people at the table- this will be good. I met lots of people this way when traveling as a single parent. Also- go to trivia- it will be many of the same people and you'll have instant friends. At night don't be afraid to sashay up to the bars and chat with other singles and couples.

 

Be a joiner- go to dance classes, etc. You'll meet people and if there isn't another single to dance with- the pros will often use you as their partner.

 

I always cruise with my son alone and he ditches me for the youth program. I make friends with people without being annoying and clingy.

 

Have a great time.

[Kerry's Girls]

I think a cruise is the easiest vacation to meet others. I'm shy by nature and never have trouble socializing on board when I feel like it. There are lots of activities to join, shared dining tables, and more of a camp or neighborhood atmosphere where people are generally open to socializing. Join your roll call and you'll be "friends" with quite a few fellow cruisers before you even board the ship.

 

Best,

Mia

[tobymurph]

Just reading your responses makes me feel much better about going solo.

thank-you!! It's nice to know others are without partners and having a good time. I guess it just takes a few trips to experience things differently. I would typically never go into a bar on my own.... With the dining, I'm not sure exactly how the seating preferences work...

If I have a fixed table, does that mean we eat with the same people every night? Is it better to have open dining where we join others or they join us?

How does that get arranged?

Thanks again.

[Essiesmom]

When you book your cruise, you specify whether you want traditional dining, early or late, or My time/Anytime/Select/open seating dining. Traditional dining is where you are seated with the same people each night, eating at the same time. Early seating is probably better if your tween is to be involved with club activities in the evening...Open seating means you may dine by yourselves, or request to be seated with others each night. I/we prefer fixed dining, as then we get to know our tablemates and can share plans and results at dinner. With open seating, you make introduction all over again at each meal...EM

[1025cruise]

The only piece of advice I have not seen is to make sure you bring a notarized letter from your daughter's father giving you permission to take her out of country. If you cannot obtain this, bring other documentation as to why you would not need it (court order, death certificate, etc).

[djmess]

Semi - Solo cruising is what I call it. I travel with my 9 y/o son all the time. I've been partial to NCL lately, but that does not mean other lines are not great. I know NCL always has Solo Gatherings around the 5:30-6:30 time frame. Varies a bit from ship to ship. This is not a "pick up" singles gathering, but a way for other solo travelers to meet. Other lines might have similiar. I'm shy by nature, but as my son says. "Mommy talks to everyone when on a cruise" You never meet a stranger on a cruise. Have fun and take the leap!!

[rebeccalouiseagain]

Just reading your responses makes me feel much better about going solo.

thank-you!! It's nice to know others are without partners and having a good time. I guess it just takes a few trips to experience things differently. I would typically never go into a bar on my own.... With the dining, I'm not sure exactly how the seating preferences work...

If I have a fixed table, does that mean we eat with the same people every night? Is it better to have open dining where we join others or they join us?

How does that get arranged?

Thanks again.

 

If you do fixed seating you will be with the same people each night. As a rule- I have always been sat with people also traveling with children. This is good because you have things in common and kids are great ice breakers.

Do the early seating because the kid activities start up again at 7PM.