Single mom with a toddler- crazy?

[akb5k]

I love cruises, but haven't been on one since my daughter was born. I'm a single mom of a 16 month old- thinking about taking a short cruise this fall, when she's about 20 months old or so. Is that insane? Should I wait until she's potty trained at least?

For those who have done a cruise solo with a young child, what do you do at night- just put them to bed and sit quietly on your balcony and go to bed early?

I know it won't be the same as pre-baby trips, but I'm tired of staying home and I don't have anyone to travel with me!

[Chicky2181]

Go for it!!!! You only live once. It will definitely be a different travel experience for you and her. I would do it if I were you!!!!

[mjkacmom]

I'd wait until she is at least potty trained (so she can use the pool), and old enough for the kids club. I just don't know what I would do all day on the ship with just me and a toddler (and I'm a SAHM with 5 kids).

[Amy G]

I would do it! You handle her all day on your own, so why not do it on a cruise ship!

 

We travel with our 19 month old ( she goes on her first cruise next month) and at night we just lay in bed and read our Kindles or play on our phones.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[KITKAT0229]

Can you wait a few more months until she's 2? If you sail on Carnival, she can go to Camp Carnival when she's 2. Plus they have the night owls program so you can go out at night and do things.

[Kerry's Girls]

Everyone is different of course, but I found cruising the best way to travel as a single mom. I cruised alone with my twins a few times before they were old enough for the kids program. I would never wait to vacation - when they were toddlers was when I needed it most! Cruising was much less isolated than going to a resort or any other vacation we tried - people are so social and there were always other families on board with kids too young for the program.

 

At night we would go to the shows in the stroller and be in the very back (toddlers love the lights and sounds) and just leave if we needed to. We would go to one of the lounges with music and dance in the back - which were some of the greatest times we had. After they were asleep, I could still wander with them in the stroller (use a beach towel over the top to block the light) and even sit in a lounge and enjoy a cocktail.

 

RCCL has nurseries on some of its ships and offers some in-room babysitting. Carnival has paid group baby-sitting after 10:00 if you want an evening out (you can bring your child asleep in their stroller) and I think some brief hours during the day. Princess allows a parent to join their toddler in the kids program and use the facility - which is what we did on our first cruises - there were lots of age appropriate toys, etc.

 

So my suggestion is to do it now AND do it later :)

 

Best,

Mia

[OzCanuck]

Do it for sure!

 

On NCL the limit for kids' activities is 3 years - but the under three activities where a parent must attend is a great opportunity to socialize with other parents - and maybe make some friends and book some excursions together.

 

Now having had my own kid, I really have no idea how single parents cope! But a cruise would be easy, and it would be a nice vacation. Sure - your is not going to remember it, but who cares - YOU will remember it!

[queenL]

I'm not a single mother but I travel often with my 2 girls 6 and 15mos without my husband. He gets 1 wk of vacation a year, I get 4-5. I either sail without him or I wouldn't be able to travel nearly as often as I do. We will again leave him behind this Saturday to sail on the Breeze. There are so many activities you can still do. Movies by the pool (DD sleeps on my chest I watch :) Comedy shows and the main shows I also typically attend. I sit near the back in case I need to make a quick exit (most times she sleeps in my arms) The only things that are really off limits are the casinos and the clubs. So of course I say go for it. You can always try to find another single parent friend to sail with you????

[boulders]

Royal Caribbean and Disney both have nurseries for under - 3 year olds. Royal also has in cabin babysitting. Go for it!

[lovebelle]

I say go for it. Ill be cruising in September for the first time since pre-baby solo with my then 14 month old. I could have waited, but seemed silly to do that. Its pretty much me and baby alone all the time now, at least on a cruise there are activities readily available, and someone else preparing and serving us food. Plus I get to see new deatinations :)

 

Im truly looking forward to this time away with my daughter. I would love to hear more suggestions of things to do as well from those of you who have traveled alone with your toddler.

[KJENN]

I would totally do it! One kid would be easy to handle on a ship. Maybe look at Freedom/Oasis/Allure of the Seas- they have the Royal Babies and Tots nursery where you can leave your child (I think its 8$/hr) and enjoy some time alone some nights. THey also have small pools for non-potty trained kids. We took DS on Oasis at 16m and had a blast. He loved the carousel and running around. I've also heard of single parent cruises- that would be fun to meet other single parents!

[jaycat]

Maybe seek others who will be traveling solo with toddlers and cruise together.

We are taking a toddler on our cruise next year and I'm happy it's 8 to 10 of us going to run behind 1 child.

 

You're good, have fun.

[chipperberg]

I personally would not worry about potty training, it is easier to travel while still in diapers and not all kids like the pools, especially with so many people around and splashing about...IMHO. Go for it. You mentioned a short cruise, and that might be perfect. Just take it for what it is and wonder around, relax, and let someone else do the cooking and cleaning. I am sure you will have a great time!

[akb5k]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the encouragement. Looking for a cruise with a single parent group was a great suggestion, I'm sure they're out there. Or I'll just go by myself and have fun :)

[JinxyB]

I also say go for it! It will be a different type of vacation, but just set your expectations accordingly. I traveled with my son solo when he was 15 months, 2 yrs 2 months, and am going when he is 2 yrs 7 months. To be honest, after the trip when he was 15 months, I vowed to not take him until he was 2 and could go to the kids club on Carnival. What a difference that makes! What cruise line are you going on? Now he is potty trained (except at night) and I'm pretty sure he will enjoy the pools and splash area on the ship. Nights can be somewhat of a challenge, as my son is not the type to just lay down and go to sleep. I was usually so tired I went to sleep too, or hung out on the balcony or read quietly in bed.

[kelleigh229]

Go for it! I am a single mom too and taking my 4 year old on his first cruise in September. I don't really know what to expect either but I'm game! Have a blast!!

[ShanteS]

I'm also a single mom and I say go for it! I was prepared to cruise in August alone with my daughter because I was tired of waiting around for my family to book. So one day I called Carnival and booked the cruise and notified the family afterwards telling them that we'd be cruising and they can come or we'd see them in a week. LOL Now there's a good sized group of us going and we have one month to go.

 

It won't be like cruising as a single woman, no more closing down the club, late night partying in the casino, and roaming the ship and having pizza at 4am BUT it'll be a much needed break from every day life. You won't have to worry about work, dropping off and picking up baby from daycare, packing lunches every night, cleaning the house, folding laundry, driving in rush hour traffic....you catch my drift. :)

 

My daughter will be a week shy of her 2nd birthday when we sail but I'm hoping to be able to use the late night camp carnival babysitting service to hit up the casino and maybe the club. If not, I'll have an aft wrap all to myself with a few good books and wine or funship special. ;) I highly recommend a balcony so you'll have some where to relax when baby is napping or asleep for the night. Good luck and please come back and tell us all about it.