Any "single" parents gone on a cruise with a toddler?

[Amandah1987]

Hi, I am yet to go on my first cruise, will be going on explorer of the seas for ten days in February next year (South Pacific)

 

I am wanting to know if anyone has gone on a cruise, by themselves with a toddler?

I'll be going with my then 3 year old daughter, I'm not a single mum but my partner/her dad is unable to come.

I have a couple of friends going but they will be in different rooms and I'm sure I will not be asking for their help.

I'm not really wanting to put her in the day care there, but how do you go about signing them up, just in case?

 

Basically want to know other people's experiences, so I'll know I'm not completely crazy taking her by myself. She is a really well behaved kid,and she sleeps amazingly just a bit worried how she will go with long days (at home she usually sleeps in til noon, so doesn't need a nap, but on board we are not wasting half the day lol)

[cruisead]

You need to post this on the Family Cruising board. There are a few who have taken cruises as solo parents.

 

The Kids Clubs are not really considered day care, but a place for kids to go and have fun with other kids their age. Most kids love the activities in the club. BTW, the child must be completely toilet trained to enter the club or the swimming pool. You just go to the kids club area to sign your child into and out of the club.

 

Royal Caribbean provides in cabin baby sitting at night so parents can go off for the evening. The cost is $19 USD per hour. There's also group sitting in the kids club, after 10pm, at a cheaper per hour rate. There are some venues where children under the age of 18 are not allowed after certain hours at night. And, not that you would do this, but children should never be left alone in a cabin at any time.

 

As for her sleeping, you'll need to break her of the habit of sleeping until noon way before you leave on the cruise. Otherwise, you're going to have a lot of problems on board with a very upset child, and you might experience some behavior problems and you will miss a lot if you're sitting around waiting for her to wake up. Don't wait until you're on the ship to stop this habit of sleeping until noon.

[Amandah1987]

Thanks for your help, I'll post it there.

She is fine if I wake her up early, but needs a nap during the day if she gets up around 8am (what time I get her up on Mondays and Tuesdays for child care)