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Hi! I just joined cruise critic today and I'm already receiving a lot of helpful information. I posted in first time cruisers and was directed here.

I'm trying to plan a trip for this Winter to escape the cold and maybe distract from the first holidays without my wife. As a widower I'd be sailing alone with my 2 children, 5 (girl) and 3 (boy). I would want to spend the majority of time with them, but a short break would be nice. I would hope that if I'm alone there would still be activities I could enjoy, I'm 29 if that makes a difference. I'm a little worried about managing them both on a vacation as I haven't done it before, they aren't wild kids or anything, but things are a lot more exhausting when it is just you. So if anyone has sailed as a single parent with kids of similar ages I'd love to hear any advice you have!

With children in those ages is there a line you would recommend? Why?

Did you find your kids wanted to attend kids camp activities? Any safety issues?

I'm sorry I know this maybe a little much for one post and I know it is all subjective. I'm trying my best to research in the limited free time I have now. I was thinking Disney originally but the more I read on here I'm wondering if we should go another route due to the price difference.

I am so sorry for your loss. I know that you and the children are all hurting.

 

I agree with Essiesmom that posting on the Family Forum section of Cruise Critic would also be a good place to get information about child friendly cruise lines, Kids Clubs, and cruising alone with young children.

 

The family forum is at

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=49

 

I don't want to be morbid but bring your wife's death certificate with you on the cruise since cruise lines need proof that it is okay with the other parent for you to be cruising alone with the children.

Thank you for the condolences and thank you for the link to the family forum. I didn't see that forum listed on the mobile app, still getting used to this site. I'm sure you are right about the death certificate. I haven't traveled with them yet since. Once I pick a cruise I will definitely ask all what I need to bring.

I'm sorry for your loss' date=' but I do applaud you for continuing with your plans.

 

Suggestion--we find early December to be less crowded, less costly, and still have all the holiday activities in full swing. That would be my choice time. And i joke that the cruise is much less effort than the parks and I am "on vacation" on the cruise.

 

Background--I adopted as a single mother, so I've done the single mom cruise and other vacation bit all of our family life. The cruise is absolutely the best.

 

Given the ages of your kids,it won't matter which ship you choose. Teens may find that the Fantasy/Dream has more to offer them, but your kids will be plenty busy on any of the ships. Our personal favorite is the Magic, but again, look at dates, costs, ports, etc.

 

Meal times are EASY. DCL takes care of everything for you. I do find it easier to do the sit down places rather than the buffet, but if you choose the buffet, a CM will gladly help you carry trays, etc. The downside to the pool deck buffet is that you also have to get your beverages and any refills. These will be happily served to you at the sit down venues.

 

As to adult activities, there is plenty to do, depending on what you like. There is a fitness center and running/jogging track (both no cost). For a fee, there is the spa. There is an adult only pool, hot tubs, coffee shop, and the deck around the pool--you won't be out of place as no one is supposed to have their kids in this location. There are various adult only activities scheduled throughout the day. In the evenings, there are adult only entertainers, etc. beginning at about 10 pm.

 

The Oceaneer's Club is open from 9 am to midnight--again, included in the cruise fare; no additional fees. Obviously, I wouldn't suggest dropping the kids and showing up 8 hours later, but they can spend as much or a little time there as you and they choose. If they need you, you'll get a text message on your wave phone (ship cell phone, again no charge). There are family activities all day as well, so you can participate with your kids. You can also go to the OC with them during "Open House" times.

 

I would suggest you book nothing less than a 4 night cruise. 7 is better, but I get the idea of "trying it out." 3 is not enough. You no sooner get there than it is time to leave.

 

As far as port activities, it depends on which ports you are visiting. We have often chosen to just stay on the ship or do a quick off and then return rather than a big excursion. Examples--St. Thomas, within walking distance of the dock is a butterfly farm. More adventurous, a cable car ride to the top of the island. All day activity there for family is Coral World, an aquarium with underwater walk in viewing area, educational "touch tanks" for kids, etc. and across the parking lot is a family friendly beach with no charge! Grand Cayman--turtle farm is great for kids (don't tell them the turtles are raised to eat!) 3 is too young for Stingray City in my opinion. Cozumel, I don't like...but there is a mall right at the dock. In the mall is a guy with a burro all dressed up. For a small fee, kid can have photo with burro, sit on him, etc. All of these except Coral World would be a very short time off the ship. We don't do meals off the ship, etc. We find "on our own" worked better with little people because if they are tired, fussy, etc. we can return to the ship whenever we choose.

 

Now, packing. (I know you are not there yet). Get a supply of zip lock bags. Put a full outfit, including socks, undies, etc. in the bag. Smash the air out and place in the suitcase. Each day, all you need to do to get the kids dressed is get out a bag (one for each kid). The outfits will always match, etc. If they don't wear the socks or something, toss them in the drawer as a "just in case." I would pack one bag for each day + one extra. Then all you need are the "dress up" clothes for a long cruise and a sweater or jacket because it can get cool at night.

 

Another hint--at the end of the season, but at least a few things one size bigger than they are currently wearing. I would often do all my "next year" shopping then! If you cruise in December, make the kids try on this year's clothes before you pack. There are these growth spurts. Ask me about the time that I had a suitcase full of "too small" clothes! At the ages of your kids, you can be pretty sure that next spring, they will be one size bigger than whatever they are this fall and by doing a little end of season shopping, you'll save a bundle.

 

Please feel free to ask any questions. OH, DO NOT buy trip insurance thru DCL. There are plenty of private companies that will give you better coverage and provide one complimentary child's policy with each adult policy purchased. Finally, the biggest negative to going as a single parent is that you pay full adult fare for the older child. Boo hiss. DCL does not offer any sort of single parent program/payment plan while some other lines do. They don't save much, but every little bit counts. But in terms of travel with little kids, DCL is definitely the best.[/quote']

 

Thank you, I appreciate it. With the kids I'm just trying to give them the best life possible and family vacations was a goal for us.

 

I have to say, I so much appreciate your response! My plan would definitely be to have them with me the majority of the time, but I think nice to have a little break if I know they are being taken care of.

 

Your post has given me a lot to think about and I love your packing ideas. I never would have thought of putting outfits in baggies.

 

I'm not sure about excursions either as I haven't gotten that far but I am very relieved that you have been able to enjoy cruising alone and everyone has had a good time.

So sorry to hear about your wife. "Firsts" are tough. Hugs to you.

 

We've done Carnival with a five year-old and are booked on Celebrity for a second with her.

 

We had a spectacular time. The key (for us) is plan downtime. Get a balcony, if that's in the budget, so you can watch the ship dock with the kids, watch the sun rise (those are our favourite memories).

 

Hit the main dining room for dinner and make it an event. Dress up. It's fun with kids (I hate dressing up).

 

Are your kids ok being separated? Leave one in the kids program while you spend some special time with the other. Everybody wins. You get some quality time with each Little without exhausting yourself, the Littles get to meet new friends. Many kids programs also have a family participation component. (scavenger hunts, etc.)

 

Don't feel like you have to do everything. Keep to the routine, where/if you can. Nap times ... if you have a balcony, you can put the little fella down while you relax on the balcony with your daughter (or leave your daughter in the kids program, and take the time to relax yourself ... or nap, too).

 

Bring along some quiet activities ... iPad stocked with favourite shows, colouring stuff.

 

You mentioned you'd posted in Disney. Once you settle on a cruise, join the roll call for that cruise. You can find people you gel with ahead of time, maybe with kids in a similar age group. Maybe some grownups you can hang out with, too.

Thank you, yes the firsts are hard.

I appreciate all the info you've provided! A balcony definitely sounds like a must then. The kids are ok being seperate at times as they are in daycare and in different sections there due to their ages. I would plan to spend the majority of time with them, but would be nice to have a minute away to take a short break if I know they are in a safe space. It's seems like dinner at the main dining is generally agreed as a better option so far. I think my daughter would like the dressing up option.

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

Please accept my sympathies for your loss.

 

In addition to Disney, Carnival, NCL and RCI all have good children's programs.

Thank you, I appreciate it.

I will look into those other lines, thanks.

Sorry on the mobile app and title should read "first time cruiser"

I'm new and posted in Disney, but I guess I'm open to other lines also because Disney books so quickly. I'm looking for a child friendly line.

For awhile, my wife and I discussed taking the kids on a cruise and had saved. It looks like an amazing time, however, my wife sadly passed about 6 months ago so I'm wondering if traveling alone with 2 young children would still work. I know Disney may be best being so child friendly that there may be more understanding people on board as I presume many will be traveling with children. I am trying to choose itineraries for winter to escape the cold a bit and maybe have some fun to distract from the holidays that will obviously be somber this year for me. So my questions really are: has anybody sailed alone with children? Was it too difficult at meal times/managing buffet? If the kids are in a kids club do you think enough activities for a solo adult? I guess I should clarify ages, I'm 29 and my kids would be 5 (girl) and 3 (boy) by the time of sailing.

Sorry for the double post from the Disney thread but think perhaps I should have posted in new cruisers originally. Any tips about a line, food itinerary for children, or tips and how to cruise when outnumbered by small children is much appreciated.

Hi everybody. I'm a first time cruiser and in the planning stages. For awhile, my wife and I discussed taking the kids on a disney, cruise and had put money aside. It looks like an amazing time, however, my wife sadly passed about 6 months ago so I'm wondering if traveling alone with 2 young children would still work. I know Disney may be best being so child friendly that there may be more understanding people on board as I presume many will be traveling with children. I am trying to choose itineraries for winter to escape the cold a bit and maybe have some fun to distract from the holidays that will obviously be somber this year for me. So my questions really are: has anybody sailed alone with children? Was it too difficult at meal times/managing buffet? If the kids are in a kids club do you think enough activities for a solo adult? I guess I should clarify ages, I'm 29 and my kids would be 5 (girl) and 3 (boy) by the time of sailing.

First time posting here and hope to research what I can so any advice about the line in general I'm open to hear so please point me in the right direction if I should be looking elsewhere. Thank you in advance!