Solo parent with kids - how to avoid being lonely?

[joejo]

So, as the title says, traveling alone with kids - how to avoid being lonely? I think my 2 kids will venture off to the kids club for a fair portion of the time. What does one do when they are all by themselves? When we booked this cruise it wasn't supposed to be like this, but alas, now I am traveling solo. Having a friend come along does not seem to be an option.

 

Has anyone been in a similar position? Was it awkward? I'm not a natural at making friends, although I am friendly. By the time this trip arrives I will be coming off of my busiest time of year as far as work - I will be ready for the relaxation!

[crusinmama06]

Go to your sailing's roll call here at Cruise Critic. Before I step onboard, I have already made "friends" and set up a meeting place/time for the first day. I never want to step onboard and not have some kind of adult conversations lined up. :D So I always meet up with the cruise critic folks. And I haven't been disappointed yet. And actually, I have made some pretty GREAT FRIENDS that have carried over into my real life. :D

 

Put yourself out there and introduce yourself to your roll call. Go to your Meet/Greet. You don't have to make 30 new friends, just 1 or 2. That's all it takes is for you to click with a few people.

 

Usually from that first day meet/greet, the rest of the cruise pretty much falls in line. I always run into the people I met on the first day. I see them at the pool. See them at lunch. I am NEVER alone because the cruise critic people are always around.

 

Try it. You'll be surprised. ;)

[Asil65]

Great suggestion cruisinmama06. If you haven't started a roll call, start one at CC. There may be one started already. Have met some fabulous people on prior cruises and actually we are cruising with two of them again on an upcoming cruise. You can meet them at the initial meet and greet and if you hit it off with any of them meet for lunch, dinner at the pool etc. I bet you will have a lot of fun hanging out at the pool with the kids. Enjoy the quiet time when they are in the kids club. Not sure which ship you will be on but I would imagine that you will be seated with another family at dinner time. Lots to talk about with other parents.

[quincytoo]

I have also met some great people from those CC meetings :)

[cb at sea]

And, pick a large table...tablemates can become friends! It's ever so nice to have others to converse with at meals...and some will become cruise buddies...(not all, but some!) and you will have "ready made" friends.

Do NOT dine alone with your kids....get a large table with other adults!

Or, take a friend with you....I would never want to vacation totally alone....it's nice to have someone to share your relaxed time with!

[boulders]

I'm an only parent and have no relatives who are interested in cruising, so I always cruise alone with my kids. I've found the best place is at the dinner table. I'm usually matched up with others who are travelling with kids. My first cruise, I was matched up with another only parent. :)

[vavasmom]

As the single parent of a teenager, I spent quite a bit of Spring Break on board Freedom of the Seas apart from my DD last April. We had dinner together each night, breakfast most mornings, and did activities in the ports as a family but otherwise I let her hang out with people her own age (she had to check-in every few hours) and I saw her quite a bit around the ship.

 

Part of the time I relaxed, read a book on the balcony or by the pool, people watched, or took an afternoon nap. I do not gamble (casino or bingo) or do art auctions but still found plenty to do.

 

I met another single mom with teen daughters via the roll call so we did some things together and went to the show each night. I also went to some of the activities around the ship: the cooking demonstrations, theatre tour, wine tasting, watching people on the Flowrider, team trivia (I just paired up with some other people at the session) and Q&A with the captain. I even tried one of the adult art projects (It reminded me that I am the math/science child - my sister has all the creative genes).

 

In general, I would agree with the dinner advice but we did anytime dining because the timing worked well for us. I did meet some people who were often seated near me. DD enjoyed lunch in either the dining room, Windjammer, or Johnny Rockets with her new friends so I tried to eat lunch in the dining room - seated with other adults. I did get to beam with pride when one gentleman at our table noted how well the table of 8 teens seated near us enjoying entree salads was behaving. He said they were wonderful examples of what was right with kids today. My DD was part of the group.

 

She and I both love cruising. I think it is the perfect single parent vacation.

[joejo]

Thanks :)

 

I have joined the rollcall, but it seems to be more couples and families. We will attend our M&G to put some names to faces. We are having a "bring a treat from home to share" theme so that will be a lot of fun!

 

I opted for early dining and asked to be seated at a large table. The kids are doing "family time dining" where they will eat quickly and then leave. I don't want to be left sitting alone :o so a bigger table sounds perfect!

 

I thought about inviting someone along, but I can't think of anyone who can afford the trip, take the time, etc.

 

I'm glad to hear that this is a good single parents vacation :)

[LaurieHoffman]

I have cruised twice like this and leave in a week for my 3rd cruise. Funny thing is I am not a single mom, just have a spouse who doesn't like cruising to much.

 

Anyway I love taking a book on deck, walking the ship, heading to the spa area, and just completely relaxing. I don't gamble or drink either. I often will go back to my room and take a nap - something that doesn't happen in real life. I am usually in bed fairly early but that is OK by me. My kids check in throughout the day but are required to stay at dinner until we are all done. We use magnets in the room to post notes of where we are, shows, kids clubs etc.

 

Use this time to catch up on a few good books, treat yourself to a massage etc..... Relax and enjoy your time - no housework, no cell phones, no cooking, no carpools etc... What could be better?