Mom and son o.k?

[Samme]

I'm seriously considering a cruise with my 11 year-old son. Hubby does not want to go and I don't want to stay home. I am thinking Carnival because of the cost and kids program.

 

Any Moms out there who just took their child and went on a cruise? Did you have fun? Did your child? I'm apprehensive and not sure why. I've been on three cruises but with my husband or girlfriends. I'd really like to go with my son.

 

I'd appreciate hearing everyones' opinion or experiences.

 

Thanks

[I&MsMom]

Hi! I say, go for it!

 

After 2 cruises as a family (both on Carnival, as DD was 2 and that is the only line which will take children that age in the Camp and also changes diapers), I took the kids by myself on a 3rd cruise. At the time, DD was 2 and DS 6. We sailed on the Triumph from NY on a 5 night to Canada in late August (we live just north of NYC).

 

I was a little apprehensive, but it worked out really very well. DH travels for business a lot, and I got tired of staying home to a chorus of "I miss daddy." Might as well have some adventures of our own! In fact, it worked out so well that, even though we all just got back from the Miracle last week, I'm looking at late August cruises out of NY for the three of us again this year...

 

I joined the roll call here, and we had a meet and greet at sailaway. That helped a lot, as there were always familiar faces throughout the week. I also felt it would be strange to be "single" when I'm not, but in fact, I was very comfortable, even in the evenings when the kids were in Camp and I was wondering around on my own.

 

In the end, we had a great trip, and I am considering a 7 or 8 night this time! Hope you go and have a similiarly positive experience!

[crusinmama06]

That's awesome I&MsMom. I had always wanted to do that, just haven't been brave enough to make the move. I love to cruise,but because of my dh's work schedule, he can only go on one a year.

 

So I am assuming they would probably charge full price for the child then because he would be the "2nd person"?

[shellie100]

...So I am assuming they would probably charge full price for the child then because he would be the "2nd person"?

 

I took my 2-yr-old son and he was charged full price for being the "2nd" in the room.

 

My hubby had to work and some other family members were going on this cruise. So I thought, what the heck, and I booked only a couple of months before leaving. It was a 10-day cruise and we had a great time. I would think that it would be even more fun if my son had been older.

 

Shellie

[Texas_Diver]

That's awesome I&MsMom. I had always wanted to do that, just haven't been brave enough to make the move. I love to cruise,but because of my dh's work schedule, he can only go on one a year.

 

So I am assuming they would probably charge full price for the child then because he would be the "2nd person"?

 

Yes, most cruise lines do. Sure they eat less, but they spend less too on alcohol, the casino and on gift items.

 

D.

[MEcruzr]

Samme... GO! You'll both have a blast! I just got home on Monday from a cruise with my son (16 yo... his 4th... started going when he was 10). Consider other cruise lines, too... they ALL have good kid programs. Pick a cruise where you'll have something in common with the adults. Will YOU like Carnival? Is that your type of cruise? If not, pick something you'd like. You son will have a great time on any ship.

[turbomom]

I went on my first cruise with our daughter who was 12 at the time. DH didn't want to go and we went with a larger group of family and friends, with my daughter being the youngest in the group. We had a great time but this year I'm taking both kids, daughter is now 14 and my son is 8. But for some reason I'm a little nervous, I guess because unlike the cruise before there won't be any family or friends around. DH as less vacation time than I do and uses most of his vacation to go on hunting trips. I figure why should he get to go on vacation enjoying what he likes to do and not the kids or I. Don't get me wrong we also take a family vacation in the summer every year and every other year DH and I take a vacation minus the kids. So far it's work out ok.

[janep]

I took my youngest son who was 10 at the time on the Disney Cruise. Let me tell you this; it was a trip filled with memories that he and I both will have forever! Yes, it was expensive, and yes it was worth every single penny. It was by far the best trip I've ever taken. Ask me any questions you may have, I'd love to help.:D

[Samme]

I want to thank you all so much for sharing your experiences and insight. I booked us on the Royal, Mariner of the Seas in April.

 

I'll be sure to share our experiences when we get back!

 

Diane

[Kerry's Girls]

I'm a widow, and I'm not going to stop cruising. I just took my twin girls who are 1 for a week on the Sapphire. Everyone told me I was nuts, but we all had the best time ever. I think it's the ideal way to travel - all we had to do was get dressed each day and then go eat and play, eat and play. My mother was single and took me and my sister on cruises way back in the day when there usually weren't many other kids on board and we always had fun, but these days, the ships cater to all ages. You'll have the time of your lives.

 

I had to pay full price for one of the babies, and one was a 3rd passenger rate, but it was still much less than going to a hotel or resort and paying for a room plus meals and activities.

 

I went to the "Ports of Call" area of this board and researched each of the places we were going for places that would be of interest to all of us (we went to a different beach resort in each place). You can check there for suggestions on age appropriate things to do.

 

Have a great time.

- Mia