1st timer w/11yr.old & SCARED!!

[latinamomma]

Hi,

 

I am recently divorced, and, going on my 1st cruise... SEPT. 7th...

I am bringing my 11 yr. old daughter, and school should be just starting again, so I am afraid she will be bored...(because a lack of other children)

I am also afraid to leave her alone while I go out to the bars at night.

I am VERY afraid to go out alone. - mainly because I won't have anyone to chat/dance with.

Does anyone have any suggestions- will I find someone to hang out with, or, will I be the odd-ball in the activities??

Do they keep the kids pretty well occupied??

[Cotton]

Hi,.......... so I am afraid she will be bored...

 

Even though there may not be a lot of children on board, the counselors at Camp Carnival (or whatever line you'll be on) will make sure she has plenty of fun stuff to do.

 

I am also afraid to leave her alone while I go out to the bars at night.

 

Do NOT leave an 11-yr. old in a cabin alone!:eek:

 

I am VERY afraid to go out alone. - mainly because I won't have anyone to chat/dance with.

 

If you can put some of your fears behind you and just 'jump in', you shouldn't have any problem chatting with others in one of the lounges. Sit at the bar instead of a table for more conversation opportunities. Often, some of the ship's officers are in the lounges at night and dance with single ladies.:)

 

Hopefully, you will be assigned to a large table in the dining room, and you'll meet others. You might enjoy their company in other areas of the ship, as well as on shore excursions?

 

Does anyone have any suggestions- will I find someone to hang out with, or, will I be the odd-ball in the activities??

 

I usually cruise solo, and although I don't seek out anyone to 'hang out with', I do enjoy conversations with others all over the ship. Don't be SHY, smile a lot, and tell yourself you need to be more outgoing, and your personality will shine through! Have FUN - that's what it's all about!:)

[kitty9]

Since that's the start of school for everyone, don't plan on having the usual number kids on board since it's probably one of the most difficult times for school age kids to miss school.

 

NEVER, EVER leave a child alone in a cabin. You probably don't realize that a lot of people, some who may not be all that desirable, can come into your cabin at any time with a master key. It's way too dangerous to leave a child alone. Camp Carnival runs until 10pm, but they do have a "babysitting" service where you pay by the hour for the child to be there. But, that's always used by parents of toddlers and infants and not for older children.

 

As someone who travels solo, I really don't go out looking for someone to hang out with. You're going to find that most of your fellow cruisers will be couples or those singles who are cruising with friends. That's not to say that you won't meet people, but be prepared for most of your fellow passengers to be couples or families with younger children. Go to group activities like trivia. That's a good place to meet others. You will also meet people at your dining table.

[latinamomma]

Thank you both:

 

I will not leave her alone in the cabin- I am glad you said something, I was not sure how that works... how safe etc.

You answered my questions, I will have a good time- and hopefully she will too!!:)

[Cotton]

See? Your fears are dissipating already. Hope you and your daughter have a wonderful time!:)

[SLH]

Hi,

 

I am recently divorced, and, going on my 1st cruise... SEPT. 7th...

I am bringing my 11 yr. old daughter, and school should be just starting again, so I am afraid she will be bored...(because a lack of other children)

I am also afraid to leave her alone while I go out to the bars at night.

I am VERY afraid to go out alone. - mainly because I won't have anyone to chat/dance with.

Does anyone have any suggestions- will I find someone to hang out with, or, will I be the odd-ball in the activities??

Do they keep the kids pretty well occupied??

The number of kids will depend on which ship i.e. the Voyager class ships of RCCI with the most activities will probably have the most kids. These ships also have so many activities like inline and ice skating, mini golf and a climbing wall I'm sure your daughter won't be bored. My daughter although only 11yr. last year on her first cruise was able to get into the kids camp for the 12-14 yrs. She loved it and loved cruising. Also, if you can get her into the 12 -14yr. group they have activities until midnight (sometimes later) without any charge.

[latinamomma]

WOW- That is good to know, I will see if I can get her into the 12-14, that gives me more time to mingle!!:D

[jp2001]

Maybe it's just me but I would not like to see my 11 yr old daughter (if I had one), hanging out with 14 yr old (11 yr old is way younger and ''kid'' than the 14 yr teens).

Just my humble opinion.

I think some kids activities (pj party or something like that) ends somewhat late but not on every night.

[SLH]

Maybe it's just me but I would not like to see my 11 yr old daughter (if I had one), hanging out with 14 yr old (11 yr old is way younger and ''kid'' than the 14 yr teens).

Just my humble opinion.

I think some kids activities (pj party or something like that) ends somewhat late but not on every night.

The kids are in a supervised activity in a designated location and I found my daughter befriended kids close to her age.I always pick her up at the end of the evening. She was bored to tears in the 9 -11 yr. old group. I think if you go over the rules there shouldn't be problems.

[Darthtater]

Hi- I am a widow with sons who are 10 and 13, and I have done quite a bit of traveling with the boys. Our most recent cruise has been to Hawaii, and it was fabulous. Having two kids is a bit easier because they keep each other company, but you could see about bringing a friend for your daughter. Adding a third to a cabin is not that expensive.

 

The boys and I spend a good deal of time on board together doing all kinds of stuff together, but I do leave them by themselves sometimes in the cabin-mostly when I go to the spa. It's great to get away.

 

About not having anyone to talk to-I wouldn't worry about that. On a cruise evryone is usually so upbeat and happy that it is easy to strike up conversations with strangers. Go to the hot tub with a drink and settle in and just start talking. Make sure you get to know your table companions. This summer as the ship was sailing by the Kaanapali coastline and it was so beautiful that I wanted to comment about it to someone (Of course the boys looked at it for 4 minutes and said yes mom it's pretty and then headed to the pool), I made some comments to a man next to me and we talked about the view for the next 30 minutes. His wife was in the spa and he wanted someone to talk to as well. It was nice.

 

The boys and I are off to a 12 day European cruise next summer with a week post cruise stay in Rome. I am part of a cruise critic roll call, so I'm getting to know some folks who are going to be on the cruise with us. This does two things: it gives me a group that I know on the ship that I can possibly do things with, and it also gives me a group of people that know my situation and can be of service to my kids if something happens to me.

 

You can do it, and the experiences you and your daughter have together will be something you guys will cherish. She'll admire your spirit for doing this on your own.

[latinamomma]

Wow- Thank you! Darthtater- (love the name)That is a really nice post, and I am glad to hear that you and your boys are enjoying cruising together!!

I am thinking I will be okay, I get anxious about new things, and, I am so used to having my hubby around to help!! New to cruising, new to being single again, new to having a pre-teen... it can get to a person!!

I am really looking forward to traveling with my daughter, especially before she hits that teenage attitude stage!! I am sure that this will be my first of many cruises- from what I have been reading it truly is addicting! I am addicted and have not got onto the ship yet!!

All of the feedback I have been given has been great.

Thanks to all.:p

[robinzhere]

I'm also a single mom (my son just turned 20 but I've been single for 11 years) so I know where you are coming from. I took my first solo cruise with my son when he was 16 and I came back saying, "Why didn't I think of this sooner?" (Our vacation before that was camping -- what was I thinking???? :confused: Ever try to set up a tent with a surly 15 year old?)

 

Yes, you may have to forgo the late night-bar scene on this trip but the beauty of a cruise is that there is so much to choose from that you can have so much fun without that. Shows, movies, games, music. When you're not taking advantage of the kid's club, there might be excursions that both you and your daughter will love. You'll build great "mom and me" memories!

 

The other good thing is that you'll have a whole staff to take care of YOU for the cruise. It so wonderful! Not only will you cabin needs be taken care of: need an extra hand in the buffet line -- there will be someone to help! Need a drink by the pool while you watch your daughter-- someone will get it for you. That sure doesn't happen in our off-shore lives! It's so easy to get used to, though.

 

On one of our cruises, they assigned us to a table entirely of single parents with their kids. What a brilliant matre' d (and did he ever get a tip from me). We didn't hang out much other than dinner, but I think had I been interested in that, we would have. But even on the other cruises, there was always someone to talk with -- cruisers are generally just so friendly and open.

 

I'm sure you'll have a great time! Be sure to let you know all about it! ;)

[claud925]

You can inquire at Guest Relations Desk about in-cabin babysitting. I don't know what the hourly rate is, but I do know that there are female crew members (cabin attendants, asst. waiters, kids' program staff members) who are willing to earn extra money when they are off-duty. Ask at Guest Relations - you never know.:)

 

As a solo traveler I have never lacked for conversation while cruising. There have been some great tips posted by others here, i.e., the hot tub, participation in shipboard activities such as trivia games, sitting at the bar as opposed to a table, being at a large table for dinner, etc. Also, I have yet to sail a ship that I did not make the acquaintance of gay couples (both male and female). I find them to be delightful and wonderful fun and laughs at the casino and lounges. I can also almost guarantee that you will see sisters, friends, mothers/daughters, cruising together. You will definitely encounter others besides married couples. :cool:

 

Have a wonderful cruise!