Whether you’re widowed, divorced, single parent by preference, or married, but traveling without your spouse, traveling alone with children can be daunting. In fact, a cruise is a fantastic way to go on holiday as a solo adult with kids, but the first-time single parent cruisers mostly have a number of issues and problems before embarking. Let us ease your thoughts with our best piece of advice on a single parent cruise and the responses to frequently asked questions.
Single-parent families have to offer the same government-issued IDs as anyone else and-whether they can be passports or birth certificates and photo IDs, based on the location of origin and travel. Every time to verify whether a visa is needed for your itinerary.
Most cruise lines do not necessitate a child travel legal document if the child travels with only one parent. However, if the children and parents do not have the last name, many lines involve you to give your child’s passport and birth certificate as valid evidence that you are linked. Some cruise lines, like Holland America and Princess, need children traveling only with one parent and provide a passport, and on a closed-loop, U.S. round trip, for which birth certificates are otherwise acceptable travel documents. (This applies to emergency cases in which families may need to be disembarked in a different country.)
This is always a great idea for adoptive parents, legal guardians, and divorced or separated parents to provide copies of legal papers demonstrating their status as a safety measure.
You may need additional documentation on international routes to reach your cruise port. Canada and Mexico, in particular, can be very strict about children traveling with only one parent; you’ll want to verify with the U.S. The State Department (or your home country) and the consulates of your country of destination are responsible for what paperwork is needed. Typically, you would need a notarized letter of consent, signed by the other parent (including contact information), stating that you have the approval to take your children out of the nation on exact dates and a specific cruise and for signing a waiver of activity to make healthcare choices for the child when traveling.
In a lot of cases, you may not be asked for the paperwork, but it is required.
What will happen if you do not have the proper letter of consent?
If you are questioned by airport or border officials for particular paperwork and you do not have it, you may be denied boarding or entering a foreign country until you generate it. Therefore, it’s really better to take the time to get the documentation you could need, even though no one asks than it is to skip it and find yourself trying to make frantic last-minute arrangements or going to close your trip once you get to the airport.
The same principle applies to your cruise. If a birth certificate or passport is needed and you do not have a suitable I.D., you may be avoided from boarding your ship.
What if I do not get the signed child consent form?
The greatest issue we see on Cruise Critic’s message boards is that of parents that need a notarized letter of consent for children traveling abroad, and the other mother or father of their child is dead, totally out of the image and inaccessible, reluctant to collaborate or an anonymous sperm donor.
If the other parent of the child is dead, a birth certificate copy (with the name of both parents) and a death certificate copy should be adequate. If you have obtained legally the full custody of your kid, you must provide a legal paper showing that it is necessary to do so. But if you’re a single parent by preference, a copy of your birth certificate of your child with only one parent’s name on it is appropriate as evidence.
When the other spouse refuses to comply, or if you ever don’t know how to get in touch and do not have sole custody, you could perhaps need to go to the family court for getting the legal documentation you need for traveling. Since each situation is different, you’re going to want to talk to a lawyer about what measures you have to take.
Are there any drop-off activities for children that will let me have time alone throughout the day?
Mostly all large-scale cruise lines are family-friendly and provide drop-off activities for children aged 3 to 17—free—in their kids’ clubs from morning tonight. A few other cruise ships have very extra-fee, drop-off nurseries for babies and toddlers. If you’re fantasizing about dropping off your children and definitely having some “me time,” understand that not all children love the club scene, favoring to hang out together with their families.
Should I pay the full price for the kids?
The very first 2 passengers in the cruise cabin pay the entire fare, irrespective of age. This implies that single parents are stuck with paying “adult” rates for one child. The second or third children in the cabin would then pay an extra-passenger fee (which is usually deducted from the regular price).
Are boat-sponsored shore excursions great for single parents?
Whether you’re looking to socialize in port, or be in a group environment where somebody else can keep a close eye on your children when you’re in the bathroom, a ship-sponsored shore excursion could be a simple option to do cool events as a single-parent family. Shipping tours can be pricey, however, but not always a great fit for young children. You may find cheaper or more convenient options by reserving independently operated tours or by doing your own port activities, like going to the beach. If you’re anxious about handling lots of kids on your own and don’t want to do a boat tour, just use Cruise Critic’s Roll Call function for meeting other families on your sailing trip and join up for a smaller group trip.
Is there a babysitter evening if I want to go out at night?
Singles parents cannot trade off a child’s night duty with the spouse, and that you shouldn’t leave your kids in a cabin alone after you live a couple of decks away. Parents possess 2 choices for babysitting: late-night parties (essentially, group babysitting) at the club after an hourly per-kid fee, or in-cab babysitting (for a higher fee) provided on a limited scale only by few other lines (namely Holland America and Celebrity).
Can I go on a shore excursion with no my children?
Most cruise lines allow parents to drop their children off at the children’s club and then end up leaving the ship in port; someone else involves one parent or guardian to stay on board. Confirm your cruise line because of its specific policy. Although some parents are uneasy leaving children on the ship when they’re in port, that’s the only alternative for single mothers and fathers to do more adult tours, such as scuba diving or wine tasting.
Is the buffet a great option for single families?
Buffets are wonderful with older children, but it can be hard to get meals about yourself and your young kids while taking note of everyone in a big venue all on your own. If you’re going to look for a casual alternative, single parents might discover pizza counters or poolside grills more tolerable. Alternatively, take a glance for casual, sit-down possibilities like Johnny Rockets of the Royal Caribbean or O’Sheehan of Norway — or choose room service.
How do I manage meals as a single parent in the dining room?
In the main dining room, 2 or 3 tables are usually difficult to come by if you tend to eat as a family. Instead, consider selecting set-time, assigned-to-dining, and asking for a huge table with other family members. It will be more fun for your family than dining uncomfortably with older people or honeymoons who might or might not like children.
How am I supposed to meet other adults to socialize onboard?
Cruisers appear to be quite affectionate, with several passengers building relationships for the duration of their holidays or for the rest of its life. Some obvious places for discussions involve shore tours, adults-only sun decks or cafes as well as during trivia or other games. Use Cruise Critic Roll Calls to meet others on your sailing trip and established dinner dates or bar meetings with the people you click on.
Are there any single parent events onboard?
Most cruise lines offer single traveler encounters, but they are not intended primarily for parents and may not actually occur at a parent-friendly time. Disney offers an 18+ adult “Cruisin’ Solo Lunch” that often attracts a lot of single parents, given Disney’s family-friendly nature, but can also include college-aged children.