“There were a lot more kids on this cruise than previous cruises, which was wonderful because they made friends,” Courtney says. Having so many other children on board gave her kids built-in playmates, making the experience even more enjoyable for them—and a little easier for her.
Another unexpected hit? Guy Fieri’s burger spot on the ship. “It was a big hit,” Courtney says. “We didn’t expect much, but we kept going back.” Sometimes, the simplest pleasures—like finding a favorite meal—make a trip memorable.
Of course, not every surprise was a welcome one. Just five hours before departure, their original flight to Miami was canceled, turning what should have been a quick direct flight into a 12-hour travel ordeal with two separate flights. “The kids weren’t thrilled about spending so much time in airports, but honestly, they didn’t complain much,” she says.
Thankfully, her decision to fly in a day early prevented what could have been a much bigger disaster. While the delay was frustrating, they still made it to the ship in time—a reminder of why buffer days matter when traveling.
Some surprises made the trip more fun, and others tested their patience, but together, they added to the adventure of it all.
What she would do differently next time
Even though the trip was a success, Courtney would tweak a few things for the future. First, the length of the cruise. “The cruise was about one day too long,” she says. “Moving forward, we would look for five- to seven-day cruises.”
Then, the choice of ship. “The boat we were on was somewhat old,” she says. “It still had a lot to do, but I would want to try a newer boat with more going on—like Icon of the Seas.” For her, it’s less about bigger being better and more about having more variety to keep the kids engaged.
Takeaways for other single parents considering a cruise
For Courtney, this trip reaffirmed why cruising works so well for her family. It gave her a mix of structure and freedom, built-in entertainment, and an easy way to explore new places without feeling overwhelmed. Her biggest advice? Just do it.
“Go in with an open mind and let the kids help plan pieces of it,” she says.
And the most important logistical tip? “Always pack extra snacks than you think you need for the airport and always fly in at least 24 hours before the cruise leaves,” she says. “Our flight was canceled, and we never would’ve made the cruise if we flew in the day of.”
Would she cruise again? Absolutely. “We’ve done three cruises now, and the kids enjoy them,” she says. “We would cruise again to the right place on the right ship.”
Because at the end of the day, a vacation that lets everyone have their own version of fun while still making memories together is exactly what she’s looking for.
The bottom line
Group size: 3
Days: 8
Cruise cost: $2,100
Flight cost: $1,700
Hotel cost: They flew in the day before the cruise and the stay was free with points.
Additional costs: $180 for Wi-Fi, $400 alcoholic beverages, $1,000 for excursions (used $300 in points to pay for one), $200 for Ubers, and $500 for miscellaneous spending.
Total cost: $6,000
