Comments on: Cruise review – a single parent’s guide to cruising!

By: Amy

Amy — Sun, 30 Jan 2022 10:01:18 +0000

In reply to Aroha. Try Carnival, local Aussie cruises that are only going out to sea with no stops are great first experience and I believe they now have their own equivalent of afterpay

By: LetsGoMum

LetsGoMum — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 15:00:38 +0000

In reply to Nataschia.

Hi Nataschia,

Fantastic! It depends if you want him to socialise with tons of other kids (go in school hols if so) or some kids. If you travel on Carnival Cruises there are always lots of kids in and out of school holidays. On cruise lines like Royal Caribbean there are not many kids out of school holidays and not as many kids during school holidays. P and O are another child friendly cruise line with plenty of kids, and still a lot outside of school holidays.
Another consideration is cost of course, and if you go out of school holidays you will save quite a bit of money. With homeschooling you can choose a cruise right after school holidays so that you still get some kids and it is cheaper – that is probably the way I would go. Good luck with choosing and have a wonderful time!

By: Nataschia

Nataschia — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 14:47:04 +0000

Hi, I’m a single mum of 5, but with only one still home and homeschooling (his 7), we have been doing a bit of travelling and are planning to do our first cruise later this year – we are lucky to get the isolated children’s allowance and I think travelling is awesomely educational.
Which cruise destination do you think is best for a first cruise – and do you think it’s best to cruise in school holidays or not when you don’t “do school” – my son most likely would not stay at their child centre if I wasn’t there.

By: LetsGoMum

LetsGoMum — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 01:01:26 +0000

In reply to Happy traveller. That sounds like great advice, thanks so much Happy Traveller - we are off on a P&O cruise later this year!

By: Happy traveller

Happy traveller — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 22:29:58 +0000

I am a single mum who has been on six cruises with daughter. It is a terrific holiday but would recommend princess and p&o for single parents as they allow only a certain number of kids on board to ensure kids get looked after – and patents.

By: LetsGoMum

LetsGoMum — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 10:08:09 +0000

In reply to Aroha.

Hi Aroha, thank you for your comment. Yes I think that’s right – Newstart payments are suspended if you leave the country until you return? I’m not 100% sure, so it’s definitely worth a call to Centrelink to check what you would need to do to re-start payments.

By: Aroha

Aroha — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 08:43:39 +0000

I am a single parent unable to work for the past 4 yrs due to complex medical issues. Centrelink deem me not sick enough to qualify for Disability Allowance so I have been struggling on the lesser funded Newstart Payment even though I am not and probably never be able of being job active. It has always been my dream to experience a cruise. And a dream is where it shall remain as under Centrelink rules they prohibit anyone receiving Newstart Payment to physically leave Australia other than to attend a funeral of a family member. I suppose if you stayed within Australian waters you might be fine, but as I have yet to be financially able to afford to pay off a cruise for myself and 2 kids I’ve never looked into it further. About a year ago my Mum wanted to take her first cruise to NZ and offered to help pay me and the kids fares to go with her. I asked Centrelink and was told that Passports would be lodged through Customs and I would be immediately cut off payments. Just sharing to raise awareness.

By: LetsGoMum

LetsGoMum — Sat, 22 Apr 2017 00:33:04 +0000

In reply to LetsGoMum.

Trace here is an answer for you from our Facebook Page – Phil says: “Drink packages which include alcoholic drinks are NOT available on Carnival Spirit & Carnival Legend.”

By: LetsGoMum

LetsGoMum — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 00:36:28 +0000

In reply to jacinta. For sure - perfect ages for fun! Get them swimming as much as possible in the meantime and maybe they can also snorkel a little with you by the time you go!

By: jacinta

jacinta — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 21:35:20 +0000

Thankyou for sharing, I never thought about cruises’ much as a single parent. This is awesome! If I booked for a cruise ? for next year my girls will be 5 & 3.5yrs … Perfect! Thankyou ☺