10 Tips for Taking a Disney Cruise as a Single Parent (2025)

Planning to go on a Disney Cruise as a single parent? You’re in the right place.

I went on a Disney Cruise as a single parent with my 5-year-old daughter; it was just the two of us.

I’d been a single parent for years by that point, so going on the cruise wasn’t much different to how we normally spent our time.

The Disney Cruise was by far, the easiest trip I ever took as a single parent. To be honest, it was probably the only trip we took together where I had as much fun as she did.

So if you’re weighing your options on whether or not you should go on a Disney Cruise as a single parent, I would say that there’s nothing to be nervous about with regards to the cruise itself.

(It was expensive, but it was worth it, in my opinion – click here to read my post on how much you can expect to spend.)

On the Disney Cruise, you’ll be:

• Looked after and pampered
• Be able to make precious memories with your kids without having to worry too much about daily responsibilities
• Be given a break from parenting (if you want one – which I did)
• Pulled in many different directions (if you have older kids) because there are so many things to do, and decisions to make once on board

I’m going to share with you the best tips for going on a Disney Cruise as a single parent. So, let’s jump aboard!

What You Need to Know About Sailing on Disney Cruise Line as a Single Parent

✅ Disney Cruises are a lot pricier than other cruises, but they provide a level of service and family-friendliness that is higher than other cruises

✅ The crew will not be surprised to see a single parent cruising with their child, it happens often enough. I didn’t get any questions or weird looks. And in fact, I see other single parents on every Disney Cruisr I go on.

✅ If you’re sailing with one child, it will be simple. With multiple children, it can get busy – especially if it’s a shorter cruise, as there are so many things to do on board that different members of the family will prefer.

✅ Preparation and planning in advance is key. And I’ll help you do that with the tips below.

10 Tips for Disney Cruise as a Single Parent

Here are the ways to make sure that both you and the kids have the time of your lives on board the Disney Cruise, regardless of which ship you’re on

1. Be sure to make any special requests in advance

Be on top of your game and get any requests in or book any excursions in advance, so that you aren’t left disappointed and things to smoothly during your sailing.

The requests you will need to be sure to take care of in advance are:

• Any special diet requests. Disney Cruises are so accommodating when it comes to different diets, but they need to know this in advance. (I sailed as a vegan, and the food they prepared for me was amazing.)
  
• Your dinner seating time. With a 5-year-old, I strongly preferred the earlier seating time at 5 or 6pm (the later one is around 8pm or later.) Be sure to get this request in in advance, so you aren’t stuck with the less convenient time
  
• Any special character meet and greets. If you have a child that loves Disney Princesses or Frozen specifically, then these are greets you need to book in advance. For example – Royal Gathering, or Olaf’s Royal Picnic fill up very fast.

• Any special bedding equipment, such as a pack-and-play or bedrail. They will have it ready in your room for you if you let them know in advance.
  
• If you have very young children, then let your server know on embarkment day that you require a high chair. They’ll have it ready at your table for each dinner thereafter.
  
• Childcare for children younger than 3 (3+ year olds who are potty trained can attend the drop in child care and no reservation is needed.) *This doesn’t have to be booked before the cruise even starts, but it needs to be reserved before the time slot starts.

2. Familiarize yourself in advance with the Disney App

There isn’t wifi on board the Disney Cruise, unless you purchase it. But they do have an app you can use for free.

I recommend downloading the app, and familiarize yourself with it in advance, so that you know how to use it once you’re on the ship.

I found it very useful to use this app, so I could keep track of what events were happening on board and what time our dinner was at.

Being on my own with a 5-year-old, its easy to lose track of time, so making use of the app is a necessity.

In addition, when I sailed with her years later when she was 12, we were able to keep in touch through the messaging platform on the app (which is free)

Pro Tip: I didn’t bother buying the wifi package while on the cruise. Part of why I probably felt more relaxed by the end of the Disney Cruise was that I had ‘disconnected’ from the internet and social media, and was able to focus on enjoy myself with my daughter

3. Take advantage of the childcare

One reason Disney is a great vacation idea for single parents is the childcare that is offered, which gives the kids something fun to do, and the parents a much needed break.

The childcare offered on the Disney Cruise is a big part of what made my trip so relaxing for me, as well as fun for her.

At 5 years old, my daughter was able to go to the Oceaneer’s Club, which is open daily from 9 am until 11pm. She had a lot of fun there, with all the stimulating activites, character visits.

While she was in the daycare, here are some of the things I did on my own:

• Visited the adult-only pool and sat in the hot tub, gazing up at the stars
• Went scuba diving (one of the port adventures) at Nassau
• Read my book (which I rarely had time to do during my daughter’s waking hours)
• Sat in an adult-only bar with another single mom I met on board
• Simply lay in a hammock, reflecting on Castaway Cay, when they opened up the kids club then

Getting these breaks helped me stay recharged on vacation and have a great cruise with my child.

There is also an adult-only restaurant and a bingo hall on the Disney Cruises – I didn’t do these things but I would love to another time.

Pro Tip: Depending on the age of your children, they may be nervous about being dropped off at the Oceaneer’s Club. The Oceaneer’s Club has an open house on embarkment day. I recommend attending this so that you can play there with your child, so that its not a new place when you drop them off later on.

If you have children 3 or younger that aren’t potty trained, then they can attend Its a Small World for $9 USD per hour.

You need to reserve this childcare in advance (usually this can be done while on the cruise – we had no problem getting our youngest in on our last cruise.)

4. Start or join a Facebook community for the cruise you’ll be on

One thing I find really cool about Disney Cruises is that there are Facebook groups that are started for specific sailings,

This is not organized by Disney itself, but by whoever has takes the initiative to start the group (usually, I find it’s done by travel agents.)

As a single parent, these Facebook groups can be helpful because:

• You could connect with other single parents who will be on the ship
• You can find out parents with kids the same ages as yours (This may be helpful if your child is an only child, like mine was)
• You can find out about bookings that other people are cancelling
• Organize participating in the Fish Extender Program or Pixie Dusting which are gift exchanges between you and other families that will be aboard the same cruise. (These are optional, of course – I chose not to do either of them.)

Good to Know: One cool thing that Disney Cruise does, is organize seating arrangements. We were seated with another mom who was cruising with her child who was close in age to mine. We did things together the 4 of us, and we also put the children in the Oceaneer’s Club, so we had some adult company on board.

5. Indulge in your time together as a family

Unlike being at home, where I’d be preparing for fun activities and cleaning up after them, or driving us places, on the Disney Cruise, I didn’t have to worry about that.

It was so special to be able to do fun things with her, without the care of who would set things up or take them down. There is a lot of fun offered on board for parents and kids to do together.

Some of the fun things we did together on our Disney Cruise were:

• Deck parties
• Crafts – art, and beading
• Trivia games
• Character meet and greets
• Swimming in the deck pools (she swam, while I read my book – the deck pools are mainly designed for children)
• Movies in the Buena Vista Theatre, or Broadway shows (we watched Frozen, it was excellent!)

Most adults who choose to go on a Disney Cruise aren’t just going along with it for the kids – they love Disney themselves. So release your inner child, and go have a blast with your kids.

6. Don’t ‘overbook’ yourself

One thing you’ll notice on the Disney Cruise is that there are so many things to do.

If you’re only doing a 3-night cruise, then its impossible to fit everything in. (I mean, even a week probably wouldn’t be enough time to fit it all in.)

While I’ve booked many ‘extras’, such as port excursions, Royal Gathering, Olaf’s Royal Picnic, and a Palo Dinner – the days I enjoyed the most while Disney Cruising are the days when there’s nothing planned.

The less you plan and schedule, the more freedom and relaxing you have while on board.

7. Ask for – and accept – help

The staff on Disney Cruise Lines are some of the most kind, helpful and supportive front-liners I’ve ever seen.

As a single parent, I was not used to having someone to ask for help, or having things done for me.

However, to maximize your time and take advantage of why you’re going on a Disney cruise as a single parent in the first place – please ask for help if you need it, or if it would make your trip easier.

Whatever you ask for help with, they will make it happen (within reason of course.)

Here are the ways the staff on a Disney cruise can help parents:

• You will have the same server each night for dinner. Let them know of any needs; such as a highchair, or puréed food for a baby, if you need to be somewhere (leave dinner early) or anything. From my experience, they will do everything in their power to make it happen
• You will also have the same room attendant every day. If you need them to set up the pack-and-play for you at certain times, need bedrails or need more soap/shampoo, let them know. *They tend to do this automatically, but let them know if you have any preferences.

8. There are lineups

9. Don’t forget to bring the following items

There are quite a few items that Disney Cruise makes available (for free or for purchase) on board – diapers, pack-and-plays, bottle warmers, baby formula, and things like that.

Here are the other personal items you want to make sure you bring, for yourself and kids on a Disney Cruise:

• A good reef-friendly sunscreen, such as this one. If your child is potty trained, then you’ll be on the deck pool quite a bit, and will need that sun protection.
• An umbrella stroller, if your child is under 4 (but you know best.) Don’t bring a big bulky stroller
• Something to do during your downtime. Books, magazine or handheld games
• Swimsuits are a must. Swim diapers if your child isn’t potty trained
• Water-friendly shoes, such as crocks or sandals – for you and kids. We love these unisex rainbow crocks for kids
• Fish extender gifts (if you’re participating.) These make cute, and simple fish extenders

10. Stay overnight somewhere convenient the night before your cruise

If you’re flying to a location before your cruise (like I have to do, as we’re from Toronto) then make sure to figure out in advance how you’re getting to the cruise port.

Do not fly in the day of – that’s a recipe for disaster!

For Port Canaveral Cruises

Orlando: We stayed at the Art of Animation Resort with my daughter when we did our Disney Cruise out of Port Canaveral. We used Disney Ground Transportation to take us to our cruise which made things easier, convenient and affordable for me.

Merritt Island: There are lots fun things to do and AirBnbs on Merritt Island that are less than a 5-minute drive from the cruise port. This is where we stayed during our second Disney Cruise.

If you are sailing from Port Canaveral, watch my YouTube video with boarding tips:

10. Aim for a room with a balcony (if possible)

As a single parent on a Disney Cruise, you will likely be confined to your room after your children go to bed, as they don’t offer in-room babysitting (only the kids clubs.)

Going on a Disney cruise was a real financial stretch for me, so I wasn’t able to book a verandah room the first time I went, but I did have an ocean-view room.

The benefits of a balcony would be an area you can hang out after your child is asleep.

I’ve recently looked up the price difference as to how much extra a verandah room costs, and it’s only a few hundred dollars. I’d book a verandah room if you can.

However, if this isn’t possible – then I’d recommend a flashlight or book light so you do activities after your child falls asleep.

You’ll be so relaxed on the Disney Cruise, that I don’t forsee you falling asleep as soon as your child does!

11. (BONUS) Consider Going Through a Travel Agent

Getting a travel agent to book your Disney Cruise for you doesn’t cost you any extra money, (you pay the same price regardless.)

It just earns a commission for someone’s small business, and it takes the hassle out of your hands of booking it yourself.

(I’m the kind of person that needs to be in control of my own reservation, so I’ve never gone through a travel agent. However, this might take something off your hands – especially if it’s your first Disney Cruise.) Read my post on pros and cons of using a Disney travel agent.

Cruising on a Disney Cruise as a Single Parent FAQ

Here are the most commonly asked questions about sailing on DCL as a single parent

Do single moms go on Disney cruises?

Yes, single moms (and dads) go on Disney Cruises. It’s much less common than two-parent families, but many have – including me. Disney Cruises are pricey, so its hard for a single income to afford, but they provide a lot of support and pampering and are ideal for single parents, in my opinion.

Can a child go on a cruise with only one parent?

A child can go on a cruise with one parent, as long as they have the necessary paperwork in place that allows the parent to travel with them (especially if internationally.)

Are Disney cruises fun for single adults?

Disney Cruises are fun for all ages, that is part of what I love about them. they have so many activities for all age groups – babies, toddlers, school age kids, teens and yes – adults too. I’ve been on two Disney Cruises and I find that often, the adults are having just as much fun as their kids.

Disney Cruise as a Single Parent: Final Thoughts

Travelling as a single parent is not normally an easy thing to do, but I believe that Disney Cruise Lines make travelling as a single parent it as easy as it can possibly get.

Don’t get me wrong, I love to travel with my kids (I have two now.) I don’t expect travelling with them to be easy all the time. But on the Disney Cruise, I felt a level of relaxation that I hadn’t on other trips.

I had travelled a lot as a single parent before our Disney Cruise- my daughter and I visited a hand full of countries together in Europe and the Caribbean. As much as I love adventures, exploring off the beaten track, its nice to once in a while just feel like you’re on vacation.

The Disney theme, the focus on family-friendly and the support that Disney Cruises provide to parents makes it especially an ideal cruise for single parents. Disney Cruises are not cheap, no – but they’re expensive for a reason. I think that those reasons set them apart from other cruise lines.

I’m not normally a cruise person, but Disney Cruises are an exception for me. I sincerely hope this has helped you decide if going Disney Cruise as a single parent is worth it or not. If you do decide to go, I hope you have an amazing time with your kiddos.