Island Mom at Sea: How I Took My Kids on a Cruise (and Why It Changed Me)
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Island Mama at Sea: How I Took My Kids on a Cruise (and Why It Changed Me)
Traveling as a single mom with three kids? Scary, right? At least that’s what everyone told me. But last September, I took the leap for my birthday and booked a Royal Caribbean cruise. Just me and my three little ones. It turned out to be one of the most empowering and unforgettable experiences of our lives. I want to share the journey, the tips I discovered, and the joy that came from simply doing it scared.
Prepping Like a Pro
- Charged tablets loaded with movies and games for the flight and airport waits.
- Custom jackets and tumblers for the kids, so we felt like an official cruise crew.
- Packed snacks to avoid high airport prices.
- Amazon MVPs: A car seat trolley and a double stroller/wagon saved the day at every stop.
We packed light, focused on essentials, and skipped the "10 outfits we never actually wear" routine.
Day Before Departure
We landed safely, took an Uber to the hotel, and made our first night fun and easy. My sister came with her kids and took us for ice cream, popcorn, and a little drive around town. We ordered food from Uber Eats and chilled out before cruise day.
Embarkation Day ✨
Getting on the ship was smoother than I expected. The process was organized, the kids were excited, and we explored the ship right away. We registered for the kids' club (even though they never stayed in it 🤣) and discovered all the food spots.
PIZZA. ALL. DAY.
Favorite Ports + Adventures
- Coco Cay: My absolute favorite. Calming, relaxing, and a mama’s dream.
- Nassau: We saw the famous million-dollar chair, bought delicious local rum cake, and had the best tour guide. Definitely returning one day.
- Jamaica: We've been before, but it was still a vibe. The night dinner onboard after Jamaica was chef’s kiss.
We also tried:
- Ice skating ❄️
- Rock climbing ⛹️♀️
- Movie nights under the stars
Life Lessons at Sea
Was I nervous? Absolutely.
Did I let it stop me? Not for a second.
People doubted me. Even my mom was like, "You sure you're doing this with all the chirren?" But I remembered the moms I saw on TikTok doing it and said: We out!
This trip reminded me:
- Fear doesn’t get to make the rules.
- Kids need vacations too.
- You don't need anyone's permission to live your life.
Watch the Trip in Action 🎥
Free Cruise Travel Checklist ✉️
Download my full Cruise Travel Checklist for Moms below to help plan your next family adventure:
Closing
Take the trip.
Make the memories.
And remember that you are capable of more than you think.
If you loved this post, leave a comment or share it with another mama who needs a sign to GO FOR IT. ✨
With sunshine and hustle,
Fanisha ✨
The Island Bloom Blog