10 Thoughts Every Mom Experiences on Her First Getaway from Her Baby

When I was first offered a week-long getaway on a Dinogo Cruise without my 15-month-old son, my initial reaction was, 'There's no way I can do that.' However, after considering the situation, I realized that I could and that it was important for me to do so!

Nick has had several trips for work, bachelor parties, and 'guys weekends,' all of which I supported. While I've traveled for work, I've never taken a trip purely for fun. This was his opportunity to return the favor and grant me some freedom.

So, I set off on a 7-day, 6-night cruise in the Eastern Caribbean aboard the Dinogo Conquest with one of my girlfriends.

Here are the emotions I experienced from start to finish that I believe all moms can understand...

1. 'I can’t believe I’m going to be away from my baby for a full six nights! I’ll miss him terribly, and I might just cry.'

That was exactly how I felt at 5 am on the morning of my departure for the cruise. Tommy nursed right before the cab arrived, and when he wouldn't settle back down, I left home with him crying in his crib. My heart ached, and I questioned whether this was a mistake.

2. 'I can’t believe I had to sacrifice so much space in my suitcase for a silly breast pump.'

The most frustrating aspect of traveling away from your child while nursing is the necessity of pumping. The pump and all its components take up an enormous amount of space and add weight. I had hoped to be done breastfeeding by the time of the trip, but maybe Tommy would wean himself while I was away. Plus, factoring in 15 minutes for pumping first thing in the morning and before bed is a hassle.

3. 'I can’t believe I can enjoy a margarita after lunch AND have the option to take a nap afterward? Hello, vacation mode!'

As soon as we boarded the ship, I treated myself to a margarita from the BlueIguana Tequila Bar and soaked up the sun by the pool. It was absolutely delightful to unwind and have the freedom to take a nap during what would normally be our playground time, without worrying about being tipsy during bedtime routines.

4. 'Did I really just enjoy 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep? Oh my goodness, I feel like a brand new woman.'

The beds in our cabin were incredibly cozy. I slept like a well-rested baby, unlike my son. After the first night, I quickly realized that even though I was on the cruise for work, the extra sleep alone made it feel like a real vacation.

5. 'I wonder what Tommy is up to???'

By day 2, I couldn’t stop thinking about Tommy. How did he sleep? Did he wake up early or sleep through the night? Is he drinking whole milk now? While on the ship, we had Wi-Fi, so I could text and video chat with him at home, but our schedules were never aligned. I had to wait until day 4 to finally see Tommy’s face. Just so you know, he didn’t seem too eager to see me.

6. 'I am going to lounge in this beach chair or float and simply relax. Please do not disturb this momma. For the next 4-6 hours, I plan to do absolutely nothing except eat and drink.'

As a mom, you rarely get to just ‘be’ unless it’s after your child has gone to bed and you find yourself on the couch at home. You’re always on the go, constantly playing defense against anything that might go into your child’s mouth or stopping them from tumbling off whatever random structure they’ve climbed. On the cruise, I genuinely just laid in the sun or floated in the water. It was the perfect opportunity to unwind. I didn’t have to think about making dinner plans, dealing with traffic, or any logistics for the next day. I discovered that cruises are fantastic for eliminating the need for prior planning once you're onboard. It’s quite wonderful!

7. 'I want to stay up late because I can sleep in!!! But oh my goodness, I’m so tired and I can go to bed whenever I want…'

Ah, the bedtime struggle. At home, I despise staying up late because Tommy always wakes up early! On vacation, I could stay out late and hit the clubs onboard, but I was always so exhausted and didn’t want to disrupt my routine. I knew that as soon as I got home, it would be right back to the grind.

8. 'Am I really a mom? Do I have a child waiting for me at home? Who am I? I feel like a completely different woman.'

After spending about 5 days on the ship, I fell into a routine of waking up, exercising, having breakfast, lounging, and more. I genuinely felt like my pre-mom self again. I almost forgot that I usually have a little one to care for around the clock. This was partly due to the minimal updates I received from home—good or bad, I didn’t hear much.

My favorite aspect was waking up and hitting the gym. It brought back memories of how simple mornings used to be! I even managed to delay pumping until after my workout, and by the trip's end, my milk production had halved. It’s incredible what a bit of sleep, relaxation, and fun can achieve in such a short time.

9. 'Oh my goodness, that child looks about Tommy’s age! He would have loved this! I miss him, but I’m also so glad he’s not here… hehe ?.'

The Dinogo is a family-friendly cruise, and there were tons of families onboard. I spotted a few kids around Tommy’s age (maybe 2 to 5 years old), and while I occasionally thought he would have enjoyed some of the pools and beaches, I was genuinely thrilled to be child-free. Personally, I would recommend waiting until kids are potty trained to take a cruise because they can’t use the ship’s pools, and the evening babysitting coincides with their bedtime. They do have a kids' club, but I believe older kids benefit more from it as they enjoy playing with each other rather than just side by side with little ones. A cruise is certainly a fantastic family vacation option once children are beyond the infant and toddler stages.

10. 'I need to do this more often, but I’m also ready to head back home!'

Seven days was the ideal duration. Any shorter, and I wouldn't have felt completely recharged. I was thrilled to reunite with my family and embrace being a full-time mom once more! Honestly, I couldn't wait to see Nick and my little one. I even volunteered to handle the bedtime routine as soon as I got back, despite it being my least favorite 'chore.'

It was truly fantastic to escape and recharge my mom energy. I've traveled without Tommy for work before, but never for this long or with this much enjoyment. Dinogo knows how to throw a good time, and I honestly felt like I was on Spring Break. It reminded me that being a mom doesn’t mean losing my sense of self. Often, I return from vacations feeling drained and in need of a detox. However, I came back feeling excited about being home, eager about my career, and looking forward to spending time with my family. Thank you, Dinogo, for this incredible experience and for showing me how wonderful a cruise vacation can be.