'I never stop as a single parent. So I found a family holiday that takes away all mental load.'

As a single mum who works full-time, it's pretty safe to say the last thing my life can be described as is "still".

There's a steady stream of deadlines, washing, sports, meals, admin and surprises that prevent moments of calm.

So when I got the opportunity to go on a family cruise with my mum and my two tween-aged sons, I relished the thought of a break, but I was dubious. All of us were cruise virgins… could we really be cruise people!?

I was curious to find out. To see inside one of those giant ships you see docked in the harbour. To see what all the fuss is about.

So a few weeks ago, we set sail on the Carnival Luminosa, departing Sydney on a Thursday, cruising along the shoreline, and arriving in Brisbane on Sunday morning, giving us three nights at sea. A great taste for first-timers.

I was sceptical about a few things going into it. Would I feel trapped? Would there be enough for the kids to do? What about when they inevitably needed snacks throughout the day in between the meals? Would I get enough steps in or would I feel like a blob?

Watch: More on holidaying with kids. Post continues below.

But this experience surprised me in so many ways. So if you're curious about setting sail and have never quite taken the leap, here is everything I learnt from our time aboard the Carnival Luminosa.

1. There was zero mental load. None. 

This was the one thing I hadn't anticipated: that there would be zero mental load for me. The only thing I had to think about was what time to eat dinner and would it clash with one of the million nighttime entertainment options we wanted to get to.

I felt relaxed for the first time since I can remember. I completely switched off. I felt still. A funny feeling to arrive at while travelling at 20 knots, but most of the time you forget you're even moving at all.

I didn't have to prepare meals and snacks, clean, or make a bed. And because you can't leave, you don't have to make plans or arrange transport for your next stop. Zero responsibilities except keeping an eye out for the kids over my book and piña colada from my cabana lounge chair.

2. There was enough room to stretch your (sea) legs. 

The ship was HUGE, with 11 decks and eight different restaurants to enjoy on board, plus three pools, a day spa, outdoor 'Dive-In' movies, a theatre with live shows, and nightclubs open as late as 2am! It really felt like a giant resort, that just happened to be out at sea.

3. The kids were constantly entertained.

They weren't bored once — not for a single second. They have a kids' club for the 11s and under, tween and teen clubs you can put them in to have 'grown up time', plus a night owl (babysitting) service until 1am. But my mum lives on the other side of the country from us and I have shared custody, so we wanted to hang out with them as much as we could.

What naturally happened, which I adore about kids on holidays, is they made their own club with holiday friends they wanted to do everything with. They essentially lived in the swimming pool and spas — but there was also mini golf, a basketball court, a build-a-bear workshop and even a Dr Seuss 'Thing 1 & Thing 2' breakfast where the 'Things' performed! 

They were on from the moment they woke up until their heads hit the pillow. It was arguably the least amount of screen time my kids have ever had.

The build-a-bear workshop was a hit. Image: supplied.

4. There were SO. MANY. SNACKS. 

Feeding growing boys is no mean feat. My concerns about the kids being able to snack in between meals were immediately quashed. 

They have an entire floor on deck nine with buffet food, featuring every possible option you can think of. And yes, the food is available outside of meal times.  And it was all-inclusive, all you can eat? Challenge accepted. Their fave was the burrito-making station. And the 24/7 DIY soft serve ice cream on tap. I had a few of those too.

As well as the 'everything you can think of' buffet on deck nine, there's an everyday restaurant — Vela Restaurant — for mealtimes, offering different entrees, mains and desserts with menus that change daily as part of the inclusive service.

The Dr. Seuss-themed buffet breakfast. Image: supplied.

On the last night, we were treated to a three-course meal fit for kings and queens the ultra-fancy restaurant Fahrenheit 555. It was delicious, deluxe — and I have to give a shoutout to the food theatrics. Think oysters served in a glass dome from which smoke puffed out, delicious lobster tail, a chocolate sphere that melted upon arrival and steak "so fancy" my kids asked me to take a photo of it.

5. No, I didn't morph into a blob.

The cruise ship had a very well-equipped gym (which, full disclosure, I did not use…). The kids and Nanna did though! I made a decision to only use the stairs and not use the lifts. And with 11 levels (or 'decks') to contend with, on one of the days, I did more than 15,000 steps, according to my health app. I wish I got that many steps in my real life…

6. The entertainment exceeded my insufferable standards. 

The Cruise Director was a blast (we all became very attached to Zack) and they have a 'fun squad' at different times of day that will come out and get everyone up for the Nutbush, Macarena, and other organised group dancing or activities.

I loved seeing my kids joining in and dancing with them — there is only a limited time before everything in the universe will be too embarrassing for them.

My youngest son won a trophy as "junior cruiser" in a dance-off, I won a trophy as "legend of the Lido", and I will never publicly confess what I did to earn it (what happens on cruise, stays on cruise). All inhibitions seem to vanish at sea.

Lord of the dance! Image: supplied.

They had everything from karaoke, live bands, comedy shows, trivia, bingo, Beyoncé dance classes, an outdoor Dive-In cinema (movies while swimming in the pool!), plus a million more activities — something for everyone's level of insufferability or chillax. I managed to sneak off for a massage at the Cloud 9 Spa (thanks, Nanna!) and was literally on cloud nine. 

Or if you just want to lounge by the pool (away from other people's and your own children), you can escape to Carnival's serene adult-only retreat. It's a luxurious pool and spas in close proximity to bars, and no under-18s are allowed. 

7. It was an unexpected giant floating community. 

What struck me was all the different ages of people doing things together. I danced with an 86-year-old woman to a Motown band, and exchanged life stories with a young man on his 18th birthday later that same night. I heard so many different people's stories and everyone was so chatty and friendly.

It's like the norms of 'polite society' are abandoned at sea and everyone becomes one big, tight-knit community.

8. Did I mention the dress-ups?

On the last night, they had a 1980s-themed night. Everyone dressed up and they had a live band on the open deck, as well as the fun squad organising group sing-offs and dance-offs. 

Nanna went to bed earlier and me and my boys stayed out dancing and singing until 1am. That was a core memory for the ages. In no other world can you party with your kids like it's 1999 (or… 1989).

Disco-ready for the '80s-themed dance night. Image: Supplied.

So, what's my verdict on cruising?

I'm a convert.

Seeing how happy my boys' faces were the whole time and getting that rare escape from real life. Finally getting to feel still. It was heaven.

As my nine-year-old said, "We're a cruise family now!"

Annaliese travelled as a guest of Carnival Cruises. All views expressed are the author's own.

Feature image: Supplied.