Before kids, every holiday was basically a never-ending string of date nights. Late-night cocktails? Of course. Sunset hikes? Why not? Scuba diving, couples’ massages, leisurely dinners that stretched for hours—we did whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted. Then came the kids, and suddenly our holidays revolved around them. Finding a family holiday date night moment? That takes some serious creativity.
But on this trip, we managed to steal one. And, as it turns out, all we needed was a balcony, a bottle of wine and a little ocean breeze.
Where?
- Balcony of a cabin on the Genting Dream cruise — somewhere between Penang and Port Klang.
What?
Our family holidays are usually a mix of fun and utter exhaustion. Our recent cruise from Singapore to Malaysia on the Genting Dream was no exception. With two energetic young boys, our days were a blur of swimming, arcade battles, ice cream (so much ice cream), kids’ club activities and evening shows. By the time we got back to our cabin each evening, the temptation to collapse into bed was very real… and most nights, we did.
But one night, we decided to reclaim a little time for ourselves. Once the boys were tucked in and fast asleep, we tiptoed out onto our balcony. It wasn’t anything fancy—just a tiny slip of outdoor space with two chairs and a table. But in that moment, it became the perfect escape. Just the two of us, the sound of waves below, and a surprisingly affordable bottle of red wine (a win when you’re used to Singapore prices!).
We sipped, we talked, we breathed. A tiny moment in the chaos, but one that reminded us why carving out these little “us” moments matters.
And honestly, this isn’t the first time we’ve resorted to some questionable date night settings. On another trip, with no balcony and a sleeping toddler in the room, we found ourselves sitting fully clothed in the hotel bathtub with glasses of prosecco—because, well, it was the only place we could talk without waking him. (Romantic? Debatable. Memorable? Absolutely.) And I’m sure I’m not alone in that kind of parental improvising.
WOW Tips:
- If you can, get a balcony — it’s basically a built-in escape hatch.
- No balcony? Get creative — turn the bathroom into a makeshift lounge, play cards under a blanket fort, or stay in bed and send flirty texts in the dark.
- A simple drink (or dessert!) can elevate even the tiniest moment into a “date.”
Worth It?
7/10 – A moment to pause, reconnect, and enjoy (good?) wine — plus, date night in PJs and no makeup! Yes please!
What HE said…
“A nice alternative when you don’t have other options—just make sure you have a balcony. It’s not the most exciting date, but it doesn’t matter if you’re with the person you love.” (Arrrrrr cute!)
7/10
Wanna see?
For more photos, check out Instagram.
Wrap-Up:
The truth is, date nights won’t always look the way they did pre-kids, especially on family holidays. But with a little creativity (and sometimes a glass of wine or two), they can still happen—and those small moments can feel like the biggest treats.
So, if you’re on holiday with kids and feeling like a date night is impossible, remember—it doesn’t have to be grand or planned. Sometimes, it’s just about finding a quiet corner, stealing a moment and making it count.
Parents—where’s the craziest place you’ve had a date night moment on a family trip? Tell me in the comments! And stay tuned for next week’s more “typical” date night back in Singapore.
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