Remind me again why I'm a teacher?????

[jpeka65844]

After getting a tip on the DCL board, I priced out a 7 night sailing on the Fantasy for the last week of September for 4. Total price: $2368.

The same itinerary in July of 2013 when we'll need to go: $7600.

You think school would miss me for a week?

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Ouch!! Isn't it horrible?

 

[jpeka65844]

Yes, it is, Nikki. And theoretically, I could do it.

It's a Sunday-Sunday sailing so I'd take my 3 personal days and 2 days without pay.

Nothing in my contract would prohibit it.

But ethically, could I do it?

 

[sage210]

Yikes! I figured there'd be a difference but not that much. I'm sure holiday and spring breaks are really high too.

My daughter is in year round school so we have a few 2-3 week breaks rather than one 3 month. We didn't do that because of Disney, but it's sure been a nice perk that we can schedule trips during the off season.

 

[DisneyKevin]

This is a perfect example of why Podcast Cruises are scheduled when they are.

We would love for our Educators to join us, but if we choose dates that would allow that to happen, prices would be incredibly high and very few would be able to afford the cost.

I'm sorry I dont have a solution to this....but you made the point crystal clear.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Yes, it is, Nikki. And theoretically, I could do it.

It's a Sunday-Sunday sailing so I'd take my 3 personal days and 2 days without pay.

Nothing in my contract would prohibit it.

But ethically, could I do it?

That's your call. I don't think I would take that long, if it were me.

Ahh, teaching...one of the few careers in which you feel "guilty" for taking contracted time off....

 

[jpeka65844]

This is a perfect example of why Podcast Cruises are scheduled when they are.

We would love for our Educators to join us, but if we choose dates that would allow that to happen, prices would be incredibly high and very few would be able to afford the cost.

I'm sorry I dont have a solution to this....but you made the point crystal clear.

I totally understand this reasoning, Kevin! And I realize it's also true for ABD trips and other Dis events as well. It's just the way my world works. But I wouldn't be a good Disney fan if I didn't complain about my choice of profession just a little when it interferes with my vacation desires.

AND, it makes me super grateful for PCC 3.0. I think the length and timing of the sailing was PERFECT, making it accessible for your educator fans! BTW, I love that you capitalized Educator. Makes me feel important.

That's your call. I don't think I would take that long, if it were me.

Ahh, teaching...one of the few careers in which you feel "guilty" for taking contracted time off....

Okay, so the way I see it, I see classes 60 minutes every 5 days. So, really, the kids are only missing out on an hour of music instruction. Making it the equivalent of their grade level teacher being absent for an hour. Doesn't sound so bad when I put it like that, does it?

 

[UConnFan]

I can't wait to retire for this reason exactly (and I'm just starting)!

 

[msteddom]

I feel your pain! I'm DYEING to go on one of the west coast Pixar cruises, but the school year just started. The Port of Los Angeles is twenty minutes away! It would be perfect! Luckily I have the Fantay to look forward to next June, which I was able to book at a reasonable rate, not outstanding, but reasonable.

Melissa

 

[ninecrayons]

Being a teacher is wonderful in the sense of what you get to do for young people's lives, but absolutely terrible in the sense of vacation timing.

The school I currently work at is a charter school so they give us paid time off. That said, I'm totally with NikkiBelle - I don't think I could take that much time off work. I would just feel like it was completely unfair to the kids. I'm planning to use my PTO to make long weekends a little longer.

 

[luke]

Being a teacher has its blessings and curses as far as vacations go.
In the uk, we get huge amounts of 'time off' but as its always scheduled and not flexible we pay a fortune if we actually want to go anywhere!! Catch 22.


Oh and we can't really take unpaid leave, except for special circumstances. Certainly not for a vacation

 

[DeltaDiamond001]

It's like Disney is punishing educators or those with children. Ridiculous.

 

[darrengs]

You guys all need to come work for our school district. Everyone of my kids teachers has taken vacation during the school year. Unfortunately it is next to impossible for a student to miss anytime. Even my daughters friend was threatened for being in the hospital with pneumonia during standardized testing time.

 

[DisneyKevin]

It's like Disney is punishing educators or those with children. Ridiculous.

Not really.

It's basic supply and demand.

Every vacation destination in the world has premium weeks which coincide with school schedules, special events, holidays etc.

A hotel in Daytona Beach is way more expensive during the Daytona 500.

Hotel rooms in Saratoga, NY skyrocket during the horse racing season.

It's the same with Disney (or any other cruise line). They sell rooms cheap when the demand is lower and raise prices when they know that demand will increase.

 

[jpeka65844]

Not really.

It's basic supply and demand.

Every vacation destination in the world has premium weeks which coincide with school schedules, special events, holidays etc.

A hotel in Daytona Beach is way more expensive during the Daytona 500.

Hotel rooms in Saratoga, NY skyrocket during the horse racing season.

It's the same with Disney (or any other cruise line). They sell rooms cheap when the demand is lower and raise prices when they know that demand will increase.

I agree. I don't believe it's a conspiracy or that I'm being punished, per say. It is simply supply and demand.

And I agree with Nikki, that I'm in a profession where a lot of people do feel guilty about taking time off. Like I said in a PP, there's nothing in my contract that would prohibit me from doing this.

The funny thing is is that, as a teacher, if a student's family were doing this, I wouldn't bat an eye and I'd wish them a great vacation and beg them to stash me in their suitcase! Our school district has a liberal policy when it comes to stuff like this and I believe in the importance of family time and I certainly understand the perks of traveling during the school year.

But, why can't I cut myself the same slack?

On a side note, I have a painfully shy 2nd grade student who's been at our school since Kindergarten and not once has she ever initiated a conversation with me. Well, on her first day in music class, as she was filing by me in line, she stood by me and whispered to me "Mrs Trawicki! I'm going to Disneyworld!"

I just about cried. So maybe that's why I feel bad taking the time off.

 

[dmwang9]

I've never been able to bring myself to use personal days for major trips like this. I've found that missing one or two days is "doable" for me if I have to, but more than that creates a mountain of catching up that obliterates whatever vacation-y feeling I might have had while I was away. I do have colleagues who seem able to manage this much better than I can though -- perhaps I need to get some pointers from them, eh?

-- Dave

 

[Jotash]

I have worked at a charter for the last five years, starting my sixth year tomorrow! We have five personal days a school year. However, we are told we not to use them unless it is an absolute emergency. Anything beyond five days and we are docked pay.

I can understand it - we have many holidays and vacations throughout the year. Where it gets difficult is doctor's appointments. Our daily schedule is 7:00 to 4:00, so in order to get in a doctor's appointment I usually have to try to find a doctor who will work with my schedule or take half a day off, even if we are only leaving a half hour early. Other teachers seem to come and go whenever they please and take vacations - I guess the penalty is worth it to them.

As to vacations -- what is a vacation again???

 

[dmwang9]

Darn it, Denice, now you've got me doing something similar! Is this any way to torment your former table mate?

My school has a week off the first full week in March. (This is a break in-between trimesters and is different from our Spring Break.) Given the off-peak time of this trimester break, I innocently checked out prices for cruises on the Fantasy and Dream. (Nothing is sailing out of a West Coast port, which was my first choice.) There's a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise that fits my vacation dates perfectly, with cabins starting at the mid-$2200's. Since I'd most likely be solo on this cruise, an inside stateroom would be fine.

I DO NOT NEED THESE TEMPTATIONS RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!

 

[jpeka65844]

Don't feel bad about that, Dave!!! You're on break, after all!

I was curious what Spring Break pricing might be so I looked at March sailings as well.

We'd need the 3/16 sailing and thank goodness, it was significantly cheaper than the week before and the week after (by almost 4k!).

My wheels are turning..........

 

[dmwang9]

I was curious what Spring Break pricing might be so I looked at March sailings as well.

My wheels are turning..........

Mine finished turning last night. Instead of a cruise, I used DVC points to book 5 nights at the Villas at the Grand Californian. Carsland, here I come!