11/01/03 Eastern Cruisers, I know you're out there!!!

[SweetSpot]

Hi MJwritestuff:

This is the link to the NJ Education website listing all future convention dates.

http://www.njea.org/njeaconvention/futuredates.asp

It will come in handy especially if you decide to rebook on the cruise for the following year. This year the days of the convention are Nov. 6, 7, & 8 which gives us the Thurday and Friday off. We are in Washington Township and we usually have the entire week off for parent teacher meetings and the convention dates but this year we will only get Wed, Thurs, Fri and the following Mon and Tues off. It means the kids will miss three days of school because we will drive down on Friday but it is worth the time off.

Have you ever tried to do the Disney Cruise last minute in Nov? Last year NJ week was close to a sold out cruise, filled with kids from NJ. It seems so many families take advantage of the time off from school and head to WDW or DCL.

 

[dis4me]

Our kids have 1/2 day Tuesday No School -Thurs Fri and Mon.
Sweetspot are you taking advantages of the additional days off and heading to WDW.I assume you drive right through since you are leaving Friday. What time do you leave and what time do you arrive at the port???
I can't decide what to do yet. We have 1/2 days the week before for Parent Teacher Conferences Mon- Wed , normal day Thrusday and Fri is Halloween. They will definately not miss much that week but then technically they are missing8 days even though 4 our halves.

 

[SweetSpot]

Dis4me:

I hadn't thought about taking advantage of the days down there until you mentioned it. Last year we drove right home because we only had that Monday off and my DH really needed to get back to work. I think it was killing him not going near a computer (except an 1/2 hour everyday to catch up and deal with emergencies) for that long. One of the reasons I was determined to get back on the ship this year was because I don't remember seeing him that relaxed in years. I should consider a day or 2 in WDW since we have so many extra days.

We do drive straight thru. Two years ago we left around 9:00AM and it was horrible. We learned our lesson and left last year around 2AM. The kids were exhausted because the night before was Halloween and they were up late and they slept in the car until sunrise. We were at the Radisson by 6:30 and would have been there an hour earlier if we hadn't hit construction on I95. My DH does all the driving and we only stop if there's a McD's that has gas and a clean bathroom. Got to get all the necessities in on one stop! The drive home is long but I love the convenience of having my car without airport hassle.

What part of NJ are you from? I 'm so happy to hear that you and so many others have DD's my DD's age. Last year there weren't many girls her age in the club and she didn't get friendly with anyone (although she loved the clubs). It seems this year the DD's 8&9 will have the run of the club.

 

[dis4me]

Sweetspot
I know what you mean about the 8 and 9 year old's. Last year there seemed to be few girls on the ship. THis year they are bound to make some friends. I hope they will let me put my dd(7) up with her sister. She wil be 8 in December and has done the 5-7 froup 3 times already.
We are from Monmouth County. It is funny but there are a whole group from my area going on the Disney Wonder that same week. We didn't feel we could do the 4 day after doing the 7 day 3 times. I don't know why they don't close school the whole week here. Many people are going away and it is more aggravation for the teachers to teach with half a class. Last year my dd 1st grade class had 5 out of 16 out for the week and 2 others wound up with strep. So she said it was a wasted week. My dd did all her work then was ahead when we got back because the class didn't quite make it that far.
Do you get the work in advance or let them make it up when tehy return?
When we drove last year we left at 7pm after dinner adn drove straight through.It took a little under 18 hours but my ds was a baby then. this year he is 18 months and we will need to stop more often to let him run around

 

[SweetSpot]

Dis4me:

I think the reason our days off this year is because it use to be linked to Veterans Day and they aren't doing it this year or next. We all got so spoiled and noone I know is willing to change their old habits. The schools last year were 1/2 empty because families love that week off and planned for it before the new calendar came out. We were lucky because the teachers were aware that kids would be aways and didn't schedule any tests or teach anything critical during that time. I didn't get the work for the kids last year and I'm not going to bother this because they will only miss 3 days one being Halloween. They will make it up when they get back.

I can't imagine doing the drive with such a little child. I never tried it until my youngest turned 5. It surprises me how great the kids have been during the drive. They spend the whole time watching videos I pick up at Blockbusters clearance sale and play their gameboys.

 

[Bronco Joe]

Originally posted by dis4me
Bronco Joe when will your daughter be 9.

My girl will be 9 in December.

We actually traveled last year during the first and second week of December (right after Thanksgiving) to go to DW and the 4 day cruise. I just couldn't see spending the money and then fighting the crowds, so we decided we were pulling the kids out of school no matter what. They did OK, but this year it is bound to get harder with my son starting middle school. I figure with us having parent-teacher conferences that week there will be three half days, and the kids don't get much done those days anyway. I wish michigan would adopt a "strange" week off for the kids like it sounds NJ has.

 

[vacationfinatic]

Hello everyone on the 11/1/03 cruise. We're counting down the days until we leave. It will be myself (38), my dh (39), ds (9), and ds (5). We are also going with my sister, her husband, and their 5 yr. old triplets. ( 2 girls, 1 boy). We can't wait. We don't live in the same state so we trying to coordinate everything via telephone. Should be interesting. She is in Atlanta and I'm in Chicago.

 

[MJwritestuff]

OH wow! I hadn't realized how many of us NJ people would actually be thinking the same thing (duh!) - I'm really happy that my kids will miss less school, but no, I never tried to book a vacation in November before so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
Without booking last minute (30 days in advance), we couldn't do this at all. With all 5 of us, we really need that hefty TA discount from my MIL, so it's this way or no way.
I hope we get to go - it sounds like we'd really meet some great local people as well as non-locals who have kids the same age. We're from Camden County, btw.
Say a wish for us that we get to join all of you!
-MJ

 

[SweetSpot]

Welcome vacationfinatic! The closer we get the more people we seem to get.

MJwritestuff:

I didn't realize that DCL would even offer a good discount to anyone within the last 30 days. I don't think our ship was completely full last year but it was close. NJ was a fun week to go. It was interesting listening as the announced families on to the ship. It seemed every other one was from NJ. The comedians even worked it into their acts.

It is a shame that every state doesn't have a week off season like this. I really love being able to go to the parks when they are cooler and less crowded and the ship when the prices are lower.

 

[vacationfinatic]

I hear all of you NJ people talking about your parent conference week. Well, I attempted to take that week too. Every year our schools have the 1st week in November as parent teacher conferences and the kids get at least 21/2 days off. We booked our cruise 11 months in advance before the school schedule came out. I missed by a week. The teachers decided that this year they would start after labor day, therefore, pushing everything back a week. I'm not worried about my kindergartener, but my 4th grader will have lots of homework. Luckily, the week after we get back he only has a day and a half of school. Lots of free time to make up his work. Oh well. Hopefully next time I'll have better luck in planning.

By the way, are there any boys on this cruise? I keep reading about all the girls. My sons will be greatly disappointed.

 

[Masonpips]

Hi vacationfinatic and mjwritestuff and broncojoe and lisa_from-nj!

There is a list of everyone about 2 pages back, I'll try to copy it over here soon. Kindergarten starts here for my DS (he will be with us and will have just turned 6 vacationfinatic so your boy will not be alone) so we are busy getting ready for that today.

 

[tagall4]

Hi everyone, First time user here.
Family and I will be sailing on our first Disney cruise. I was excited to see ages and gender of children, although I wasn't really concerned about their not being enough kids on board: this is a Disney cruise after all. I can't seem to remember the lingo for a boy or girl, so I'll have to be uncool and say, "I have 2 sons, ages 12 & 14, and a daughter, age 8. It sounds as if she'll have more than enough friends. We are traveling with friends whose children are as follows: boy-12, boy-9, girl-almost 5.
Yes, we're from Jersey. Our flights are booked from Phl. (cheapest rates). Our friends however, are having a hard time finding something reasonable. If anybody comes across a deal please let us know.
We're flying in on the 31st and staying at the MCO-Hyatt. Anybody else? I read a few of you will be at the Radisson. Is that in the airport too?
For those of you who have taken this journey before: What's the best way to get from the airport to Port Canaveral? I should say most reasonable, and ofcourse, reliable.
I am also a jogger. A very slow pace but would be interested in meeting up with those of you who were discussing this. It might be the motivation I need to jog on the ship.
My DH (did I get that right?) was a little disappointed finding out that their isn't a casino on board. Does anyone know about the casinos on St. Maarten? Actually, I think he's afraid of goin stir crazy on board. Any thoughts here?
I've got to run, but will definitely be back with more Q&A.

 

[Masonpips]

hi tagall4! Dh (you did it right, dear husband, or another D word of your choice if you're not happy with him) and I found plenty to do without the casino. We were so thrilled to have some adult time that we hung out at the pool (adult one), ate lunch alone, played bingo, visited the spa, etc. Looking back, I honestly feel that I didn't get to do everything I wanted to - we did none of the shipboard series stuff and felt overwhelmed at the choices. I think your dh will have plenty to do!

The Radisson is in Port Canaveral (hour east of MCO). Last year the best deal was to rent a one-way from Avis - it was about $35 for Fri pick-up/Sat drop-off and their office was at the Radisson. Dh took us to the ship Sat a.m., returned the car and rode the Avis shuttle over to the ship. They have moved their rental location however and now it's farther away - you can still do the same thing but it's not as convenient as it was.

 

[dis4me]

Welcome all new vacationers We are so glad you could join us. THis ought to be a great Dismeet.
TAGALL4 We found great rates out of Laguardia on American. 135 RT although we did not book them. It seems all airlines are aware of the NJ teachers convention. Years ago we used to fly out for close to nothing and no one else really vacationed NOW everyone goes that week. I think it is wonderful that we have that time off although our district doesn't have the whole week.
Vacationfanatic I am sorry to hear the dates were changed. I always get my children's work and have it completed before they go back and they really don't miss a thing. I am sure your will be fine.
I can't believe all the girls The oceanears lab should be great for them. I am so excited.
Does anyone have late seating??

 

[Masonpips]

totally un-cruise related, but I sent my first baby to Kindergarten today ~sniff~. The good thing is that this was a milestone getting us closer to the cruise!

Hopefully this picture isn't too huge!

Thanks for letting me indulge.... It seems like yesterday I was pregnant and just thinking about his birth and now he's in school! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

 

[dis4me]

Aww he looks so cute, Masonpips, Doesn't time fly by.
My dds start school on September 3. When does your little guy get out?

 

[Masonpips]

right now end of year is scheduled for May 28 with 3 built-in bad weather days - not sure if we'll get out early if we don't use them. Last year we had 4 snow days and they had to do 2 make-up days at the end of the year so I think they're planning ahead this year!

 

[dis4me]

We have 3 snow days in our calendar too, always have. Last year was the first year in a long time that we used them. If we don't though they take off days during the year not at the end because they don't want to change graduations and such. Our kis get out June 18. THis year they got out June 24.May 28 would be so great. I think they are just about ready to go back.

 

[MJwritestuff]

Hey all,
Masonpips, that picture is wonderful. I know just how you feel! Tagall, we are also staying at the MCO Hyatt the night before (I'm a big Halloween Scrooge because my 8 year old son can't eat anything at all candy-wise, so we've paid him off for years - what we spend at the Hyatt will be a deal, believe me!)
We're flying out of AC on Spirit Airlines, because it's cheaper according to my TA, who is also my MIL. We took them to DisneyWorld last year and we're really happy with them. No delays and great staff.
BTW, if we meet up we'll just have to make our own bets (who needs a casino anyway!) like $20 to the first husband to get pulled up on stage and be embarrassed or something - from what I read, there will be many betting opportunities on board (LOL!)
Right now, I'm betting myself some Ben & Jerry's that I can't go more than three hours without reading these boards again. I don't know what's more addictive - staying on these boards or a pint of New York Super Fudge Chunk.
Till next time ....
-MJ

 

[tagall4]

Hi everyone. I got a little nervous when I couldn't find the thread. I didn't realize how it was set up by response dates. I'm learning.
Anyhow, thank you to all for getting back so quickly with the info. My friends snd I really appreciate it.
Mj, I was glad to see someone else staying at the Hyatt. We booked it back in January on line for $88/nite. A real steal. Our flight doesn't get into 10:10pm. I knew we wouldn't be up for a drive anywhere so I checked the Hyatt site. Couln't pass it up.
So how are you getting from the airport to the port? This site is awesome for info. I found out the names of several companies on different threads that will transport both ways. I'm still researching prices, but I'll let you know what I come up with.
The more times I visit this site, the more time I spend on line. I think dh (I actually thought the 'd' was for disney, not dear) is starting to feel neglected. But since we are first timers, I want to make sure we get as much out of our trip as possible. I can't believe how much we didn't know before - scary!
We go back to school on 9/03 also. And since I am a teacher, I'll be going back too - boo hoo. Whoever wrote about the flights from Jersey during convention week is right. Prices have skyrocketed over the years. We used to fly out of AC too. Can't touch anything reasonable now, unless you book well over a year in advance.
Does anyone have info on the dolphin excursion? Can children
join this on their own? Are there any special accommodations for this? My kids have expressed interest, but personally, I could pass. I'd really hate to spend $180 or even $125 just to watch.
Also, will my dh need a suit for this cruise? I kind of got that impression. He has business suits, but I can't picture him in one on the ship.
What's the big deal with the dinner rotations? I've noticed several people inquiring on other threads. Does it have to do with booking at Palos? If so, which nite would I or should I try to dine there?
Times up! Thanks again to everyone. Be back soon.