2/9/2008 - Valentine Cruise 7 Night Western - Anyone On The Love Boat ?

[jdybnsn]

Hi everyone,

Having a busy week, as the kids are back to school next Tuesday banana: )

I have a friend coming over from Wales, with her daughter (9) - Molly.
They both went to WDW earlier this year (I helped arrange the trip for her as she had never been before)... we still have lots to talk about over her trip - they have done a few things that we have not, such as Discovery Cove and also the Pirate Party at MK.

Hopefully the weather will be good, so we can make the most of the weekend.

 

[tevagirl]

Hope you have a fun weekend with your friend, Judy.



Hello everyone

 

[homeruk]

Hi everyone,

Having a busy week, as the kids are back to school next Tuesday banana: )

I have a friend coming over from Wales, with her daughter (9) - Molly.
They both went to WDW earlier this year (I helped arrange the trip for her as she had never been before)... we still have lots to talk about over her trip - they have done a few things that we have not, such as Discovery Cove and also the Pirate Party at MK.

Hopefully the weather will be good, so we can make the most of the weekend.

Back to school already (where did it go??????)
have a great weekend

allison

 

[winegirl]

Hi there! I just found this thread and we're sailing on the "love boat cruise" as well! This will be our family's first Disney cruise ... can't wait!
Have 2 DD's - one will be 10 at the time of sailing and the other 7. They don't know we're cruising yet - they'll find out at Christmas!

 

[homeruk]

Hi there! I just found this thread and we're sailing on the "love boat cruise" as well! This will be our family's first Disney cruise ... can't wait!
Have 2 DD's - one will be 10 at the time of sailing and the other 7. They don't know we're cruising yet - they'll find out at Christmas!

hi there and welcome

you will love the cruise; we did our first one a month ago and enjoyed ourselves so much we booked again whilst still onboard.

i have 2 children Emily is 9 (10 in December) and Zak is 6.

Have you discovered the thread for the children -(when they find out about the cruise they can get chatting to other children who are also cruising. ) - See earlier thread for the site address.

speak soon

allison

 

[winegirl]

Our DD7's name is Alison as well ... only one "l". DD10 is Jesica. The thread for children sounds great - they will love it!!
Looking forward to reading more the DISboaords ... this is a really great way to get information!
Thanks!
Jackie

 

[Princess Tink]

Welcome winegirl..........looks like there will be a lot of HAPPY KIDS on Christmas morning!!!

 

[tevagirl]

Hi there! I just found this thread and we're sailing on the "love boat cruise" as well! This will be our family's first Disney cruise ... can't wait!
Have 2 DD's - one will be 10 at the time of sailing and the other 7. They don't know we're cruising yet - they'll find out at Christmas!

Hi Jackie and welcome!

 

[emtmom]

I have a DD Ariana who will be 9 in December, she is looking forward to meeting all the kids on the cruise!!
You will all have a great time, we went on a 4-day Wonder Cruise for part of our honeymoon 2 years ago and enjoyed it so much we booked again while on the ship--then enjoyed it so much again we booked onboard again!!!

I also have a son, David, but he'll only be 18 months at the time of sailing.

 

[Princess Tink]

Just had to share with my cruise buddies, I don't think anyone else would understand.

I had a little bit of a scare today. We are in the middle of moving, actually been delayed for a week or 2 due to a couple issues involved in closing on the house.....anyhow, this move involved changing DS9 into a new school district (a town over). ALuckily we were able to go ahead and enroll him early with a copy of our contract. Yesterday while reading over some of his paperwork I noticed they DID NOT have any days off school the week of our cruise!!! The main reason we booked this week was because he would only miss 2.5 days of school. OH NO I know he's only in 4th Grade, but I'm trying to teach him that it's the most important thing for him to focus on. So I delayed and debated, and beat myself up all day, then finally called to discuss with the new principal. I was so nervous, almost like I was in trouble. She called me back to discuss, my voice trembling I'm sure. I explained to her that I booked this cruise last year after approving the time off through his teacher (yep, a small school...makes it easier to plan ahead), as she said the couple days would be approved as research for a project they have to work on in 4th Grade (MISSOURI NOTEBOOK, RESEARCH FAMOUS PEOPLE FROM MISSOURI....MR WALT DISNEY). I wasn't planning on changing school districts. How would him missing an entire week of school effect his grades and what are her thoughts on the issue? She sounded delighted! Her response was that would be fine and she would notify the teacher when time gets closer so that the teacher can plan accordingly. She actually seemed to be pleased.......told me that sounded like a lot of fun and she's sure DS would have a lot of fun!!!

Have I mentioned that I love DS's new school.....I cant beleive how accomodating they have been through this whole ordeal.....moving and all. They made him feel extra special to ease the pain of leaving all his old friends and teachers. I have to say we sure feel lucky! I thought his old school was the best, I have nothing but good to say about his new school too....a bigger school district than we're use to but definately still a small town warm feel to it.

Micaela

 

[cruisinpenguin]

Welcome Jackie....you and your family are in for a treat! Disney by far is the best cruise line going!! Your kid's are going to love it too!!

Micaela.....sounds like your dilemma was solved....glad to hear everything went well with the new principal!! Hope your move goes smoothly too!

Hope everyone has a nice long weekend!
Enjoy, Laurie

 

[winegirl]

Everyone seems so nice on here ... I just love being able to chat about the upcoming cruise! Can't wait until Feb!!!
Jackie

 

[emtmom]

Wow! Sounds like you've gotten lucky with schools twice!! Our school is pretty understanding about these things, too. I think mostly because we aren't pulling DD out to go to the park, but on a cruise where foreign countries will be visited. They only require DD to keep a journal of the cruise and share with the class when she gets back.

 

[Princess Tink]

Wow! Sounds like you've gotten lucky with schools twice!! Our school is pretty understanding about these things, too. I think mostly because we aren't pulling DD out to go to the park, but on a cruise where foreign countries will be visited. They only require DD to keep a journal of the cruise and share with the class when she gets back.

Doesn't that make it so much easier. I think DS will have to do some 'homework', but he's pretty good about getting as much as possible at the airport.

 

[allears]

Just had to share with my cruise buddies, I don't think anyone else would understand.

I had a little bit of a scare today. We are in the middle of moving, actually been delayed for a week or 2 due to a couple issues involved in closing on the house.....anyhow, this move involved changing DS9 into a new school district (a town over). ALuckily we were able to go ahead and enroll him early with a copy of our contract. Yesterday while reading over some of his paperwork I noticed they DID NOT have any days off school the week of our cruise!!! The main reason we booked this week was because he would only miss 2.5 days of school. OH NO I know he's only in 4th Grade, but I'm trying to teach him that it's the most important thing for him to focus on. So I delayed and debated, and beat myself up all day, then finally called to discuss with the new principal. I was so nervous, almost like I was in trouble. She called me back to discuss, my voice trembling I'm sure. I explained to her that I booked this cruise last year after approving the time off through his teacher (yep, a small school...makes it easier to plan ahead), as she said the couple days would be approved as research for a project they have to work on in 4th Grade (MISSOURI NOTEBOOK, RESEARCH FAMOUS PEOPLE FROM MISSOURI....MR WALT DISNEY). I wasn't planning on changing school districts. How would him missing an entire week of school effect his grades and what are her thoughts on the issue? She sounded delighted! Her response was that would be fine and she would notify the teacher when time gets closer so that the teacher can plan accordingly. She actually seemed to be pleased.......told me that sounded like a lot of fun and she's sure DS would have a lot of fun!!!

Have I mentioned that I love DS's new school.....I cant beleive how accomodating they have been through this whole ordeal.....moving and all. They made him feel extra special to ease the pain of leaving all his old friends and teachers. I have to say we sure feel lucky! I thought his old school was the best, I have nothing but good to say about his new school too....a bigger school district than we're use to but definately still a small town warm feel to it.

Micaela

We're actually taking our high school senior and our 6th grader out of school for this week. We have done this several times before and both our school districts (the high school is in the next town over) have been both accomodating and supportive. We usually get assignments ahead of time, and try to get them done before we leave. We don't take school work with us, because we know we don't have the discipline to make them do it. And there is always the day we get home to finish some up, plus they don't have to have done the day they get back, they have the number days they were out to get things turned in and arrange for make up tests.

One year when we got back, my DD, who was in high school at the time, had all of her work done and was a week ahead of her classmates. In a week, they don't miss as much as we think and we believe that while these trips are mostly fun, they can be very educational and are invaluable at exposing the kids to the bigger world we live in. Our schools have also taken this position, that it is a great family time but the kids also get incredible experiences.

 

[tevagirl]

Everyone seems so nice on here ... I just love being able to chat about the upcoming cruise! Can't wait until Feb!!!
Jackie

I think the anticipation is almost as much fun as the cruise itself. I love the planning and talking to you all on here!


Micaela, I'm glad you have it all straightened out with your ds's school!

 

[jdybnsn]

Hi Jackie and a big


Yes, all very friendly on here !!! ..always someone to chat to.


Miceala - so glad you managed to resolve your school problem - we are lucky as our school is pretty accommodating too within reason. My kids are missing one week - the other week, before we cruise, is their half term holiday (sorry,.... 'vacation').

Hello to everyone else too..... any more news anyone ?

 

[tevagirl]

No news to report here. Still looking and hoping for a lower airfare to come out somewhere. I'm thinking it may not happen since we will be flying home on Presidents' weekend. Worse comes to worse, we'll drive. I don't really want to but I will if we have to.

Hope everyone's having a great weekend.

 

[IndyDisneyFan]

We're actually taking our high school senior and our 6th grader out of school for this week. We have done this several times before and both our school districts (the high school is in the next town over) have been both accomodating and supportive. We usually get assignments ahead of time, and try to get them done before we leave. We don't take school work with us, because we know we don't have the discipline to make them do it. And there is always the day we get home to finish some up, plus they don't have to have done the day they get back, they have the number days they were out to get things turned in and arrange for make up tests.

One year when we got back, my DD, who was in high school at the time, had all of her work done and was a week ahead of her classmates. In a week, they don't miss as much as we think and we believe that while these trips are mostly fun, they can be very educational and are invaluable at exposing the kids to the bigger world we live in. Our schools have also taken this position, that it is a great family time but the kids also get incredible experiences.

You are all very fortunate to be able to go to school districts that are supportive. Unfortunately, our schools are not so forgiving. I wanted to take my DS 11 who is in the sixth grade this year out of school the last eight days of the year to take the western panama canal cruise. After talking with the school, who will only allow him to make up all work for 50% credit, we decided not to go. He is a great student, but with only receiving half credit, which is an F, he would be in danger of failing the last semester (their words). There are no exceptions to their rule. I thought about calling him in sick for those days, but obviously that is just not possible or the correct thing to do. They would probably send an officer to my house! So my DH and I will be cruising the "love boat" by ourselves (ok, no real sacrifice there!) but I am bummed that we can't do the panama canal cruise. Education is gained not only by being in the classroom but also outside of the classroom. It is too bad that federal and state dollars and cents mean more to our schools than our kids!

Laura

 

[Princess Tink]

You are all very fortunate to be able to go to school districts that are supportive. Unfortunately, our schools are not so forgiving. I wanted to take my DS 11 who is in the sixth grade this year out of school the last eight days of the year to take the western panama canal cruise. After talking with the school, who will only allow him to make up all work for 50% credit, we decided not to go. He is a great student, but with only receiving half credit, which is an F, he would be in danger of failing the last semester (their words). There are no exceptions to their rule. I thought about calling him in sick for those days, but obviously that is just not possible or the correct thing to do. They would probably send an officer to my house! So my DH and I will be cruising the "love boat" by ourselves (ok, no real sacrifice there!) but I am bummed that we can't do the panama canal cruise. Education is gained not only by being in the classroom but also outside of the classroom. It is too bad that federal and state dollars and cents mean more to our schools than our kids!

Laura

that's what I was afraid of. We cruised when DS was in K, and had planned it so that we didn't miss any school. Actually we left for our cruise 2.5 days after the last day of school.....after missing so many snow days, they extended school by a week and a half, so he ended up missing the last week and day. You should have seen the letters and messages I had when I came back home, even though I had already explained it to the school. I;m so glad we didn't have any of those issues come up in conversation, although the new principle did let me know I would get something from the state for missing the 5 days but to just pitch it because it's mandatory when someone misses that many days it has to be reported.