Any homeschool families here been on a Disney cruise?

[sweetlovin]

As you can see, there are a lot of us homeschool/unschool families that cruise DCL. Panama Canal and the TA cruises always seem to have a lot of homeschoolers onboard.

 

[PraisingHim]

We are a homeschooling family as well and will be traveling on our 2nd DCL in 25 days (God willing)!!! This will be a family vacation and a time to relax, have ice cream with every meal, and ride the Aqua Duck like nobody's business but my DD7 (8 few days before trip), DD4, and DS 3 will be keeping a journal during the vacation. I figured they could write and illustrate (they can even attach an actual picture later on) in it before starting our day each morning (something to do other than TV each day while mom and dad get ready). I also threw in a few math sheets (mostly review). They also will have a few books with them to read on the plane ride and during down time. Just a side note: I always bring along a new surprise toy (Tinker Toys for this trip) to keep them busy and entertained when we are in our state room relaxing or getting ready. You don't get these precious times back so we embrace every moment with them. Enjoy your cruise!!

 

[Eeyores]

As you can see, there are a lot of us homeschool/unschool families that cruise DCL. Panama Canal and the TA cruises always seem to have a lot of homeschoolers onboard.

TA cruises?

 

[lanejudy]

TA cruises?

transatlantic

 

[Flossbolna]

TA cruises?

Transatlantic cruises. Not to be confused with TA meaning travel agent.

Oh, now I see that lanejudy was quicker...

 

[Eeyores]

I wanted TA badly, but it is longer. With Space Camp, Universal 2 days, and travel times, we are going to be gone over 2 weeks already! If I didn't have a dog that I am going to miss like crazy! But next time I will...just the cruise for the next one.

 

[sweetlovin]

I wanted TA badly, but it is longer. With Space Camp, Universal 2 days, and travel times, we are going to be gone over 2 weeks already! If I didn't have a dog that I am going to miss like crazy! But next time I will...just the cruise for the next one.

Those cruises tend to have more homeschooled kids because most other kids cannot take 2 weeks off at the end of May and PC cruises because most kids cannot take off 2 weeks in the beginning of May. I was scheduled to take my 3 on the EBTA this year, but we are going to Thailand instead. I have three goldens, so I know leaving pets can be challenging. We miss them a lot when we travel.

 

[party-of-five]

We too homeschool. When we're on vacation, we're on vacation. This teacher needs a break every once in a while too! That said, I encourage the kids to research where we're visiting before we go so that they have a better appreciation of what they're seeing while we're there. And when we return I often have them write about their adventure. I also encourage them to keep a journal while on vacation, but it's not mandatory.

We took our first cruise last fall and are taking our second cruise this coming fall. Because cruising was new to us, I also encouraged the kids to read about cruise ships, ships in general, etc, before we sailed. While on the cruise I think the kids learned a lot on their own. The cast members are so friendly. The kids struck up so many conversations and learned a lot from those conversations. They came home with questions and things they wanted to know more about so we researched some more. My one son was so intrigued with the mind teasers and the magic tricks that our assistant server showed him that he came home and learned more so that he could "impress" family and friends. My daughter met another homeschooler and they've become pen-pals.

We saw taking a cruise as an opportunity for other kinds of learning opportunities. Hopefully others will appreciate this, maybe we're just very sheltering parents. But for us, one of the struggles with homeschooling is giving the kids enough opportunities for independence. The kids learn at home, they go to camps, they participate in clubs and coops, etc, but there are always parents around. Being on the ship, the kids had a fairly large, yet contained space to explore - on their own! You're hungry? Go up to deck 11 and get some food... By yourself. You want to go hang out at the Edge? Go, you know you're way to get there. Again, maybe it sounds odd, but the kids gained a lot of confidence and independence on our cruise.

 

[darnheather]

I am so wanting to do a TA cruise combined with a week or two in England. Good to hear lots of homeschool kids choose those. I was surprised at how affordable the actual cruise is. Now if only airfare were $500 to London like the good old days!

 

[MommaBerd]

We too homeschool. When we're on vacation, we're on vacation. This teacher needs a break every once in a while too! That said, I encourage the kids to research where we're visiting before we go so that they have a better appreciation of what they're seeing while we're there. And when we return I often have them write about their adventure. I also encourage them to keep a journal while on vacation, but it's not mandatory.

We took our first cruise last fall and are taking our second cruise this coming fall. Because cruising was new to us, I also encouraged the kids to read about cruise ships, ships in general, etc, before we sailed. While on the cruise I think the kids learned a lot on their own. The cast members are so friendly. The kids struck up so many conversations and learned a lot from those conversations. They came home with questions and things they wanted to know more about so we researched some more. My one son was so intrigued with the mind teasers and the magic tricks that our assistant server showed him that he came home and learned more so that he could "impress" family and friends. My daughter met another homeschooler and they've become pen-pals.

We saw taking a cruise as an opportunity for other kinds of learning opportunities. Hopefully others will appreciate this, maybe we're just very sheltering parents. But for us, one of the struggles with homeschooling is giving the kids enough opportunities for independence. The kids learn at home, they go to camps, they participate in clubs and coops, etc, but there are always parents around. Being on the ship, the kids had a fairly large, yet contained space to explore - on their own! You're hungry? Go up to deck 11 and get some food... By yourself. You want to go hang out at the Edge? Go, you know you're way to get there. Again, maybe it sounds odd, but the kids gained a lot of confidence and independence on our cruise.

I think that is just perfect!

I have enjoyed reading everyone's perspectives and approaches to these opportunities! I hope everyone fares well on our cruise and we are able go on longer cruises and be more adventurous as many of you are.

 

[momof2n2]

We're homeschoolers. (Ages below.)

I'm a heel though... There is no way I'm ruining a perfectly good vacation with schooling.

 

[sweetlovin]

I am so wanting to do a TA cruise combined with a week or two in England. Good to hear lots of homeschool kids choose those. I was surprised at how affordable the actual cruise is. Now if only airfare were $500 to London like the good old days!

If you do decide to book, look into Norwegian Air back to MCO. The flights last year were $250 - $350 (one way) back from Copenhagen and/or London. I know they fly into NYC, MCO, and San Fran or San Diego (I can't remember) but the prices late may/early June were really reasonable. I just left my car at MCO took a private shuttle to the port and drove home when we got back from Europe June 15th. Keep an eye out, there are some really decent deals if you are ok leaving a car at an airport.

 

[Mdcantu]

One of the families on my cruise in January (happened to be a homeschooling family) scheduled a behind-the-scenes tour on the boat (if I remember correctly, it was for the theater where the shows are presented). It was such a cool idea and not something that I saw advertised. You may want to call and see what tours or meetings (like with the captain or cruise director) you could set up.

 

[Eeyores]

One of the families on my cruise in January (happened to be a homeschooling family) scheduled a behind-the-scenes tour on the boat (if I remember correctly, it was for the theater where the shows are presented). It was such a cool idea and not something that I saw advertised. You may want to call and see what tours or meetings (like with the captain or cruise director) you could set up.

Thank you so much! I'd never think of unadvertised tours!