No Cruise for us :(

[coinkc]

Well, the school calendar just came out and we are not getting out until Dec. 22 this year. So I sadly have to cancel our December cruise. There is no possible way I can take 4 deduct days...plus the district is still really strict about taking even deduct days before a vacation.

I was really enjoying reading about all your DCL trips and hopefully someday we can plan another cruise...I will be cancelling a secret porthole room for the Dec. 17 cruise if anybody was trying to get one.

 

[missmulan]

you're making a good choice by not pulling your kids out of school! education is so important. my DD6 is extremely smart (sure, we all say that don't we?) and pulling her out of school for a vacation is not an option. i know some cruisers out there will justify this by saying they'll make up for it, it's just not the same. this is just my opinion and i will DEFINITELY get flamed for this.

 

[faireygod mother]

I so sorry to hear this. I hope it works out for you one day. There is always the three day on the wonder that sails on Thursday. Best of luck next time.

 

[jclark3]

I have the "no vacation during school days" rule too. It means that I pay extra so we can go during spring break, but it's worth it. The weather is wonderful, and it gives us something to look forward to during the horrible month of Feb.! We've only had one spring without Disney (either WDW or DCL) since 1998 and I vowed never to do that again!

 

[lbgraves]

So sorry that you wont be enjoying our room. I am greatful that our school system is lenient as far as family vacations go. Being in a military town they understand the schedules that the military has and encourage family time as being a healthy experience that can't be taught in school. In fact, when I talked to the principal when registering DS at Kindergarten last spring I asked about him missing days due to the cruise and she was excited about us going. She just asked that when he gets into the 3rd grade we don't book during the state testing dates.

 

[cwf1028]

That stinks that your school calendar isn't out any earlier. I was able to book 18 months ago for our spring break cruise because our schools have their calendar out two years in advance. Sorry you can't go, that really stinks! I think our district isn't too strict about missing school, but we just don't do it!

 

[coinkc]

Sorry, I should have clarified.

We can't go because I am a teacher. I am not allowed to take off the days before a holiday unless it is for a dire medical need.

 

[lbgraves]

Thanks to our "wonderful" state assembly here in NC they changed the school calendar that was out. We use to start school the first week in August & get out in mid May. Now they will start 8/25 & end 6/9. I know that ALOT of people already had their vacation time planned. Oh, they also did away with 5 teacher work days which were vacation days for students.

 

[scrapcreator]

That's no fun! I'm guessing that you can't go the following week, so it's time to plan one for another week!

We are looking at a new school schedule that would give us 3 weeks at Christmas and a week at Thanksgiving. We'll have to start at the beginning or middle of August, but it would be great for vacations.

Jeanne

 

[kfields1]

In NY we start after Labor Day and get out around June 25! We're also not allowed to take any days w/o a doctor's note around vacations! We're the people Disney makes all of the money on during high season!

 

[Laurarn]

lbgraves: totally agree with you! We are so disappointed with the new NC calendar also. I plan on boycotting the Carolina beaches since that's why they changed the calendar-to put more money in their pockets-it wasn't about what's best for the kids. Okay, I'm off my soapbox. Anyway, We've cruised both times during Fall break and loved it. I rebooked on board for Oct. 06 but not sure if we'll go now. I will have one in high school, middle school, and 3rd grade and 5 days will be rough to miss (incl. marching band and soccer season). Since we're a family of 5, it's already expensive for us for 2 inside rooms in the off season, but its practically DOUBLE when the school breaks occur. Still trying to decide what to do. I've started talking to principals and district to get their thoughts on it.

 

[lbgraves]

Laurarn, you are so right! The businesses whined about losing tourist dollars in August. Well, what do they expect to happen in May 2006 when no schools are out? They also complained that they lost HS summer workers too early. Well, I don't know of too many people in NC who spend alot of money on big vacations here in NC & NOONE wants to go anywhere in August because it is too hot. Our district is petitioning to change it but oh well.

 

[cjsmith]

That stinks that your school calendar isn't out any earlier. I was able to book 18 months ago for our spring break cruise because our schools have their calendar out two years in advance. Sorry you can't go, that really stinks! I think our district isn't too strict about missing school, but we just don't do it!

You're so luckly your calendar comes out so early. We won't have ours for next year for months yet.

 

[NCRedding]

lbgraves and laurarn: another NCer here--totally agree with you on the stupidity of the legislature and the beaches--I too am planning my own boycott of the NC beaches and anyone else who supported the bill!!! I wish I could find a listing of the actual businesses.

 

[smchan]

Oh no! I'm disappointed to see all my fellow North Carolinians boycotting our own beaches. That just means more room for the folk from the north who are fleeing their own beaches.

As for my wife and me, we homeschool, so the school schedule doesn't affect our travel schedules. (But we need the discounts after losing my wife's income!)

Sam

 

[lbgraves]

I'm already at the beach so we stay away from them when the tourists are at their peak anyway and we definantly don't go in August. We like to go in the fall...but then whenever we do go to the beach, they aren't getting any money out of us. We park in the free lot & take our own drinks & food in a cooler.

 

[smchan]

I'm already at the beach so we stay away from them when the tourists are at their peak anyway and we definantly don't go in August. We like to go in the fall...

My favorite time too. That and late spring (May'ish). Though I'm not as close to the beach as you; I'm about 2 hours from Wilmington.

We should all get together and petition DCL to run Bermuda cruises out of NC or VA.

Sam

 

[aprilgail2]

That stinks that your school calendar isn't out any earlier. I was able to book 18 months ago for our spring break cruise because our schools have their calendar out two years in advance. Sorry you can't go, that really stinks! I think our district isn't too strict about missing school, but we just don't do it!

I have NO problem taking my daughter out when I want to go...our school calendar for the 2005-2006 year does not come out until the week prior to labor day....they give you a heck of a lot of notice huh??
I have talked tothe principal and his thing is to please not take them out in May when the state testing is....this year I already had it booked so we are going..in the future I will certainly book around that time of year..they will work with me and I will work with them.