October 15, 2005 anyone?

[SamR]

I *lost* the yahoo website link. Anyone have it handy?

Yahoo Group for October 15th Cruisers

 

[SamR]

So, has anybody been following the repo cruise thread today? Today is the day the Magic went through the Panama Canal. The thread started the day on page 47, and is currently on page 77! 30 pages, with about 6 hours left in the day!

There are a bunch of cool pictures posted to the thread...screenshots from the webcams at two of the locks. Some folks have even put together animated gifs and avi files providing a high-speed look at the Magic going through the locks! I checked the webcams a number of times myself...By this afternoon, they were very slow to respond. I bet this is the first time they have ever had thousands of rabid cruise fans (DISers) all trying to watch them simultaneously!

It's a good thing all of us DISers don't work for the same company...If we did, that company would have taken an extreme productivity hit today!

 

[wayneg]

:

I am spoiled working for Wash U cause we get almost 4 weeks vacation a year!!
:

What is average US vacation time per year?
In UK most people get a minimum of 4 weeks. DW gets 5 weeks plus national hols (11 days) taking it up to over 7 weeks plus she usually builds up another week with time back for meetings and training. I take the same as I work for myself.

DW has watched Magic all day getting excited.
Wayne

 

[oybolshoi]

Wayneg,
I think that two weeks is the typical vacation time given to an employee when he / she first starts working with a company (and at the beginning of their "career"). Of course, there are also national holidays (6 at minimum, 10 if you are a federal or bank employee) but not every employer has to recognize those days and give them to their workers. I had a job with a finance company when I first graduated from college that included working on Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day and New Years Day because those days were considered big transaction days in the automotive world.

When I was offered my most recent position I was given three weeks vacation because I'm a bank officer and AVP, plus all national holidays (which all of our employees also receive)...all 10 of 'em baby! I won't qualify for four weeks until I've been with my current employer for five years. And again, I think that's how it is with most employers in the US... the longer you work with a company the more vacation time you get based on your years of service (usually 2 weeks through 5 years, 3 weeks through 5-10 years, 4 weeks 10 years plus...). I suppose those folks at the top of the management food chain have negotiated more vacation time for themselves and this rather long post doesn't include anything about unionized labor vacation time because I've never worked anyplace that's had a union and I don't really know anyone who's worked in a union. I'm stuck in a whilte collar world with a bunch of right-leaning bankers...oh well, they need a leftie like me to stir things up a bit!

I'm not even sure if vacation time is mandated by the government...anyone else know? I know the 40-hour work-week is but there are so many ways to get around that "law" that it's not even funny. We are a by-product of that Puritan work ethic, I suppose.

Have you seen those commericals that Universal Studios has been running? Very funny spots that drive home the fact that Americans receive less vacation time and take less of the vacation time they've actually earned than our industrialized friends around the world. Of course the commercials encourage the viewer to take their vacations at Universal (which we are doing beofre the cruise) but they're still very funny.

Did I answer your question o just confuse the issue?

Brenda

 

[wayneg]

Brenda,
Thank you for your reply. Can't believe working all year to get just 2 weeks vacation. Just checked, UK workers are entitled to 4 weeks paid leave from 1st day of employment.
Last year we had 2 weeks in Spain, 3 weeks in Orlando (Oct), 1 week Orlando (Xmas) and a couple of long weekends in The Netherlands. I need at least 6 weeks abroad per year, I would be so miserable and stressed having only 2 weeks.
Hope everyone on here gets more than 2 weeks.
Wayne

 

[oybolshoi]

Hey Wayne, it gets even better. Some employers don't even like their employees to take vecation weeks consecutively. My husband also gets three weeks and he can carry over time for 12 months... last year it took senior management six months to approve his request to take 2 weeks in a row in October for our last Disney vacation. And then when we came back they told him they would never let him do that again because it was too inconvenient for them. This is also the same place that won't allow any of their employees to take vacation time during the months of November, December, or January becasue it's prime collection time (or so they say). Actually I don't follow that line of reasoning...it's been my experience that people are less likely to pay their bills during the holidays beacuse they spend the money on gifts for family. So I'm not sure how his company thinks that by forbidding their employees vacation time during the holidays they somehow improve their collection rates...

That's one reason we haven't made it to your side of the Atlantic... we want to spend at least two weeks in Europe and are having a b**ch of a time getting it approved for him. Luckily my employers are much more flexible but it's still really frustrating. They would rather pay him for unused time rather than let him take time off. And while he does have a fairly specialized position within the company there are others there who also know how to take on his role in his absence. The downside to working in a consumer-based, service-driven industry, I suppose.

Vacations, maternity leave, personal time, sick days... all frowned upon by lots of folks in management. You know, people can say what they want about Americans, but no one can accuse us of being lazy!!

 

[shmoogrrrl]

It's a good thing all of us DISers don't work for the same company...If we did, that company would have taken an extreme productivity hit today!

I watched the Magic go through the locks in the afternoon. My Daughter watched it with with me. She LOVES to talk about "The Mickey Boat." Between that and her upcoming Birthday party, she is starting to sound like a broken record.

 

[txaggie94gigem]

the movies are awesome! I wish i was there!

has anyone mentioned any drydock rumors yet on the boards. the cruisers on the repo cruise dais the captain was going to spill some of the beans during this cruise...i hope so!

i am getting so excited! Does anyone know what date is exactly 105 days out from October 15? I am trying to plan when we will eat at Palos. I think we will go there the last night. The menu that night (unless it has changed by then) was the one we did not like on the wonder....it is so much fun to plan! This is my first 7 day....my mom is getting excited too so i am happy!

 

[wayneg]

Vacations, maternity leave, personal time, sick days... all frowned upon by lots of folks in management. You know, people can say what they want about Americans, but no one can accuse us of being lazy!!

Always thought we would like to live and work in Florida but I think we are better off in UK for working conditions. When Karen gave birth to Mathew she had 6 months off full pay then 3 months half pay as well as some time off before the birth with full pay on sick leave.

Have been experimenting printing on shirts this morning. will try to attach pics to this message. 1st pic of front, 2nd pic of back.
Wayne

 

[sara]

The pictures of the Magic going through the Panama Canal are amazing. I wish I was there!!!

Sam R, thanks for the link, again.

txaggie94gigem, I have July 2 as 105 days.

DD broke her arm. Not a fun way to start the summer.

Have a good week.

Sara

 

[SamR]

DD broke her arm. Not a fun way to start the summer.

Ouch! Sorry to hear that...How long will she be in a cast?

txaggie94gigem, I have July 2 as 105 days.

Yep...July 2nd is exactly 105 days before our sailing date.

Has anyone heard what time you can start making bookings on the 75th/90th/105th day (whichever applies) before your cruise? Can you start at 12:01 AM on that day? Or is it 8 AM? Or ... ? I saw this question asked on the Cruise board once, but never saw a clear answer.

 

[oybolshoi]

Has anyone heard what time you can start making bookings on the 75th/90th/105th day (whichever applies) before your cruise? Can you start at 12:01 AM on that day? Or is it 8 AM? Or ... ? I saw this question asked on the Cruise board once, but never saw a clear answer.

I don't know the answer to that question but I'm sure as heck going to be trying at 12:01 AM! Besides, 90 days for DH and me is the same weekend that the new Harry Potter book is released so I'll be up late reading anyway. I'm sure I can pull myself away from it for a few minutes to make those all important ressies!

Totally off topic... anyone see Revenge of the Sith yet? We went Friday night and it was good, not great but certainly better than the last two installments. Don't think I'd take kids under twelve, depending on their sensitivity to violence and just downright disturbing images. Definitely some good action scenes, especially near the end with Annakin and Obi Wan.

See it once more I probably will.

 

[SamR]

Don't think I'd take kids under twelve, depending on their sensitivity to violence and just downright disturbing images.

My twelve-year-old son went to see it Friday night with another family as part of their son's birthday celebration. He really liked it, but of course that now has my eight-year-old son, Alex, wanting to go. Coincidentally, Alex was also invited to a birthday party where the kids were going to see the movie (today). Based on what I had heard, I would not let him go. Your comment just helps confirm that I made the right decision. (Father Knows Best? )

See it once more I probably will.

The Molar Express may the Force be with!

 

[sara]

Is that 12:01 EST??? Flashbacks of trying to book breakfast with Cinderella at the Castle! Seriously, I'm not too worried. My first choice for Palo dinner is Thursday, but as long as I get one night, I'll be happy.

Haven't seen Star Wars. DH has been wanting to go, but no time. I don't think it's going anywhere for awhile! Definately, wont take the kiddos. Don't like nightmare nights.

Sam R, DD gets re-evaluated in two weeks. Five weeks until healed has been the estimate. She hasn't complained...so far!

Sara

 

[shmoogrrrl]

Besides, 90 days for DH and me is the same weekend that the new Harry Potter book is released

Awww MAN! That is also around the time I think I have to start trying to make PS for our Disney portion of the vacation too. BUSY BUSY. I'm afraid that Harry will take priority though!

 

[SamR]

Why do I do it? I've been on the DIS long enough to know that there are some threads that I should never open.

You may remember that a few weeks back, we had a brief discussion in this thread about taking our kids out of school for a cruise. Well, now there is one of those discussions going on on the Cruise Board. The title is "School vs. Vacation Dilemma". Unlike many previous discussions on this matter, it starts out and stays mostly civil for a few pages. But then ...

Check out the post by "Doctor P" on Page 6 of the thread. Wow! You know, I can (to some degree) understand opinions on both sides of this issue, and welcome civil expressions of said opinion. However, that particular post provides a textbook definition of the word "judgemental." "...unconscionable, illegal, and unreasonable?" "Deplorable behavior?" Wow.

For a humorous follow-up, check out the "colonoscopy" comment by "jordgubben" a few posts further down that same page.

I'm glad the only things we argue about in this thread are our choices of baseball teams, the quality of Brenda's puns, and preferred dental treatement options.

 

[oybolshoi]

I'm glad the only things we argue about in this thread are our choices of baseball teams, the quality of Brenda's puns, and preferred dental treatement options.

Sam,
I'm shocked to learn that anyone on this thread feels the need to argue about the quality of my puns...they're awful, just awful!!

Brenda

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

We are leaving tomorrow for AKL and SeaWorld!!!! OMG!! Dance with me!!

I think I got Mom talked into going to Animal Kingdom on Friday!

So I won't be on the boards after today!! I will report back next week on how things are in the world!!

Yesterday DD (7) said " I am so ready for another Disney Cruise"!! She is such a drama Queen..I told her so am I,but we must wait a few more months. She seems happy enought just to go to Orlando. We just told her this weekend that we are going.

I saw some of that thread with the Doctor guy?? Some people are just too out there....Personally it is our bussiness and no one elses if we choose to keep out kids out of school for vacation. You only live once!! My Sister has been gone 8 years on Saturday. Her kids were 5 and 20 months when she died. Look how much of their life she will miss...... I treasure these trips with my DD cause we don't know what tomorrow will bring.

Ok, be happy and talk to you guys later.....

 

[jenmack]

Bj98 Have an awesome time this weekend!!!

I agree with you. Life is too short & you have to chose your battles. Taking kids out of school a few days, a week... Your creating very important family memories. We had on the news last night a family who just got back from spending some time in Hawaii (during school & all the kids are pre-teen & teenagers). The family just found out the day before they left that the mothers cancer has spread & is inoperable. They went on vacation anyway so they could just spend time together. This is important stuff & we never plan or know when our time is up. Also, when you look back on your life as a child. Do you remember those special family vacations or do you remember sitting in a class room 7-8 months out of a year? All right, I'm done. Now I'm going to read that thread you were talking about.

 

[shmoogrrrl]

I'm glad the only things we argue about in this thread are our choices of baseball teams, the quality of Brenda's puns, and preferred dental treatement options.

So you think I should forget my poll on 'what everyone's political leanings are" so that I know who to mock later?

Hrm....Okay.