Pay more for short summer cruise or less for fall longer cruise?

[ReadyForVacation]

We are trying to decide on our next cruise. We are torn between paying for the 4 night Dream cruise in August 2016 or waiting until September 2016 and doing a 7 night Fantasy cruise for about the same price. Our problem is by September our then 6 year old will be in 1st grade and we're not sure about letting him miss a week of school even if we got his educational days approved. We know school is important and don't want him to get behind or to think that it's ok to miss a lot of school. He would have all of his school work for that week with him and would be working on it throughout the cruise. We all would love to do the longer cruise, but September will be the only time we can afford to do the 7 night cruise due to being in the process of buying a new home. For the 4 night cruise it would be a couple of weeks before school starts, but it would costs the same as the 7 night in September. What would you do? I'm not looking to start a fight as I know some parents are very strict on school which I understand completely. Just looking to justify the costs as well.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

The longer the better, go for the 7 night.

 

[ktate82]

I would say go for the 7 night as well. He will learn more in those 7 days than he will at school. We often pulled (and continue to do so) the kids from school. On the cruise, we have them take pictures and write about what they did each day (age appropriate....when they were in first grade, it was a few sentences, now they write a page or two). Lower grades like that repeat themselves several times so what he misses will be gone back over later on, so he won't miss something he won't hear again. My theory is they are only young once and while school is important, family time is more so.

 

[savage1117]

I would say go for the 7 night as well. He will learn more in those 7 days than he will at school. We often pulled (and continue to do so) the kids from school. On the cruise, we have them take pictures and write about what they did each day (age appropriate....when they were in first grade, it was a few sentences, now they write a page or two). Lower grades like that repeat themselves several times so what he misses will be gone back over later on, so he won't miss something he won't hear again. My theory is they are only young once and while school is important, family time is more so.

I COMPLETELY agree!! My daughter will be missing almost 2 weeks of school but I feel family time is important & I can't get time off during the summer months. I let teacher & principal know right away. Ask for work we can do beforehand & work with her to finish up any work after we return. I'm always nervous about letting teachers know but they have all been great so far.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

We took our son out of school for week long WDW/DCL vacations when he was in elementary school. The school district had no problems with it; the only thing he had to do was get his teachers signatures two weeks before we left. But we had him inform the teachers a month out as well. Only his German language teacher had issues with this, he ended up with a B at the end of the school year. Once he got into Jr. High we picked one of two weeks in October or November when they had both Thursday and Friday off and he only missed three days of school. He did have some homework he had to do while on vacation, some he was given in advance to do before leaving, and the rest he had something like a week to complete it once home. Once he was in his Sr. year we did not do take them any more.

I would say go with the September vacation for three reasons; 1) it's cheaper, 2) it's longer, 3) hopefully it will be cooler and less humid. We did an August vacation one year and we said we would never do it again unless it was THE ONLY WAY to get a Disney vacation in.

You know your child better than any one on these boards. If you believe that this is something he can handle and the school district allows it, go for it. Maybe do one as an experiment to see how things go. I wouldn't have done a school time vacation if we thought it would be detrimental to our sons learning. I believe this is more important than the three reasons I listed above. We were lucky and it worked out fine with him.

 

[skiingwife]

If your child was in high school and taking harder courses, I'd really have to think about it. But it's 1st grade -- I'm sure you can get his assignments ahead of time and he can do them on vacation, if not before. No question - 7 nights on the Fantasy is far better!

 

[cass'mom]

Coming from someone who never pulled my kids during the school year, definitely do it! (Our school frowned on it big time!) I regret not letting them miss when they were younger when it wouldn't be a big deal. Now that we are in high school and middle school, it's impossible to miss time. Missing a week of addition and subtraction in first grade is minimal compared to missing pre-calculus! Take the longer cruise when it's cheaper and enjoy!

 

[IrishCowboy]

When our children were younger, we would pull them out of s school for September and May cruises just because they were so much cheaper and the weather was usually much better. As they got older and into high school and college, we were forced to cruise over the summer or during breaks (Thanksgiving).

Of course, we also have started doing Disney cruises for just DW and myself, and that has been awesome

 

[mhconley]

You've found a hot button topic here on the DIS. The age old pull your kid from school or not debate. I can tell you these threads sometimes get very contentious.

We take our son out of school for at least a week every year for family vacations. We have since he was in pre-school; he is starting 7th grade in the fall. My parents took me and my sister out of school for family vacations, too. I can tell you it has caused no harm to me, my sister or our son. For me, I'd opt for the longer cruise in the fall. Ultimately, the choice is yours.

Martin

 

[Happy100]

Longer fall cruise for sure would be my choice. However, some schools do frown on taking the child out but others do not. The school my son is in never had an issue with it and instead of giving my son the homework for the week he would miss they would have him do a special trip project. It was great and still very educational. Fall is a wonderful time to travel and I still would be doing it if my work scheduled allowed for it. Have a wonderful vacation whatever you choose.

 

[Tami0220]

I booked a cruise for late August last year but had to move my date to Labor Day weekend. I was able to go from a 5B room to concierge for $150 less. Book the fall cruise. You wont be sorry

 

[dcassetta]

My only concern with a child of that age would be how close to the start of the school year would your trip be. If it's in the first couple of weeks of school, I might be more hesitant to pull him because that's when the classroom schedules and patterns are really set. Also, that is such an important time for creating relationships with his classmates and teachers. However, if school has been in session for a month or so, then that would probably be okay. It is important to make sure and check with your district on absence policies. Some are much stricter than others.

 

[icesk8abc]

As a teacher that took a week off of school every year for family vacation...I say go for it. Notify the teacher in advance. Actually do the work if the teacher takes the trouble to get it ready ahead of time (this is the only issue I ever had with kids that took time off- if you ask for the work, at least attempt to do it). Realize that there may be more to make up when you return. If your school discourages it, find out what the truancy laws in your area are and then don't worry about their opinion. Go and have a fabulous time!

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Our kids are now 15 and 11. Trust me when I say you will NEVER regret going in the longer cruise. Those memories will last a lifetime. You have one chance to make these memories with your family, do it without looking back! It's too hard for our daughters to miss school now that they are in HS and Jr H. Believe me when I say "go for it"! 4 nts is a very short cruise, the 7 nts are Heavenly! I am happy for you!

 

[darkwing818]

X

My only concern with a child of that age would be how close to the start of the school year would your trip be. If it's in the first couple of weeks of school, I might be more hesitant to pull him because that's when the classroom schedules and patterns are really set. Also, that is such an important time for creating relationships with his classmates and teachers. However, if school has been in session for a month or so, then that would probably be okay. It is important to make sure and check with your district on absence policies. Some are much stricter than others.

OP I think this is the best advice, check with your school district, to fully understand their policy.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

First off, let me say I'm not judging anyone for what they do as each family is different and I'm not looking for a debate or fight with anyone.

With that said, I consider school my kids job and just like I can't take days off from my job during certain times of the year I play by the same rules with them, so my opinion is to go during the summer.

That's just my $.02 to the OP as she asked for opinions.

 

[quickcat]

I am embarrassed to say that we actually had our son out the first week of school before! It wasn't for a cruise but a vacation with grandpa and I didn't have the heart to say no. He still talks about that trip so it was a great choice.
So my obvious answer is the week long in September. You will love the fantasy and having more time to enjoy your vacation.
By the way, congrats on the new home!

 

[WishTree]

I'd agree with the majority here and go for the longer trip in the fall! I'd be nervous to have my child miss the first week of school, but other than that they will most likely learn so much more the cruise then at school. Best of luck to your family! I hope you have a magical trip no matter when you choose to go!

 

[mevelandry]

Longer trip in the fall. Get arrangements with the teachers!

 

[Ofinn]

Your six year old wont remember missing school and probably wont remember much of the cruise 10 years from now. I honestly wouldnt worry about it. Cruise when its cheaper.