What is the difference in a cruise taken end of May vs first week of Sept

[cheermom2four]

Other than a huge price shocker (I'm currently booked for Sept 3rd cruise on the Fantasy) and getting a little guilty feelings about pulling my son out of his JR year in high school for 4 days (since its labor day week which helps). The only other option that is the cheapest in summer is the May 28th cruise (same itinerary and boat) but its $2k more for the four of us in the same cat 04D room (we need one that sleeps 5 as youngest will fall off the ceiling bed, hubby too heavy and DS is definitely too tall for the ceiling bed - whatever it might be called, hence why we are searching for the rooms that sleep 5 in order to get the murphy bed). Are the cruises really packed feeling in May vs september when kids are back in school? Probably a really stupid question since the cruises usually cruise full. Maybe its the amount of kids. Is it overwhelming vs just going in more of an "off season"? By the way, DS and I have talked a lot about this and he said he could care less either way.

 

[Ofinn]

Most schools don't get out until mid June. I would save the 2k. In the long run your son is probably not going to be that affected by missing 4 days of school. You can do a lot with 2k, and since your son's not worried about making up the work I wouldn't be too concerned.

 

[jamieann]

You have the cruise scheduled for 2 weeks from now? If you cancel now, you'll lose 100% of your cruise fare.

 

[cheermom2four]

Or would changing it to Thanksgiving week be better than the May 28th? Same cost basically (within a few dollars, not a few hundred) for the cat 04D

 

[cheermom2four]

You have the cruise scheduled for 2 weeks from now? If you cancel now, you'll lose 100% of your cruise fare.

Sorry the cruise is for Sept 3rd of 2016 and basically already paid for

 

[cheermom2four]

Most schools don't get out until mid June. I would save the 2k. In the long run your son is probably not going to be that affected by missing 4 days of school. You can do a lot with 2k, and since your son's not worried about making up the work I wouldn't be too concerned.

schools here are out before Memorial day (this school year they end May 15th) but start mid August. I agree though, 4 days isnt much to miss close to the beginning of the school year. Maybe his teachers will work with us BEFORE we go and maybe he could try getting homework done beforehand if possible to count as regular. Plus like you said, $2k is quite a bit and would mean NO excursions vs we have money for excursions currently.

 

[jamieann]

Guess I could have figured that out if I looked at your signature

 

[ahain]

I would do September. Missing a week of school early on isn't a huge deal IMHO - much easier then than mid-year for a high school student. When the time comes, I would make certain that he speaks with each of his teachers well before the vacation to see if they need him to turn in/or work on any assignments before he leaves (doing the homework before you go is WAY better than him having to do it on vacation!)

 

[Quellman]

Since price is a concern go with what matches your budget. I know it is impossible to plan that far in advance, but is your son involved in any sports or clubs that he would miss something because of not being in school? I would be more concerned with the senior year of school, and even then, the end of it. Are kids really that crazy with rolling around the bed at 5? I know there is a rail in the middle, but you know your kids best! I know my 2 year old wouldn't make it on the lower bunk because he wads himself up all sorts of weird ways.

As you mention, correctly, the ships sail close to full it seems no matter what. There is less and less of an off season. However, May is the beginning of Hurricane Season.

*Oh great, now you throw in Thanksgiving. The ship will be decorated for Christmas. November is the end of thanksgiving.

Based on your criteria, Thanksgiving cruise sounds like it might be best for you and your family, if you don't mind a little bit chillier water.

 

[Ofinn]

schools here are out before Memorial day (this school year they end May 15th) but start mid August. I agree though, 4 days isnt much to miss close to the beginning of the school year. Maybe his teachers will work with us BEFORE we go and maybe he could try getting homework done beforehand if possible to count as regular. Plus like you said, $2k is quite a bit and would mean NO excursions vs we have money for excursions currently.

That's 2k you can put in his college fund which will benefit him more than the four days of class. My kids are a couple of years away from starting high school so I'm really starting to think about college costs.

 

[cheermom2four]

Since price is a concern go with what matches your budget. I know it is impossible to plan that far in advance, but is your son involved in any sports or clubs that he would miss something because of not being in school? I would be more concerned with the senior year of school, and even then, the end of it. Are kids really that crazy with rolling around the bed at 5? I know there is a rail in the middle, but you know your kids best! I know my 2 year old wouldn't make it on the lower bunk because he wads himself up all sorts of weird ways.

Actually, my dd turns 4 next week and she literally falls out of her full sized bed almost nightly so yep, its a concern (and she sleep walks just like I still do). As for sports, only thing he does is basketball which starts in the winter sports so maybe Thanksgiving isnt even an option. Guess I'm answering my own question and will just keep the september cruise and deal with the school next year. Who knows, policies for schools can change in a day so we will just be upfront and honest at the parent night the week school starts and nip it right at the beginning of school for 2016.

 

[eskimoinparadise]

Florida Colleges are done by mid-May, and cruises are a very popular graduation trip. Also, a lot of K-16 schools get out by then, and the European and South American migration is in full swing. End of May kicks off high season for Caribbean cruise lines - early September, on the other hand, is the peak of hurricane season which makes early September cruises a bit tougher to sell.

 

[cheermom2four]

Florida Colleges are done by mid-May, and cruises are a very popular graduation trip. Also, a lot of K-16 schools get out by then, and the European and South American migration is in full swing. End of May kicks off high season for Caribbean cruise lines - early September, on the other hand, is the peak of hurricane season which makes early September cruises a bit tougher to sell.

great info! Yep and the first hurricane of the season (Danny I believe) this year is slowly arriving

 

[sharona]

Florida Colleges are done by mid-May, and cruises are a very popular graduation trip. Also, a lot of K-16 schools get out by then, and the European and South American migration is in full swing. End of May kicks off high season for Caribbean cruise lines - early September, on the other hand, is the peak of hurricane season which makes early September cruises a bit tougher to sell.

This.

 

[Ofinn]

Florida Colleges are done by mid-May, and cruises are a very popular graduation trip. Also, a lot of K-16 schools get out by then, and the European and South American migration is in full swing. End of May kicks off high season for Caribbean cruise lines - early September, on the other hand, is the peak of hurricane season which makes early September cruises a bit tougher to sell.

We cruised the last week of May. I was surprised how empty St Martin was they told it was me it was their low season. I found it surprising until I cruised in February OMG were the ports crowed. Hanging out on these boards you forget the majority of cruisers are young and childless or empty nesters, and they're are not on Disney ships.

 

[aggiedog]

I pulled my two high schoolers out to miss finals in order to get a cheaper rate on our Northern European cruise. It saved us something like $6000. That was a no brainer. So $2000 for a few days at the beginning of the school year should be very doable.