Marylandteachergirl

I quit teaching during my first year. After doing student teaching in Howard and Montgomery counties I expected to have a really nice career. I moved to Ft Lauderdale after graduating and couldn't even get an interview until October. Finally I was given a portable classroom (like a trailer) in an inner city neighborhood with both 3rd and 4th graders (all the kids the other teachers didn't want) who could barely read or do basic math. I didn't have access to a photocopier or to supplies and I was supposed to teach 7 subjects to 2 grades at the same time. The school was so messed up that they put a 6 yr old into my 3rd grade! It was impossible and I was miserable. I went back to school and became a psychotherapist/social worker with adult clients and I love it.

And there is the prefect example of why so many great teachers leave the profession - not because of the kids, but the mess and lack of any district organization. So sorry that happened, but congratulations on finding something you love!

And to keep more on topic, we booked Hilton Marina for October. :) Now I have to decide between Coconuts and Nanking. Different cuisines, I know. But we will only have time for one...

Thanks. I did my student teaching in Howard too, at Steven's Forest Elementary in Columbia. It sounds like you found a really nice job.

Are you still teaching ?

I student taught at Phelps Luck Elementary in Columbia.

This summer will be four years since I stepped out of the classroom. There are things I miss - the relationships with the kids. But also things I do not miss, like the politics. This job is a nice blend of both - and I get to recommend a lot of books and authors.

I'd really like to just be able to cruise all the time, but since that doesn't work out, this job will have to suffice. ;)

Thank you! I'll be in Maryland next week visiting my teacher friends in Howard and Montgomery counties. My friend's son just became a teacher too!

I did my student teaching in Howard County and now work for the Howard County Library System as a liaison between the school system and the library. Small world!!

My daughter just decided (after one year of college in pre-nursing) that she wants to be an educator, too.

Safe travels and enjoy Maryland. I hope you have a wonderful time!

royalcruz is absolutely awesome with her advice. And quick!

We will be back in FLL in Oct., and she has helped us so much!

Hi Shelly,

Here is a link to a review by CC'er Garaver with attached cruise compasses. If you read through, there should be some info about Adventure Ocean. If I see anything else that is timely regrading AO, I will post that here for you, too.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2367873&highlight=empress+compass

I have started this thread because I cannot find a roll call for Empress Sailing July 28. Hope to see many of you there. Also, who has information on Adventure Ocean for the kids.

Hi Shellygonz,

Our roll call is pretty small (so far), but please, come on over! :)

I do not have any information about Adventure Club, but I know there are several families with children sailing on July 28th. Someone recently posted the cruise compasses from an Empress sailing that may have some info with times/activities, etc. There is also a CC member currently on Empress doing live updates. Hopefully he will post the compasses, too.

I will see if I can find them again tonight after work and post them for you.

Just a little more than 2 weeks now!!!!

Can't wait to read more!!

Can't wait to read your review. We will be on Empress in three weeks. THANK YOU so much for taking the time to do this!

Wishing you a great cruise.

Looking forward to viewing all of these after work tonight. Thank you Christina and Cruise Critic!!

Because you're a suite guest, it's protocol that the Suite Ambassador for your specific itinerary (be it Daniela or whoever) emails you several days before your sailing. Apparently, that's the best time to address any special requests with them, like cabana reservations.

 

From our experience, they don't really want to deal with it before then. And they've always been able to accommodate us, even if we've waited to reserve on board.

 

Have fun!

Thank you! I am sure I will hear from someone soon, then.

Again, another thank you for a fantastic and informative review.

Hello Mr. and Mrs. Winks!

Thank you for the wonderful AND encouraging review of Empress. You have calmed many of my concerns.

Do you happen to have the e-mail for Daniella? We will be in an OS, same as you, but will stop at CocoCay (assuming winds are weather are favorable), and wanted to ask about reserving a cabana. I don't think your sailing stopped there. Or if you have any other ideas besides her email....?

Thank you so much!

Hi smile145!

I am looking for the same information, but for Empress.

On another post/review, someone said the loyalty ambassador was acting partially as the concierge. I will see if I can find that again and post back here if I find anything. When is your sailing?

We were on Enchantment last year in a suite and had a cabana reserved, but the ship didn't tender due to high winds. Hoping to try again. ")

Thank you for your thoughts.

Has anyone seen a post with the cruises compasses posted? I thought I saw some, but I sure cannot find them now.

It's like people asking if they speak English in Hawaii.

There are a lot of people who don't speak English in Hawaii - and in Texas, California and S. Florida, too. Or at least, not much English. (former teacher ;)

I will be on Empress for a quick 4 day cruise next month. Yes, I have read the reviews.

Just wondering if lobster is available for an upcharge in either the dining room or Chops?

I can't stand the stuff, but DH likes it.

Thank you so much!!!

Thank you for the great information and links. We are still in the decision stage. I read some people fly to Vermont or New Hamlshire, then rent a car, but that still seems a long drive.

Grandeur was ok, but I would like to perhaps try a slightly different/longer itinerary.

Thank you again!

I was in Bar Harbor at the same time (not on a cruise) and it was very disappointing that the government shutdown forced them to close Acadia. I hope you get back someday, it is quite a fantastic national park! I try to get there a few times a year.

I think we are planning on fall 2018, so I will get a do-over! Thanks!!!

Hello! We sailed this itinerary on the Grandeur from Baltimore 2 years ago on a 9 night cruise. We are thinking about a repeat, or possibly Anthem (depends on pricing) from Cape Liberty in 2018.

We are in our mid-40's, and I would say we were one of a handful of "youngsters" on the ship. Many passengers had assistive devices, walkers, scooters, wheelchairs, etc, so be prepared to wait sometimes and delays for tenders and exiting ship. Just takes patience.

I did feel there was not as much to "do" on this, as a Caribbean sailing. One night we walked across the pool deck around 9pm and we were the ONLY people out there. No one, including crew - it was kinda eerie in a cool way.

We sailed Oct 9th - and weather definitely got cooler as we sailed north. We missed the fall color peak, but saw some beautiful colors anyway. I wore a wool sweater at Peggy's Cove. I do not like lobster, but my husband does, and he had several fresh from the water ones that were delicious (according to him), but I do like blueberries, and had the most amazing blueberry pie.

What I most wanted to do, was see Acadia National Park, and we had the bad luck to visit during the government shut down - so national parks closed. :( I think we need a repeat visit.

I have to say that sailing from Baltimore was very easy for us, since we live in Maryland, and the staff on that ship was amazing. (Grandeur). I think Serenade from Boston or Anthem may be our next choice, just because it's a little different.

You will have a great time - just be prepared for it to be a different feel than the caribbean. Happy planning!

Hello!

We have sailed one NE/Canada sailing on Grandeur from Baltimore.

We are considering another sailing, and wonder about the cruises that sail from New Jersey one way to Quebec City. Does anyone have experience flying to a US city and renting a car and driving to Quebec City? Or other options...

Just looking right now - might even consider Anthem, and probably for 2018, but not convinced that I want to do Grandeur again.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

Freedom Jan. 2018 and Navigator ABC islands April. 2018.

Just wanted to say again, THANK YOU to Steerage Joe and Royal Cruz for sharing your time and knowledge on this board. You both are truly appreciated!!!

:cool::cool:

And let me tell you that in April Orlando was a total cluster with TSA. We were in line almost 1 1/2 hrs! .. And it was not that busy!

We experienced the same thing in November and last May, too! It was crazy - getting through security.

Though I have to say Washington, DC airports and Baltimore are not a lot better lately.

It's not a leg at all. I have a Southwest flight to Orlando and a United/Silver flight from Orlando to FLL 4 days later.

I will just call at some point this week and see what the change fee is to have a future credit issued. Hopefully the credit will be with United, since that is my original invoice. And yes, luggage would have cost us $130 to check.

Thank you Steerage Joe! That map is better than the one I have been using. I could also drop off the car at the FLL airport location. Does that seem a better idea? Generally, I like to avoid airport traffic, but if any FLL locals consider that a much better idea, I would switch.

Thank you IndyDenise!

While the whole reason I didn't want to drive was because I HATE driving in unfamiliar places, it does seem a pretty straight route from one city to the other.

Assuming every single thing went okay with the flight, I would be fine, but there seem to be very many things that may not go fine.