Homeschool on the Seas:

Yet Another Way to Make Learning Fun!

By Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com

In February 2006, my children and I embarked on the most exciting adventure I had as yet dreamed up for our family: They left their Montessori school and we began homeschooling officially. Now, we are about to embark, literally, on a new homeschool adventure: In September 9, 2007, we will board the Royal Caribbean Cruise ship "Explorer of the Seas" for a HomeschoolOnTheSeas.com six-day learning trip to Bermuda. If their school friends were envious before of my girls' freedom to learn at a pace and method to their individual personalities, that's nothing to what we're hearing now!

Many in my homeschooling circles have asked about when and how and where, especially after a reporter quoted me about it in an article about homeschooling in the Rochester, NY paper (which didn't quite characterize it accurately, but still aroused interest!). So I thought it would be neat to interview Mik McEwen, the Connecticut-based homeschool mom who is part of the energy and brains behind Homeschool On The Seas. I can't wait to meet her in person!

I'll be doing an extensive review of the cruise after we get back! --DR

KOA: Who had the idea for having a homeschool cruise, and how did you set it in motion?

Mik: As a homeschooling mother, I have always tried to create a homeschooling friendly environment for my children to spend their (and my) leisure time. We started homeschool vacationing about 5 years ago with our homeschool camping trips and cottage trips. We organize many trips each year to campgrounds and cabins in the Northeast. It was not only days and nights of fun for our children, but a supportive environment for us. My husband found that just sitting around the campfire or hiking with the other fathers was a nice way to connect with them and share his thoughts and concerns and questions about homeschooling. Nothing convinces a reluctant father (not mine, but some others we know) that homeschooling is wonderful and children are very well socialized than seeing their children interact with other homeschooled children for a whole weekend or week away.

One other thing that is a mixed blessing about homeschooling is the ability to vacation anytime of the year and the ability to take advantage of off-peak rates. In our experience, there were times when there were very few other children at the pool, beach or playground at the resorts we traveled to because the week wasn't a school vacation week.

So, you may ask, why homeschool cruises? Well, camping is nice for families, but we and other families in our network also enjoy a more "vacation" vacation where families are not working and can have meals prepared for them, anything they want at the tip of their fingers, ample entertainment for their children and a relaxing atmosphere for themselves. Rather than go on a cruise by ourselves, why not bring a group of other families along and provide a little "extra" for families that homeschool? That "extra" being service, gifts and education about the areas visited.

Mike Sobbell, the founder of Alumni cruises, and I got together and brainstormed and came up with the concept of "Homeschool on the Seas" to meet the needs of those families who want to vacation with other homeschooling families and have a bit of education thrown in the fun. Mike and I initially decided on a cruise to Bermuda, which would be affordable for families in the Northeast where we live. We were surprised by the amount of interest we received immediately upon advertising the cruise. Once we knew that "Homeschool on the Seas" was a hit, we decided to add a few more cruises, including a cruise to Alaska in 2008. Well, we were astonished at the amount of homeschooling families that signed up for updates about the Alaska cruise and asking about booking. Having no idea that Alaska was so popular, we realized we should have offered that cruise in 2007 instead of 2008....and we did!

KOA: What do the kids do on a homeschool cruise? What do the parents do?

Mik: "Homeschool on the Seas" is affiliated with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and with their support, we have booked groups of cabins for our families, on their regular cruises. Families will have all of the amenities of the cruise ship, as well as the special benefits of cruising with "Homeschool on the Seas". We have planned exciting educational programming for children with thought given to not overwhelming their vacation with "school" and have limited the educational component so that children can enjoy all of the entertainment and recreation on the ship.

Children will have access to the "Homeschool on the Seas" classes (and we don't require attendance, so if your child doesn't want to be pulled away from the waterslide, it is ok with us if it is ok with you!) as well as swimming in the pool, ice skating, in-line skating, rock climbing, miniature golf, basketball, live entertainment and Royal Caribbean children and youth programming and childcare.

Parents can also enjoy the sundeck, the pool, ice skating, in-line skating, rock climbing, miniature golf, basketball, live entertainment, theatre shows, dancing, game shows, cooking demonstrations, casino, comedy shows, Royal Promenade (Main Street USA in the middle of the ocean), golf simulator, dance instruction, contests and games, fine dining, day spa and fitness center and even a library!

It is our hope that your "Homeschool on the Seas" vacation will allow parents and children to relax and enjoy all that the cruise ship has to offer!

KOA: What ages of kids will have fun?

Mik: Children of all ages are welcome and parents will find plenty of activities for children to participate in on the ship. There are groups for almost all ages of children on board. "Homeschool on the Seas" offers educational programming for children 5 to teen. The following are opportunities offered by Royal Caribbean for children:

Fisher Price Playgroups
Join your 6- to 36-month-old in the fun of Fisher-Price Aqua Babies and Aqua Tots, interactive playgroup sessions developed by early childhood experts at Fisher-Price. Each 45-minute session offers age-appropriate activities that expose children to new experiences while seamlessly combining playtime with learning time. Learn more about Fisher-Price playgroups.

Adventure Ocean
Adventure Ocean is a complimentary program of fun and educational activities open to all guests ages 3-17. Children are separated by age: 3 to 5; 6 to 8; 9 to 11; 12 to 14; and 15 to 17. Your child will get to learn about local customs, do cool science experiments, and make great new friends. The 12-14 and 15-17 Adventure Ocean groups allow teens the freedom to come and go as they please for sports, themed parties, movie nights and more. Teens can also meet and relax in the laid-back Living Room lounge, or dance late into the night at Fuel, our teen-only nightclub.

Time for Mom and Dad
As a vacation for the whole family, Royal Caribbean also provides quiet time for Mom and Dad. That can be during the day, while the kids are at their own Adventure Ocean programs, or at night, while the kids are with babysitters. Babysitting is offered both in a group setting, and individually in your stateroom.

KOA: Is there family "alone time" as well?

Mik: As you can see from what I've said above, there will be plenty of time for families to vacation. We at "Homeschool on the Seas" know that vacation is about family, which is why we have do not have a heavy load of educational programming. We want this to be first and foremost a vacation!

KOA: I see you've added a cruise to Alaska. How do the Bermuda and Alaska cruises differ?

Mik: The Alaska cruise will differ from the Bermuda cruise in that there will be more stops in Alaska and the content of the education programming will differ. The Alaska cruise is on a specially designed ship which offers a panoramic view through endless panes of glass encompassing the ship. Families will have all of the amenities available on the Bermuda ship.

KOA:How did you go about determining pricing?

Mik: Our pricing is comparable to what you would find booking this same cruise through a travel agent or Royal Caribbean. For the same price through "Homeschool on the Seas", you get all of the following additional perks: lessons and activities are structured to your child's age group and homeschool learning style (science, history, current events, ecology, threats to ecology, colonization, political climate, government structure, economy, and culture). Upon arriving at one of the ports of call , families will have the opportunity to complete the HotS Quest, a memorable adventure for the whole family and special "Homeschooling on the Seas" events which may include a welcome reception, star gazing slumber party, evening socials, group excursions, and on-board games.

KOA: Tell me about your own family and homeschooling experience.

Mik: My husband, Ken, and I have 2 boys. My oldest will be 10 and my youngest will be 7. We have always homeschooled our children and have been very active in the homschooling community in CT. I have been on the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Homeschool Network for 5 years and currently serve as the Vice-President and Conference Coordinator. I have created and facilitated a homeschooling cooperative that has just had its 4-year anniversary.

KOA: Thank you, Mik! I look forward to meeting you!

Readers can find out about cabins and pricing at http://www.alumnicruises.org/hots_booking.htm.

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