Sept. 2, 2012 Dream cruise

[McMomOf5]

Just signed up for the FE for this cruise. We've never done this before, can someone tell me how it works? Thanks! Can't wait, our kids will LOVE this!

 

[janeecjane]

hi all
wow , we have quite a few on the list now for the FE , must admit im getting really excited now !
i'm up for the closing date of 2nd August, will also have to decide who, what , when too ???? !!!
I'll have to bring you all a little taste of England !!!

 

[discoverydepot]

So is anyone else counting the days...54 til we leave and I am ready!

 

[Schafffamily]

hi all
wow , we have quite a few on the list now for the FE , must admit im getting really excited now !
i'm up for the closing date of 2nd August, will also have to decide who, what , when too ???? !!!
I'll have to bring you all a little taste of England !!!

August 2nd sounds perfect! That's one month out, hopefully will give us all enough time to get everything together lol. If there are any stragglers out there that sign up after August 2nd, it'll just be up to each family to decide if they'd like to add them to their list.

We have ordered our FEs (one for us, one for Gma) and have started on our FE gifts! Getting excited!!!

 

[Schafffamily]

Just signed up for the FE for this cruise. We've never done this before, can someone tell me how it works? Thanks! Can't wait, our kids will LOVE this!

First off, a Fish Extender comes in many different shapes and sizes.

http://www.google.com/search?q=fish+extenders+disney&hl=en&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=gVwEUOn_Eoa5qQHQmc3OAg&ved=0CEEQ_AUoAQ&biw=1680&bih=927

If the link above works, take a look at the pictures! These are some of the fancier fish extenders, but on our cruise there was everything from FEs like on that google link to gift bags to plastic grocery bags! Any kind of receptacle works, you just have to have a pocket/pouch/bag to put something in. Also, with a quick search on etsy or ebay, you can find a place to order one if, like us, you'd like a more personalized FE but don't have the talent or time to create your own. Maybe NEXT cruise, I'll get creative and have enough time to make our own, but this time we ordered one from a seller on etsy. Last time, we used a seller on ebay.

The FE is super fun! We participated last year on our first cruise and will definitely do it every time we cruise! We have three kids, ages 11-17. All three of them (and mom and dad too lol) were just so excited when we'd arrive back at our rooms with yet another FE gift in our pockets! I think the favorite gifts were the personalized ones; even the oldest of our kids got a kick out of the magnet with her name on it.

FE gifts can be ANYTHING your heart desires! Our cruise last year netted pencils, chocolates, personalized magnets, key chains from cruisers' home states, picture frames, Disney pins, Disney Wonder geocaching coins, a mixed cd of Mexican Riviera cruise inspired music, and much, much more! This can be as simple or as extravagant as the giver would like! Last year, we gave out birthday party favor type gifts, all Disney of course. This year, we're going to be a bit more creative.......

Okay! I'm hoping this has helped some. Sorry I didn't notice your post right away, we've been busy but for the rest of the summer will be cruise focused! WOO HOO!!!

 

[Schafffamily]

Just discovered how easy it is to make the vacation ticker! How did I not do this before??? Hoping this works and I haven't missed something!

Set it up for the day we leave for Disney World, August 23rd!

 

[Schafffamily]

Just discovered how easy it is to make the vacation ticker! How did I not do this before??? Hoping this works and I haven't missed something!

Set it up for the day we leave for Disney World, August 23rd!

Okay trying this again...lol.

 

[Schafffamily]

So, my gut is that since this is a short cruise, just four nights, and we have a relatively smaller FE group, let's have no rules! Pick whatever day/time you'd like to leave a surprise for everyone, whenever is convenient for your family!

Any opinions?

 

[Schafffamily]

Is anyone interested in having a DISboards meet the first afternoon we're on the cruise? We participated in one last time (also our first time lol) and it was very casual. Folks just visiting from 5-45 minutes, saying hello, putting faces to names, that's about it. We could do this briefly if anyone is interested! It was kind of fun throughout the cruise smiling and saying hi when we'd see each other, or maybe be on a team during a game or activity!

 

[doombuqqy]

OMG! so excited they posted FL resident specials this eve and I think I have talked my husband into it! I am soooooooo excited I have not read through the whole thread but I will in the morning. This will be our 6th cruise 2nd on the DREAM. I wouild love to participate in the fish extender gifts if it is not to late. I will let you know tomorrow if we are joining everyone's cruise vacation!

 

[Schafffamily]

OMG! so excited they posted FL resident specials this eve and I think I have talked my husband into it! I am soooooooo excited I have not read through the whole thread but I will in the morning. This will be our 6th cruise 2nd on the DREAM. I wouild love to participate in the fish extender gifts if it is not to late. I will let you know tomorrow if we are joining everyone's cruise vacation!

So fun!!!! Do join the FE group! I'm guessing if they released FL resident specials, the cruise is not as full as we previously though! Good luck with the hubby and welcome to our cruise!

 

[doombuqqy]

Went to book and she said early and late dining is available that is unbelievable so there must be lots of cabins still available. We will def be doing the FE. I am up for a meet before sailaway just let us know when and where. this will be our first cruise as gold members

 

[Schafffamily]

Went to book and she said early and late dining is available that is unbelievable so there must be lots of cabins still available. We will def be doing the FE. I am up for a meet before sailaway just let us know when and where. this will be our first cruise as gold members

LOL Well this will be our first cruise as Castaway Club members (aka our 2nd cruise). Gold....how exciting!

Here's the FE sign up: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AkQy2T3aOGWLdEJVRXIyM1BZOXUtSGU2QWZFQ2x3d3c#gid=0

The idea of a cruise that's not so full is a lovely one. I've heard the Dream, at capacity, is just a TON of people! We were on the Wonder the first cruise. Our travel agent told us that "the Dream could EAT the Wonder for lunch" lol. Excited and intimidated by the big ship!

 

[doombuqqy]

Our first experience on the Dream was 2/2012 our wedding anniversary cruise. It was about the 5th sailing since it's maiden voyage and it was so crowded, they had not figured out how to move all those people yet but I have read that has changed, for my husband's sake I hope it has or he will kill me We will be staying on the ship in Nassau again. But we have done several excursions there if anyone wants some info. I loved the sealion excursion! We have also done the stingray, not my favorite only because I was scared of them. It was right after Steve Irwin died and they are very aggressive when they know they are getting fed

 

[DiSnEyFrEaK22]

Hi everyone! My husband and I are considering cruising on Sept 2nd for our wedding anniversary. I am looking at the VGT for $1,426.00 on disneycruiseline.com, do you guys think it's a good deal? I haven't been keeping my eye on this cruise so I'm not really sure, what do you all think? Thanks!

 

[Schafffamily]

Our first experience on the Dream was 2/2012 our wedding anniversary cruise. It was about the 5th sailing since it's maiden voyage and it was so crowded, they had not figured out how to move all those people yet but I have read that has changed, for my husband's sake I hope it has or he will kill me We will be staying on the ship in Nassau again. But we have done several excursions there if anyone wants some info. I loved the sealion excursion! We have also done the stingray, not my favorite only because I was scared of them. It was right after Steve Irwin died and they are very aggressive when they know they are getting fed

Any chance you went parasailing at Castaway Cay? As far as Nassau goes, we're considering staying on the ship...since we haven't been there yet, is there anything about Nassau that you would say is a MUST?

 

[Schafffamily]

Hi everyone! My husband and I are considering cruising on Sept 2nd for our wedding anniversary. I am looking at the VGT for $1,426.00 on disneycruiseline.com, do you guys think it's a good deal? I haven't been keeping my eye on this cruise so I'm not really sure, what do you all think? Thanks!

Sounds like a good price to me, although I am not too familiar with VGT. Have you booked VGT before? (BTW it's our wedding anniversary too!)

 

[doombuqqy]

Any chance you went parasailing at Castaway Cay? As far as Nassau goes, we're considering staying on the ship...since we haven't been there yet, is there anything about Nassau that you would say is a MUST?

Have not parasailed but I bet it is a blast, Nassau has alot of pirate history if you are interested in that. The water is beautiful, my husband laughs because I take all kind of pics of the waterYou also have an aquarium at Atlantis and portions of casino royale were filmed there. You also have the queens staircase. Nothing is a MUST do but if this is your first trip there I would get off and just look around a little, get a cab or just walk north away from the main center where it's not so nice

Hi everyone! My husband and I are considering cruising on Sept 2nd for our wedding anniversary. I am looking at the VGT for $1,426.00 on disneycruiseline.com, do you guys think it's a good deal? I haven't been keeping my eye on this cruise so I'm not really sure, what do you all think? Thanks!

I think that is a great price, we paid $1950 last Feb for our anniversary in a cat 9. The fun thing about a VGT is waiting to see what cabin you get, def will have a good one but is always exciting to see if you get a great upgrade! I would think with this cruise not being full yet you may get some Good luck we would love to meet you.

 

[DiSnEyFrEaK22]

Thank you for letting me know! We are waiting for the Southwest sale to come out tomorrow, then we will book. I am so excited!! Lots of wedding anniversaries on board, so sweet! I have never booked a restricted stateroom, so we're just going to wing it! Oh by the way, SCHAFFFAMILY, parasailing on Castaway Cay was awesome. Try to book an early morning time slot. On our honeymoon it was cancelled due to high winds (afternoon 2010), but last September 2011 we were able to go and it was beautiful!!

 

[fldisfanatic]

Saw the great Florida Residents rate and talked my hubby into booking a cruise! This will be our 4th cruise, but our 1st on the Dream and 1st without any kids

After homeschooling both boys all the way through high school (youngest graduated in May), this is MY graduation gift I was thinking of a Cat 5, and my Disney Cruise reservation specialist told me we could get a Cat 4D for the same price.

Was shocked to have the choice of dining times this close to the sail date - must not be a very full cruise.

Can't wait to explore the Disney Dream!!