For all you first-timers (and those CC members who aren't sure) - here's the FE (Fish Extender) explanation:
Outside each cabin on the ship by the door is a pewter fish. The crew uses this to leave you messages and other things. For example, if you rebook onboard, they will send you the confirmation in an envelope and it will be placed on the fish.
So, many years ago, a creative DISer decided that they could improve on this concept and "extend" the fish by adding hanging pockets from it. Then they could play secret santa and run around and leave small surprises in everyone else's "fish extenders" too. And the Fish Extender was born.
A Fish Extender exchange is organized by someone on your cruise meets thread. That person (or team of people) volunteers to coordinate a list for everyone who wants to participate. Often they will also post cabin updates, etc. on their door in case something changes once onboard. I'm happy to do this.
So what do you give/get in a fish extender? Really, anything you want. Some people will buy FE gifts, things like candy, special cruise pens/pencils, pirate accessories, etc. Others get a bit more creative and make things like cruise music cd's or cruise survival kits with aloe, aspirin, kleenex, highlighters, etc. Still other crazy individuals will handmake their entire gift. I have seen things from cross-stitch bookmarks, individual oil paintings, keychains, and luggage tags, to personalized picture frames, door magnets, and Disney lithographs. There is no cost guideline - but I would say the average spent is about $5 on each FE gift. That said, there are no rules and it's the thought that counts.
FE gifts are generally delivered after dinner the first night until mid-day the last day. They are not delivered during the last evening because that's when everyone is packing and leaving. On a 3-day cruise, that does limit when they can be delivered. But the groups tend to be a lot smaller on 3-day cruises.
You can deliver one general gift to each participating cabin, or you can personalize them for each cabin - for example, something small picked out especially for each member of that family. For example, somthing appropriate for a young girl, a teenage boy, and two adults. Or something for two adults, or something for two young girls and one adult. It's entirely up to you! You can also put your name and contact info on the gift, or keep it anonymous. Many people like to thank folks for the gifts they receive, but others really like the "santaesque" quality in staying secret.
Pros:
- Get to see all over the ship!
- Can peek into most kinds of cabins while wandering and really get a feel of the different categories.
- Meet fun people
- A GREAT way to convince the kids to leave the clubs - they'll really want to see what surprises might await in their pockets.
- Get wonderful souvenirs of your Disney cruise that you couldn't buy anywhere.
- Get creative and have a ton of fun preparing for your cruise - it extends that vacation feeling
Cons:
- Are there any?
- Ok, yes a couple.
- if you have a big group, this can really take a toll on your baggage, particularly if you are flying. I had a FE group once that had 80 cabins - that's a LOT of stuff to haul with you! (And take home!)
- If you've got a lot planned for your cruise, this can add to your time schedule.
There are several DIS threads that go over FE's, just search for Fish Extender. Also, you can make your own FE. There are duct-tape FEs and pot-holder FE's or stocking FE's. Or you can buy them from artists on Etsy.com and Ebay.com. They tend to run $20-30 +shipping depending on how fancy you want to go. Here is a picture of ours:
So that's the story on FE's. I hope you all will sign up! It's really a lot of fun to have 10-20 cabins involved!!!
from Chicago. We are going me, DH, DS 13 (turning 14 on the cruise) DS 9 and DD 9. We went 1 time on the Magic in 06 now coming back to see the Dream. We are DVC members staying at VB after cruise. Can't wait.
Thank you!! 
