Hi all -
I'm so excited to be on this cruise too. I was just reading some of the posts with FE questions and I thought I would try to help.
Feel free to ask any questions about it on the board or private message me.
Basically the FE is a gift exchange onboard that people sign up for prior to their cruise through the meet thread (since you are already here you are on the right track!) Usually what happens in the thread is someone volunteers to coordinate the FE for the sailing and you send them your basic info. This person then keeps the master list and sets the cutoff date for the last date you are able to sign up for the sailings.
In our cruises case "MyCathryn" has taken this on and this is a copy/paste from her earlier post on how to sign up:
I started a closed FB page. If you want to join please feel free...
http://www.facebook.com/groups/488555754542262/.
I dont think a FE group has officially started yet either. If you are interested in participating, please email me at
CathrynsCloset@aol.com.
Please send the following information that will be shared with everyone participating as we get closer to the cruse...
Name
DisName
Cabin Number
Age/Genders of the kids going
Which Dinner seating you were assigned
Favorite Characters
Allergies
Special Needs/Special Event you are celebrating
Would you like to participate in an on-board meetup?
The final date to participate is July 25th. I would need all the info in by then so it can be distributed and the magic can begin!!
As far as your actual FE (fish extender....gets its name becuase it hangs from the fish shaped clip outside your stateroom door). You can either make one or order them on etsy, ebay or other places online. Do a quick google search for fish extender and you will find them! There are also threads with all this information and how to make FE's (along with their maximum dimensions) on the boards here.
For the gifts, this is really where it is up to you as the gift giver. Some people give gifts to each cabin on the list, some people give gifts to each person in each cabin, depending on their ages. Some people make gifts, some people buy gifts. Some people put their gifts in bags with tags who they came from, some are anonymous. Some gifts have significance to the hometown of the giver, some do not. Some people give gifts multiple times during the cruise, some do it one time per trip.
My best advice is to give what you are comfortable with, any gift is appreciated! Part of the fun for our family is just coming back to the room and seeing what is in our FE...
I hope this all helps, but like I said, message me if it doesn't. Also there are lots of FE specific threads, so there is no shortage of ideas and info!