Hi Joa,
I'm on this cruise too and was wondering if you know anything about the cruise traditions of secret gifts and swapping pins and magnets. What's the protocol and do you have to get into an organized group online to arrange this pre-cruise? I can see lots of stories about it out there but not sure if it happens on every cruise. Also, what is the check in area and boarding at Barcelona Port like? I was planning on keeping our cruise a secret from our kids until we are boarding but perhaps you are kept in a rather boring holding area for ages before you can board? I might have to tell them when we are driving to the port but wanted to keep the act going to make them think that we are just 'looking' at the ship and then wait to see their faces when we board. I've got Mickey cards with tickets inside for each of them with Disney Magic Dust Confetti in the envelope. Not sure when or where to surprise them with these envelopes as maybe you have to check in and wait around first in a grey room by the dockside - which might be a bit less exciting.
Any tips would be much appreciated
Sarah x
Hi Sarah
The cruise terminal at Barca is quite grey but
DCL put lots of signs up saying welcome aboard etc, so not sure how you'll keep it a secret for long. You'll all need to check in too so that may give the game away, but you could manage that by passing a short note to the CM maybe asking if they could play along and say you had a ships tour booked? You can register the children online for the clubs which will save time in port, but the children would still need to go and get their wristbands (depending on age), although this could be done once onboard with no problems.
What about your luggage? How will you explain that one? Are you arriving by taxi or DCL transfers? I suppose you could say that they're just looking after it for you, but be mindful that your luggage tag from DCL will have your name and stateroom number on it (you'll get them in the post in the next couple of weeks probably).
If you do tell them in the terminal, please find me first as I'd love to watch their faces!!!
For the swapping of gifts, it's the Fish Extenders. There isn't one for this cruise as its so quiet (on here, not on the ship). It really has to be an active cruise thread to even think about running it really I'm afraid. We're on the 7 night after this cruise too and they only have 3 people on the FE list .. Not good, but cheap!!!
Personally, I would stick to door magnets (have you done those or would you like some help?). Although FE are great, it impacts on your luggage allowance a fair bit sometimes!! We've done it on almost every cruise we've done, but we've opted out this year and Mick is super pleased!!!
Hope that info helps, but let me know if I can help any more. Only 50 odd days to go now and I can't bleddy wait!! A bit of sunshine will go a long way right now.
Joa