October 12, 2013 - Western Caribbean on the Fantasy!!!

[adrianna_sarah]

I have a question. I know that I don't have gold status until this cruise is completed, but for the purposes of the onboard booking of my next cruise, will I have the booking benefits of being gold? (Higher OBC for example.) Yes, I'm already thinking about my next cruise.

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Please add me to the Bon voyage meet. It could just be me, my 8 year old and my MIL as my 3 year old could be napping.

Thanks, Heather

Heather are your in laws a new addition, or have I just not been paying attention? I have invited my parents to go with us each time we have cruised, but they fear that they will not enjoy Disney. How did you sell it? Time with the grandkids is not enough of a carrot on this end.

 

[mrssmiddy]

Heather are your in laws a new addition, or have I just not been paying attention? I have invited my parents to go with us each time we have cruised, but they fear that they will not enjoy Disney. How did you sell it? Time with the grandkids is not enough of a carrot on this end.

I'm bringing my parents along. They are really excited about it.

 

[HeddyRuth]

Heather are your in laws a new addition, or have I just not been paying attention? I have invited my parents to go with us each time we have cruised, but they fear that they will not enjoy Disney. How did you sell it? Time with the grandkids is not enough of a carrot on this end.

We live in AZ and they live in GA. They also love to cruise. It was an easy sell . I mentioned the FE idea to her and she looked a bit stunned so I haven't mentioned that part to her again. It should be interesting to see what they think of a Disney cruise.

 

[kendzee94]

Add us to the meet as well. We will do our best to make it. It would be 2 adults, 2 children. It is nice to get to meet some folks at the start of the cruise....

And I am going to throw this out there for anyone interested. We have a tradition of getting up really early on boarding day, and watching the ship come in. Port Canaveral has an excellent viewpoint to watch the ship come up the channel. On our last Disney Cruise, we actually had 6 other people from the cruise group join us that morning, and so any that want to join, are of course welcome.

It is only an option for those that are staying in Port Canaveral or Cocoa Beach the night prior, as it is early, and not an exact science.
We have traditionally arrived around 5:30 am to see our ship come in.
We then usually get breakfast and go back to the hotel to get things together.

There is something magical about watching a ship come in, and know that in a few very short hours you will be onboard!

Here are a couple of pics, one of the Disney Magic come in, and one of a sunrise soon afterward when we went to visit the marina for a different view of the ship....

Wow! Looks fabulous! We would love to join you but will be waking up at Kidani that morning. We have a car service bringing us to port so we don't get there too late!

 

[adrianna_sarah]

We live in AZ and they live in GA. They also love to cruise. It was an easy sell . I mentioned the FE idea to her and she looked a bit stunned so I haven't mentioned that part to her again. It should be interesting to see what they think of a Disney cruise.

I have a feeling that a certain family I know (ours) will soon be living in Georgia. We lived near Columbus in 01-02, but this time will be closer to Savannah. Being driving distance from Port Canaveral/WDW is going to be dangerous.

Having just retired, my parents are actually trying their first cruise this summer to Alaska, so maybe they'll get bit the bug.

 

[adrianna_sarah]

We live in AZ and they live in GA. They also love to cruise. It was an easy sell . I mentioned the FE idea to her and she looked a bit stunned so I haven't mentioned that part to her again. It should be interesting to see what they think of a Disney cruise.

PS I'm with your mother on the FE. Too much work when I'm trying to get my relax on. Haven't done one since DCL #2. I am neither crafty, nor creative.

 

[abitagirl916]

PS I'm with your mother on the FE. Too much work when I'm trying to get my relax on. Haven't done one since DCL #2. I am neither crafty, nor creative.

I'm with you on the FE.....although I have never done it, and though it looks kinda fun, I want to relax and just do what I want to do on vacation. I don't want to be running around each day trying to find rooms and I especially don't want to carry a lot of extra stuff. I'm an overpacker as it is, I don't need extra. And I also am not crafty or creative.

But I have no problem with those that like to do the FEs. To each his own.

 

[RitzBitz2]

My family will be aboard the Fantasy 10/12/13 and are first timers. It will be my husband, myself, our 2 sons (ages 5 & 7) and my in laws. A friend recommended becoming part of a fish extenders group. Sounds like fun, but I have no idea how to go about doing so. If someone would be kind enough to point me the right direction I'd really appreciate it. Also if there are any other pointers the experienced cruisers want to share I would love to hear them. Thanks so much!

 

[scorp111]

My family will be aboard the Fantasy 10/12/13 and are first timers. It will be my husband, myself, our 2 sons (ages 5 & 7) and my in laws. A friend recommended becoming part of a fish extenders group. Sounds like fun, but I have no idea how to go about doing so. If someone would be kind enough to point me the right direction I'd really appreciate it. Also if there are any other pointers the experienced cruisers want to share I would love to hear them. Thanks so much!

First, welcome to the group!

Second, you will have a blast!

Third a bit about Fish Extenders here (borrowed from the DIS board):

A Fish Extender Primer

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So just what exactly is a fish and just why does it need extending? Well& The fish is a combination wall decoration/ornament and message clip that is attached to the wall outside every cabin on a Disney Ship. The CMs (thats Cast Members for the newbies) use them to leave messages, official forms or invitations for the occupants of the cabin as needed. Its kind of like a glorified fridge-magnet and it looks like this: (click on the image to enlarge)



A Fish Extender is any thing that you care to hang on the fish. Literally anything will qualify, but in general, they are usually some type pocket organizer similar to a shoe caddy or mail organizer. They can be as simple as a canvass bag or as complex as your imagination cares to stretch. Here are a couple from our last cruise: (click to enlarge)




Were are not very good with a needle and thread, so we engineered ours out of a couple of small cotton bags, a Disney themed bandana and some chain from a light fixture and ended up with this variation on the idea: (click to enlarge)



So, whats it for? Well& Its become a kind of Secret Santa game played by the folks who roam the DIS Boards. The idea is that every DIS Member who is on the same cruise will go around the ship and leave a little nick-nack or whats-it in the pouches for the other members that are playing along. The generally agreed rules are that you give out gifts to each participant once per cruise, and that the gifts should be very inexpensive trinkets that either fit a cruise or holiday theme and/or show off a little taste of who you are or the place that you call home. Heres a link to a continuing thread on the boards that discusses the subject at length:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1219607

 

[RitzBitz2]

Thank you!

 

[abitagirl916]

My family will be aboard the Fantasy 10/12/13 and are first timers. It will be my husband, myself, our 2 sons (ages 5 & 7) and my in laws. A friend recommended becoming part of a fish extenders group. Sounds like fun, but I have no idea how to go about doing so. If someone would be kind enough to point me the right direction I'd really appreciate it. Also if there are any other pointers the experienced cruisers want to share I would love to hear them. Thanks so much!

to you and your family. Glad you all will be joining us.
kendzee94 here on our meet thread is organizing the FE groups. I'm sure she will see your post and will add you to the list. We are also doing a "meet and greet" on the day we board. It will be at 2:30pm at the Bon Voyage lounge (an open area in the Atrium, Deck 3, so child friendly). If you would like to participate let me know.
I am cruising with my DD(24) and my Aunt. This is our 3rd DCL cruise for my DD and myself, and my Aunt's 1st DCL cruise. DCL cruising is really a lot of fun!

 

[kendzee94]

My family will be aboard the Fantasy 10/12/13 and are first timers. It will be my husband, myself, our 2 sons (ages 5 & 7) and my in laws. A friend recommended becoming part of a fish extenders group. Sounds like fun, but I have no idea how to go about doing so. If someone would be kind enough to point me the right direction I'd really appreciate it. Also if there are any other pointers the experienced cruisers want to share I would love to hear them. Thanks so much!

Welcome!!!

For the FE, I guess I am the go to person...I need names and your room number and I will add you to list #2. You will be added to list #2.

Do you have FB? Here is the link to our meet page....
https://www.facebook.com/groups/321138694651550/

It's closed so you have to request to join. Additionally, there are quite a few FB pages with a ton of ideas. Let us know if you need those links too!

I'm not sure if you can do a search with under 10 posts, but do a search for homemade FE and you will get a bunch of great ideas here also!

 

[RitzBitz2]

to you and your family. Glad you all will be joining us.
kendzee94 here on our meet thread is organizing the FE groups. I'm sure she will see your post and will add you to the list. We are also doing a "meet and greet" on the day we board. It will be at 2:30pm at the Bon Voyage lounge (an open area in the Atrium, Deck 3, so child friendly). If you would like to participate let me know.
I am cruising with my DD(24) and my Aunt. This is our 3rd DCL cruise for my DD and myself, and my Aunt's 1st DCL cruise. DCL cruising is really a lot of fun!

Thank you so much. I will have to check to see if my inlaws (2nd timers) have any plans or hopes for departure. The cruise is a gift from them so I am trying to make sure that they are getting all they want out of it too. Thanks for walking through the planning experience!

 

[RitzBitz2]

Welcome!!!

For the FE, I guess I am the go to person...I need names and your room number and I will add you to list #2. You will be added to list #2.

Do you have FB? Here is the link to our meet page....


It's closed so you have to request to join. Additionally, there are quite a few FB pages with a ton of ideas. Let us know if you need those links too!

I'm not sure if you can do a search with under 10 posts, but do a search for homemade FE and you will get a bunch of great ideas here also!

Wonderful!
I am waiting for the room number from my inlaws.
In our room will be:
Ethan (dad - husband)
Jen (mom - wife)
Jackson (7 year old boy - son)
MacKenly (5 year old boy - son)

I am on FB and will request to join. Please let me know if you need anything else from me and as soon as I get the room number I will pass it along to you. Thank you so much!
Jen

 

[kendzee94]

Wonderful!
I am waiting for the room number from my inlaws.
In our room will be:
Ethan (dad - husband)
Jen (mom - wife)
Jackson (7 year old boy - son)
MacKenly (5 year old boy - son)

I am on FB and will request to join. Please let me know if you need anything else from me and as soon as I get the room number I will pass it along to you. Thank you so much!
Jen

So what I need to know is if your inlaws are participating, if so, will they have a separate FE? And of course room # once you get it Thanks!!

 

[kendzee94]

Wait I lied ....I also need wrist sizes in inches for the ladies in the FE group, please and thanks!

 

[RitzBitz2]

Wait I lied ....I also need wrist sizes in inches for the ladies in the FE group, please and thanks!

Apparently, our cabin is a wait list situation. All I know for sure is that it will be somewhere on deck 5 or above. So, as soon as Disney lets me know, I will make sure to let you know.

My inlaws will not participate in the fe group. It will be just the 4 of us:
Jen - mom (wrist size 7.5inches)
Ethan - dad
Jackson - 7 year old boy
MacKenly - 5 year old boy

I did request to join the FB group, haven't been approved yet.

Hope to update soon with the room #.

Enjoy your holiday.
Jen

 

[abitagirl916]

DisMEET/BON VOYAGE
[/LIST]
(Deck 3, Midship, in the grand Atrium) -- TIME: 2:30 PM
abitagirl916 = 3 adults
MickeezMeg = 2
mhconley = 2 adults, 1 child
kendzee94 = 1 adult, 1 child
mrssmiddy = 4 adults, 2 children
luvmygrljb = 2 adults, 1 child
Amandanoel30 = 2 adults, 1 child
Crystal See = 2 adults, 4 children
HeddyRuth = 2 adults, 1 child (possibly 2 children)
scorp111 = 2 adults, 2 children

DisMeet/Bon Voyage List updated.

Okay, everyone. Our DisMeet has really grown (which is great!), but now it seems that our venue, the Bon Voyage Lounge, will be too small for the number of people that will be attending. The Tube, Deck 4 Aft, is another choice. Although it is for adults only the majority of the cruise, on the first day, all ages are allowed. Or if anyone has any other suggestions, please post and let us know.

 

[HeddyRuth]

Okay, everyone. Our DisMeet has really grown (which is great!), but now it seems that our venue, the Bon Voyage Lounge, will be too small for the number of people that will be attending. The Tube, Deck 4 Aft, is another choice. Although it is for adults only the majority of the cruise, on the first day, all ages are allowed. Or if anyone has any other suggestions, please post and let us know.

I like the idea of the tube!