12/22/2011 Disney Dream Christmas Cruise

[place513]

We are booked on the 12/22 Dream Cruise. There will be 15 of us from Illinois traveling down to enjoy time in the sun! The trip is a Christmas present from my parents. (Love them!) We will have 7 kiddos with us. (dd-11, ds-8 and 5 nephews- 9, 7,7, 3,3) 10 of us are going to Disney before and after the cruise for a few days. I'm wondering what other people are doing about Santa/stockings for kids. Are you bringing gifts onboard or waiting till you get home?

 

[Lexi221]

Hey there... glad I found this thread! Myself, my sister and my two DS (13 and 6) will be joining you all on board. We are keeping it a complete surprise from the boys... going to Disney for a few days before and not telling them until we are on the road heading to the port... I cannot wait!!! We will also be staying a few days at Disney post-cruise.

I'm wondering what other people are doing about Santa/stockings for kids. Are you bringing gifts onboard or waiting till you get home?

This is something that I have been wondering as well... I feel like I should hang stockings, or set up a little table top tree, at least. I would like to bring some small gifts onboard for Christmas morning, because although my oldest probably wouldn't care, my little one would be absolutely crushed if Santa didn't pay him a visit, even while at sea!!!

 

[TrySomethingNew]

My Family will be on the cruise for the holiday! DH, myself, and two DDs - ages 13 and 5. They do not know, and I hope to keep it that way until we board the DCL transit from WDW on the 22nd. We fly in on the 21st and plan to visit Downtown Disney. We fly back home after we disembark. For Christmas morning, I'll bring the kid's stockings with some treats/small presents...with the main gift being the cruise experience.

We have never been on a cruise, and I should confess that I am a little nervous about the cruise. .....All that water..... Anyway, the cruise was my idea (try something new) and we are celebrating a milestone that we (DH and I) reached in May.

As for Disney, I've not been since the early 70's when I was very young and the kids and husband have never been to Disney.

 

[kasha321]

It's getting closer!! Just for the fun of it, i check the cruise and there are rooms available for 2 adults and 2 kids on the Dec 22 cruise!!! We are booked up for the kids!!!! For just 2 adults, there were only 2 types of rooms available..... I know this is cheesy to check but it is fun!! We all are the lucky ones who will be able to cruise the Dream for Christmas (and my daughters 8th birthday!!!!).

The count down continues!!

 

[kasha321]

Oops!! Correction*** There are no rooms available for 2 adults with 2 kids ***

 

[jenshell75]

G'day Christmas Cruisers,
Well are we all doing the double digits dance

We are and everytime I think about our cruise I start to shake with excitment.

Now I had promised my family a party for our 100 day mile stone however I just started a new business selling little petti skirts and other cute clothes I named the business Calliope's Closet after my daughter you can search me on facebook if you like. Anyway being busy everyday time just flew past and we have not managed to have our 100 day party. Not to worry I am sure we will make up for it when we get to WDW and the cruise.

Has anyone joined a FE yet or heard of one ?? Has anyone on this page ever been part of one or would like to organise it?? I am happy to help out and I have been stalking a few pages so I think we can organise one with out too much trouble. I read that most FE finalise their numbers about 6 weeks from Sail date so we don't have long.

If there is an exchange going I would love for my family to be part of it as we love giving and receiving suprises but if not I am happy to organise one.

Please let me know what everyone's ideas on this are.

Jen

 

[TrySomethingNew]

I'm interested in participating. Never participated in one, so I am unsure about organizing it. I think that in the next few weeks as school routines and schedules settle in and thoughts turn to the holidays, we will see more interest in Fish Extenders/ exchange. I'm looing forward to it!

 

[TrySomethingNew]

the Passporters discussion board (different site) has a recent discussion about Fish Extenders and that DCL may not allow them at some point in the future - stuff in the hallways, etc. This was NOT an official statement by DCL, and it was mentioned to one cruiser by a cast member on a recent cruise. So, we will see what happens. I can only imagine that people will do exchanges in some way, and to not allow FE's would probably create more variety in where things are left, etc. I hope that there is enough interest for the 12/22/11 cruise!

 

[TrySomethingNew]

To Dream Dec 22, 2011 Fellow Cruisers: If you are interested in joining in a Fish Extender Exchange, here is a google link to a spreadsheet that you can enter your information into: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AgtyyoONP2R1dFA0cHhra1VLYklGRzN0Z0pRaEx3VXc&hl=en_US

Since an FE exchange is meant to be fun - don't stress about it! Can't make a special FE? buy some small fabric bags at the craft store and connect them with ribbon or buy a small hanging organizer. Make sure that the entire thing is no wider than 8 inches. Worried about size and weight and packing? don't worry - think "thin" and "light" - paper, photos, candy, maps, etc, etc, fit the bill. Not crafty? that's OK and if you want to do something crafty, this may be perfect for your friend/relative/co-worker who is crafty and just needs an outlet (your FE exchange).

 

[haddybaby]

Has anyone joined a FE yet or heard of one ?? Has anyone on this page ever been part of one or would like to organise it?? I am happy to help out and I have been stalking a few pages so I think we can organise one with out too much trouble. I read that most FE finalise their numbers about 6 weeks from Sail date so we don't have long.

If there is an exchange going I would love for my family to be part of it as we love giving and receiving suprises but if not I am happy to organise one.

Please let me know what everyone's ideas on this are.

Jen

I have participated in a FE, but not been a part of organizing one. I'd be happy to help you figure it out though Jen.

 

[CaliMouseVacationeer]

Hi all,

I'm new to the FE thing, does the Dream still have the same fish clip as the Wonder and Magic? Are the gifts given per family, or per individual listed? I'm also assuming that we just give one gift during the exchange, and we're told which day to deliver? OK, can you tell I've never done this before? It looks like so much fun, and I know the kids'll get a kick out of finding goodies, especially since this is the holiday cruise!!

 

[jenshell75]

To Dream Dec 22, 2011 Fellow Cruisers: If you are interested in joining in a Fish Extender Exchange, here is a google link to a spreadsheet that you can enter your information into: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AgtyyoONP2R1dFA0cHhra1VLYklGRzN0Z0pRaEx3VXc&hl=en_US

Since an FE exchange is meant to be fun - don't stress about it! Can't make a special FE? buy some small fabric bags at the craft store and connect them with ribbon or buy a small hanging organizer. Make sure that the entire thing is no wider than 8 inches. Worried about size and weight and packing? don't worry - think "thin" and "light" - paper, photos, candy, maps, etc, etc, fit the bill. Not crafty? that's OK and if you want to do something crafty, this may be perfect for your friend/relative/co-worker who is crafty and just needs an outlet (your FE exchange).

I just added our details to the spreadsheet, I forget our cabin number so will add that later. The spread sheet looks like a great way to keep track of our members. Thanks Trysomething New I think this is going to be lots of fun. As we are Ausies would it be ok for us to give out Australian treats as well as christmas goodies ?? Do most people do cruise or disney theme gifts???

We leave for America on the 5th of December and will be staying at WDW for 14 days prior to out cruise so I am hoping to collect some last minute treats during out stay. Therefore I was wondering if we could close off the details of the exchange about the 5th of November so that we have plenty of time to make our gifts.

Have a great day Jen

 

[CaliMouseVacationeer]

Signed up on the spreadsheet, thanks! I'm traveling with two other families, so I'll see if they'll want to join. Now I'm off to buy fabric to make the FE!!

 

[haddybaby]

We leave for America on the 5th of December and will be staying at WDW for 14 days prior to out cruise so I am hoping to collect some last minute treats during out stay. Therefore I was wondering if we could close off the details of the exchange about the 5th of November so that we have plenty of time to make our gifts.

Have a great day Jen

Jen,

Where are u staying in WDW? We'll be at the Wilderness Lodge the week before the cruise.

 

[TrySomethingNew]

Hi Fellow cruisers! Thanks for signing up for the FE. I propose we end the sign up on Nov 7th, since that is a Monday and I'll bet most people browse the web and forums (like this one) more readily on the weekend. Good idea on the end date - I was concerned about very last minute additions which makes for hectic preparations. For me, I have to do all this in secret as the kids know nothing about this trip!

 

[jenshell75]

Signed up on the spreadsheet, thanks! I'm traveling with two other families, so I'll see if they'll want to join. Now I'm off to buy fabric to make the FE!!

CaliMouseVacationer - it's great to see you on the list. Ohhh I love fabric I can't wait to see what your creating

Jen,

Where are u staying in WDW? We'll be at the Wilderness Lodge the week before the cruise.

haddybaby - we are staying at All Star Movies - I am not sure what building yet? I hope we can catch up it will make this trip so much fun. I am meeting up with some fellow Dis-Boutiquers I need to get busy sewing if I have any chance of having custom clothes for my kids.

Hi Fellow cruisers! Thanks for signing up for the FE. I propose we end the sign up on Nov 7th, since that is a Monday and I'll bet most people browse the web and forums (like this one) more readily on the weekend. Good idea on the end date - I was concerned about very last minute additions which makes for hectic preparations. For me, I have to do all this in secret as the kids know nothing about this trip!

TrySomethingNew - this group is going to be great I can just feel it You are good, I tried to keep this trip a secret but I just couldn't and told the kids but anyway they have no idea what they are in for so even telling them won't lessen the excitement but I did want to supprise them

Yes, I think we need an end date I would hate anyone to miss out or be left out at least we will know exact numbers.

I was also thinking we need to do an introduction to our families just to ensure that we cover such things as allergies - health issues what kids can or can not eat. My kids are fine with everything but I would hate to make a little person or a big person sick on this cruise so please highlight these important things in RED. Privacy respected

 

[kasha321]

I just signed up for the FE!!! I am so excited! I love the idea that there will be a deadline for signing up. Life get so busy, I dont know if I would have time to prepare any "last minute" additions. So, whoever had that idea, I truely thank you!! This cruise will be stressful enough I am afraid, one less item to stress over is wonderful. I think my biggest worry is making our flight out of Minnesota with the great winter wonderland and our lovely snow up here!! and yes, we are leaving a few days early just to plan for flight delays...... AHHHHH!!! {happy thoughts of the Dream, happy thoughts of the Dream.....}

Happy Crafting!!!

 

[TrySomethingNew]

TrySomethingNew - this group is going to be great I can just feel it You are good, I tried to keep this trip a secret but I just couldn't and told the kids but anyway they have no idea what they are in for so even telling them won't lessen the excitement but I did want to supprise them

Hopefully I can keep a secret. My 13yo DD doesn't always catch on, but when she does, she doesn't say anything until later, so it is hard to tell. The little one won't catch on - "cruise" isn't in her vocabulary....yet.

I was also thinking we need to do an introduction to our families just to ensure that we cover such things as allergies - health issues what kids can or can not eat. My kids are fine with everything but I would hate to make a little person or a big person sick on this cruise so please highlight these important things in RED. Privacy respected

Good idea! I have a spot on the spreadsheet for allergies, so this is one place to add the info. I have an allergy to gluten (in wheat, barley, rye) so those things are present in a lot of places (most commonly found places: all-purpose or wheat flour, soy sauce - because most soy sauces are fermented with wheat- and "malt" such as flavorings in candy and cereal... and of course, beer).

Happy sewing...crafting...idea generating...buying....to all fellow crusiers and FE participants!

 

[skoch]

Thanks so much for organizing the FE spreadsheet! I just got us signed up! I haven't been on here in a while and it's so great to read about all the other families that will be on the cruise . . . cannot believe it's almost October already!!! December will be here before we know it!

See you all soon!
Shonna

 

[TrySomethingNew]

Welcome Kasha321 and Skoch! Can't believe it is only a little more than 3 months away!