3 Night cruise - FE costs?

[Ratpack]

Have never done the FE as this will be our first cruise and was wondering what others that done this have spent on the activity. DW and I are not into crafts so making things is pretty much out for us, so we would have to buy things. If we decide to participate, I don't want to seem cheap with what we would buy, so if you have done the FE on a 3 night cruise, give me some idea of what people invest in it.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Have never done the FE as this will be our first cruise and was wondering what others that done this have spent on the activity. DW and I are not into crafts so making things is pretty much out for us, so we would have to buy things. If we decide to participate, I don't want to seem cheap with what we would buy, so if you have done the FE on a 3 night cruise, give me some idea of what people invest in it.

The cost of the Fish Extender gift is entirely up to you. If you go for pricey gifts, or if you get less costly ones. We've gotten over-the-top (water bottles, jewelry, picture frames) as well as simple local goodies/postcards from the givers home location.

We've gotten favorite recipes (local foods); small travel first aid kit; safety pin packet (that was extremely useful when the seam separated in my pirate skirt). All much appreciated.

 

[Iamaplanner]

What you spend will also depend on how many are in your group - obviously if the FE groups are bigger, then there is more to buy/make.
The length of the cruise really doesn't impact how much you will spend. Whether it be a 3 night or 7 night (or whatever), you are still gifting for everyone (or every cabin) in your group.

 

[Ratpack]

We've gotten over-the-top (water bottles, jewelry, picture frames)

These are the items that really prompted me to ask. I have even seen where people got backpacks with the DCL logo. I was all for it until I started seeing these type items. I was thinking more inline with candy and so forth. I just really hate to be part of a group and we give small items and get fancy items in return, I would feel bad. And since we have prom, graduation, starting college and a week at WDW and this cruise all within May-August, I am about tapped out for spending a lot. So my thought was if the more extravagant gifts were somewhat the norm, I would opt out of our FE group.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

These are the items that really prompted me to ask. I have even seen where people got backpacks with the DCL logo. I was all for it until I started seeing these type items. I was thinking more inline with candy and so forth. I just really hate to be part of a group and we give small items and get fancy items in return, I would feel bad. And since we have prom, graduation, starting college and a week at WDW and this cruise all within May-August, I am about tapped out for spending a lot. So my thought was if the more extravagant gifts were somewhat the norm, I would opt out of our FE group.

Please don't worry about it. The whole point of the FE exchange was to promote fun. It's not a "my gift is better than your gift" thing. Although some people seem to feel that way.

I plan my gifts and go with them. They are what makes me happy to give. And I'm happy to receive just some little "trifle" in return.

 

[PrincessSarah314]

We did magnets for our last FE gifts. They were customized with our itinerary, ship name etc and we spent about $1/cabin only for 2 5×7 magnets each!

 

[nandm92574]

These are the items that really prompted me to ask. I have even seen where people got backpacks with the DCL logo. I was all for it until I started seeing these type items. I was thinking more inline with candy and so forth. I just really hate to be part of a group and we give small items and get fancy items in return, I would feel bad. And since we have prom, graduation, starting college and a week at WDW and this cruise all within May-August, I am about tapped out for spending a lot. So my thought was if the more extravagant gifts were somewhat the norm, I would opt out of our FE group.

Don't fret and give from your heart. While I do give personalized water bottles or ice cream cups it is not to be over the top. I have a machine that creates vinyl so I design things myself. So what appears to be over the top is really just me buying some vinyl and a water bottle at the dollar store. Just have fun. I will say that a anything under 4 night cruise it is a bit more stressful to participate. I participate but only in 4 nights or above

 

[Ratpack]

I will say that a anything under 4 night cruise it is a bit more stressful to participate. I participate but only in 4 nights or above

I think this is where we are leaning now. With only 3nights and 2 days, there will be a lot we want to do since it will be our first Disney cruise. And the group we are invited to join is already at 6 cabins, which will take some time to get around to each day. We will put this in the future DCL planning folder. Thanks to all for their input.

 

[Patsydust]

Don't stress about it. Give what you can give. It's all in the spirit of fun and Disney! You'll get a full spectrum of gifts. I find it to be just another piece of DCL culture! Just put thought and heart into it. I don't recommend just giving candy though. Instead, think of something that someone can look back and be "wow, what a great trip." My only advice when making an FE is that you think of space and transportation. Glass ornaments and big cups take a great deal of space. You can ship ahead boxes etc, but just make sure you plan that part out! But it's a lot of fun and worth it! Enjoy!

 

[lanejudy]

which will take some time to get around to each day

Check how the FE is set-up -- some want you to deliver something each day, but most are once-per-cruise to each cabin. But I agree on a shorter cruise there is so much to do already that you shouldn't feel bad skipping the FE.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

some want you to deliver something each day,

Yeah, some FE groups have pretty demanding "rules". Generally most FE groups just that you're required to deliver AT LEAST one gift per room once during the cruise. But I've seen some groups that say "you must give a gift to each individual" or "you will deliver twice (or more) during the cruise to each room" along with assigned delivery dates or, even, a minimum price range for gifts.

I don't join FE groups that do that.

I like the ones that say "whatever, but the minimum is one gift per room once during the cruise".

 

[Ratpack]

I think we will skip it this cruise since it is our first Disney cruise and just get the lay of the land so to speak on FE. In the group that we were invited to, there are a couple cabins on our deck, not too far from our room so I may just see what happens with those and then have a better idea for next time. The group never really said how many times you had to gift that I recall, I just assumed each day. They also gave a good bit of detail about each person which I read as somewhat asking for specific things. I kind of like the idea of doing it like trick or treating. Just place it on your cabin and see what happens, no groups, just people that want to give go around and drop stuff in random cabins.

 

[gumbypee]

I think we will skip it this cruise since it is our first Disney cruise and just get the lay of the land so to speak on FE. In the group that we were invited to, there are a couple cabins on our deck, not too far from our room so I may just see what happens with those and then have a better idea for next time. The group never really said how many times you had to gift that I recall, I just assumed each day. They also gave a good bit of detail about each person which I read as somewhat asking for specific things. I kind of like the idea of doing it like trick or treating. Just place it on your cabin and see what happens, no groups, just people that want to give go around and drop stuff in random cabins.

I think you can just drop off little gifts IF you want as pixie dust and not be in an FE. Schmoo might know more about that. I have never done that nor been in an FE fwiw

 

[nandm92574]

Good choice. You will want to enjoy the cruise. Maybe next trip when you have a bit more time

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I think we will skip it this cruise since it is our first Disney cruise and just get the lay of the land so to speak on FE. In the group that we were invited to, there are a couple cabins on our deck, not too far from our room so I may just see what happens with those and then have a better idea for next time. The group never really said how many times you had to gift that I recall, I just assumed each day. They also gave a good bit of detail about each person which I read as somewhat asking for specific things. I kind of like the idea of doing it like trick or treating. Just place it on your cabin and see what happens, no groups, just people that want to give go around and drop stuff in random cabins.

Sadly, there are people (on the advice of their TAs) who "just hang out the FE" expecting people to drop off gifts for them. But make no plans to do the same for others.

The Fish Extender exchanged was set up as a gift exchange for everyone in a group. You sign up and signing up means you agree to gift everyone on the list. The original intent was you must give AT LEAST one gift per room once during the cruise. Anonymously. Unfortunately, it's turning into a "my gift is better than your gift" thing now. People want names on the gift so they know that everyone gave something. Some people gift really extravagant things (read that as costly). It was just supposed to be a fun, little gift exchange.

Some lists are very detailed, only to allow those who wish to personalize their gifts to have some information to do so. I've always given what I wanted to give, not based on likes. And I don't give food items, so that avoids the allergy issues.

Just hanging out your FE and hoping for the best really isn't fair to everyone. With the actual exchange list, everyone gets something. There are rooms that are not in the regular line of travel for others, so they could get left out also.