6/29/15 Magic to Norway & Iceland

[bats]

We're not disappointed really. We would loved to have gone to the Faroe Islands, but Orkney is just beautiful. We've been to Scotland many times (we live in England), but never to the Orkneys and we have always wanted to go.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I feel bad for Californiagirl though. I know she was really looking forward to this stop which is what got me excited about the Faroe Islands in the first place.

Aw, thanks, Calypso! I appreciate the sympathy I'm sure people who haven't been to Orkney will love it. The neolithic sites there are pretty amazing.

 

[knabebug]

I'm crushed. The Faroes were number one on my bucket list. I can't believe they changed the port. I've been to Kirkwall, and it's lovely, but the Faroe Island port stop was the biggest reason for this cruise for us.

Unfortunately, this change is not OK with me. I love Torshavn. Most likely we will just take another TA. Then it's only one TA flight. The trip is longer and much lower in price. The EBTA in May 2015 appears interesting. Sad!

 

[happypooh]

Part of me is happy to go to Scotland but it would have been neat to go Faroe unless they were actually doing that whaling stuff while we were there!
Guess this means we will need to bring both our Frozen and Brave costumes!
I don't want to join the facebook group yet as it's a surprise for the family....so hopefully those of you on it can share any info here too!
Also, we've not done FE but want to but I had a crazy thought...is there an issue with safety? I mean, when I went to sign up it's asking for names, ages and room # - what's to stop a crazy person from trying to get to someone else's kid, calling them by name etc...maybe I'm being paranoid but I'm almost content to just have stuff labeled to my disname only and make disnames for my family! Anyone else worried or is it just me??
Please don't flame me....can't help being a worrywart...I am a pooh bear...even if happy...

 

[DrMomof3]

My friend told me that her mom's cruise was supposed to stop at the Faroe Islands and had to skip it due to weather. She said it's a common problem with cruising to the afraid Islands. I wonder if that's true?

Amanda

PS I will confess that I hadn't heard of the Faroe Islands before booking this cruise so I don't think I'm entitled to have an opinion about the change! Lol

 

[charwac1]

I mean, when I went to sign up it's asking for names, ages and room # - what's to stop a crazy person from trying to get to someone else's kid, calling them by name etc...

When parents say kids names in public, anyone can figure out which kid goes with which name.

You can't get that information from a signup sheet.

 

[happypooh]

When parents say kids names in public, anyone can figure out which kid goes with which name.

You can't get that information from a signup sheet.

Actually when you go to view the list of FE participants it has the room number, names of adults and children (with ages) in each room.

 

[charwac1]

Actually when you go to view the list of FE participants it has the room number, names of adults and children (with ages) in each room.

Suppose that we're both on deck and a kid who we've never seen before walks by. You have the fish extender list in your hand and I don't.

Let's make it easy - the kid is on the list.

What do you know about that kid that I don't? How do you know it's Brian from cabin abc instead of Joe from xyz?

Not to make you paranoid, but even before you say your kids name in public, it isn't that hard to figure out what cabin he's in.

 

[klepton]

Suppose that we're both on deck and a kid who we've never seen before walks by. You have the fish extender list in your hand and I don't.

Let's make it easy - the kid is on the list.

What do you know about that kid that I don't? How do you know it's Brian from cabin abc instead of Joe from xyz?

Not to make you paranoid, but even before you say your kids name in public, it isn't that hard to figure out what cabin he's in.

I don't want to make anyone paranoid... but I wouldn't discount happypooh's concerns at all. Having been targeted by a predator as a kid, and having seen how he worked (and succeeded) with others gave me insight into how some of them think. Some predators are very savvy, and the level of planning and prep that goes into "making a move" is pretty astounding.

Having a list of names and ages is only the beginning. Combine that with facebook and now you have pictures, a child's likes, etc. With a first and last name, and location, someone can get an awful lot of info from Google. Before you even set foot on the ship someone can know enough about you and your kids to set just about any plan in motion.

Again, I don't want to scare anyone because it really is a tiny fraction of a percent chance that it will actually happen, but it can happen.

We haven't had to worry much about it yet, our kids are young enough they're either in our sight or at the kids club/nursery. But for kids wandering the ship by themselves... a little precaution can't hurt.

To happypooh - While I seem to defending your paranoia above my advice would actually be to not worry so much about it in this case. Like I said, chances are so slim anything would happen, and it can be mostly combated by keeping a close eye on the small kids, and setting strict boundaries for the older ones. The Fish Extender is an immensely fun activity for our daughter (and us), and I'd hate for you to miss out on it.

 

[charwac1]

Having a list of names and ages is only the beginning. Combine that with facebook and now you have pictures, a child's likes, etc. With a first and last name, and location, someone can get an awful lot of info from Google. Before you even set foot on the ship someone can know enough about you and your kids to set just about any plan in motion.

You can get kids names and ages from facebook and other on-line resources because parents don't just leak pictures and likes, they also leak names and ages. (They even leak nicknames.)

I'm not discounting HappyPooh's concerns. I'm pointing out that her counter-measures don't make much difference.

Do what makes you feel best.

Speaking of paranoia, you folks do realize that telling folks what cruise you're on tells them when your house is unoccupied....

 

[calypso726]

GOOD MORNING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BOYS AND GIRLS! WE SET SAIL IN 61 WEEKS! THAT IS 427 DAYS!

​

 

[Silverfox97]

Sure, there are lots of ways people can find out info about your family. However.... My hubby has been the FE list keeper for about 10 different cruises. It's not uncommon to have a family or so not give names & just use their DIS name. If you are more comfortable, do that. They do usually give at least age/sex for more personalized gifts, but not everyone is as forthcoming with personal info. One creative family on one of our cruises used the character names from the movie The Incredibles.

Example. We don't do FB. Not for privacy reasons, but several other reasons. I can't tell you how many people think we are nuts or live in the dark ages because we are 'only' in our mid-30s and aren't heavy into social media. It's a choice & no one else's business. I'm sure Scott would double or triple traffic to the Disney Cruise Line blog if it were on FB. We just don't want to get into it. As far as cruises, FB essentially took fun DIS meet threads & ruined it for us since most of the activity is on FB for almost every cruise, leaving us (& other non-FBers) out. This has changed the dynamic greatly, but it's just the natural progression and we are ok with it. Again, just speaking personally, as I realize we are certainly in the minority.

Bottom line, do whatever you are comfortable with That's what matters at the end of the day!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[JenKatt]

You're right about FB stealing the DIS board threads. I'm on FB since so much of our family and friends are far away, it really does help to keep everyone in touch. For cruising, it would be great to keep it on the DIS, but the set up of DIS feels very antiquated at this point. A set up like reddit or even FB would be much easier for people to follow, instead of a ginormous thread like DIS does, it would be much easier to follow individual questions, etc.
As for privacy on FB or FE. Don't share what you aren't comfortable with. I chose not to worry about it. I teach my kids basic safety and go from there. But you have to be comfortable with that decision if you make it.

 

[thumpery]

We don't do FB. Not for privacy reasons, but several other reasons. I can't tell you how many people think we are nuts or live in the dark ages because we are 'only' in our mid-30s and aren't heavy into social media. It's a choice & no one else's business. I'm sure Scott would double or triple traffic to the Disney Cruise Line blog if it were on FB. We just don't want to get into it. As far as cruises, FB essentially took fun DIS meet threads & ruined it for us since most of the activity is on FB for almost every cruise, leaving us (& other non-FBers) out. This has changed the dynamic greatly, but it's just the natural progression and we are ok with it. Again, just speaking personally, as I realize we are certainly in the minority.

Ditto! Except we are a little bit older - lol!!! Call me old fashion, but I love the Disboard!

 

[calypso726]

If anyone not on FB wants to create a fake Facebook account using their Disboard or some variation of their Disboard name you may still join the FB group. I have had DISers do this with other FB cruise pages that I have set up. Just PM me here and let me know.

 

[Silverfox97]

I'm on FB since so much of our family and friends are far away

We are the only ppl of our fam in Florida. Everyone is in Ohio. Everyone. We just use lots of FaceTime - that's how our daughter stays in touch with the grandparents. If anyone else wants me, they can call, text or email. I'm stubborn!

Something different works for everyone, right?

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[JenKatt]

We are the only ppl of our fam in Florida. Everyone is in Ohio. Everyone. We just use lots of FaceTime - that's how our daughter stays in touch with the grandparents. If anyone else wants me, they can call, text or email. I'm stubborn!

Something different works for everyone, right?

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

yup!
I wish we had facetime when our oldest was born. the best we could have done was Skype and that was fairly unreliable. Anyways, it's whatever works for you best

 

[Silverfox97]

yup! I wish we had facetime when our oldest was born. the best we could have done was Skype and that was fairly unreliable. Anyways, it's whatever works for you best

I remember Skype and ooVoo too!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[calypso726]

Page one has been updated with the following:

If you don't "do" Facebook in real life you may still join the FB group by creating a FB page with your Disboard name. Make a new Gmail account just for your FB page something like calypsodoesntdofb@gmail.com (yes I just made that up). My fake FB name would be Calypso Seventwosix, pick a fake birthday April 1, 1991 (HA! I wish I were still 23) etc. Then either PM me here or post here that you are sending a request to the closed group. This has worked quite fine on other FB cruise pages I admin.

By the way, page one does get updated periodically

 

[Disney22Mom]

Hi everyone,

I am so excited to find this thread! We are doing our first Disney cruise this June (Alaska), and the Norway/Iceland cruise will be our second. I am just now learning about FE and door magnets and getting more and more excited about joining the world of Disney cruising!

About my cabin:
Where you are from: San Francisco Bay Area

Who you are going with: My husband, my daughter (8), and my son (5). We have a large group of family members coming with us (currently 12 cabins total). We range in age from infant to almost 80 years old.

Favorite travel: Jordan. Petra is amazing.

If you were a Disney character which one would you be: Buzz Lightyear: To Infinity and Beyond!

Looking forward to meeting everyone!