Dream - August 29, 2013 - 3 Night Bahamian Cruise

[WicketsMom]

Maybe we can add a column to the list for "all-in" or something like that to signify who wants to do a full/all-cabin FE? I also planned to add the latecomers, but will have to look and see if I have enough supplies to go to a full list. (I have ordered most of my stuff at this point and not sure I can fit in the entire list with what I have.)

 

[wergoin2camouse]

We are up for exchanging to anyone from list two and the latecomers! (Saw a post on facebook from someone's friend that might like some pixie dust also! Need their cabin number! !). I know there are like 5 other cabins on my deck alone from list 2 !! ! Please message me if ya want some extra fun ... I would love for my boys to see how crazy this can be! No b2b for us soooo... More than 9 small gifts would be great... I will be starting my exchange gifts tomorrow !

 

[conandrob240]

I think that is a great solution. List with group 1 & 2 with a column that indicates group 1 only, group 2 only, and all in. And, honestly, if everyone is panning at this point to include the 2 "latecomers" ( who asked to be added weeks ago), let's just add them to group 1or 2 and consider them full-fledged FE participants at this point.

I am happy to update the spreadsheet once everyone weighs in on "all in" or "their group only"

is everyone okay with adding the two "latecomers" to a group an making them official?

 

[Timothynt]

I guess I'm confused. What is stopping anyone from giving to ALL the rooms if they want? There is nothing about a split list that says you can ONLY give to those in one group. Splitting the list just provides a way to keep the costs, time, space and energy involved in check. It is not meant to force those who can and want to give more to do so.

There is no need to make this so complicated that we have 3 different FE lists going on. This is supposed to be fun.

Bottom line is give to whoever you want and enjoy your cruise!

Tim

 

[conandrob240]

I thought I was actually making it more simple and I AM having fun!. Personally, i think splitting the list makes it more complicated and less fun. Because we are 2 rooms in a 10 rm group, it is down to 8 rooms for us. It was really exciting with more rooms the past few years.

So, Tim, are you in the group of wanting to give only within your group or are you " all in"?

 

[Timothynt]

It doesn't matter what camp i'm in (but since Lissa is my wife I'll give you one guess). The list was split weeks ago and some people planned around it. Too late to go back to 1 big list, that ship has sailed. (and ours sails in less than 6 weeks!)

Everyone should feel obligated to give to those in their group, but they are free to give to everyone if they want.

The list fits on one piece of paper, no need to create another column, just give to your group for sure and whoever else you want. The great thing about it is that everyone will get the same amount of gifts either way!

Because if you take a second to think about it, people will get gifts from their group and as a bonus a gift from anyone who wants to give to everyone. What a great concept!

 

[conandrob240]

Well, it isn't really too late and I was trying to add a little democracy to the process. I'd still like to hear from others participating about what they'd like to do. And I would like to update the list to split my two rooms with one on each group, please. Can you do that or do you want me to make the change?

 

[wergoin2camouse]

I would be happy to make your cabins a couple extra surprises since you are both on the same list .

 

[conandrob240]

That's very sweet and we'll do the same. I was just trying to add to the fun. I've done this dozens of times and the best FE have always been the big ones- really chaotic but so exciting and fun. I can understand why you'd want to scale back if you are doing a B2B but most of us are not.

 

[wergoin2camouse]

Hey Tim... It looks like you guys have 50+ on your other 4 day cruise for each group...and still making changes .... Is this the reason you guys wanna keep it simple? We certainly don't wanna stress anyone but when you compare the two why we might like a little extra "love" too

 

[LissaW16]

Well, it isn't really too late and I was trying to add a little democracy to the process. I'd still like to hear from others participating about what they'd like to do. And I would like to update the list to split my two rooms with one on each group, please. Can you do that or do you want me to make the change?

I set a deadline (June 26 or something) to finalize the lists. People made purchasing decisions based on the lists at that time. Others are personalizing gifts, so no I won't move people from one list to another.

Anyone who wants to gift to more than those on your list, you are welcome to do so.

For the sake of those who planned based on the numbers and names of the list at the cutoff deadline, the lists stand.

Your feedback would have been more than welcome a few months ago.

 

[conandrob240]

I had no idea months ago that you were going to split a 20 cabin FE into two groups or I would have provided my feedback. I also think it is pretty rigid to leave out two families who requested to join 8 weeks prior to sail date. And especially since everyone has indicated they are including them, why not just add them to one to each of the groups and make them official? This could be done easily as could my request to split my two rooms into two different groups. We'd wind up with two FEs with 11 families each which would work out great and would at least be some attempt at compromise.

 

[Timothynt]

Yea we have 110+ people signed up for the Aug 25th cruise, so we split that one into two 50 person groups. We have had a few people drop out, and we have put late comers in their place thus keeping the numbers about the same.

This cruise is a totally different with nobody dropping off the list, but people wanting to get added. I am all for adding them to the list, I don't want anyone left out, but many of us have custom gifts and had to order materials ahead of time to give us enough time to make them.

To be perfectly clear (which is hard on the internet)

I have no issue adding the new people to the list.

But since they are past the deadline they may or may not get full participation for the reason in the previous paragraph

I have no issue with people giving to everyone on the list if they want.

In fact I encourage everyone to give as much as they want because as someone mentioned "we all want a little extra love"

So a deadline was set so that people could plan for and make gifts. Because this is fun, we are adding those who found out late and encouraging people to give to everyone if they can. I guess I really don't understand why people are making such a fuss.

The last couple of days of this thread are making me want to drop out because frankly the tone of this is just not vacation enducing.

As I said in a previous post, bottom line, a list will be made available. Give to whoever you want.

 

[conandrob240]

Tim, I am sorry if my suggestions and attempt to solicit feedback from others has upset you to the point of wanting to drop out. That was not my intent. Since more people did not want to combine than did, I agree that we should not pursue that idea anymore and just give to anyone aditional we want. If you don't want to accommodate the minor changes I was requesting to split my two staterooms to different lists and just add the "latecomers" , so be it. Let's just enjoy ourselves.

And don't take this so seriously!

 

[LissaW16]

In an effort to keep the peace, the FE spreadsheet has been updated to split conandrob's party and welcome the two latecomers. If your shopping, crafting or personalization of FE gifts is already underway, please don't feel obligated to accomodate these changes.

 

[wergoin2camouse]

I wasn't trying to upset anyone either ... and i did PM the list coordinator as soon as we split the list in June that i wanted to take part in both list since the groups were small. Was told to give to whomever we wanted but not to expect.

 

[conandrob240]

Oh, that's not good. It's a shame you were told that early on when there was still time to make the switch. I really wish I would have paid closer attention earlier so I could have weighed in but we were away a lot in June and early July and it got away from me. I apologize for my late feedback.

Some general rules of thumb (at least from all the FEs I have done)

1) 20-25 is a decent number for FE and some go up to 30 before splitting. So, no split until the group reaches around 25 staterooms (unless the participants have expressly requested it and then it is by a vote).
2) List closes to newcomers about 30 days before sailing and some flexibility is there if everyone agrees to accommodate
3)Feedback is asked for and incorporated (like whether to plan days/times for delivery, whether to split the list, cap on expense, etc)

In any case, LissaW, thanks for updating with the changes. Glad the "latecomers" are official participants and that you were willing to make my switch so our family can now actively participate in both groups. My niece is so excited about this she can hardly contain herself.

Thanks again.

 

[MallenBeadle]

Wow

Firstly I would like to thank Lissa for co-ordinating everything.

My comments would be that we actually prefer the shorter list. This is because we are coming over from the UK and for us the cruise comes at the end of a three week trip to Disneyland California and WDW so we don't have that much room in our suitcases!

Finally I hope we can all meet up as arranged and remember we are all their to enjoy ourselves.

Jon

PS : Do we need to worry about Hurricanes

 

[conandrob240]

It is the end of August in Florida-yes, you need to "worry" about hurricanes. (not from a safety perspective but from a trip/ port disruption perspective)

The good news is, though, that CA will have great weather and no worries about hurricane season!

 

[Rai's Mommy]

I am so jealous of your long Disneyland-WDW-DCL trip, MallenBeadle. How fun!

Thanks, again, LissaW16 for all of your work on the FE list.

I am really looking forward to meeting everyone at the meet and delivering our FE gifts.

What is everyone most looking forward to doing on the ship? And, what are you all planning to bring to Guest Services to have signed?