Fantasy April 11 2015 San Juan St Maarten

[hjvigz72]

If you scroll through the beginning of this thread, I posted another thread about FEs. It's very helpful. You can do a cabin gift, gifts for each person in the cabin, both, Disney-themed, or not... Gifts related to your home state/country. It seems that as more people sign on, there's a possibility of splitting the FE into groups so that you're not hauling tons of gifts on board with you, and to keep it under control. Certainly don't want to spend your entire vacation roaming from floor to floor delivering pixie dust!

As for us, we have to fly down to get on board so our options will be keeping the gifts small and light weight, or mailing them to the ship ahead of the cruise.

 

[Vegafamily53]

Welcome we are all looking forward to an amazing trip.

 

[ThreeMaganaGirls]

If you scroll through the beginning of this thread, I posted another thread about FEs. It's very helpful. You can do a cabin gift, gifts for each person in the cabin, both, Disney-themed, or not... Gifts related to your home state/country. It seems that as more people sign on, there's a possibility of splitting the FE into groups so that you're not hauling tons of gifts on board with you, and to keep it under control. Certainly don't want to spend your entire vacation roaming from floor to floor delivering pixie dust!

As for us, we have to fly down to get on board so our options will be keeping the gifts small and light weight, or mailing them to the ship ahead of the cruise.

We did a B2B last time and total between the two cruises we had 30 families participate. I think we can talk as we get closer to the date about splitting into two groups if it gets too big. I have heard other groups talk about that.

We fly also from Oregon so space is a premium. One thing I didn't think about was all the things we would have to bring home. This time we are taking an extra bag

 

[LALA99]

We did a B2B last time and total between the two cruises we had 30 families participate. I think we can talk as we get closer to the date about splitting into two groups if it gets too big. I have heard other groups talk about that.

We fly also from Oregon so space is a premium. One thing I didn't think about was all the things we would have to bring home. This time we are taking an extra bag

We are flying to Orlando too and doing the ground transportation to the port from there. For the FE, 30 families seems like a lot to me considereing if each familiy has an average of 4 in their group, that's a 120 items - and then to haul everything back. YIKES!

In my excitement about booking, I searched for packing tips last night on the web. I saw an interesting one that said to pack your suitcase for the trip and then nest it inside a slightly larger suitcase, that way you'll have an entire empty bag for the trip home. Seems like a good idea, but maybe an entire large empty suitcase might be TOO much.

 

[hjvigz72]

We are flying to Orlando too and doing the ground transportation to the port from there. For the FE, 30 families seems like a lot to me considereing if each familiy has an average of 4 in their group, that's a 120 items - and then to haul everything back. YIKES!

It is alot, but if they're small, it's not too bad??? I'm not sure who is going to take the helm on organizing it, but my thought would be keeping it 15-20 cabins. It's my first cruise as well as FE, so I'm not sure how confident I would be in organizing it. Seems pretty straight forward, but....

 

[princess333]

Every time we fly to America we always pack a case inside a case as we love to go shopping and get some good bargains!

 

[hjvigz72]

Feeling slightly deflated this morning... just got the school calendar and they've switched next year's April Vacation.

Might have to "jump ship" and try to get on another one. I really hope they can switch it for me.

 

[hjvigz72]

So, unfortunately, I'm now on the Fantasy leaving 4/18. Will have to leave you lovely folks. Kinda bummed cuz it seems likes a great, excited bunch of people. I'm sure my other group will be just as Fantastic!

 

[Vegafamily53]

Best wishes enjoy your trip.

 

[hjvigz72]

Thanks so much... You too! I'll need a trip report.

 

[LALA99]

So, unfortunately, I'm now on the Fantasy leaving 4/18. Will have to leave you lovely folks. Kinda bummed cuz it seems likes a great, excited bunch of people. I'm sure my other group will be just as Fantastic!

Aww darn. Hopefully the switch wasn't too much of a hassle. Have fun!

 

[ThreeMaganaGirls]

We are flying to Orlando too and doing the ground transportation to the port from there. For the FE, 30 families seems like a lot to me considereing if each familiy has an average of 4 in their group, that's a 120 items - and then to haul everything back. YIKES!

It is alot, but if they're small, it's not too bad??? I'm not sure who is going to take the helm on organizing it, but my thought would be keeping it 15-20 cabins. It's my first cruise as well as FE, so I'm not sure how confident I would be in organizing it. Seems pretty straight forward, but....

I am happy to take over organizing if that helps! Did we have a reason we are not doing a private Facebook Page for organizing? I know it worked very well last time.

I must be talking about our trip all the time because I have a a friend who booked it last night as well. She is super crafty and really excited to FE!

 

[ThreeMaganaGirls]

Thanks so much... You too! I'll need a trip report.

Have the best time!!

 

[bajkofamily4]

Hello everyone,

I am very excited to be going on my first family cruise vacation!!! I am also excited to be involved in the FE with all you wonderful and fantastic people.

 

[Carester25]

We'd also like to participate in the FE.

Here is our info...

Stateroom- 7600
Names in Family- Nate, Carrie, Jacob, Kaitlyn, & Morgan (girl)
Ages 11, 8, 5
Allergies/Preferences (i.e. No liquor etc) none
Favorite Character - Minnie, Mickey, Star Wars, Sophia, Anna & Elsa. Any princesses.

I just got off the Magic and we had 75 Rooms in our FE and we split it into 4 groups and it was a lot more manageable! Just an idea!

We are so excited for our cruise!!

 

[LALA99]

I agree with the one month cutoff of 3/11/15 for FE participation. Especially since some people order their gifts online and others need time to assemble them.

 

[DisneyChamp77]

I just booked this cruise for my family of 5. Count us in for FE! They are so fun! This is our first cruise at the gold level in the Castaway Club. So excited!!!! We have 2 adults and 3 kids, ages 14, 12, and one that will have his 10th birthday on board.

 

[Vegafamily53]

This is great! This is our first time joining a FE. When it comes to the gifts do u do different gifts for the adults? And the same for all the kids. I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing and I do all the kids equal since it's a mix of boys and girls and different ages. Any ideas will be helpful

 

[LALA99]

This is great! This is our first time joining a FE. When it comes to the gifts do u do different gifts for the adults? And the same for all the kids. I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing and I do all the kids equal since it's a mix of boys and girls and different ages. Any ideas will be helpful��

This is my first time doing it, but from what I've read, you can give separate gifts to the adults and separate gifts to the kids OR do one family gift per cabin (or both I suppose if you want).

 

[ThreeMaganaGirls]

This is great! This is our first time joining a FE. When it comes to the gifts do u do different gifts for the adults? And the same for all the kids. I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing and I do all the kids equal since it's a mix of boys and girls and different ages. Any ideas will be helpful