FE group without Facebook?

[Nicnicnic.nic]

I don't have a Facebook but I would like to join a fish extender group. Is there another way to join a group or is it worth it to go ahead and make a Facebook just for this? My cruise is not until Sep 2023 so plenty of time.

 

[lanejudy]

Is there a cruise meet thread here on DISboards for your cruise? If not, you could start one and offer to organize an FE.

 

[Chemist]

Basically, you need Facebook. The disboards aren't nearly active enough, everything is on Facebook.
I have it for: Fish Extenders, Monday announcements at my kids' school and NOTHING else.
I have no friends, no followers, no nothing else.

You can set up an account and basically not use it.

 

[Snowwhyt]

You can start one for the cruise yourself. No requirements or rules stopping first time sailers from starting one. They have never had an informational post on how to start/organize one so you will have to ask questions as you go along here. Maybe ask a few questions here in this thread so people can help you since nothing is pinned.

 

[n2mm]

I agree, FE are generally in FB groups. You control your own FB account. I would set up an account and join your group, if there’s a group yet. I have a Fantasy September 2023 cruise booked, but no group has started yet For my date.

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Thanks. I'm going to make a Facebook. I'd rather be where it's most common to get the full experience.

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Basically, you need Facebook. The disboards aren't nearly active enough, everything is on Facebook.
I have it for: Fish Extenders, Monday announcements at my kids' school and NOTHING else.
I have no friends, no followers, no nothing else.

You can set up an account and basically not use it.

Thanks. I was a little worried if I made one only for this with no friends then I wouldn't be allowed to participate because they wouldn't be sure I was a real person but now that I'm typing it out that seems a little silly

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Basically, you need Facebook. The disboards aren't nearly active enough, everything is on Facebook.
I have it for: Fish Extenders, Monday announcements at my kids' school and NOTHING else.
I have no friends, no followers, no nothing else.

You can set up an account and basically not use it.

Thanks. I was a little worried if I made one only for this with no friends then I wouldn't be allowed to participate because they wouldn't be sure I was a real person but now that I'm typing it out that seems a little silly

 

[n2mm]

Thanks. I was a little worried if I made one only for this with no friends then I wouldn't be allowed to participate because they wouldn't be sure I was a real person but now that I'm typing it out that seems a little silly

that is very true. I was a monitor on one group once and declined accounts like that, but often they would message me and it would get resolved. Generally a fake one never reaches out, so keep that in mind.

 

[Cheburashka]

Thanks. I was a little worried if I made one only for this with no friends then I wouldn't be allowed to participate because they wouldn't be sure I was a real person but now that I'm typing it out that seems a little silly

They typically just ask a generic gatekeeping question such as, "How many Disney cruises have you sailed?" or something like that. If a member starts misbehaving they can be removed, so they aren't too manic about gatekeeping.

 

[Cheburashka]

Is there a cruise meet thread here on DISboards for your cruise? If not, you could start one and offer to organize an FE.

I've tried that multiple times over the past 6 years, but never had any success. There just aren't many people joining.

 

[BadPinkTink]

I've tried that multiple times over the past 6 years, but never had any success. There just aren't people joining.

because people start the cruise meet threads here on Disboards to solicit members for cruise meet groups on other platforms.

 

[Cheburashka]

because people start the cruise meet threads here on Disboards to solicit members for cruise meet groups on other platforms.

I haven't seen that in the years that I've tried building up meet threads here. Usually there is no meet thread for my cruise at all, and if there is, only a couple of people drop in and say hi once and then don't show up again. I've never seen solicitations.

Disboards is a relatively small pond, which is probably the real reason it's hard to build big groups here for specific cruises. Also, some people on Disboards actively disparage Fish Extender groups, so it might be seen as a less than hospitable environment for them. I've lost count of how many posts I've read here from certain posters who hate FEs. Every time some newbie drops in to ask an FE question, those posters seem to feel the need to comment about how bad the experience is. Why would people try to join an FE group in a forum that seems hostile to FE's?

 

[bobbiwoz]

I’ve stayed away from FB cruises. Have organized a group here a time or two. However, it is true that nearly no one even commented on the thread I had here for my Dream Cruise that began on Thursday.

There were some FE in the halls, but not nearly the numbers of the past.

 

[BadPinkTink]

I haven't seen that in the years that I've tried building up meet threads here. Usually there is no meet thread for my cruise at all, and if there is, only a couple of people drop in and say hi once and then don't show up again. I've never seen solicitations.

You are lucky, personal experience ,

 

[Snowwhyt]

because people start the cruise meet threads here on Disboards to solicit members for cruise meet groups on other platforms.

It seems to be losing its steam there as well.

I tried to get a group going for just conversational purposes in 2020 here before shut down. But so few people, so few responses here. I was also on the other social media group where there was at least more actively involved in communication. Since it was a shorter cruise I have decided not to participate in the FE activities.

But now I’ve had a group through social media for two months posted like 10 things and only got two replies from 21 people. It’s not like this is my first social media group either, I had one to Alaska and I was on almost hourly to answer questions at the end there especially. I’m super nervous that I have 15 people who are looking for sales opportunities. I found out one person that I let into the group is a travel agent but they said they only joined the group to keep their client informed. I would be less nervous about adding the wrong people except now I’m getting pampered chef solicitations and Kentucky real estate. Both people are from previous cruise lists. Grrr.

 

[Snowwhyt]

…..Also, some people on Disboards actively disparage Fish Extender groups, so it might be seen as a less than hospitable environment for them. I've lost count of how many posts I've read here from certain posters who hate FEs. Every time some newbie drops in to ask an FE question, those posters seem to feel the need to comment about how bad the experience is. Why would people try to join an FE group in a forum that seems hostile to FE's?

You said exactly how I see it here! I’m surprised that this hasn’t been closed even as “asked and answered” I enjoy the mystery and anticipation, and I actually enjoy the stress of making something in advance hoping people will like it. That said, I’ve only participated six of the eight times I have sailed. One cruise was too short, another cruise was during Covid and I didn’t want to change that mystery element and talk to a bunch of people. I’m gonna believe they like my stuff, like I liked theirs.

 

[Cheburashka]

I’m gonna believe they like my stuff, like I liked theirs.

Yes, I've always appreciated what I've received, even if it wasn't to my taste.

 

[n2mm]

I’ve always joined FB groups. Love my disboards, but the FB groups really help getting some inside info. I don’t do FE, mostly because my daughter is a online store owner and if I want a gift to give out, I get it from her. Funny, when she’s cruising with us, she never tells anyone what she does, but we enjoy pointing out her products (a drinking game). I’m currently in 6 groups, gets confusing. Yes, I have a lot of cruises booked. Not all are the same. Some are very active and others are just there. I find it rewarding to help first timers when I can. It’s especially fun when you find out someone you cruised with in the past are on your cruise, it’s also touching when they remember you. With protocols changing on every cruise I’ve been on since august 2021, it’s been good to help sort it out and share info. I have to say, I’ve never been solicited either on disboards or FB groups. No one had ever had to force me to join. I’ve only been a monitor on one group, because the Admin begged me to help. I won’t do that again, it’s thankless task.

 

[Snowwhyt]

I’ve always joined FB groups. Love my disboards, but the FB groups really help getting some inside info. I don’t do FE, mostly because my daughter is a online store owner and if I want a gift to give out, I get it from her. Funny, when she’s cruising with us, she never tells anyone what she does, but we enjoy pointing out her products (a drinking game). I’m currently in 6 groups, gets confusing. Yes, I have a lot of cruises booked. Not all are the same. Some are very active and others are just there. I find it rewarding to help first timers when I can. It’s especially fun when you find out someone you cruised with in the past are on your cruise, it’s also touching when they remember you. With protocols changing on every cruise I’ve been on since august 2021, it’s been good to help sort it out and share info. I have to say, I’ve never been solicited either on disboards or FB groups. No one had ever had to force me to join. I’ve only been a monitor on one group, because the Admin begged me to help. I won’t do that again, it’s thankless task

I too have asked a non-traveling friend to help me. But primarily for set up. As it turns out, the first time I did this, I created a page and not a group. Also things change so fast so many updates! It’s easy to miss a new adaptation to the program.