Feb.13th(lucky for some) 2010 Eastern Valentines Cruise - The Love Boat Sails Again !

[PlaneJoy1]

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

FE is a lot of fun and doesn't have to be expensive or time consuming. First you need some sort of "Holder" to hang from the metal fish that is outside each stateroom (hence "fish extender"). Most people use a 3 or 4 pocket holder, but you can use a small tote bag or anything else you want to use. It cannot be more than about 8 1/2 inches wide to fit in the space under the fish, though. There are several threads on the main board about making/buying fish extenders, some with photos.

Once you have your container to receive the gifts the fun begins. People who have joined will then secretly put surprises in your fish extender, so when you come back to the cabin there is a surprise waiting for you. The items have to be small enough to fit in the holders and people can be so creative! Some groups assign each participant a certain day, others just let people deliver when they want to. Popular gifts seem to be Disney items, cruise/beach , pirate night things, hand sanitizer, door magnets, special things from your hometown, etc. You get the idea. Some people give a per- cabin gift, others go with per-person . Some have a standard gift for everyone, others personalize their gift based on the age and sex of the recipient. It's all up to the giver to decide how to do it.

The participation list is generally closed about 2 weeks before sailing to allow the coordinator (thanks nikitta28!! ) to finalize the list and get it to everyone, and also so participants can buy/package their FE items for travel, especially those who may be doing WDW first, but again, this is something that the group decides.

So... who's in for some Valentines Week FE Fun ? Let planejoy1 know so you can be added to the list!

The list will be final on January 31st so that everyone has time to put their gifts together. From the cruise boards you can also find more information on Fish Extenders (FE's) and what's been done in the past. Several threads have been started on the subject.

There is also a meet and greet at 3 p.m. in the Promenade Lounge the day we sail. It should be short and informal, but a way to meet each other and update cabin assignments for those that are participating the FE gifts. If you aren't doing the FE, please join us for the meet and greet!!!!! It's for everyone!

 

[PlaneJoy1]

I don't know if anyone has seen the post about the Country Inn and Suites on the Main Forum Page, but I just booked it. I was looking to book a room in Cape Canaveral Fri night. I guess due to the holiday they were expensive $160-$190 (with parking and shuttle). We live in Tampa so we can drive. It is only 2 1/2 hours and we did that last time we cruised. But after seeing the post about getting $49 + tax ($62 total) through priceline, I booked it. I called the hotel and added the park and shuttle for $22 more. So for $84 I have a room, hot breafast, parking and shuttle. for a family of 4. VERY excited.

We may acutally go over Fri morning and go to KSC, so if anyone will be around or decides to book at the Country Inn and Suites let me know.

We did this as well! I already had the room booked for $159, I think, with breakfast and parking. I did the priceline and got it for $49 ($62 with taxes) adn will call and add the parking to it. Woo Hoo!!!! Want to meet for breakfast?


Also - Welcome JoeyDis and anyone else that I've missed that has joined us!!

Our stateroom is now TBD - we called our agent and asked how much to upgrade and it was totally worth it so we now have a Verandah GTY!!! Woo hoo!!

 

[Brooke3L]

What excursions is everybody doing in St Maarten?
Is there anybody traveling without kids? How many people are bringing there own alcohol onboard and how much?

 

[MassDisLovers]

With this FE is it everyday or just once during the trip??

Need to know so I can decided since I have alot on my plate already since we booked it 44 days prior.

Thanks much ºoº

Although we have never actually discussed it, it seems like most people prefer the one-gift per trip/given out whenever you choose to deliver plan for our FE.
Does that seem to make sense everyone???

 

[PlaneJoy1]

Although we have never actually discussed it, it seems like most people prefer the one-gift per trip/given out whenever you choose to deliver plan for our FE.
Does that seem to make sense everyone???

Makes sense to me. I think to participate everyone needs to commit to contributing at least one gift on one day of the cruise, but you can choose to do more if you wish. For example, someone might provide a door magnet for each stateroom one day, and if they want to - give out candy on another.

Of course, no one is keeping up with who gives what. We all just expect that in participating each family will give something in return for the treats they will receive.

 

[PlaneJoy1]

HOORAY....we are booked on the Magic - I think we may have booked the last cabin on the ship! I can't wait. I JUST found this forum and have enjoyed reading all the posts. We have sailed on Disney since the Magic arrived in Flordia. I think this cruise makes our 12th Disney Sailing and we are just as excited for this cruise as we were for our first!

Welcome seasoned travelers!

I hope you'll join us for our meet and greet! We also have a gift exchange going on, so just let me know if you want to participate!

Hopefully time is going to fly by and we'll be on the boat before we know it.

 

[JOEYDIS]

I am so excited about sailing. I did the 3 night Wonder in March but my family could not come so this is for them. My kids are going to be so excited about this.

 

[DisneyTravels]

I am up for the FE - as long as I don't have ot do a stateroom everyday... LOL
That was a big time last time...I spent too much time delivering... I had fun getting it all around and no problem getting it down to the Port.. it was just taking 1.5 hours a day to the staterooms...LOL
We have 2 adults, 1-10yr Boy, 1-8 yr Girl and 1 2.5 Little Monster BOY! LOL
Nursery get ready....LOL

40 Days!!!
Whooo HOOOOOOOOOOO

Angie

 

[fall2371]

We did this as well! I already had the room booked for $159, I think, with breakfast and parking. I did the priceline and got it for $49 ($62 with taxes) adn will call and add the parking to it. Woo Hoo!!!! Want to meet for breakfast?


Also - Welcome JoeyDis and anyone else that I've missed that has joined us!!

Our stateroom is now TBD - we called our agent and asked how much to upgrade and it was totally worth it so we now have a Verandah GTY!!! Woo hoo!!

I just booked this same hotel through priceline. $62.10 total. Great deal! I called the hotel to add the parking and was told we had been booked with a kids suite...even better!

 

[MassDisLovers]

Is anyone staying at WDW Friday night?

 

[bullsmom7]

We did this as well! I already had the room booked for $159, I think, with breakfast and parking. I did the priceline and got it for $49 ($62 with taxes) adn will call and add the parking to it. Woo Hoo!!!! Want to meet for breakfast?


Meeting for breakfast would be great.

 

[barbarasc]

Welcome seasoned travelers!

I hope you'll join us for our meet and greet! We also have a gift exchange going on, so just let me know if you want to participate!

Hopefully time is going to fly by and we'll be on the boat before we know it.

Tell me more The meet and greet sounds like great fun as does the gift exchange. Details details need details....sorry I get a little excited

Timing for us sometimes can be an issue. We travel with our daughter Jen (she's 21) and is a "special needs" gal and sometimes our best plans go haywire! But that is why we love cruising.....there is always something going on even if our first plans are nixed.

I can't wait for the cruise time is just moving so slowly!

 

[JenniferC]

Hi Angie! I'm so excited about the cruise. And stop calling your little one a monster!LOL

 

[MassDisLovers]

Tell me more The meet and greet sounds like great fun as does the gift exchange. Details details need details....sorry I get a little excited

Timing for us sometimes can be an issue. We travel with our daughter Jen (she's 21) and is a "special needs" gal and sometimes our best plans go haywire! But that is why we love cruising.....there is always something going on even if our first plans are nixed.

I can't wait for the cruise time is just moving so slowly!

Hi barbarasc. Looking forward to meeting you all, especially Jen ! I am a 28 year special needs teacher and my daughter (who is skipping a week of college to be with us ) is training to be a teacher. Both of my girls, Meaghan and Kelly , have spent lots of time in my classrooms, so tell please tell Jen she has 3 new friends who are anxious to meet her on her cruise!
Karen

 

[PlaneJoy1]

Tell me more The meet and greet sounds like great fun as does the gift exchange. Details details need details....sorry I get a little excited

Timing for us sometimes can be an issue. We travel with our daughter Jen (she's 21) and is a "special needs" gal and sometimes our best plans go haywire! But that is why we love cruising.....there is always something going on even if our first plans are nixed.

I can't wait for the cruise time is just moving so slowly!

The meet and greet info is below in my signature. I hope you'll come!

The fish extender exchange was started a few years ago by other board members. There is a fish clip on the outside of your cabin that is used for messages. They got the idea to hang an organizer with pockets for gifts from it, thus "Fish Extenders" were born. You can do a search on the cruise board for pictures and more information and even type in fish extender on ebay and see some that people are selling.

Some exchanges are orchestrated as to day and time, but ours is very relaxed and you can choose any day and any time to hand out gifts (which are put into the 'fish extender' outside the participating cabins). The gifts can be anything - threads exist on what has been given in the past, but examples include door magnets, snacks, nick-nacks, state specific items, etc.

If you want to participate, just let me know by PM. I am putting a list together of names, cabins, etc. and am emailing that out privately. I'll also have lists available at our meet and greet in case someone forgets.

Everyone is welcome to participate - but the list will close on January 31st!!! No one will be added after that date. We want to give everyone time to organize their gifts and get them packed.

Take care!

-joy

 

[HappyPeach]

Hi everyone,
My DH, DS (4) and I will be on this cruise. Plus my MIL and FIL who will be in the cabin next to ours. We went on a 4 night Wonder cruise about 2 years ago. We're excited that our little guy will actually be able to use the pools and amenities this time! (He was only 23 months old last time.) We would like to do the FE. I think my son will be super-excited to find little treats hanging outside our door. I will have to be a "maybe" for the gtg just because of being with the ILs.

Nice to "meet" you all.
"HappyPeach" / Lorri

 

[KimMS]

I would strongly recommend the FE exchange for anyone with kids. My dd thought that was the coolest part of the Disney Cruise last year. She enjoyed walking around the ship and passing out goodies just as much as she enjoyed receiving them.

 

[MassDisLovers]

Hi everyone,
My DH, DS (4) and I will be on this cruise. Plus my MIL and FIL who will be in the cabin next to ours. We went on a 4 night Wonder cruise about 2 years ago. We're excited that our little guy will actually be able to use the pools and amenities this time! (He was only 23 months old last time.) We would like to do the FE. I think my son will be super-excited to find little treats hanging outside our door. I will have to be a "maybe" for the gtg just because of being with the ILs.

Nice to "meet" you all.
"HappyPeach" / Lorri

Welcome Lorri and family! Glad you're joining us in the FE! Karen

 

[barbarasc]

Hi barbarasc. Looking forward to meeting you all, especially Jen ! I am a 28 year special needs teacher and my daughter (who is skipping a week of college to be with us ) is training to be a teacher. Both of my girls, Meaghan and Kelly , have spent lots of time in my classrooms, so tell please tell Jen she has 3 new friends who are anxious to meet her on her cruise!
Karen

Karen.....we can't wait to meet you and your daughters!! It is always great to meet fellow passengers that have an understanding and passion for
"special gals" like our Jen. We love new friends and happy smiling faces! See you on the 13th....it is not coming fast enough!!

Have a great night!
Barb, John and Jen!

 

[barbarasc]

The meet and greet info is below in my signature. I hope you'll come!

The fish extender exchange was started a few years ago by other board members. There is a fish clip on the outside of your cabin that is used for messages. They got the idea to hang an organizer with pockets for gifts from it, thus "Fish Extenders" were born. You can do a search on the cruise board for pictures and more information and even type in fish extender on ebay and see some that people are selling.

Some exchanges are orchestrated as to day and time, but ours is very relaxed and you can choose any day and any time to hand out gifts (which are put into the 'fish extender' outside the participating cabins). The gifts can be anything - threads exist on what has been given in the past, but examples include door magnets, snacks, nick-nacks, state specific items, etc.

If you want to participate, just let me know by PM. I am putting a list together of names, cabins, etc. and am emailing that out privately. I'll also have lists available at our meet and greet in case someone forgets.

Everyone is welcome to participate - but the list will close on January 31st!!! No one will be added after that date. We want to give everyone time to organize their gifts and get them packed.

Take care!

-joy

Joy,

Please include us in the exchange! I will PM you with details ASAP! Hooray! Now to get busy on an "FE" YIKES! I hope there is no judging pannel on the FE if there is I will be in big trouble

Barb