February 4th, 2010 Wonder cruise!

[QVCshopper]

Thanks for organizing the Fish Extender, Tikibirds!

We were a Cat 12 GTY, but with 4 people, we got upgraded to a Cat 10 on Deck 2. Was hoping for a porthole, but not bad at all...

 

[tikibirds]

Okay, got the cabin assignment (thanks for the heads up QVC!)

So the FE list so far is now:

Deck 2
tikibirds: Sandy(47), DHAndy(48) Cabin 2109
QVCShopper: DW Tara (33), DH Eric (35), DD Ella (5), DS Evan (3), Cabin 2609

Deck 6
oceangirl15: Susan(mom, 50) , Andy(dad, 52) , Rebecca(sister, 10) , Elizabeth(sister, 16) Cabin 6560

Who else wants in on the fun?

 

[tikibirds]

Bumping up to see if anyone else is interested in being a part of the Fish Extender?

 

[auntsue]

Sandy, I just found out that I will be able to get my FE before we sail, so please add us to the list. Thanks for organizing this. It sounds like fun!

Susan & Chet, both 60ish, Cabin 5128

I have some questions:
Do we give something to everyone every night (in other words, one gift each or three gifts each?)
Is there a set time we should deliver them, like before dinner so they don't go astray? (If people are walking off with the FEs themselves, what's to stop someone from emptying them every day before the recipient even gets to it? Can you tell I'm originally from NJ? Ha, ha!)

OT: Have you found a cruise meet for this date? I can't find one.

 

[tikibirds]

Sandy, I just found out that I will be able to get my FE before we sail, so please add us to the list. Thanks for organizing this. It sounds like fun!

Susan & Chet, both 60ish, Cabin 5128

I have some questions:
Do we give something to everyone every night (in other words, one gift each or three gifts each?)
Is there a set time we should deliver them, like before dinner so they don't go astray? (If people are walking off with the FEs themselves, what's to stop someone from emptying them every day before the recipient even gets to it? Can you tell I'm originally from NJ? Ha, ha!)

OT: Have you found a cruise meet for this date? I can't find one.

So glad you are joining us - I will add you to the list!

You can do whatever you like in terms of gifts - one whenever you like (and whenever you can deliver) is fine. I am going to try to do a couple since our group (so far) is small. I don't think I had any problem with people taking things out of our FE last cruise, but you never know!

We didn't set a meet yet - what time would be best for everyone to meet for a bit the first day? And would the Promenade Deck or Deck 9/10 work better?

Can't wait!

 

[tikibirds]

Updated FE List - remember the cutoff is 1/14 so if you are interested, please post ASAP!

Deck 2
tikibirds: Sandy(47), DHAndy(48) Cabin 2109
QVCShopper: DW Tara (33), DH Eric (35), DD Ella (5), DS Evan (3), Cabin 2609

Deck 5
auntsue: Susan & Chet, both 60ish, Cabin 5128

Deck 6
oceangirl15: Susan(mom, 50) , Andy(dad, 52) , Rebecca(sister, 10) , Elizabeth(sister, 16) Cabin 6560

 

[oceangirl15]

I think we should make it the evening after the first day. Maybe sometime after dinner? Deck 9/10 would be good. We should have a meeting place obviously. Any ideas?

 

[auntsue]

Yes, since our group only has thirteen so far (only eleven for me to buy for), I thought I could easily make up a couple of gift bags for each person (the kind you get at a party store to give out at a child's party). I have no problem making up one for each night, but I'd like to know what everyone else is planning to do because DH will think I'm crazy if I'm the only one doing 33 bags. I was a primary teacher for 38 years and I did gift bags like that for every holiday (so he's certainly used to it, ha, ha). The kids loved them. I don't miss working, but I do miss those kinds of things. I can't wait to start shopping for this stuff. It should be fun! Luckily we're driving so I can throw it all in an extra suitcase.

As far as the meet, I have no clue since it's my first Disney cruise and I am totally unfamiliar with the ship. Would meeting out of the way in the buffet restaurant make any sense? That way there would be seating and drinks available. Before choosing a time, maybe we can find a first-day Navigator here on the boards, so we don't choose a time when anything else is going on. What time is everyone planning on getting to the ship? What time is the lifeboat drill? What time is the sail-away party? Do you think there would be some time between arriving onboard and the lifeboat drill/sail-away or do you think between sail-away and dinner is better. We have late seating, so I don't think meeting after dinner would work for everyone. What time are the two shows on the first night? It's up to you. We're available anytime up to our show/dinner time. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone.

Girls (oceangirl & Sandy), thanks for planning all of this.

P.S. oceangirl, did I miss your real name somewhere along the line?

 

[tikibirds]

If our group size remains around the same I am happy to do something every day for the FE as well, but am fine with other folks only doing one thing - I actually think the giving is the best part of the FE

What about a half hour before the safety drill on arrival day? I'm thinking most of us won't have anything specific planning for that timeframe, but on the other days may have excursions, different dining/show times, etc.?

 

[oceangirl15]

Auntsue- you might have missed my reall name because it's not on there I don't think. lol. My name is Elizabeth, I go by Lizzie though

 

[oceangirl15]

I think you're right Tikibirds. It definately does make more sense to meet before the lifeboat/safety drill. We won't be busy yet and we won't have much to do. My family is staying the whole day at Port Canaveral (we will arrive the night before and stay in a hotel) so we will certainly be on the ship the second the doors are open! I guess we should just decide on a time and place. Not sure what time the safety drills are...

 

[QVCshopper]

If our group size remains around the same I am happy to do something every day for the FE as well, but am fine with other folks only doing one thing - I actually think the giving is the best part of the FE

What about a half hour before the safety drill on arrival day? I'm thinking most of us won't have anything specific planning for that timeframe, but on the other days may have excursions, different dining/show times, etc.?

I think we can meet 1/2 hour before safety drill; just let me know where.

I will do my best to make FE gifts for every night, but I have 2 young kids and work, so we'll see how it goes.

 

[tikibirds]

Okay, how about the Promenade Lounge on Deck 3 a half hour before the drill (which I think is usually around 3:30 p.m.) - that would be a good location that we could all get back to our cabins easily for the drill and should not be too busy then.

Got one of my FE gifts today and part of a second

 

[oceangirl15]

I think that's a really good idea! I saved it to my cell phone. haha. It will be really nice throughout the whole cruise to run into someone you know. It'll make it special I can't wait to meet you all!

Any ideas on how to make a fish extender? Just wondering.

 

[auntsue]

Sandy, okay, 3 p.m. on Deck 3 in the Promenade Lounge. Great! I bought my very first FE gift yesterday, too.

Lizzie, if you go on the FE thread there are lots and lots of pictures of FEs. I am not creative or talented enough to make my own, so I ordered one from Tiffany, but she is now on back to back cruises and won't return until the 24th. If you look through the fish extenders thread I am sure people would be able to give you some ideas. They were very helpful and very creative. I think there were even detailed measurements and stuff. If you don't sew, maybe they could give you non-sewing ideas. There may have even been some there, but I didn't read all 65 pages. Good Luck!

Tara, you don't need to make a gift up for every day. Once is fine. You already have your hands quite full with your babies and a job. We had our grandnieces (same ages as yours) down to OC for a week this past summer and I had forgotten how exhausting they were at that age. Have fun with Ella and Evan and don't stress.

 

[oceangirl15]

Thank you so much, Ms. Susan I think my mom was doing that earlier.

 

[auntsue]

Lizzie, I was just reading the DIS DCL FAQ thread @ http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2068966 and under FE they have "Directions to make a no-sew FE" with directions and a picture and it is really, really nice. Check it out.

 

[QVCshopper]

OK, I did some shopping and started my gifts. I am making 1 and the rest I'm buying/adapting. Hopefully I'll finish in 2 weeks or so. We're also on the cruise after this one, so I have about 12 crafts to make. It's going well so far, but I may ask my sister to help with the FE.

The meeting time and location are fine with us.

 

[auntsue]

Tara, I'm not actually making anything, myself. I'm more of a shopping/buying kind of girl. Trust me, you really wouldn't want anything I could make.

Are we supposed to make the stuff ourselves? That would definitely leave me out!

Does it have to be Disney themed? I just bought something for Ella and Evan today, but it is not Disney-themed. Maybe I have this all wrong.

 

[QVCshopper]

Tara, I'm not actually making anything, myself. I'm more of a shopping/buying kind of girl. Trust me, you really wouldn't want anything I could make.

Are we supposed to make the stuff ourselves? That would definitely leave me out!

Does it have to be Disney themed? I just bought something for Ella and Evan today, but it is not Disney-themed. Maybe I have this all wrong.

I don't know--this is my first one! All kidding aside, I don't think there are any rules. I just have one craft that I enjoy, and after reading the FE threads where people posted what they made, I thought I'd give it a try. I don't think it has to be Disney themed at all.

So sweet of you to think of my kiddos--they keep me busy, but they are cute, and I wouldn't want it any other way!

Looking forward to meeting everyone!