First Disney Cruise

[Iowa Cookie Monster]

I'm doing a lot of research trying to check on things to do while on our cruise. Since its only a 3 night cruise I was wondering if anyone had some suggestions on how I can narrow my choices down. I'm also wondering if we should just stay on board and just get use to the ship and what it has to offer. If we have a good time on this cruise we might schedule for a longer trip on the next one. I was also interested in how we could sign up to participate in the Fish Extender activity? This is my first time using Dis board and I'm not quite sure how to navigate around the website.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm doing a lot of research trying to check on things to do while on our cruise. Since its only a 3 night cruise I was wondering if anyone had some suggestions on how I can narrow my choices down. I'm also wondering if we should just stay on board and just get use to the ship and what it has to offer. If we have a good time on this cruise we might schedule for a longer trip on the next one. I was also interested in how we could sign up to participate in the Fish Extender activity? This is my first time using Dis board and I'm not quite sure how to navigate around the website.

I'm going to ask the mods to move this over to the main cruise board.

But, in the meantime, if you've never visited the ports that the ship is stopping at, I think it's a good idea to take the general "see the city" tour. There's usually one (not called that, of course). But, if you've been to the ports before you could probably enjoy just staying onboard and having fewer people competing for the water activities and all.

Fish Extenders are handled on your Cruise Meet thread. If your cruise has one here on DISboards. You can find out if your cruise has one by finding the "Find your (ship name) Cruise Meet LINK here" thread, and opening that. Then scroll down through the first post there to see if your cruise date is listed and if there's a link posted.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I'm doing a lot of research trying to check on things to do while on our cruise. Since its only a 3 night cruise I was wondering if anyone had some suggestions on how I can narrow my choices down. I'm also wondering if we should just stay on board and just get use to the ship and what it has to offer. If we have a good time on this cruise we might schedule for a longer trip on the next one. I was also interested in how we could sign up to participate in the Fish Extender activity? This is my first time using Dis board and I'm not quite sure how to navigate around the website.

I'll add on to what @PrincessShmoo said and second the idea of checking out the port a little. We often times debark around 9:00, do a little shopping and exploring and are back on the ship for lunch.

As far as the fish extenders go, I wouldn't do it on your first cruise, especially a short cruise, there's just not enough time for it.

As far as what to do, it depends on your traveling party and what they like. On our 4 cruises, (21 nights total), our kids have spent a combined total of about 4 hours in the clubs. We prefer to do the family activities together, crafts, bingo, trivia, towel folding, streudel making, etc.

We do the pool/AquaDuck at night after dinner when lines are short. Plus I love watching movies on funnel vision at night and snacking on all the quick serve food up there.

my wife and I love to wake up early and let the kids sleep in, and go up on deck to watch the sun rise, it's amazing.

Enjoy your cruise and be sure to book a place holder while on board to be sure to get 10% off your next cruise. Even if you're not positive about doing another one. It will only cost you $250 and that is fully refundable if you need to cancel, as long as you cancel within 1 year and 9 months from the day you book it.

Enjoy your cruise. What ship will you be on?

 

[summerskye]

As a newbie, all I can say is read, search, and ask. This board and the people here are full of wonderful tips and advice. Have fun.

 

[Iowa Cookie Monster]

I'm going to ask the mods to move this over to the main cruise board.

But, in the meantime, if you've never visited the ports that the ship is stopping at, I think it's a good idea to take the general "see the city" tour. There's usually one (not called that, of course). But, if you've been to the ports before you could probably enjoy just staying onboard and having fewer people competing for the water activities and all.

Fish Extenders are handled on your Cruise Meet thread. If your cruise has one here on DISboards. You can find out if your cruise has one by finding the "Find your (ship name) Cruise Meet LINK here" thread, and opening that. Then scroll down through the first post there to see if your cruise date is listed and if there's a link posted.

Thank you for the ideas. I'm looking at the following possibilities for Nassau; taking the discover Atlantis tour, and the Ardastra Garden and city tour. As for Castaway Cay we would like to do the 5K Run (walk) and possibly snorkeling.

 

[Iowa Cookie Monster]

I'll add on to what @PrincessShmoo said and second the idea of checking out the port a little. We often times debark around 9:00, do a little shopping and exploring and are back on the ship for lunch.

As far as the fish extenders go, I wouldn't do it on your first cruise, especially a short cruise, there's just not enough time for it.

As far as what to do, it depends on your traveling party and what they like. On our 4 cruises, (21 nights total), our kids have spent a combined total of about 4 hours in the clubs. We prefer to do the family activities together, crafts, bingo, trivia, towel folding, streudel making, etc.

We do the pool/AquaDuck at night after dinner when lines are short. Plus I love watching movies on funnel vision at night and snacking on all the quick serve food up there.

my wife and I love to wake up early and let the kids sleep in, and go up on deck to watch the sun rise, it's amazing.

Enjoy your cruise and be sure to book a place holder while on board to be sure to get 10% off your next cruise. Even if you're not positive about doing another one. It will only cost you $250 and that is fully refundable if you need to cancel, as long as you cancel within 1 year and 9 months from the day you book it.

Enjoy your cruise. What ship will you be on?

Thank you for the ideas. It's just my husband and I traveling on the cruise. We'll be cruising on the "Dream", leaving from Port Canaveral. I like the idea of placing a down payment on the next cruise.

 

[Iowa Cookie Monster]

As a newbie, all I can say is read, search, and ask. This board and the people here are full of wonderful tips and advice. Have fun.

Thank you. I've definitely been doing research, but sometimes it starts to become "systems overload" with ALL the information out there. As for Disney World and Disneyland, I can easily navigate the planning. Maybe because I'm charting out into new waters on a DCL vacation, I'm a little out of my element.

 

[CamColt]

Welcome to the Dis, Iowa Cookie Monster! I am sure you will find lots of helpful info here as the previous posters mentioned and of course, always feel free to jump in and ask any questions you may come up with.

 

[Iowa Cookie Monster]

Welcome to the Dis, Iowa Cookie Monster! I am sure you will find lots of helpful info here as the previous posters mentioned and of course, always feel free to jump in and ask any questions you may come up with.

Thank You for the warm welcome to Dis Board.

 

[summerskye]

Thank you. I've definitely been doing research, but sometimes it starts to become "systems overload" with ALL the information out there. As for Disney World and Disneyland, I can easily navigate the planning. Maybe because I'm charting out into new waters on a DCL vacation, I'm a little out of my element.

I know exactly how you feel. Done WDW many times. Yet, each trip I start back here on the boards and catch up. The cruise stuff was a completely different animal. For the most part, not as plan intensive. Still needed to research excursions, ports, etc. Everyone tells me to just relax. It does look to be much more relaxing once I get on the ship. We have 7 days to relax. Yet, I still wanted to be familiar.

 

[Lildancer]

I'm surprising my husband and son with a 3 night cruise also on the dream! Been to WDW 20+ times, but a cruise newbie!

 

[summerskye]

I'm surprising my husband and son with a 3 night cruise also on the dream! Been to WDW 20+ times, but a cruise newbie!

That's a big surprise. Wow. Have fun.

 

[Lildancer]

I don't quite know how I will wait until November to tell them...secrets are hard!

 

[Iowa Cookie Monster]

I'm surprising my husband and son with a 3 night cruise also on the dream! Been to WDW 20+ times, but a cruise newbie!

Awesome! I hope you guys have a great time.

 

[melvin1970]

We are from Iowa too and doing our first cruise! What is fish extender? I've seen people mention it but can't find anything about it.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are from Iowa too and doing our first cruise! What is fish extender? I've seen people mention it but can't find anything about it.

Quick course in Fish Extenders:

HOW DID THIS FISH EXTENDER IDEA GET STARTED?
The idea was the brainstorm of a woman named Debbie For the first Magical sailing through the Panama Canal back in 2005. Debbie thought it would be a fun way for others to exchange gifts.

WHAT IS A FISH EXTENDER? (FE)
Outside your room onboard is a message holder, in most cases it's shaped like a fish (but can be a starfish or sea horse):

The fish is there for Disney to place important communications to you such as excursion tickets and notes from the Cruise staff. It is like a mailbox for your room. A Fish Extender (FE) it is something that you hang off the fish, much like a pocketed organizer.

By hanging the Fish Extender off of the fish, the Cast Members can still use it for its original purpose.

Once a cruise meet thread is up and running, someone in the group will (should?) step up and say "I'll maintain the Fish Extender exchange list". That person is the center point for all those who want to participate in the exchange. The list can be as simple as DISnames/room number/number of guests or as involved as full names/room number/ages of guests/like & dislikes/allergies/favorite characters/whatever is deemed necessary to know assemble the gifts.

Then each room on the FE list (note this will not be everyone on the Cruise Meet thread for your specific cruise), makes a Fish Extender holder. THIS IS NOT A ONE ON ONE EXCHANGE, YOU ARE PART OF A GROUP. All the people in the exchange buy or make little items and place them in each other's fish extenders. It is great fun to come back and check the items you have received.

The most common Fish Extenders are ones that have a pocket for each person in that stateroom. Some are very fancy, some are very plain. Some are store bought, some are homemade. Search "Disney fish extender" and you will get options that range in price. You should make sure your Fish Extender is between 8" & 12"" wide. Otherwise it starts to get in the way of your stateroom door. It should not exceed 5 feet; otherwise it will hit the floor. If you are creating your own it is suggested you make the pockets a little deeper than normal too. It will keep items from falling out and keep curious hands from reaching in (average depth is 5-6 inches)but 8-11 is a better way to go if you are making it yourself

They also make up gifts (either individual gifts or room gifts - whatever is decided by your group) to be delivered during the cruise).

One note about the gifts, some groups set up specific delivery dates, and specify "each person gets a gift" or "only one gift per room" or (even) maximum/minimum price ranges for gifts. Other groups just say "whatever", so people can choose what/how many gifts to give. Some give individual gifts, others only one gift per room, while others might do one for the adults and separate gifts for kids. Or only gift the kids.

 

[Iowa Cookie Monster]

We are from Iowa too and doing our first cruise! What is fish extender? I've seen people mention it but can't find anything about it.

A fish extender is located near the door outside each stateroom. I believe they're used to attach notes about the days activities. I read that a lot of families add their own special decorative fish extender, usually homemade with multiple pockets. The purpose of the fish extenders is to participate in an exchange with other passengers on the cruise, by placing small trinkets in the bag (key chains, magnets, pens, etc.) sort of like a secret Santa. My understanding is that you need to check with the date and cruise ship you'll be traveling on to see if there are groups forming that you can join.