July 15, 2013- WONDER if a Mickey Bar will melt in Alaska?

[CruznLexi]

SW will release flights on Monday for this cruise. Hoping to go on SW on points! We are going to go and spend one night by the airport and then taxi to the train station as it is just too pricy for less than 12 hours in downtown.

 

[ramb02]

We're booked- Me, DW, 2 kids, mother, father, aunt. First cruisers to Alaska!

 

[CruznLexi]

My flights on SW allow me to get to vancouver late in the evening. So I land in Seattle and then off to the train. I will have about 3 hours from the time my plane lands to the time I depart which should be plenty.

 

[AZMermaid]

I wish we were taking the train- my son would LOVE it! Oh well!

We got back a few weeks ago from a trip to Disneyland. It was fun and interesting to do it with two kids in diapers. We are potty training my son right now (started today) so hopefully I will soon only have one in diapers. Well, we threw his away... so technically, I hope it stays that way!

Anyone giving Christmas gifts with the cruise in mind? We are giving my MIL a Passporter and a blingy Mickey shirt we picked up in DL and the kids are getting hats and mittens in their stockings- which they will likely never use at home so they are for the trip, bought them a little big too. I was going to get my husband binnoculars, but my in laws mentioned they have a bunch of pairs and they will give him a pair for Christmas (very typical of them... we get SO much of their 30 year old junk). So, we'll see, if that doesn't happen, or they are awful, I am going to get him some for his birthday.

 

[Karrie12]

Hello everyone!
Just booked our cruise. I am going with my DH, DD (age 5) and my friend, her 5 year old daughter and her mom. We are all from Michigan. This will be our second Disney cruise together. We sailed on the Dream in early 2011. This is our first time to Alaska. We are so excited to be sailing with you all and hope to meet lots of new friends.

 

[AZMermaid]

How fun to sail with a friend! Welcome!

 

[Karrie12]

Thank you! I am interested in participating in an FE exchange. I have never done this so I don't have any clue on how to do it but am willing to do whatever you need to get it going. I was just looking at many of them (FE) on etsy.com and they have some super cute ones. I'm not exactly sure how it works if anyone can explain....TIA. I was told you exchange a small gift with other cruisers by leaving it in the FE but that's all I know.

How many fellow cruisers are interested in an FE exchange?????

 

[globalgoofies]

We want to do the FE!!! Count us in!!

 

[Karrie12]

Yay! This is my first FE exchange. How do we get the FE exchange organized? What kinds of gifts are exchanged? Do adults and kids get gifts? This may be a bit early, idk, just getting excited!! I have to go on etsy to purchase our FE to hang up yet.

 

[jaysteb]

We are also interested in the FE Exchange Karrie

 

[AZMermaid]

Hi Jamie- who is traveling with you? I added you to the roll call!

Awesome Karrie- thanks so much for spearheading it! I went ahead and bolded people in the roll call on the first post who have said they are interested in the FE in the last few days.

I am also new to cruising- but from what I have seen there is a cutoff date to join the FE- 30 days? 60 days? from the cruise so people know who/how many to plan for. Then it is up to the group and/or giver if they want to leave a small gift for each person or each family. These are either store bought or homemade. I have also read of groups that may split the FE into 2 groups if it gets too big (like over 20 families or something). But I would think that is all up to you! I don't mind continuing to bold people for the FE on the roll call and updating info such as names and ages if people want to share that info. Or I I have read of groups not wanting to put that info on the open internet and starting a private Facebook page and then the FE info could be a document within that page. What do you all think? What have you past cruisers done that worked, didn't work?

I am wearing my new boots today that I bought with Alaska in mind. They are a bit tight but I hope they will be all nice and cozy in 6 months!

 

[jaysteb]

Hello... I am traveling with my mom and my 5 year old daughter and Karrie and her family.

 

[Karrie12]

Hi All,

Sheena, thank you so much for keeping up with all the FE participants (names, ages, special occassions, etc.). I think the FB page is an awesome idea. We should start one for our cruising group

I'm thinking we should make the cut off date 60 days from cruise.This will allow people who may want to make hand made items plenty of time to do so without being stressed. I do agree with breaking into groups if the numbers go too high, so we'll keep an eye on that. Jaime and I are going to research and see what fun things we can find out about this and I'm sure it will be a success and everyone will enjoy it.

Please, if anyone has any great ideas please post them, we need all the help we can get, ha! If anyone would like to contact me privately with family info. names, ages of children etc. you can email me. If you're okay posting on here that is fine too. Please let us know if you are planning on joining in on the fun as soon as you can so that your name can be bolded as an FE participant. We don't want anyone to be left out! Also, please let us know if any of your party will be celebrating a special occassion, birthday, anniversary, etc. so maybe they can get a little something extra in their FE.

I'm sure everyone (especially the kiddos) will be so excited to see what has been left in their FE each day. I know my daughter will probably drag us back to our stateroom all the time just to check it, lol.

Karrie

 

[Arkansasmom]

Hello! We will be on this cruise. It will be me, DH, DS (11) and DS (6). This is our third Disney Cruise, but first to Alaska. My MIL and FIL are also joining us (their first cruise). We have done FE on our previous 2 cruises but have not decided if we will do it this time.

Looking forward to meeting everyone!
Arkansasmom

 

[AZMermaid]

Welcome! We are also traveling with my inlaws who cruise frequently but on small riverboat type cruises.

I just started a secret (private) FB group for us. Just PM me for my "real name" and find me on FB. Once you friend me, I can add you to the group!

 

[jaysteb]

I tried to private message you, but I haven't made enough posts to be able to do that it said. :-(

 

[AZMermaid]

I think you just need one more? Otherwise it is 10- so you just need to write one word per post on this thread to get your count up!

 

[jaysteb]

Thanks... I'll try after this post.

 

[jaysteb]

i need 5 more posts

 

[jaysteb]

only 4 more lol and i have to wait 40 seconds between posts