November 7, 2009 ~~~~ AHOY ST.CROIX ~~~~

[wrabitdad]

OK guys, jumping in here to say.....I signed up for the FE thing, but now I'm getting nervous....last time I counted (and that was a week or so ago) it was up to something like 75 people (counting each person in the cabins that are participating, not counting my own family of course).

This is my first cruise, so first FE too, and I'm a little daunted by the thought of making/buying/packing/distributing 75+ gifts.....how on earth do the rest of you do it? I'm thinking I may need to drop out....

Remember the FE Exchange is supposed to be FUN. It shouldn't become daunting.

Make it whatever you want. Some folks work from scratch and their talents really come through; others buy items that they think will bring a smile to the recipients. We've gotten gifts as simple as Disney pencils, candy bars, homemade magnets, postcards from hometowns/states, etc. Some are simply left in the FE, others are bagged (usually the small bags you'd use for candy etc at kids parties) with ribbon, etc.

We generally do per cabin, sometimes with small candy per person. Sometimes it depends on how far we're traveling to the ship (for west coast or overseas the FE gifts tend to be smaller for obvious reasons). On some cruise we've joined with others and done a group gift - lanyards and namebadges or wristbands. Each cruise is different, thats what makes it fun.

Delivering the gifts is also a fun experience, also a great way to see the ship and all the cabin door decorations. Kinda feels like being an elf at Christmas. Some folks leave their gifts anonimously, others have their disname, others their first names; whatever you want. When you leave your gift is also up to you; we'll usually leave ours on a sea day. If your gift is themed, i.e. pirate, you may want to leave it on a certain day.

Remember FE = Fun.

Bob

 

[sokay168]

Ok, so if I have this correctly, the FE list is at:

27 staterooms

29 kids: 10 boys ; 19 girls

Someone double check my math. I know this will change a bit, but wanted an idea of where we are at.

I have the same number but I keep ages too so I am I have age appropriate.

19 girls ages 2-14
{2, 3(4),4(3),5(2),6,7(2),8(3),9,12,14}
10 boys ages 1-12
{1,2,4,5,6,7,9,10,12(2)}

Someone can triple check my work too if you want.

Krista

 

[sokay168]

FE Roll Call

GoffyTraci-Traci,DBF Tim, DS Nathan 10

Sokay168#1-Krista,Amanda,Marissa 8
Sokay168 #2 Danielle,Hettie,DD Gabbi 9,Kendell 4
Sokay168 #3 Stephani,Eva,Kyle 13

Iamdaisyduck-Eileen,DH Tony,DS Michael 7

Glindamood-Gail,DH David

Platamma-Theresa,DH Gary,DD Mia 4

Sillylittlepixie-Christine,DH Stew,DD Rachel 12,DS Kyle 9
Christine's Parents Deborah, DH Tim

Lindababe-Linda,DH Bruce

Simp88-Rene,DH Greg,DD Taylor 14, DS Austin 12

Tiggerzfan-Donna,DH Matt, Alyssa 7,DD Maddie 3

WeLoveMickeyTara,DH Mike,DS Tommy 5,DS Alex 1
AllThingsDisneyLoverAshley,DH John, DS Seth 4

Wrabitdad Dale DW,Bob DH

momx4,grandmax4Kathy, DH Greg

LauriefromLondon Laurie, Joe DH,Delaney DS 6, Michaela DD 6

The Higgies Mary Lou,DH Sean, DD Meghan 8, DD Jennifer 3

MinnieMouse71Vickie,DH Dan

Stampinshauna Shauna,Kevin DH, Sydney DD 2

sshaw10060 Pam, Scott DH, Otto DS 2

Friends of Sshaw10060 Harriett, Mary

Friends of Sshaw10060 Helen, DH Rick

Friends of sokay168 Nancy, Addie DD 5

Friends of Lindababe Nina, Julio DH, Janna DD 4, Jayda DD 3

Disnae Renae, DH Doug, DD Lauren 7, DD Emily 3

SplasjMountainManiacJoan,DH Paul, Mike

JulyLadyDonna,Bonnie,Hannah 8, Samantha 5


****If you do not want your childs info listed please let me know to remove it.**********
Let me know if anything needs to be changed or corrected. I have the list on my computer with everyones e-mail address and I plan to e-mail it out prior to the cruise.

Traci,

Glad you are feeling better. Nate will bounce back...kids always get better quicker. No colds/flu here yet so it worries me getting closer to our date. Hopefully we avoid it.

I can't remember if I gave you cabin numbers or not but there was I mix up in our cabins and which people were in which room so I if I did, can you let me know so I can give you correct cabin with people?

Thanks

Krista

 

[stampinshauna]

DH was just logged into our reservation on DCL's site and he noticed that our guarantee room has a room number. Did the rest of you who have guarantee rooms get assignments? It seems really early for room assignments, I wonder if it can still change. Looks like our 12 gty got us a cat 10 on deck 1. It is a connecting room, which I've never had before. Have any of you had a connecting room? I'd have thought that the connecting rooms would be needed by bigger families. I wonder if they might take it away and give it to someone who may need it between now and the cruise. I guess the good thing is that the room next to us will be occupied by DH's parents.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

I keep checking and hoping for pixie dust! But nope, still got my 5520. That's okay, it's a great room and I love deck 5. But still hoping for an upgrade! Hoping they'll put some cat 12 family into my cat 10 room!

I was wondering when they'd start assigning rooms. Good deal Shauna on the cat 10! Hopefully it might even change again.
Christine

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Ok so now I had to go look at what's still available for our cruise:

No cat 12s
No cat 11s (both available last week)
4 cat 10s (including Donna's old SPH!)
8 cat 9s
No cat 8s- gty only
8 cat 6's (last week was gty only)
8 cat 5s

I didn't look at 4's. But this is looking good for some upgrades available! So they must be moving folks around now.

Christine

 

[LindaBabe]

Good Morning!

Welcome to the page exchange, Dana! That's a great page idea. Last year, I spread all my loot out on the bed and took a photo of it, but never thought to make a page. As soon as I finish this second evening bag, I'm going to try my prototype page.

Kathy and Traci, How are you feeling this Morning?

SLP, How did you figure that out? such a clever girl!

 

[GoofyTraci]

DH was just logged into our reservation on DCL's site and he noticed that our guarantee room has a room number. Did the rest of you who have guarantee rooms get assignments? It seems really early for room assignments, I wonder if it can still change. Looks like our 12 gty got us a cat 10 on deck 1. It is a connecting room, which I've never had before. Have any of you had a connecting room? I'd have thought that the connecting rooms would be needed by bigger families. I wonder if they might take it away and give it to someone who may need it between now and the cruise. I guess the good thing is that the room next to us will be occupied by DH's parents.

I keep checking and hoping for pixie dust! But nope, still got my 5520. That's okay, it's a great room and I love deck 5. But still hoping for an upgrade! Hoping they'll put some cat 12 family into my cat 10 room!

I was wondering when they'd start assigning rooms. Good deal Shauna on the cat 10! Hopefully it might even change again.
Christine

No room # assigned yet. It still says GTY. Makes me feel kinda sad. I know its funny to say that but I got all excited.

 

[stampinshauna]

No room # assigned yet. It still says GTY. Makes me feel kinda sad. I know its funny to say that but I got all excited.

Mine still said gty, but then it had a number next to it. This was on DCL's website, not on my TA's website.

Scrapbook Swaphttp://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33605576&postcount=1339

Fish Extenders http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31367178&postcount=427

Wristbandshttp://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33246002&postcount=926

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Well as of last evening NO room number for us yet. But DCL called and booked our FREE Palos dinner that we get for being Platnium
We have never done Palos, so we will experience something new this trip.
Anybody else doing Palos on Monday 6 p.m.???
Gregs jacket is packed somewhere but I think slacks, dress shirt and tie should be ok. I have seen some very casual as I passed by the windows, others in full suits.

I finished 6 more FE gifts last night and will finish another 6 today.

I am feeling a bit better today but still going to take it easy for at least one more day and will not be going to stay at moms this weekend. I am taking a couple of weekends off.

Catch everyone later,

Kathy

 

[GoofyTraci]

Mine still said gty, but then it had a number next to it. This was on DCL's website, not on my TA's website.

Scrapbook Swaphttp://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33605576&postcount=1339

Fish Extenders http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31367178&postcount=427

Wristbandshttp://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33246002&postcount=926

Yes mine says GTY with no room number next to it. Not big deal.

kathy glad you are feeling better. By the way Kathy i just called DCL to change transfers since we are now staying at CBR the night before. They told me pick up time is at 12:30. What time did they tell you?

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Yes mine says GTY with no room number next to it. Not big deal.

kathy glad you are feeling better. By the way Kathy i just called DCL to change transfers since we are now staying at CBR the night before. They told me pick up time is at 12:30. What time did they tell you?

We were also told 12:30 to be picke dup at AK. They said arrive at noon.
My youngest son use to be a manager of the gift shop at CBR.

Kathy

 

[SplashMountainManiac]

Well as of last evening NO room number for us yet. But DCL called and booked our FREE Palos dinner that we get for being Platnium
We have never done Palos, so we will experience something new this trip.
Anybody else doing Palos on Monday 6 p.m.???
Gregs jacket is packed somewhere but I think slacks, dress shirt and tie should be ok. I have seen some very casual as I passed by the windows, others in full suits.

Kathy

You will love Palo. It is always one of the best cruise experiences for us, service and food are absolutely incredible. If you like chocolate, the chocolate souffle is incredible. My Dad and I have never worn suits or coats. Always a dress shirt and pants, sometimes a tie.
I tried to book one of the last few Palo dinners last night but they are gone. Looks like we'll be in Wavebands on Saturday.
Hope everyone is having a great day.

 

[LindaBabe]

Slacks, dress shirt and tie will be fine. We did see some men sent away to change once, though, and rightly so - MUCH to casual for Palo. I like the Panne cotta better than the souffle, myself.

Both evening bags are complete. I'll post a photo later, if I get ambitious.

Happy day, all!

 

[GoofyTraci]

Well no pixie dust for us. Just logged on and got our room number no upgrade. and on the second floor.

 

[stampinshauna]

Well no pixie dust for us. Just logged on and got our room number no upgrade. and on the second floor.

We were on the second floor a couple cruises ago and it was great. It was so easy to walk downstairs to get off at port and easy to walk upstairs to the dining rooms. I'd actually prefer the 2nd floor to the cat 10 on the 1st floor because I've read about a lot of noise (engines, hydraulics, etc) in my location. I'll cross my fingers that it isn't too noisy. Don't feel bad about not getting an upgrade, I think you'll find that deck 2 is great.

 

[LindaBabe]

Here are the products of my labors this week. I was happy they turned out so well, although a LONG way from perfect by any standards. Besides the fish extenders, this is the first sewing I had done in about 20 years, other than mending.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Linda,
Your hand bags came out great


We are also on deck 2, just checked our number. But it is forward and we love Aft, so I know Greg will call and ask if we can change to an Aft room.

As everyone gets their room numbers be sure to send me the number to add to the CM list and to Traci for the FE list.


Kathy

 

[GoofyTraci]

Ok So I am so new to cruising and didnt understand the website. We did get upgraded to a cat 9. We are soooooo excited!!!

 

[platamama]

Congrats to you guys who got pixie dusted!

Where are you seeing your room information? I logged onto disneycruise.com and retrieved my reservation but don't see anywhere any information about my room, not GTY which is what I booked, or any room number at all. Am I looking in the right place?

Mostly I've been just reading the posts here on the cruise meet rather than posting myself, and I have to say you all are quite sweet and I'm so looking forward to our cruise together!