Skip to main content

Where it all started

What Are They, How To Set Them Up, and More…

Please note this is about participating in Fish Extenders and not how to set up Fish Extenders for your cruise group.  For that, please read our guide: “How To Set Up Fish Extenders In Your Group“

Where it started

A Brief History

Fish Extenders started in 2005.  Back then, there weren’t Facebook Groups for Disney Sailings, and instead people found each other through the DisBoards.  User EpcotKilterFan thought up the idea of doing a gift exchange with her fellow guests.  She found pouches at a local store, gave them as gifts to the rest of her group.

The name Fish Extender comes from the “fish” that is outside every stateroom which is to hold important info such as tickets, invoices and other info given by the cruise staff.  The pouches “extended” the capabilities and thus, the name Fish Extender.

How Do I Get Started?

The first thing you need to do is decide if you want to participate and how you want to participate in the exchange.  Read through the rest of our questions and answers and you will be on your way!

Where do I get a Fish Extender?

You can either make one yourself or the easier option is to buy one off of Etsy.  There are several sellers on Etsy who do a wonderful job not only making them, but customizing the Fish Extender for each person in your family.  We recommend putting each person’s first name on their own pouch at a minimum.

What do I give out?

Rules for what the gifts should be are typically set in the Facebook group organizing the exchange.  The best gifts are ones that are somewhat personalized for each person.  While there typically is not a spend limit, we recommend spending no more than $20 per cabin (about $5-7/person).  Keep in mind you can keep costs down if you are crafty. 

When do I give out the gifts?

This depends on the length of your cruise.  Typically most guests will have their door decorated and fish extender up the first night, but not all the time.  It also depends on if you have “themed gifts” for specific nights.  If you have a pirate night and are giving out pirate gifts, maybe wait until the day of pirate night.  Our personal preference is to put the gifts in pouches on the second day after breakfast.

Who participates?

This again is set up by the organizer in your specific group.  Some groups will say full cabin, others will expand to have adults only or kids only exchanges.  This again is dependent on the length of the sailing.  A short 3 night sailing the organizer might limit it to just cabins whereas a 7 night sailing they might expand to all the options.

How do I join a group?

Look for a post in your Facebook Group.  It will give you all of the details on how to join and who you will exchange with.  Remember the this is supposed to be fun!

What is considered a bad gift?

Hopefully you don’t receive a “bad” gift from someone.  Remember you want to give out things that you would want to receive.  But in our experience the only bad things we have been given were blatant self promotional items.  Most guests are on vacation and don’t want a sales pitch.

How do I set up my own group?

Read our guide “How To Set Up Fish Extenders In Your Group“.

Things received on a sailing!