Ahoy, Alana!
Welcome aboard planDisney! I’m so glad to hear that you’re setting sail on your third Disney cruise—and this time, you're diving even deeper into the fun with a fish extender exchange! Adding a sprinkle of this extra pixie dust to your sailing is such a great way to
connect with fellow cruisers and share a little magic along the way.
Since fish extender exchanges are organized by Guests and not officially hosted or endorsed by Disney Cruise Line, your first step is to find your cruise’s unofficial Facebook group. Just search for your ship name and sail date, and you’ll usually find a friendly group of future shipmates ready to chat. These groups often have a kind-hearted cruiser—sometimes a group admin—who volunteers to coordinate the fish extender exchange. They'll typically create sign-up posts or spreadsheets where you can add your information and join a group.
What happens next? Once you’ve joined a group, the organizer will usually set a limit to how many families can be in each exchange pod (often 5–10) to keep things manageable. From there, you’ll receive a list with the stateroom numbers, names, ages, and favorite characters or interests of your fellow participants. Then comes the fun part—deciding what Disney-themed treats or surprises you’d like to gift! You can go as simple or elaborate as you like, from magnets and stickers to handmade crafts or travel-friendly snacks. Some folks go with a one-and-done delivery during the sailing, while others leave a little something throughout the cruise—it’s totally up to your group’s style.
Now, let’s talk about another fun twist: pixie dusting! My family and I have participated in fish extender exchanges before, but in recent years we’ve leaned toward pixie dusting—leaving little surprises in random
stateroom fish extenders with no expectation of receiving anything in return. It’s like being the Genie with a gift-giving quota of “infinite cosmic cheer, itty-bitty time commitment!” It’s a great way to share the joy, especially if you’re short on planning time or prefer spontaneity.
And a quick tip, from one cruiser to another: If your plans change or you switch sailings, don’t forget to update your group or notify your exchange organizer. It’s a small thing that helps others avoid a stitch in their plans—just like Lilo would do!
I hope this helps you
feel ready to set sail with even more magic than before! Whether you go full fairy godmother with your fish extender gifts or keep it spontaneous with pixie dusting, you’re in for a heartwarming adventure. The joy of giving (and a little unexpected receiving) is just one more reason Disney cruising is truly part of your world.
Sea ya real soon with a July full of fireworks at sea and memories that sparkle like pixie dust,
Dustin