Santana Family – Disney Treasure Cruise Fish Extender

Did you know you can customize your Fish Extender just about any way you want? Colors, designs, and personalization can really make it yours!
This adorable Fish Extender is a repeat client of mine and I was so excited to do this one for her too! (I did a Halloween Fish Extender for them previously…you can see this in the Gallery and on the Blog Post found here) They’re going on the Disney Treasure this time around and wanted to include the ship name in this design.
The masthead is actually the design for the Christmas cruise! My client requested to change up colors and I don’t know why I didn’t think of that before! It’s PERFECT!! The Disney Treasure is a beautiful mix of purples, blues, magentas, and greens in the main hall and it’s stunning inside! By digitizing the ship name and adding it to the masthead, this family will have a Fish Extender they’ll never forget!
She and her hubs have a Jasmine and Genie-inspired pocket using soft felt and embroidered names. I did have to adjust the size of the pocket a wee bit wider to accommodate the dual heads but I think it turned out perfectly!
The next pocket is clearly the Little Mermaid-inspired! So much fun in one little pocket!
Then new to the lineup this year is a Moana-inspired pocket!!
I love how much personality this one has and look forward to designing again for the Santana family!!
Want to know how to really make your Fish Extender your own? Here are some tips and ideas! Contact me today and we’ll design yours together! Only need one or two pockets? No problem!! Are only adults going? That’s okay too! These Fish Extenders are made for humans of all ages!!
Fish extenders are a fun and unique tradition on Disney cruises where guests participate in a gift exchange. Outside each stateroom, there’s a small metal fish or seahorse where Disney Cruise Line crew members leave notes or invitations. Guests hang personalized “fish extenders” (decorative fabric or multi-pocket organizers) from the fish to collect gifts from other participants.
Customization Ideas for Fish Extenders:
- Theme-Based Designs
- Disney Characters: Incorporate Mickey, Minnie, or other Disney favorites.
- Movies: Highlight your favorite Disney movie (e.g., Frozen, Encanto, or Moana).
- Pirate Night: Add pirate-themed elements like skulls, treasure maps, or nautical designs.
- Personalized Touches
- Names: Add family members’ names or initials to individual pockets.
- Monograms: Unsure about full names? Let’s just do a monogram!
- Cruise Date and Ship Name: Include details like “Disney Wish 2025” to make it memorable.
- Materials and Decorations
- Fabrics: I use canvas and felt for my Fish Extenders, but you can add extra fabric (sparkly, shimmery) or vinyl for a more custom look!
- Accessories: Add buttons, charms, or LED lights for extra flair!
- Crafting Techniques: I also use my Silhouette machines for precise design add ons such as polka dots and custom embellishments.
- Family Representation
- Favorite Characters: Assign a character to each family member (e.g., Dad gets Goofy, Mom gets Minnie).
- Color-Coding: Differentiate pockets with each person’s favorite color.
- Seasonal Themes
- Holidays: If cruising during Halloween or Christmas, design accordingly with pumpkins, ghosts, snowflakes, or Santa hats.
The ideas of these are limited only by your (and mine) imagination! Contact me today to get started!!
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