Bon Voyage gifts Q?

[IndieTraveler]

Hello,

If you've received bon voyage gifts ordered through Holland America, were you pleased with them? Since they're a bit pricey, I wondered if the flowers/wine/themed snacks boxes are pretty good? I'm not expecting Dom Perignon and Godiva or anything, but are they worth the cost or were they a disappointment? This will be our 1st cruise & my fam is wanting to get us something (I'm guessing $50 or less) and I wasn't sure if one was better than the other or? Any gift is always fun--but wondered if anyone could offer feedback. Thanks!

[hammybee]

If it were me, I would opt for a shipboard credit and apply it to dinner in the Pinnacle Grill. That's just me. I like the Pinnacle Grill and ship board credit would be good to pay for dinner in the Pinnacle Grill. So yeah, the ship board credit is the way to go.

[elmorejj]

I too prefer the shipboard credit and this is the way my kids go. In the past we have rec`d many gifts from our TA, the flowers were always nice but be aware, that if they are still living at the end of the cruise, you can`t take them off of the ship. Wine is wine. Chocolates I rec`d once were lovely, presented in a blue satin box with a Menorah embroidered on the front. Have also rec`d casino chips, choc covered strawberries etc...........jean:cool:

[saltydog28]

On our last cruise-Veendam Nov./05-we received Bon Voyage gifts. When we arrived in the cabin there was only cards telling us we would be receiving the gift after we went to the front desk and showed them the cards. I would go with the shipboard credit. Even the casino chips was a credit.

Pat.

I can see why this is done. It's a very busy day and things do get misplaced.

[bepsf]

Yes, have given and received Bon Voyage gifts ordered via HAL.

Sent my former boss and her husband Champagne and beach-toy gift baskets for her kids on their Zaandam cruise. Everything arrived and they were thrilled (esp the kids).

I've also received gifts from bosses and friends on various cruises - Champagne, Wine, Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries, Boxed Chocolates, Flowers... You get a nice little card telling you who the gift was from, and a place for a signature acknowledging receipt of your gift (Paper-trail, ya know...)

Just knowing that someone thought enough of you and went to the effort to have a gift waiting for you on your vacation makes it all worthwhile - I highly encourage it.
:)

[tommy k]

We received a pair of water bottle holders and water on the Volendam this summer. A Bon Voyage from my niece.It is a reusable gift and comes in handy

[RuthC]

Then, Brian, you would know the answer to a question I have! :) (Anyone else with the answer, please feel free to jump in ;) )

Did you need the traveling party's booking number to send a Bon Voyage gift? Or was the name/sailing date/ship name sufficient?

Thank you for helping. :D

[Bramcruiser]

I will admit they are pricey. However, I received flowers and champagne and thought the quality was very good. The flowers lasted the entire trip and the champagne lasted one evening. LOL!

[bepsf]

Then, Brian, you would know the answer to a question I have! :) (Anyone else with the answer, please feel free to jump in ;) )

Did you need the traveling party's booking number to send a Bon Voyage gift? Or was the name/sailing date/ship name sufficient?

Thank you for helping. :D

Ruth--

All you need is the name of the passenger, their ship & date of sailing and stateroom number. Of course if the passenger is booked as a "Guarantee" this may not work so well...
;)

My Sister also did this for her Mother-in-Law on her first Carnival cruise last year and it worked out well for them too - I think she sent a bottle of wine...

You'd think that asking the specifics of someone's vacation would seem "suspicious" - but all you have to do is say something like "I need your info so I can contact you just in case something happens here at home/work..." and they'll gladly give it up! :D

[RuthC]

Thank you, Brian. I think it may be a guarantee, but what the heck! I'll give it a go.
I have three out of four---that was always a passing grade in school! :D

[Ziggy7]

Hello,

If you've received bon voyage gifts ordered through Holland America, were you pleased with them? Since they're a bit pricey, I wondered if the flowers/wine/themed snacks boxes are pretty good? I'm not expecting Dom Perignon and Godiva or anything, but are they worth the cost or were they a disappointment? This will be our 1st cruise & my fam is wanting to get us something (I'm guessing $50 or less) and I wasn't sure if one was better than the other or? Any gift is always fun--but wondered if anyone could offer feedback. Thanks!All I know about are the flowers, and we did a back to back (14) days and our flowers still looked very nice after 2 weeks! I loved walking into the cabin and seeing them everyday!