Sorry to read about your friend, Susie. I'm sure she is glad you decided to go on the cruise.
Wife and I will be doing the same cruise in 4 weeks. Looking forward to your posts. Hope you have a wonderful time with calm seas and nice weather.
Wife will usually buy a Christmas ornament of the ship and some ornaments at the ports. I like to get a poker chip from the ship. Will also buy shot glasses of the ship and ports. And if it is a Caribbean cruise, I will purchase some rums.