OK, Help me get creative...

[ca2ga2000]

My parents have treated our family to a Mexican Riviera cruise on the Diamond this April... (my parents have been on about 5 cruises already, so this will not be their first)

 

Next week is my dad's birthday and my parents' wedding anniversary. I would like to put together a really cool "cruise gift basket" for them...

 

Now, keep in mind, I have to ship this from Georgia to California, so I want to stay away from anything too heavy, flammable, etc...

 

Here's what I've thought of so far... please add your ideas to the list for me...

 

-Disposable underwater camera

 

-Flip-flops

 

-Paperback book(s) - my mom is a voracious reader

 

-the new Kenny Chesney CD (it's all about beaches/water/paradise - it's awesome!)

 

-Suntan lotion

 

-???

 

Thanks!!!

[Debi_D]

Sunglasses and a couple of twizzle sticks for the cocktails:D

[DesrtDrmr]

How about a gift certificate from Princess, for a photograph for formal night, of all of you, or flowers for their cabin. The gift card will be delivered to their cabin when they arrive, but no reason you couldn't make one of your own before then. Our daughter sent us the photo one, and it was great, came with a frame, etc. Also, maybe a plate of chocolate covered strawberries, in their little tuxedos for formal night. Or casino credit, if they like to play. Check out Princess.com, and look for the gift ideas....................

Something else you could GIVE them might be binoculars, a fanny pack for shore excursions, pictures of yourself/sisters/brothers/grandkids........that's one of our favorite gifts. One of the BEST gifts we have ever gotten was a Ceiva frame. If your family is separated by distance, it is so cool. You load pictures on your computer, they are transferred to the Ceiva frame at their house, and Voila..........they have new pictures!! They have to be plugged in to a telephone jack and a wall socket, but the recipient doesn't have to do anything "computer-ish"......it's just a picture frame with new pics. Our whole family has them, they are terrific. Check them out at Ceiva.com. You have to buy the frame, and pay for the subscription, but it may be something you could go in on.............then your folks could get home, and there would be pictures of your cruise!!

Anyway, good luck, and have fun..................sounds like you have great folks!

[San10s]

What a great idea....and a great daughter for thinking of it! ;)

 

Have you thought about ordering something special for him / them that will be in the cabin when they arrive? Maybe write up a certificate that "entitles the bearer to ONE (or more) surprise once on board the Diamond" or just don't tell them anything and have it waiting. Then order either a bottle of his / her favorite liquor or wine, or a tray of chocolate covered strawberries waiting for them in the cabin or even a photo credit or spa appointment for a massage or other service.

 

For the basket, how about;

 

* Lanyards for their cruise cards

* Mini binoculars (I always bring mine and love having them on board and for shore excursions)

* After sun lotion

* Hats or caps to keep sun off faces

* Beach bag or something to use to carry things on excurions

* Tropical shirt / top

 

Be sure to let us know what you end up doing!

 

Judy

18 days until we sail on the Golden :D :D

[cruzinchris]

A journal or notebook and a nice pen.

[calikak]

A map of where you'll be going

A guidebook for planning time in port/independent tours

A scrapbook with a Mexico theme, so they can put their photos in it when they get home

A neck pillow for the flight, if they'll have a long one

[gopher's girl]

Don't forget to somehow tell the cabin steward so that he/she puts up balloons!

[ca2ga2000]

Ooooh...this is so fun! I'm getting so many great ideas - I think I'm going to see if I can get my brother & sister to "go in" on this gift - so we can make it REALLY special!

 

LOVE the formal photo coupon idea - they will love that!

 

Please keep the ideas coming....

 

Thanks again!

[01 Cobra]

I'm taking my mom on a cruise for her birthday and I've ordered a small cake to be delivered on the cruise and I'm thinking about ordering the birthday decorations for the cabin as well. You can do this on line if you have their confirmation number or you could just call the cruise line and order over the phone.

 

For the basket, you might consider tropical flavored chap sticks, insultated water bottles and maybe a calling card.

 

Good Luck and I hope they have a wonderful trip!

[ca2ga2000]

I took a Corona beer bucket and filled it with:

 

-Flip-flops (a pair for each of them)

-Suntan lotion

-Mini Purell hand sanitizers

-Compact-sized Binoculars

-Cruise Magazine

-Book for mom ("Love Overboard")

-Disposable Underwater Camera

-The new Kenny Chesney CD (all island/beach songs - steel drums)

-A certificate for an 8" x 10" formal picture of the whole family while on the ship

 

Thanks for all the great suggestions!!!

[mmsoko]

Sound like a great basket any parent would love to receive.

[Pam in CA]

Sounds great! One thing we did for my sister and brother-in-law's 40th anniversary where we all had our kids and respective husband/wife onboard is that we had a formal family portrait done. They knew about that since they were in the picture. What they didn't know is that we bought a beautiful silver frame and on formal night, arranged with our waiters to have the picture, in the frame, put on the table as a surprise. We also arranged for a special dessert, not just a cake. The staff loved the idea and really went along with it.

[katisdale]

How about a gift certificate for a "renewal of vows" ceremony? On Princess website the less expensive one has the ceremony, bouquet, boutinere, champagne and photo. The one that is more expensive has all the above plus an invite to the bridge, spa treatment, and robes to take home.