Not that it matters but I've always wondered why

[Suz D]

People would spend $ to order a food gift basket for their own or someone else's room when there is SO much food onboard. I think the idea of fresh fruit sounds wonderful, but for the price, I'll go up to deck 9 and get my own.

I don't like it people start a thread that seems critical of someone's choices, but I'm truly not being judgemental. I have a genuine curiousity about why someone would do this.

 

[DisneyHonu]

Hmmm...if I received a gift basket...

My second thought might possibly be, "Oh boy, I got a buffet to go to in 5 minutes."

But my first thought would definitely be, "Wow, what a way to make someone feel special."

 

[dolphingirl47]

I ordered the Bon Voyage gift for our Transatlantic Cruise as a surprise for DH. We got a bottle of Prossecco, some chocolate strawberries and some petit fours. I have to say the sparkling wine and the chocolate strawberries were the biggest temptation, but seeing DH face when he walked into the cabin was priceless. I am pondering doing the same for our Panama Canal cruise especially as we can get Fairy Tale Cuvee when leaving from Port Canaveral.

Corinna

 

[PizzieDuster]

I hear ya...I'm not remotely interested in the petite bite size whatever that stuff is

I have ordered gift baskets from Shirley that my kids loved and we filled them with their favorite snacks and juice boxes which I used on excursions. It was worth it. Especially when other kids are just drooling over my kid eating his cheez-its or chip a hoys cookies Or DD opening up her fruit rolls But you can always pack those snacks too

Every kid loves opening a gift bag

 

[clawmachine]

In my earlier cruising days, it used to be common for your travel agent to arrange for a fruit basket to be delivered to your room as a thank you gift. I, too always wondered why, with all the food on the ship, but still it was a very nice touch and did make us feel appreciated and welcome. Now I think I will use Shirley for the exact same reason as stated above -to have dry snack items in the room that would not be available around the ship. I could easily do without that stuff but the kids will enjoy having some treats like home, especially DS, who has a food allergy and can't just dive in to the buffet...

 

[crw]

People would spend $ to order a food gift basket for their own or someone else's room when there is SO much food onboard. I think the idea of fresh fruit sounds wonderful, but for the price, I'll go up to deck 9 and get my own.

I don't like it people start a thread that seems critical of someone's choices, but I'm truly not being judgemental. I have a genuine curiousity about why someone would do this.

I definitely hear ya. I have considered ordering, but then thought of my poor belt. One of the most common themes on many of the boards, DCL, wdw, dl, etc, is "what can I do to make this trip more special for my _________?" On an all inclusive cruise, this is one of a few ways to add something special that sets the tone of specialness from the time you walk into your room. I have decided these are not for me, but think this is the idea behind them. Basically a really long winded version of "it is the thought that counts.". I know I would have to think a lot of someone to sent them a bunch of $10 pears!!!

 

[ducky_love]

My opinion is that they are for the people that don't plan the way we do. It sound like something my DH would do - surprise me with a gift in the room. Then I would tell him there is free fruit upstairs and he should have asked me first!!

That or it is folks that just want to make their vacation special. I have been tempted to order flowers because they would make the cabin smell nice. But I have always decided that the extra room on the desk was valuable space for my junk!!

 

[tinkerone]

i to am of the tought why would you?? i have mulled the order page over but just can not justify it. that to me would be a sweat shirt or other souvie from mickeys mates so which do i want more? fruit i can always get free or a bit of shopping before the show. shopping always wins.
now, having said that, i have ordered several things to be in the room when we get there. one year it was binoculars for dh. they weren't the BEST quality but we didn't have to worry about packing any at home and dh loved them. last year it was the travel wallet set with the passport holder. something i can take home, i'll spend my money on that before i willl food i'll see plenty of all week.
having said that, to each their own and if it wasn't popular then they wouldn't sell it.

 

[Meredisney]

I think it depends on the kind of gift basket you order. I definitely understand where you are coming from if ordering a gift basket that contains food. With so much food available of the ship I think that the gift basket would be a waste. However, I would be very happy if someone sent me a gift basket with a nice bottle of champagne or wine. These are not included in the price of the cruise and I would have to spend money to buy these on my own. The same thing goes with spa certificates or OBC. Things that are not included in the price of the cruise fare would be much more appreciated than food which is available 24/7 on the ship.

 

[mindy327]

Last cruise, we were welcomed by lots of items in our room. Castaway gift, our box we had shipped, our travel agency left our shipboard credit there and a memory box, and my mom suprised us with the Bon Voyage gift as well as two Mickey water bottles for our kids.
So we loved the gifts but the Bon Voyage package we opened took one bite and left our room! We didnt ever get to open the sparking apple juice. It was nice to get but sooo not worth the money spent. Because, we went to our room and put stuff away, decorated our door and we were up to the deck for the sail away party. We didnt have time to sit and sip Martineli's. So I absolutely see the OP's thoughts and point. The gifts are nice, but I will not be purchasing food for our room any time soon!

 

[remlap]

Last year we did the four night and had the REAS, and it was a great to surprise with champagne chilling, the strawberries, chocolates and robes.

That said, I only purchased the REAS to book the Palo times I wanted and to guarantee brunch as being west coasters, I know I was going to wake up at crack of dawn to get to terminal for a #2 boarding pass. Also i didn't actually pay for the REAS, I bought the whole cruise on AMEX points.

A long way to say, if you stop and think dollars, you'd never order something from Disney to be waiting in your room. However, if you were surprising kids or a significant other, it might be worth it. Especially a personalized gift basket from Shirley, or a bottle of wine that cost $$ on the ship anyway with something small to eat. Fruit platter or cheese plate? Not so much, order the same thing for free from room service.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

OP: I'm glad you posted this question. I too have wondered the same thing. Perhaps it's because I'm too practical.

As other have said, it's a very nice gesture. We had one given to us a gift once and honestly, most everything was uneaten and we never opened the bottle. I felt bad, but with everything else on board, we just were unable to enjoy it.

 

[dursin]

People would spend $ to order a food gift basket for their own or someone else's room when there is SO much food onboard. I think the idea of fresh fruit sounds wonderful, but for the price, I'll go up to deck 9 and get my own.

I don't like it people start a thread that seems critical of someone's choices, but I'm truly not being judgemental. I have a genuine curiousity about why someone would do this.

I've often wondered the same thing. When you think about it, it makes about as much sense as buying a bag of sand to take with you to the beach. Sure, it surprises the kids for a bit, but most gets I know would also get excited over the bag of sand.

I'm with the other poster who said the money would be better spent in the souvenir shops on the ship.

 

[chefbart]

Just a thought ,but i bet those poeple on the carnavel cruise would have really wish they had some food in there room.

 

[kcashner]

That has always been my opinion, especially with the birthday package. The decorations are put up before you board (not on the birthday). And you get a cake. Make that "another" cake, because you'll get one in the dining room as well. And there is cake all over the ship all the time.

Yes, we got a fruit basked from our TA once--another big WHY? There was fruit all over the ship and we couldn't bring any leftovers home with us, so it made no sense.

The personalized gift baskets from Shirley make a lot more sense to me--you'll get "stuff" that means something to YOUR family, chosen just for them.

 

[Suz D]

Just a thought ,but i bet those poeple on the carnavel cruise would have really wish they had some food in there room.

OP here. I totally get the "gift baskets" that Shirley does that contain sand toys etc. I think that's a wonderful surprise. It's just the food that I don't get. Like a PP said, "It's free from room service". I think if I had a balcony cabin I would enjoy having Shirley do a basket with Martinelli's (since it's $25/bottle through DCL ) It's been fun reading all of your comments...(and I am thinking about ordering one of Shirleys with sand toys but I'm really on short notice).

 

[LindaBabe]

my husband LOVED his treasure chest from Shirley that included 6 Coronas and his favorite kind of pretzels!

 

[belle'ssister]

What is "Shirley" a gift company?

 

[PizzieDuster]

What is "Shirley" a gift company?

Yes, Shirley is fantastic at making gift baskets for departure day. My kids loved them. The snacks and juice boxes were great for excursions.

And she is a very special lady. Often times helping out cruisers who have emergencies, etc.

http://www.theperfectgift.cc/

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I ordered the champagne and chocolate strawberries and petit fours for us on our October cruise.

It was a nice surprise for the room and the quality of the treats was much better than anything that was on the buffet.

It was lovely to sit out on our huge balcony during sailaway and enjoy the champagne and treats.

I didn't find the desserts at the buffet (or Parrot Cay buffet when we boarded) to be all that great. Certainly not worth running up to get to bring back to the room only to throw away after 1 bite.

We spent more time in our cabin than I would guess the average DIS board member does so maybe that's why it made sense for us.

There are lots of things that people do that I don't understand but I assume it makes sense for their vacation so I wouldn't start a thread like - "Why do you bring cases of water on board?"