Gifts for surprise cruise trip/How to do it

[amalone1013]

We are surprising my Inlaws with a family cruise next summer. MIL has only cruised once in college, and FIL has never gone, so they're basically first timers! So are my BILs and their spouses that will be going (all the kids are splitting parents' fares).

We plan on telling the ILs at Christmas. Any ideas for a good way to do it? I'm at a loss!

Any ideas for a few little things that would be good for first time cruisers? I'm not really sure beyond a lanyard and a cup of some type.... this will only be our second cruise so we're not exactly seasoned cruisers ourselves.

 

[ACQUADUCK]

Some kind of game with a prize, or a Disney quiz, with the winner getting a prize but a bit bigger than expected.

 

[lklgoodman]

Since you are telling them at Christmas, you could give them a DCL Christmas ornament. They sell them on the Disney online store.

 

[Stigsmom]

I did this for my parents a few years ago and gave them each a Disney gift bag filled with vacation and cruise stuff. I gave my mom a Disney vera Bradley bag which she still uses and my dad a wearable waterproof case to keep his valuables in at Castaway Cay. I also gave a book of hidden Mickeys on the ships and some DCL pins. Can’t remember what else. Maybe some pillowcases to be autographed, and the vacation dvd if they still make those. Also water shoes, and anti sea lice sunscreen for Castaway Cay.

 

[GPaLarry]

There are a few YouTube videos that show kids being told at Christmas and other times about a surprise upcoming DCL cruise. Your in-laws and other family members are really just big kids at heart and perhaps one of the videos might help. I like the puzzle approach. If you are going to spring the news to a bunch or all of the future cruisers at once on Christmas Day, give each one several puzzle pieces or letters. Everyone has to participate by combining the letters (spell out that you are going on a DCL cruise) or doing the puzzle (when finished says the same). Others have done a scavenger hunt around the house with a letter at each location to be combined with others in the end to, again, spell out your cruise. Perhaps you could get matching t-shirts with your cruise imprinted on it with a mouse or two and the date and have everyone open their present at once. It will be fun no matter how you do it, but only 1/10th as much fun as the actual cruise.