Question for those who've done cruises

[Liberty Belle]

My SIL just told us she's going on a cruise for her 40th birthday in January. I'd like to get her something for Christmas that she could use or take on her cruise. Can any of you give me some ideas?

If it helps, the cruise is to the Bahamas and it's a "Blues Cruise" with blues performers each night. She is also in a wheel chair - not sure if there is anything that will make things easier for her in that regard.

 

[LoraJ]

Gift Cards for the cruiseline that she can use on board.

 

[clh2]

Gift Cards for the cruiseline that she can use on board.

This is a great idea!

 

[Liberty Belle]

This is a great idea!

Oh, that is a great idea! Thank you!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Another idea - if the cruise will be having a formal night, perhaps she could use a new outfit or a giftcard to do some shopping. Some cruise lines are doing away with formal nights but many still have them. Or perhaps she could use some new clothes to wear around the ship or into the ports. Somehow I always end up buying lots of new things before a cruise.

 

[XYSRUS]

Generic gift-gift card to cruise line, on board credit, any gift card for new clothes
Personal gift-a special piece of jewelry for formal nights, cute casual outfit, adorable luggage (or luggage tags!)

 

[SydSim]

You can order a basket that she'll have waiting for her when she gets onboard. If you go to the cruiseline's website, they usually have different choices. Many Disney cruisers use someone named Shirley - not sure if they deliver to other cruiselines or not.

 

[MiniGirl]

On our cruise, I remember wishing each night that I had brought a dressier kind of shawl to wear for dinner. It was warm, but after a day in the sun, I found the dining room to be a little chilly. I started wearing my pareo as I shawl, and it was perfect.

 

[John VN]

A co-worker of DW made a last minute decision to take a Panama Canal cruise on the same ship that we will be taking very soon. The woman will be minding our Persian while we are away so DW paid for a massage since the woman enjoys having one when she can afford it. She was surprised seeing the gift card in her cabin and loved the attention she received.

As mentioned by others, I would suggest a Ship's Credit so she might treat herself.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Thank you all for the great ideas. I think I'll do the ship gift card. I also think I'll make her a pre-made scrapbook that she can just slide the pictures into. I've got tons of scrapbook supplies already and that will allow me more $ to buy her a card with. I've already bought her some pretty (butterfly and sunflower) luggage tags, just because she travels quite a bit.

 

[LoraJ]

Thank you all for the great ideas. I think I'll do the ship gift card. I also think I'll make her a pre-made scrapbook that she can just slide the pictures into. I've got tons of scrapbook supplies already and that will allow me more $ to buy her a card with. I've already bought her some pretty (butterfly and sunflower) luggage tags, just because she travels quite a bit.

I got a gift certificate for DH for Christmas one year. He had to take it to the pursers desk to apply towards shipboard credit. So just let her know that is probably what she will have to do.

 

[dismom2]

I forgot what they are called, but they make these llittle bags that have lots of compartments (so you can organize a lot of things in a small space---and there is not much space in a cruise ship room), and they have a hanger on them so you can hang it on a door (or something else). These bags are great---you could even fill it with sample sized bathroom items and such (Target has a large dollar section by the pharmacy that sells all kinds of mini sizes of things you could use on a trip). I use these bags on trips and they have made life much easier for my whole family.

 

[Green Tea]

Call the cruiseline and buy Onboard credit for her trip.