Surprise Help Needed

[diznymom]

DH said we could go on a cruise in December 2016 - just the 2 of us. I was able to get a Concierge deluxe family room. He doesn't know this part. He thinks we are getting a regular balcony room.

I want to surprise him with this info, but don't know how. I need suggestions.

I plan on telling him either on the airplane, or right before we leave home. (Yes, he likes surprises like this)

TIA for all of your suggestions and help.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Can you please record his face when he sees the credit card statement? That might make the best disney surprise reaction video of all time.

 

[plethera1]

My last cruise, I didn't tell my wife we had a balcony and she thought we had an inside room. She was quite surprised just by walking in the room and seeing outside the boat. It was very difficult to keep the secret but well worth it.

The problem you run into is that you can pretty obviously tell that you are going into the concierge area. If you can make it on to the boat without the check-in process giving it away, maybe you can talk a cast member into helping you out. Maybe step away from him to go to the restroom or get a drink. Then you can go back to your husband and say that you asked to see the concierge area and that the cast member has agreed to show you around. While back there, you could open your door and spring the surprise.

 

[tobikaye]

Would he recognize the difference in the luggage tags or the significances of specific staterooms? If I remember right, the concierge tags they send are a different color than the non-concierge rooms. I have only cruised once and that was concierge and when I was handing the luggage off at drop off, the other luggage tags looked different.

If he would, then the surprise could be handing him the tags and asking him to put them on and make sure the information looks right. If he doesn't pick up on the rooms being concierge from that, then I would wait until you get to the terminal and just guide him to the Concierge Check-in Desk and let that be the surprise reveal.

 

[diznymom]

Can you please record his face when he sees the credit card statement? That might make the best disney surprise reaction video of all time.

Sorry, there won't be that kind of reaction. I handle our finances and will be paying it off a little at a time.
Since we are going the first part of December 2016, the price for the concierge room was still cheaper than our last cruise to Alaska where we had a Navigator's Veranda.

 

[diznymom]

Would he recognize the difference in the luggage tags or the significances of specific staterooms? If I remember right, the concierge tags they send are a different color than the non-concierge rooms. I have only cruised once and that was concierge and when I was handing the luggage off at drop off, the other luggage tags looked different.

If he would, then the surprise could be handing him the tags and asking him to put them on and make sure the information looks right. If he doesn't pick up on the rooms being concierge from that, then I would wait until you get to the terminal and just guide him to the Concierge Check-in Desk and let that be the surprise reveal.

No, he wouldn't notice. I do all of the planning and taking care of things. Vacations are the one time he gets to sit back, enjoy and not make many decisions.

I have thought of the just doing the Concierge Check-in Desk. If all else fails, that is what we will do. However, I would like for him to have a little bit of time to let his mind adjust to the idea of concierge. He will be like a little kid in a candy factory.

 

[tinkerone]

he will love the surprise.
i have booked the animal kingdom lodge, concierge level, for our stay at wdw after our next cruise. dh doesn't know anything about it, its a surprise for him. he has always wanted to stay here but since we don't use the room much on our vacations to wdw it always seemed like a waste. this stay we aren't doing any parks so it makes the price much more agreeable. he to will be like a kid in a candy factory.
enjoy your cruise and hope your dh knows how great his wife is.

 

[terramei]

I'm doing the same thing for out October 2016 cruise. I booked a 1 br on the fantasy DW hasn't actually asked but is probably assuming we're in a veranda room.

We're traveling with family that is not in concierge so I am planning on checking in and boarding with them. If DW doesn't pick up on it beforehand I'm not going to tell her. Just let her walk into the room and be surprised.

 

[tobikaye]

When I gave my sister the news that I booked our cruise, I created a video to a Disney Christmas song, with images to pictures of the Dream decorated for Christmas. I put in some notes with the dates and the stateroom numbers. Later, we had to change the date and that is when I upgraded us to concierge or I would have used that information as well.

Since it will be during the holidays you could have a card ready to give to him that is themed to the cruise and mention the change to concierge with a list of the amenities available he might enjoy. You could give this to him before you leave, at one of the airports, or on the plane.

 

[darkwing818]

When we surprised our 2 DDs (going Concierge, 2 years ago NYE cruise) we waited until we were actually at the port. I told them let's go over the Concierge desk to check in & to see if there were any last minute cancels. They told me that was wrong since we are supposed to check on the return cruiser line first & then go to the Supervisors desk, for potential upgrades. I told them let's cut out the middle man & give it a shot. They thought I was trying to scam the system & walked way in back of DW & I. Needless to say they were very surprised when the CM wanted their passports & gave them the Gold Concierge Key Card.

 

[Wenawen]

I upgraded our room to the Concierge level. I printed out all the information and wrapped it up in a box. My husband opened it at Christmas and said "why did you give me the itinerary for the cruise?" All I had to say was "Read it". He was floored. Now we won't sail any other way!!

 

[Tami0220]

I did this with my husband, he is also a guy who lets me plan everything and he goes along for the ride. We had booked a dummy cruise and when I went to book the actual cruise the category V room was $150 less than the 5B I had a dummy booking for. I'm not good at keeping secrets but was able to keep it until we got there. We had been on one cruise previously and when they couldnt check us in at the airport (they were still doing it then) they told us to go to the concierge desk to check in. So when we checked it at concierge this time he didnt think twice. I told him we could sit in the concierge area since we had checked in at concierge. He didnt know until we got to the concierge lounge! He loved every minute of it. We are sailing this November and he doesnt know a thing. I havent told him. We are taking the RV cross country and spending 3 weeks at Fort Wilderness. My daughter is coming for a few nights and will stay in our RV to watch our dogs while we cruise. We loved concierge and will try to sail it everytime. I know I wont be able to afford it when we go to Alaska in 2017, but oh well.

PS I saved and saved and it's our 25th anniversary. I booked the Royal Suite. I dont plan on leaving the room! Lol

 

[tinkerone]

I did this with my husband, he is also a guy who lets me plan everything and he goes along for the ride. We had booked a dummy cruise and when I went to book the actual cruise the category V room was $150 less than the 5B I had a dummy booking for. I'm not good at keeping secrets but was able to keep it until we got there. We had been on one cruise previously and when they couldnt check us in at the airport (they were still doing it then) they told us to go to the concierge desk to check in. So when we checked it at concierge this time he didnt think twice. I told him we could sit in the concierge area since we had checked in at concierge. He didnt know until we got to the concierge lounge! He loved every minute of it. We are sailing this November and he doesnt know a thing. I havent told him. We are taking the RV cross country and spending 3 weeks at Fort Wilderness. My daughter is coming for a few nights and will stay in our RV to watch our dogs while we cruise. We loved concierge and will try to sail it everytime. I know I wont be able to afford it when we go to Alaska in 2017, but oh well.

PS I saved and saved and it's our 25th anniversary. I booked the Royal Suite. I dont plan on leaving the room! Lol

that is truly awesome! what a great surprise. happy anniversary.

i'm loving reading all the posts, lots of ways of surprising people.

 

[Tami0220]

Once I surprised the 3 kids by making a jig saw puzzle. Each child got some pieces and they had to work together to put it together to see where they were going. They loved it

 

[CM Dad]

For my wife's 60th birthday this January, I took here one a 5 day cruise on the Wonder out of Miami. She knew we had a balcony. One of the surprises was that the balcony was attached to the Walt Disney suite. The other surprise was that no only were the two of us going, but our two married daughters and their families (included 6 grand kids from 12 weeks to 6 years), our other daughter and her boyfriend, and our son. My wife and I drove down from Virginia, with a one night stay at the contemporary before the cruise. Everyone else flew. Our son was booked in the Walt suite with us, so my wife was not allowed the see the cruise documentation. The grandkids weren't told anything about this until they got to Miami so they wouldn't accidentally say something to Grandma. Once I got a text telling me that everyone else was at the port, my wife and I headed over. First possible spoiler was entering the terminal and the person checking our documents started to ask about the 3rd person on the reservation. I was able to skirt that issue without too much problem and my wife didn't notice. My daughters had made matching Disney themed shirts for everyone. My wife's said "I'm sailing away for my birthday". The other's were all variations of "I'm sailing away for my wife's/mom's/grandmas birthday". Second possible spoiler was a cast member at the luggage scanner. He made a comment about seeing a lot of people in those shirts. Fortunately my wife just thought he was talking about a lot of people in general wear matching outfits. Someone from concierge met us after that and brought us up to the check in area and the concierge lounge (which had the doors closed). I'm surprised that being met by a cast member didn't tip her off that something was up. They opened the doors and we were met by the grandkids holding up a banner that they had made. Good reaction from her at that point. Still no idea about the Walt suite (or concierge in general). I got use checked in, we got our group picture taken in the port, boarded the ship and had lunch (stopping at Port Excursions to get tickets for the character meet and greets). After lunch we were able to head to the room. Still had no clue as we were about to enter, until one of my daughters said, "Mom, look at the door", Another great reaction when she read the suite name.

All-in-all a great cruise, but I don't think I could deal with the pressure of trying to keep a secret like that for as long as I had to.

 

[bethy]

For my wife's 60th birthday this January, I took here one a 5 day cruise on the Wonder out of Miami. She knew we had a balcony. One of the surprises was that the balcony was attached to the Walt Disney suite. The other surprise was that no only were the two of us going, but our two married daughters and their families (included 6 grand kids from 12 weeks to 6 years), our other daughter and her boyfriend, and our son. My wife and I drove down from Virginia, with a one night stay at the contemporary before the cruise. Everyone else flew. Our son was booked in the Walt suite with us, so my wife was not allowed the see the cruise documentation. The grandkids weren't told anything about this until they got to Miami so they wouldn't accidentally say something to Grandma. Once I got a text telling me that everyone else was at the port, my wife and I headed over. First possible spoiler was entering the terminal and the person checking our documents started to ask about the 3rd person on the reservation. I was able to skirt that issue without too much problem and my wife didn't notice. My daughters had made matching Disney themed shirts for everyone. My wife's said "I'm sailing away for my birthday". The other's were all variations of "I'm sailing away for my wife's/mom's/grandmas birthday". Second possible spoiler was a cast member at the luggage scanner. He made a comment about seeing a lot of people in those shirts. Fortunately my wife just thought he was talking about a lot of people in general wear matching outfits. Someone from concierge met us after that and brought us up to the check in area and the concierge lounge (which had the doors closed). I'm surprised that being met by a cast member didn't tip her off that something was up. They opened the doors and we were met by the grandkids holding up a banner that they had made. Good reaction from her at that point. Still no idea about the Walt suite (or concierge in general). I got use checked in, we got our group picture taken in the port, boarded the ship and had lunch (stopping at Port Excursions to get tickets for the character meet and greets). After lunch we were able to head to the room. Still had no clue as we were about to enter, until one of my daughters said, "Mom, look at the door", Another great reaction when she read the suite name.

All-in-all a great cruise, but I don't think I could deal with the pressure of trying to keep a secret like that for as long as I had to.

 

[bethy]

Your story blows me away. How incredibly special! Something like that would probably amount to the happiest event in my life. My DH can't/won't even surprise me with dinner out. So impressive! Kudos to you and your family!

 

[MelSpees]

For my wife's 60th birthday this January, I took here one a 5 day cruise on the Wonder out of Miami. She knew we had a balcony. One of the surprises was that the balcony was attached to the Walt Disney suite. The other surprise was that no only were the two of us going, but our two married daughters and their families (included 6 grand kids from 12 weeks to 6 years), our other daughter and her boyfriend, and our son. My wife and I drove down from Virginia, with a one night stay at the contemporary before the cruise. Everyone else flew. Our son was booked in the Walt suite with us, so my wife was not allowed the see the cruise documentation. The grandkids weren't told anything about this until they got to Miami so they wouldn't accidentally say something to Grandma. Once I got a text telling me that everyone else was at the port, my wife and I headed over. First possible spoiler was entering the terminal and the person checking our documents started to ask about the 3rd person on the reservation. I was able to skirt that issue without too much problem and my wife didn't notice. My daughters had made matching Disney themed shirts for everyone. My wife's said "I'm sailing away for my birthday". The other's were all variations of "I'm sailing away for my wife's/mom's/grandmas birthday". Second possible spoiler was a cast member at the luggage scanner. He made a comment about seeing a lot of people in those shirts. Fortunately my wife just thought he was talking about a lot of people in general wear matching outfits. Someone from concierge met us after that and brought us up to the check in area and the concierge lounge (which had the doors closed). I'm surprised that being met by a cast member didn't tip her off that something was up. They opened the doors and we were met by the grandkids holding up a banner that they had made. Good reaction from her at that point. Still no idea about the Walt suite (or concierge in general). I got use checked in, we got our group picture taken in the port, boarded the ship and had lunch (stopping at Port Excursions to get tickets for the character meet and greets). After lunch we were able to head to the room. Still had no clue as we were about to enter, until one of my daughters said, "Mom, look at the door", Another great reaction when she read the suite name.

All-in-all a great cruise, but I don't think I could deal with the pressure of trying to keep a secret like that for as long as I had to.

What a great gift to her!