Ideas for surprise cruise for our parents?

[Jaxer05]

Ok, so I came on here for some advice because our parents love cruise critic so much and we need advice on what to do for a surprise cruise for our parents! The short story is this: my sister and I have bought a cruise for our parents 20th anniversary and we have a little extra to spend on it after the fare and we need some advice from people "in the know".  My mom and Dad took a cruise for their honeymoon 20 years ago and they loved it...they have been talking about it and reminiscing for 20 years about it.  Their plan was to take another one this summer, they have been saving for 2 years and they put a down payment on it last summer.  This has been a hard year financially and in December they decided they couldn't afford to take it. 😞

 

The problem is, they had already bought the plane tickets and they can't get a refund on it.  So their plan is to go to the port city (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) and try to find a place to camp (they are hoping to only spend $500...on a 2 week trip!).  They are trying to be excited about it but they are so disappointed and not really looking forward to camping in Florida in June.  So my sister and I had both already been saving money (her for a car and me for a senior trip) and we kicked it up into overdrive this year and managed to save enough to buy the cruise!  We just bought the tickets and we have a bit left over to spend and this is where we need your help!  What would you suggest we do with the extra?  What would you want?  What can we do to make this the most magical cruise ever?

 

Here are our thoughts...They are in the cheapest stateroom category...we could upgrade them to an Oceanview?  They were going to stay in an interior room originally so I know they are ok with it but is an Oceanview a lot better? We have already prepaid the crew gratuity so, in theory, they could take the whole cruise and not have to spend another penny...but we could just give them onboard credit if there are other things to buy onboard?  Do most people go to the restaurants that cost extra?  We could prepay that for them...or do most people eat at the free food places? Any other better ideas that we don't know about?

 

As you can see we are out of our depth here! Any thoughts or advice is greatly appreciated! We are so excited to give this to them and we want it to be the trip of a lifetime!  We are telling them next week and we want to have everything done and ready to go so we have to decide what to do quickly!

 

Also, if it helps, we have about $600 extra to spend and the cruise is the June 10th Caribbean East/West Adventurer on the Caribbean Princess.  SORRY this turned into a long post and THANK YOU in advance for your help!

 

Jax and Emily

[startedwithamouse]

Make sure they have valid passports and trip insurance. 

[Jaxer05]

They got their passports when they were still planning to go, so we are good there.  What is trip insurance? We bought a vacation protection plan when we got the tickets...it was called the platinum plan.  Is that what you are referring to?  Is there something else we should get?

[candy4040]

I would put the money into on board credit.  Talk with your travel advisor or call princess direct.  

[Lorabelle]

There are so many options.  Personally, if it were me, I would just put the rest on their shipboard account.  That will give them a credit when they board the ship.  At that point, they can spend it on whatever they wish to.  They could buy beverages, (fancy coffees or cocktails).  They could use it in the spa, they could use it to buy an excursion in one of their ports.  They could use it to play in the casino.  They could use it to go to one of the specialty restaurants.  This just gives them the choice instead of you having to make it for them. 

 

You are wonderful kids to do this for your parents.  ❤️

[startedwithamouse]

6 minutes ago, Jaxer05 said:

They got their passports when they were still planning to go, so we are good there.  What is trip insurance? We bought a vacation protection plan when we got the tickets...it was called the platinum plan.  Is that what you are referring to?  Is there something else we should get?

That's good news.  Then you're all set. 

 

You said you prepaid onboard gratuity, meaning they don't have Princess Plus.  Can you get this refunded?  Plus would make it a true vacation, where they could get any drinks, coffees, bottled waters (like San Pellegrino, Perrier), mocktails, cocktails, etc. Personally, we spend the money on Plus rather than a fancy cabin.  

 

[nini]

Can you afford to upgrade them to a balcony cabin? It would be nice to know the ship that will be on. Hasn't final payment been made and are they working with a travel agent? 

[nini]

The suggestion of Princess Plus and adding to their OBC are great. Just make sure it would be refundable OBC (onboard credit).

[Jaxer05]

Balcony cabins are more than double what we paid so we can't manage that.  The Princess Plus plan was also a lot more and out of our price range.

 

The ship is the Caribbean Princess. It sounds like onboard credit is the way to go? We weren't sure what all they could buy with that but it sounds like just about anything they want?

[Coral]

I would give them cash or OBC to spend however they want (drinks, excursions, speciality dinner).

 

You two are awesome! What a great surprise!

[cpcanuck]

You are amazing kids! Your parents will be over the moon! On board credit would give them the most flexibility on what they want to spend this extra cash. What ever you decide, they will be pleased beyond belief!

[jhannah]

I concur with the onboard credit suggestion. That will cover specialty dining, souvenirs, pictures, whatever they want. Y'all are great to do this for your parents.

[charliedalrymple]

First, let me echo everyone's comments about what a wonderful surprise this will be for them.  How far in advance do you plan to spring it on them?  Part of the fun of a cruise (and vacationing in general) is the excitement leading up to it!

 

I agree with what most people have said here:  Give it to them in on-board credit and let them decide how to spend it.  Good luck!

[Bemidji Ty]

Have you told them yet?  For me (after over 60 cruises) the anticipation remains fun and exciting.

[Jaxer05]

We are telling them next week which will give them about 3 weeks to plan.  We only just bought it and wanted to make sure all our ducks were in a row before we told them! Thanks for all the advice and kind comments...it definitely sounds like onboard credit is the way to go! 

[Kellyansapansa]

What a lovely thing to do! Please come back and tell us about their reaction. ❤️❤️❤️

[mtnesterz]

Dining question?  No, actually the Main Dining Room food is perfectly acceptable. There are specialty restaurants, but really not necessary. 

Ocean view cabin. You can go an obstructed view cabin, for not much more. The light is nice, but as the name implies, often obstructed. What it does buy is quiet. A guarantee that they won't be next to a broom closet or working corridor with noise at all hours. Work happens 24/7 on the ship.

You say tips are covered, was it just tips or did you buy Plus or Premium? Plus includes drinks, tips and internet, Premium then adds Specialty dining x2, special desserts. But if they don't drink, it's pointless to buy either.

Are they techno-savvy? If you are close by, assist them with the app for pre-boarding and get them familiar with the Medallion App. It can be wonky. Hint, the online version on the Princess website, works better.

BTW, we have done this itinerary. Would do again!

Edited May 21, 2023 by mtnesterz

[rjack22]

On board credit is a great idea, but maybe not for all of the $600.    Won't they need some cash spending money in ports?    What if they want to take independent tours instead of a ship tour?  Ship credit is only good for on the ship.

[Essiesmom]

How are their flights?  Are they flying in a day early?  If not, are they timed to get them i without stress…EM

[Jaxer05]

19 minutes ago, mtnesterz said:

Dining question?  No, actually the Main Dining Room food is perfectly acceptable. There are specialty restaurants, but really not necessary. 

Ocean view cabin. You can go an obstructed view cabin, for not much more. The light is nice, but as the name implies, often obstructed. What it does buy is quiet. A guarantee that they won't be next to a broom closet or working corridor with noise at all hours. Work happens 24/7 on the ship.

You say tips are covered, was it just tips or did you buy Plus or Premium? Plus includes drinks, tips and internet, Premium then adds Specialty dining x2, special desserts. But if they don't drink, it's pointless to buy either.

Are they techno-savvy? If you are close by, assist them with the app for pre-boarding and get them familiar with the Medallion App. It can be wonky. Hint, the online version on the Princess website, works better.

BTW, we have done this itinerary. Would do again!

 

Thanks for all the info! We just paid the tips...no Plus or Premium.  They do drink, but not a lot.  I imagine they will have 1-2 drinks per day.  They are techno savvy and we will help them get the apps on their phones.  Glad its a good itinerary!

 

19 minutes ago, rjack22 said:

On board credit is a great idea, but maybe not for all of the $600.    Won't they need some cash spending money in ports?    What if they want to take independent tours instead of a ship tour?  Ship credit is only good for on the ship.

 

That's a good thought! Maybe some OBC and then some spending cash?

 

9 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

How are their flights?  Are they flying in a day early?  If not, are they timed to get them i without stress…EM

 

They are flying in the day before and then flying out the evening the cruise arrives (that was their original plan when they got the plane tickets) and they still have the hotel that they originally booked so they should be all set! 

Edited May 21, 2023 by Jaxer05

[tonit964]

You both are so awesome for doing this for your parents! The memories they make on this cruise will always be with the both of you making this happen for them. 
Maybe one day, you can all take a cruise together. 

[Jaxer05]

4 minutes ago, tonit964 said:

You both are so awesome for doing this for your parents! The memories they make on this cruise will always be with the both of you making this happen for them. 
Maybe one day, you can all take a cruise together. 

That is the hope! After doing all the research on this my sister and I want to take a cruise so badly! Someday we will all take one together!

[2ferfun]

I actually got a little teary reading this! As someone who loves cruising and also has to save for awhile to be able to afford it, I know this is going to mean the world to them. I can promise you they will cherish this gift and the memories for the rest of their lives.  From your post it sounds like you are both teenagers and that is truly a remarkable thing you have done.  What wonderful people you must be! Please come back and tell us about their reaction and how it went when you reveal it to them.

[ldubs]

1 hour ago, rjack22 said:

On board credit is a great idea, but maybe not for all of the $600.    Won't they need some cash spending money in ports?    What if they want to take independent tours instead of a ship tour?  Ship credit is only good for on the ship.

 

Good point!  Maybe just hand over the cash.  Then all bases are covered.  

[Coral]

11 minutes ago, ldubs said:

 

Good point!  Maybe just hand over the cash.  Then all bases are covered.  

I agree. I would give them cash. Then let them decide how they want to spend it (off the ship or on the ship).