Who sends themselves "Bon Voyage" gifts?

Mike M · #1 (**permalink**) December 16th, 2009, 12:13 PM

I usually purchase a couple of bottles of wine for my wife from the Bon Voyage departments. I also will buy one or two bottles of spirits from the cruise lines that offer in cabin bar set up. I may also give myself a shipboard credit to offset the final bill.

When they ask: What would you like on the card? I just respond with: "From Me to Me".

Who else does this?

Take care,
Mike

beenie weenie · #2 (**permalink**) December 16th, 2009, 04:43 PM

We like NCL's Honeymoon/Anniversary Package. It's a good deal and a nice little treat.

misguidedangel · #3 (**permalink**) December 16th, 2009, 08:35 PM

I arranged for birthday decorations for the cabin for my 40th birthday. No one else was going to do it, so I did it myself....I choose to go away for my birthda cuz it'd be too depressing staying at home and not having anyone do anything, so I went away and had a wild and wonderful seven day birthday bash to Mexico......oooh how Queenly I felt after seven days of being treated like a queen only to be jolted back to reality at the airport going home..

Trip · #4 (**permalink**) December 16th, 2009, 08:41 PM

I have never done it...honestly for us, the selections never made us say, lets do it...I would rather spend the money elsewhere.

JulieOregon · #5 (**permalink**) December 17th, 2009, 10:15 PM

I sent myself flowers on my last cruise. I enjoyed them the whole week! Well worth it!

Paul Motter · #6 (**permalink**) December 18th, 2009, 07:04 AM

I have never done it either, but it sounds like a fun idea.

I definitely like the idea of making your cabin "homier" and enjoying a night in once in awhile. You don't have to be out 'n about every night of the cruise.

Fern · #7 (**permalink**) December 18th, 2009, 08:42 PM

On Princess we pre-order a bottle of bourbon and a soda package. Princess is the only line I've heard of that offers liquor as a "gift". It saves us having to pack a bottle for before dinner drinks in the cabin. You can also order from Room Service after you board. Yes, it's more expensive, but it's so convenient

!

Mike M · #8 (**permalink**) December 19th, 2009, 09:10 AM

Fern:

About the only cruise line that "doesn't" do pre-ordering of liquor is Royal Caribbean. While it isn't "cheap" on the other lines it is available.

Most cruise lines do not offer it online but you can order liquor by directly calling the Bon Voyage department.

Take care,
Mike

Fern · #9 (**permalink**) December 19th, 2009, 08:37 PM

Thanks, Mike! I didn't know that

. It's great to find out for our next cruise with Carnival

.

Hope you're feeling better,

Mike M · #10 (**permalink**) December 19th, 2009, 10:15 PM

Fern,

Here is the contact number for ordering in-cabin bar setup for Carnival.

Bon Voyage Dept. at 1-800-522-7648. You'll need your booking number, ship and, of course, your credit card.

Have a great cruise.

Take care,
Mike

Fern · #11 (**permalink**) December 20th, 2009, 08:14 PM

Thanks, Mike!

I can understand why cruise lines don't want you to bring a whole liquor store with you, but why they won't let you bring a liter for a two week cruise is beyond me :o, especially when they allow wine and champagne in seemingly unlimited amounts.

Oh, well, I'm used to it by now

and I appreciate the phone number!

CrystalPrincess · #12 (**permalink**) May 20th, 2010, 02:24 AM

I decided to buy flowers and chocolate through Crystal's gift form online because those are two of my favorite things. People should splurge on cruises if they can afford to pay out-of-pocket costs because it is a vacation, not a business trip.

Donna · #13 (**permalink**) May 20th, 2010, 04:40 AM

Never have done that, but I think it may be a good idea to look through what they have to offer....

Snoozeman · #14 (**permalink**) May 20th, 2010, 06:51 AM

I understand that as of yesterday they have made changes in the liquor policy on the Bon Voyage packages. Not sure myself, but read that on the Splendor MOB.

fourxbusymom · #15 (**permalink**) May 20th, 2010, 07:45 AM

We ordered room decorations for our Disney cruise a few years ago. It was cool seeing the kids faces when they walked into the cabins and they were all decked out! This was their Christmas gift, so we signed the card in our cabin from Santa. The other cabin had my in-laws in it and they celebrated their anniversary on the cruise, so that's why we initially did it. Couldn't have two kids in a decked-out cabin and nothing for the other two! Now they still have the decorations in their rooms - five years later!

rollerdonna · #16 (**permalink**) May 20th, 2010, 08:15 AM

My hubby does this all the time. On this last cruise (last week) he ordered wine for me (white) wine for himself (red), champagne for us, and also a Wine Card for both of us (entitling me to 10 glasses of wine at any bar or restaurant throughout the cruise). Waiters punched the card each time it was used.
On the last night, we had dinner with our tablemates and new friends, and shared the bottle of champagne with them, it was a lovely time.

Hubby has also ordered room decorations in the past. "Bon Voyage" for my son's first cruise with us, and "Honeymoon" for ours. I'm sure we will have the "Anniversary" decorations on next year's cruise!
Cruising is a celebration, why not celebrate it?!

TwiceAroundTheBlock · #17 (**permalink**) May 22nd, 2010, 07:03 PM

In 2007, both of my kids and their families, and me had a beautiful week of cruising on the Carnival Legend. Since it was their first cruise, I had both of their cabins decorated with the "Bon Voyage" packages. The grandkids really thought that was neat!

In 3 weeks, one of my kids and her family, and me are going for another week of cruising on the Carnival Liberty. This time around, I think I'll put my money towards the newly adjusted checked baggage fees....

Solo1959 · #18 (**permalink**) May 24th, 2010, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike M

When they ask: What would you like on the card? I just respond with: "From Me to Me".

Zzzzzzz. Boring. I do it all the time but I always "sign" it something different. "Employee of the Month" "From the office of the President" "From Captain Steubing"

Gotta have some fun

JHawk · #19 (**permalink**) May 24th, 2010, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solo1959

Zzzzzzz. Boring. I do it all the time but I always "sign" it something different. "Employee of the Month" "From the office of the President" "From Captain Steubing"

Gotta have some fun

"Best wishes from Barack and Michelle."
Love it!

AF1 · #20 (**permalink**) May 25th, 2010, 08:42 AM

My wife and I usually cruise every two years; we normally are celebrating our anniversary or a birthday. so I buy one of the anniversary packages. This is where they decorate the room, have a cake or chocolate covered strawberries when u arrive. I think when we walk in the room and see all this nice stuff, I can honestly say; "we are officially on vacation". It makes the cruise a little more enjoyable and fun. Last year we have all kinds of hor's douveres and sweets delivered to our stateroom almost every day. We were on an 11 night cruise; so that was very nice.

CruiseSC · #21 (**permalink**) June 15th, 2010, 07:33 PM

I get something for each cabin every cruise. I started using the BV gifts as a way to discover my guar room location and it became a habit.

I like to buy carnival's cookies and cakes and I like to get the wife slippers or a sleep shirt or a basket of goodies. Last cruise I got the kids the bucket hat and cooler pack--I now wear the hat when I mow the grass to remind me that the next cruise is coming soon.

I usually send the food items with the message, "Caution this cabin contains nuts."

Kimbopolo · #22 (**permalink**) June 15th, 2010, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CruiseSC

I get something for each cabin every cruise. I started using the BV gifts as a way to discover my guar room location and it became a habit.

That, my friend, is nothing short of brilliant!

Nothin but blue skies · #23 (**permalink**) August 13th, 2010, 04:33 PM

I have never pre-ordered anything for our cabin, but my great TA almost always sends us a cake, or a photo-certificate, drink certificate etc. I do try to send a bon voyage cake or chocolate strawberries to friends who are first time cruisers or who are celebrating an anniversary, birthday or honeymoon.

Love the idea of signing Captain Stuebing or some other fun name to your own card though.