Hi. I need advice from all my friends on CruiseChat. My lovely Mum is retiring after 34 years of hard work. She is 56 years old. We are taking our annual cruise in less than 4 weeks.

I have two questions. What would be a kick a$$
gift for her? She is really not into jewelry (yeah, I know that's rare for a woman). She is the "brainy" type.

Also, does Carnival still do the special cake during dinner? How do I go about reserving a special cake?

Thank You in advance....

I don't know what Carnival offers but how about bungee jumping, zip line and para sailing for dear old mom?

quote:

Originally posted by GenCan:
Hi. I need advice from all my friends on CruiseChat. My lovely Mum is retiring after 34 years of hard work. She is 56 years old. We are taking our annual cruise in less than 4 weeks.

I have two questions. What would be a kick a$$
gift for her? She is really not into jewelry (yeah, I know that's rare for a woman). She is the "brainy" type.

Also, does Carnival still do the special cake during dinner? How do I go about reserving a special cake?

Thank You in advance....

Carnival will decorate her cabin for starters (fee is required) Should be able to arrange it from carnival.com gifts. Be sure to tell the Social hosts and they just might do something or make a mention at a show. Prearranging a session at the Spa is always a good one. Or how about some golf lessons on board from the Golf Pro. And if you tell your waiter when you want a cake I'm sure they can accomodate it.

OK I have the greatest idea for you. You can down load a program on the internet that lets you take pictures that you scan and turn into a video. You can also add music. Take pictures that begin with her early years and take them thru to today. I will be her most treasured gift. When you get on board have them bring a dvd player to the room, it will be a very successful gift. I promise.

Congratulations to your Mum on her retirement!

Some cruise-related ideas:

• Is it too late to upgrade to a suite? (Assuming she's not in one already)
  
• Spa package, if that's something she's into
  
• Perhaps a shore excursion she's always wanted to take, but never has. Possibly something on Mayan culture, along with a book on the subject she can read beforehand
  
• A few items from Carnival's Gift list, such as flowers for the stateroom?
  
• A scrapbook, that you put together before and during, or after, the cruise. Perhaps include a few pages created by co-workers to wish her well as she "embarks" on her retirement? Then, you could add items from the trip, such as ticket stubs, Sign & Sail cards (after the cruise, of course), photos, and your own remembrances of this special cruise
  

Regarding the cakes, there is a separate area on Carnival's Web site for ordering cakes -click HERE. We'll need a recent cruiser to let us know if something less fancy is free for the asking, as in the past.

These are great ideas. Thanks, everyone. She really deserves the best.

quote:

Originally posted by Chef Ken:
I don't know what Carnival offers but how about bungee jumping, zip line and para sailing for dear old mom?

Chef, so you want me to give Mom a heart attack for retirement? Yikes!

You are wonderful for wanting to make a fuss. It certainly is a big deal to finally retire. Good luck and good health to your mother.

How about.....
A dinner in the ship's reservation only restaurant (don't know what it is called on your ship).

Asking the lounge piano player to put together some of Mom's favourites for a special seranade. (might cost you a nice tip)

A bottle of Mom's favourite wine waiting in the cabin upon embarkation.

Ask her collegues to sign a card and add some favourite memories. Present it to her at your private dinner. Or have friends and family email you on the ship with their congratulations.

I hope you will write after your cruise and let us know what you did and your mother's reaction.

Give her a hug and tell her you love her!(priceless)

Ahhhhhhhh

My Mom retires one day before we go on our cruise. So I am throwing her a "Bon Voyage" party. This theme has two meanings. We are going to the Carib so there will be lots of Island music and food. All of her co-workers, friends and family will be there.

I think I will order a special cake and wine for her while on the cruise. The best gift of all is a hug and telling her I love her. That was great, Bruce B. :-)