Husband retiring... 2 questions?

[kdinkus1]

My husband has decided to retire late in the year and wants to celebrate by taking a B2B. I am very excited to experience this and would love to know (anything and everything) on how people do this!

 

Also, I really would like to surprise him with a party onboard the ship... I am going to talk to our 2 children about booking one of the cruises and not letting him know. However, I want to go full out besides this. Suggestions? (we don't drink so that kind of partying is a no-go) Gifts a long the way for his surprise?

 

BTW.. do the CD's attend something like this (for someone who isn't famous or important? just a normal guy who has worked very hard for his family and never asked for anything in return!) How would I go about setting something like this up? Thanks CC members!!

[bankerlkd]

Good idea !!

 

What I'd recommend is your DH and yourself go on the first leg of the cruise alone and have the kids join you on the 2nd leg as the surprise. He won't be expecting it.

 

You could then arrange for the kids to be assigned to your dining table the 2nd week and have them waiting at dinner as the surprise . I'm sure a discussion with the DR Maitre de could turn the evening into a super event.

[Essiesmom]

When you have booked the cruise(s), go to John Heald's blog (link on carnival.com) and at the bottom of the current blog will be a place to leave a comment or ask a question. Tell him you story and he will hook you up with the CD on your ship/cruise. EM

[golfadj]

And ask John for a small token and he will give you a bottle of champagne. Which of course you will not drink.

[pe4all]

I know that we sometimes have cocktail parties for some of our meet and greet groups. Cost is around $12 pp, but I think you need a minimum of 20 people. They give you one of the lounges for 2 hours, open bar, and some munchies in plates, like pretzels, chips, etc. How about surprising him with a dinner at the supper club, if the ship you are on has one? Does he like massages? You can decorate his room with "congratulations" decorations - Carnival has them. A cake at dinner can also be arranged beforehand. Congrats on his retirement!

[serene56]

Try to book a B2B on a ship that does two different intineraries.

The menu and the shows will be the same each week. But with different itineraries you have different ports every day for 14 days.

 

Try to get the same cabin- no moving.

 

On the last night the pursers desk will give you information on what you can expect. The pursers desk escorts you off the ship--through customs then back on the ship. (this is when you can do laundry)

 

I like the suggestion above about taking the kids on the 2nd trip==least expected---then they show up at dinner.

[VACATION IS MY LIFE]

gammy3gks,

 

Here is a great idea for you.

 

Before you leave buy a bunch of those cheap toy-like watches they sell at Wal-mart or Target (only a few bucks a piece). Gift wrap all of them and pack them in your luggage. Make sure you hide them from your husband. Then everyday on the ship, sneak off and grab one from your room and ask someone you don't know that is near your husband to just walk up to him in 20 minutes or so and just say congratulations and hand him the gift. Do this 2 or 3 times a day and towards the end of the cruise is a great running joke to keep getting these cheap watches from strangers.:D

[kdinkus1]

So many GREAT suggestions!! Thank you everybody and I am so excited to start planning.

 

VACATION IS MY LIFE: Love the cheap watches idea! My DH would get a real kick out this! Fantastic fun!

 

bankerlkd & serene56: I am definately going to talk with the kids about joining us on the second week of the b2b trip. I wouldn't have thought of that!

 

CC members are so smart! :D