Ordering Flowers

[Sackat60]

Hi All,

 

I searched the forum and couldn't find this question/answer. We are fairly new cruisers and for our upcoming Coastal Cruise on the Grand, I booked an inside cabin as the price was just too good to pass up. This will be our first inside cabin and I think we'll be fine, but without a window, I think some flowers might brighten up the space.

 

So I am seeking some advice on this. I'm allergic to some lilies, and really like just plain garden flowers. Are the first two bouquets very nice (the $39 and $49 ones)? The others seem to either have lilies or just roses, which I find a little boring. The exotic flowers look pretty in the pic, but I am concerned about possible lillies. I'm also curious about how long the various bouquets hold up.

 

Any advice on this? I did see during my search, that some people bring flowers on, but that would be a little more difficult as our TA is delivering us via bus from Sacramento to SF.

 

Kat

[cr8tiv1]

You did not mention where your cruise was going. Here are a couple of suggestions:

 

1. Bring flowers from Sacramento

2. Depending how early you arrive, you could probably find flowers near by

3. If the Grand is taking you to Hawaii...you could find anthuriums in Hilo if you go to the farmer's market or flowers from Chinatown in Honolulu (a short walk up from the pier).

 

Bring a collapsible vase from Michaels or other craft store.

 

You can get a lot of flowers for $40.00. You just can't bring on a potted plant.

[CeeCee59]

If you are ordering from Princess, just let them know you have an allergy to lilies and I am sure they can substitute something for you.

[Astro Flyer]

So I am seeking some advice on this. I'm allergic to some lilies, and really like just plain garden flowers. Are the first two bouquets very nice (the $39 and $49 ones)? The others seem to either have lilies or just roses, which I find a little boring. The exotic flowers look pretty in the pic, but I am concerned about possible lillies. I'm also curious about how long the various bouquets hold up.

 

Kat

My wife is allergic to Asiatic lilies which too often were included in pre-ordered bouquets. Now she orders a bouquet from an onboard florist to ensure those won't be used & the Passengers Service Desk could tell you how to order flowers. They usually last several days or she'll bring flowers from shore & ask the cabin attendant for a vase or brings an inexpensive one onboard.

 

Being in an interior cabin you might want to have the TV tuned to the bridgecam as your outside view. ;)

[Sackat60]

Thank you all, those are some helpful ideas. My cruise is the Coastal one....7 days up and down the California coast (turning at Ensenada). I could bring flowers from Sacramento, so will beg DH for a stop at Trader Joe's on the way to the bus for a bouquet. I could also easily buy some in SF, but our "TA bus" drops us off at the terminal and "escorts" us to the embarkation lines. I love the idea of a collapsible vase. I'm not very crafty so didn't realize there was such a thing!

Edited September 29, 2017 by Sackat60
adding info

[Alaskanb]

love the idea of a collapsible vase. I'm not very crafty so didn't realize there was such a thing!

I have found them at Dollar Tree in the past.

[Coral]

I would just order once onboard. They often have a stand out the first or second day. Just tell them your allergies. I am sure they will accommodate you. Their flowers are actually reasonable and beautiful.

[Luvmyrotti]

The florists onboard do a wonderful job. The flowers are much more tropical than you see in a store arrangement. If you order onboard on embarkation day, I would bet you'll get the arrangement the next morning. That way you can request no lilies.

 

I've had an arrangement make it through a 10 day itinerary as long I keep the floral sponge in the vase well watered. We always pre-order an arrangement and feel it's well worth it.

[pris993]

I have a couple of suggestions for you. I would second bringing flowers with you from Sacramento, because purchasing near the port would be very expensive. I use to work in the area near the port, so know well. Buying on board, I can tell you is not cheap and the arrangements are not very exciting. We have brought flowers in ports around the world... sometimes they last little more than a couple days...no matter how much we have spent. So we switched to silk flowers a few years back, they are easy to pack in our suit case, we can bring a very colorful arrangement ... brighten the cabin... when we get on board we simply ask our cabin steward to get us large vase or we bring a plastic one with us... need to put something in the plastic one to give it some weight so it does not fall over if ship rocks. Silk flowers may be a good idea given allergy issues.

[Coral]

Buying on board, I can tell you is not cheap and the arrangements are not very exciting. .

 

Wow - I disagree. The arrangements I have received onboard have been beautiful and far cheaper then if I was to purchase them back home. Probably half the cost. They also seem to last the entire 7 day cruise.

[cherrypop]

I have never ordered it, but I have heard do the ultimate dining and you get a floral arrangement. So we are doing it on our second night of our 14 day cruise. It's $100.00 we get a floral arrangement plus dinner with cocktails and wine, what else could you ask for!

[Astro Flyer]

I have never ordered it, but I have heard do the ultimate dining and you get a floral arrangement. So we are doing it on our second night of our 14 day cruise. It's $100.00 we get a floral arrangement plus dinner with cocktails and wine, what else could you ask for!

 

That's a good idea but it's varied from a few roses to a nice bouquet with the UBD & there's no way to know what'll we'll receive.

 

Although even with a less desirable floral arrangement, the UBD is a great dining experience. :D

[Sackat60]

Some more good ideas! I liked the idea of just ordering ahead and having them in the room when we get there, but I now realize bringing flowers on gives me more control over selection and quality (and Trader Joe's has some beautiful bouquets under $10!). I know about SF prices, especially in the touristy areas so don't think that's a great plan (if I had time and freedom, I'd go a few blocks to the TJ's.

 

I also love the idea of silk flowers. Done right, that could be very nice. But what is intriguing me now is the UBD!!! I am a big time foodie and love the idea that I could get multiple "fixes" at once. A good meal, drinks and my flowers :-). I need to find out more about that, so will search for threads on that subject.

[Sackat60]

Oh wait :confused:... UBD is balcony dining? That doesn't work real well in an inside cabin, I'm assuming. Which is what got me thinking about flowers to start with...trying to brighten a room with no natural light. Or will they lend ua a balcony, so we can still experience that :D.

 

Ok - so UBD is off the list of flower options, but I appreciate the concept! Maybe next cruise.

[pris993]

Wow - I disagree. The arrangements I have received onboard have been beautiful and far cheaper then if I was to purchase them back home. Probably half the cost. They also seem to last the entire 7 day cruise.

 

compared to what i have bought in ports, hawaii, Sweden, Italy, Turkey., florida... .. I find the arrangements disappointing.

[pris993]

Some more good ideas! I liked the idea of just ordering ahead and having them in the room when we get there, but I now realize bringing flowers on gives me more control over selection and quality (and Trader Joe's has some beautiful bouquets under $10!). I know about SF prices, especially in the touristy areas so don't think that's a great plan (if I had time and freedom, I'd go a few blocks to the TJ's.

 

I also love the idea of silk flowers. Done right, that could be very nice. But what is intriguing me now is the UBD!!! I am a big time foodie and love the idea that I could get multiple "fixes" at once. A good meal, drinks and my flowers :-). I need to find out more about that, so will search for threads on that subject.

 

Agree Trader's Joes is a good option. I bought an arrangement there a week ago for $6... can't believe how long it last... hope you enjoy your cruise a lot. We are going on the Grand in Jaunary...

[laughing husky]

I try to stop at Costco and buy flowers on the way to a pier if at all possible....I always bring a collapsible vase. They are very thin but strong plastic and when water is in them, they are quite sturdy. You can easily have a dozen roses in them. I agree. It brightens a room no matter what category you are lucky enough to be in. Much cheaper than buying them through the ship. I frequently have brought flowers from my garden, and I have bought flowers in ports where I visited and have brought them aboard without ever having a problem.

[jennybenny]

Hi All,

 

I searched the forum and couldn't find this question/answer. We are fairly new cruisers and for our upcoming Coastal Cruise on the Grand, I booked an inside cabin as the price was just too good to pass up. This will be our first inside cabin and I think we'll be fine, but without a window, I think some flowers might brighten up the space.

 

So I am seeking some advice on this. I'm allergic to some lilies, and really like just plain garden flowers. Are the first two bouquets very nice (the $39 and $49 ones)? The others seem to either have lilies or just roses, which I find a little boring. The exotic flowers look pretty in the pic, but I am concerned about possible lillies. I'm also curious about how long the various bouquets hold up.

 

Any advice on this? I did see during my search, that some people bring flowers on, but that would be a little more difficult as our TA is delivering us via bus from Sacramento to SF.

 

Kat

 

We always get the mixed tropical arrangement when we get any room but an inside. There really isn't anywhere to put it that it doesn't get in the way (We travel with 4 in our cabin ). With only 2 in the cabin you might be willing to give up some of your desk space.

This arrangement holds up for a 7 day cruise, and for a 10 day cruise you will have to pull out the dead flowers. Only the tropical flowers seem to last longer. We enjoy the fresh flowers as often as we can on our cruises. I didn't think you could bring fresh flowers on board, but I might be mistaken. Flowers don't do well in the heat, so on a long drive, they might not hold up for your cabin.

[Astro Flyer]

I didn't think you could bring fresh flowers on board, but I might be mistaken.

You can bring flowers on the ship but not off the ship.

[dtb55]

Wow - I disagree. The arrangements I have received onboard have been beautiful and far cheaper then if I was to purchase them back home. Probably half the cost. They also seem to last the entire 7 day cruise.

 

 

 

I agree, I've gotten beautiful arrangements and they've lasted.

 

 

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[CRUISEWITHH]

I always bring flowers on with me if we leave from San Pedro. Pick them up at Traders Joe's on our way to the port.

 

I have also picked up flowers at our first port if we are doing Hawaii or Tahiti. I ask the stateroom steward to bring a large vase and they always have at least one or two to bring to me.

 

They really cheer up the stateroom either inside or outside.