Mothers Day Cruise a break for 'raw deal' mums

Mothers' Day - Sunday 12 May 2013

 An astonishing two thirds of Australian mums are still expected to do household chores and cook family meals on Mother’s Day, according to a new national survey released by P&O Cruises.

And just to confirm mums are getting a raw deal, when asked if they were treated to breakfast in bed, a romantic dinner or relief from household chores on Mother’s Day, nearly half the mums surveyed said ‘none of the above’.

However, the revealing P&O Cruises survey of more than 1000 mothers also showed that keeping the peace is the byword for mums when it comes to how they are treated on Mother’s Day.

Twenty-five per cent of mums who said they received a Mother’s Day gift they didn’t like said nothing but passed the unwanted gift on to someone else.

Sixty-four per cent put the gift somewhere they were never likely to see it again but five per cent said they would sell it on e-bay and use the proceeds to buy something they liked.

Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, said she was stunned to discover from the survey that not all Aussie mums are being spoilt rotten on Mother’s Day.

nearly half of mums surveyed were still doing chores on Mothers Day

 “On Mother’s Day of all days mums should be getting pampered in every way and given a break from
the usual daily grind,” Ms Sherry said.

“It’s no surprise why women are so likely to choose a cruise holiday where someone else does all the
cooking and cleaning and helps explain why there has been such strong demand for P&O Cruises’
inaugural Mother’s Day cruise.”

Other key findings in the P&O Cruises’ national survey of just over 1000 Aussie mums included:

• 42% had holidayed with their mothers as an adult and based on that experience a resounding
• 82% would do it again
• 22% had holidayed with their mothers-in-law as adults but some – 2.4% -- preferred not to remember the experience
• 17% would definitely holiday with their mothers-in-law again but 22% wouldn’t back up for a second and for 15% it was ‘definitely no’
• 49% would prefer a Mother’s Day getaway with their husband or partner but 16% would prefer to travel solo and 14% preferred a getaway with girlfriends
• 87% thought a Mother’s Day break where they didn’t have to cook, make a bed or do any household chores would be appealing
• 47% who contemplated a Mother’s Day cruise would do it for its complete freedom from domestic chores and obligations

When asked which famous mum they would like to spend Mother’s Day with, Michelle Obama was
the standout choice (22%) followed by Maggie Beer (18%) and Nicole Kidman (15%). Posh Spice was
the least popular Mother’s Day choice (2%).

“Our special Mother’s Day survey is a wake-up call for Aussie families,” Ms Sherry said. “Aussie mums want a better deal and it sounds like a cruise is just the sort of Mother’s Day pampering they have in mind.”

The three-night Mother’s Day cruise on Pacific Jewel leaves Sydney on Friday May 10.

For more information on cruises and bookings contact a licensed travel agent or P&O Cruises on 13
24 94 or visit www.pocruises.com.au