Carnival Cruise Lines - gifts through US customs

Did they mean gifts that are wrapped?

You can always put on your website that gifts can be sent to your house.

You may not have to worry about that. Are you paying for all your guests to come on the cruise? If not then their presence is really the gift.

Yes. No gifts on board. Envelopes are fine though. We had on our invitations that no gifts were permitted on board but cards were fine. Most sent us gifts in advance.

Really? We went to one in Mexico and after spending $3000 there was no gift and I didn't see a single one. Maybe people gave cards and they just handed them over?

@Helena if op is getting married in port and the guests opt to leave after the reception prior to departure, it costs them nothing to attend.

Okay. So we weren't jerk friends??? Should we have given a gift?

It never crossed my mind to bring a gift or anything. Took a weeks holiday, went to a resort of their choice and paid more than I ever would to go(i'm a cheap last minute booker). I always assumed that a gift wasn't needed.

I wouldn't expect a gift with that Helena, and I doubt they even noticed honestly.

Thanks Lorith, and thanks for the thread Stephanie, I missed the part in my contract and info where there were no wrapped gifts allowed and will be adding that to my webpage now! Though, I really don't expect or want gifts honestly, just for people to come. (and preferably to cruise with us)

You guys are going to have a blast Stephanie and SailawaySomppi! A cruise wedding was something I am so glad I did. It was unforgettable for my guests. They still talk about it months later. And btw carnival makes awesome cake!

I ended up meeting the head chef on our cruise and he taught me how to make our wedding cake!

@lorith thanks! I don't really know anyone who has done a cruise wedding before! Did you sail with carnival or another line? Glad guests enjoyed it! Any tips or suggestions from your experience?

My very first cruise back in 08 was a friends cruise wedding, and it was so fun! Now you've got me wanting some cake... can I ask what flavors of cake you chose?

@Stephanie We did cruise with Carnival. On the Pride. My full name is Lori Dennison. Feel free (you too SailawaySomppi) to add me on FB in case you need any help along the way. I suggest requesting the chapel for you ceremony. The Pride's was gorgeous. However it is small.

@SailawaySomppi we did chocolate and vanilla alternating thin layers with cream cheese filling. They even saved our leftovers to eat at dinner every night. It was so good. My mil still brags on it as the best wedding cake ever. She's silly.

Sorry couldn't edit. I'm not abandoning you guys. I have to drive home from my lunch spot. But I'll be back

Yes, this is accurate. If carnival says don't, I would highly suggest you don't allow gifts otherwise you'll find out the hard way.

We are having a cruise wedding and I have specifically told our guests not to bring gifts on the cruise. We aren't expecting gifts because like PP have said, their presence is a gift.

Lorith, I sent the request Thank you! YES, I was thinking red velvet and cream cheese filling.... my FH wants do to vanilla with NO filling.. who does that?! lol his taste buds are soooo boring! I'm THRILLED to hear the cake will be good. I'm not sure I want it every night as I need to fit warm chocolate melting cake in there at least once or twice

I am getting married on the Paradise, and I don't think it has a chapel... BUT, the main theatre has a staircase that I can descend down as part of the aisle so I'm really hoping to get that. Would it help to request it because it sort of sounded like they would pick it for me

@sailaway - I was told they choose a room based on the number of guests you have but you could request one and they would try to accommodate it if possible

@lorith - thanks! You're a wealth of knowledge! How did you like your photographer and pictures? Did you feel like you got the quality of picture you expected and enough pictures? When I see that the most expensive package only gives you 100 picks that makes me feel like that's nothing. We can't do the chapel bc were getting married on the sunshine.

Stephanie is correct. But definitely have them note your preferences. It helps. I wouldn't have gotten the chapel if I hadn't requested it.

As far as pictures they were good. Keep in mind workers on cruises perform multiple duties so your photographer isn't solely that. They are also waiters and stewards and whatever else they are needed to be. My wedding album on FB is public so feel free to look to see the quality. We didn't get a package because our ship crashed into the gangway on our wedding morning as they pulled into port. So. There were a lot of delays and they gave us about 30 picture prints with digital copies of them for $499. We haggled a lot and argued that wed received no compensation for the delays and having our reception cut short to get guests off before embarkation because of the accident.

I'm on mobile but here are a few of our fav pics

I wish I had this one in color