We will be getting married on a cruise on all gifts brought on board will be taxed before entering. I need to let them know this. How do I suggest alternatives to wedding gifts on my invitation. I want to include an insert that lets people know that if they were planning to bring a gift they can either bring a gift card for one of our favorite stores or money. I also thought of registering and having things sent to the house but I worried things might arrive when were on the cruise. I think gift cards or money would be best if people want to gift us. Please help. Thank you.

Welcome to Answerpool Geena. Congratulations to you!

Dear _____ ,

If you wish to send a wrapped wedding gift, please do not bring it onboard with you. Due to cruise regulations, gifts other than money or gift cards will incur a tax. If you are giving a gift we would declare from the cruise, please give it to us after we get home on ____ (insert date). Thank you so much for being part of our special day.

Love,
Geena and future hubby

Ordinarily, asking for a gift card or money is tacky, but in this instance, it makes perfect sense. Common sense trumps etiquette every time.

And welcome to AnswerPool. Geena.

Thank you for warm welcome and congratulations. Here's what I came up with please let me know how it sounds. Thank you.

Carnival will tax all gifts brought on board
Due to cruise regulations, gifts other than money or gift cards will incur a tax. If you would like to present us with a gift here are a couple alternatives we would love to receive:
© Bed Bath and Beyond gift cards
© Target gift cards
© Monetary gift
We will be sure to share with you the wonderful things we were able to purchase with your gift. Thank you so much for being part of our special day.
Much love,
Daniel and Regina

In my opinion, you are being too specific with what you want. But I am very old-fashioned. I hope Mrs.S sees this thread. She usually has good answers for this type of question.

Does the timing (and people's locations) allow for a casual "pre-cruise reception"? Possibly have a party the night before departure where the wedding gifts can be brought?

I think asking for a specific gift is tacky. Most people are going to give you money anyway. Your friends and family know your favorite places to shop so there isn't a need to tell them. I personally would omit the specifics.

Oh,my..this one is a tangle!
Of course your guests need to know they'll be fleeced by Customs but I'm afraid there is just no polite way to suggest alternatives.
Bridal couples, in a perfect world, pretend that gifts are the furthest thing from their minds and no one, even a Bride, is really allowed to conscript others to do their shopping for them....(I still don't completely approve of registering, I'm so traditional on this subject)
My solution would be word of mouth...ask your parents and a few people among your friends to tip off guests about the tax issues, THEY can suggest that gifts be sent to you upon your return home or mention that a cash gift or store card would not be subject to this tax. This is exactly why the institution of the Bridesmaid and Groomsman still exist...to save the Bride and Groom from soiling their hands with less than graceful realities.(If it were me, I'd prefer the solution of gifts arriving at my home...less to worry about on the cruise and the trickle of pretty boxes would ease the post Wedding let down)
(I said YOU could not politely send people shopping, I did not say they couldn't be sent)

I wish you and your soon to be husband long years, great joy and small troubles.



Dorian, Common sense rarely trumps etiquette.

People who are going to come on a cruise with you to celebrate your wedding must be very close friends. It's my experience that close friends are not the etiquette police and that your note will not offend so don't worry about it and just get the message across. MrsS really is the afficionado of etiquette, but some concession needs to be made to the fact that people expect a registry, they do want to know what they're supposed to do and most people are not going to care if you are a little forward about the subject.

It would save me time... I would be happy to hear that I should just grab a gift card.

Ah, but Ami, friends that close can be told about the tax issue directly, though I'd prefer to see it disguised as a request for advice... as in "Gosh, I found out that any gifts might be taxed and I have to let people know that but I don't want them thinking I expect gifts, when I'm just happy they'll be able to join us for the ocassion...how would you handle this?"
And at some point today, another possibility came to mind....If there is, by some happy miracle, one travel agent handling the arrangements, you can ask the agent to inform everyone....that way the information would be part of a business transaction with the travel agent, rather than part of the social ocassion.
(And I said I don't completely approve of registries, I did not say that I don't reluctantly accept them as a fact of life)