Wedding Cruise Excursion Etiquette?

[quiescentlyfrozen]

So here's my question/dilemma. I am getting married in Alaska this summer, with 33 sailing guests. We have four ports and are getting married in one of the four, leaving three for excursions.

 

In one of these, fiance and I booked an excursion directly through the operator with a coupon, but it's an excursion that other guests could still book through the ship directly if they don't have a coupon.

 

My question is for the other two ports. How are you guys handling excursions? On the one hand, I'm the type to look for coupons/deals and book small independent tour operators (if I'm going to do anything). On the other hand, that usually limits to smaller groups, since the coupons are usually only honored a few in one day or the small operators can't handle that many people.

 

I like this small group size... but I also don't want any of my passengers to feel like we're excluding them by choosing things they really don't have any hope of joining us on. Not that I expect people to always do so... but part of me feels like I should at least make sure there is the option by not picking tiny tour operators or excursions which would be financially prohibitive without a coupon.

 

So what did all you lovely ladies do? In my case some of these guests are spending upwards of $2500 per person to come - base, not including excursions or drinks or whatnot! -- and I don't want anyone to feel slighted after all that trouble and money to come.

 

Should I just suck it up and book excursions through the ship if there are things that sound reasonable, so that my fam/friends at least in theory have the option to join us? Or should I book as I normally would and assume that no one will be offended or feel left out?

[6rugrats]

You are not responsible to entertain your guests. Perhaps you could provide them with a list of ship's excursions, with the prices, and suggestions of private excursions. Add some type of note to make it clear they are on their own and need to plan and pay for these themselves. You can write this tactfully.

 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this, and it helps when things are clear for everyone.

[quiescentlyfrozen]

Right. I know I'm not obligated. I'm not proposing that I pay for excursions or arrange entertainment for anyone. I am considering choosing to go with ship-arranged excursions so those who would choose to do an excursion with us to hang out, who would choose to pay for it on their own could do so. As opposed to my scheduling excursions which would mostly exclude that option for people who would might've liked to coordinate overlapping excursions. Sorry that wasn't more clear at the outset. Just looking to know what other ladies in the same boat (bad pun intended) have elected to do.

[Scubadiva77]

Its your wedding/vacation. Its their vacation and an invite to the wedding. Id say book what you want to do if they want to join great. You can always plan on meeting up on the ship for a show and/or dinner. That is what we plan on doing :) Good luck!

[flhokie]

We had 50 sailing guests on a Caribbean cruise. We gave them the name of a tour company that we had used previously (and contact information) and made sure they knew where to find information on the ship's excursions. We encouraged our guests to do what they wanted in every port (we didn't plan anything for ourselves in port and just played it by ear). We had gatherings on embarkation day and on a sea day and everyone sat together in the dining room every night. Some people in the group decided to do things off the ship together, but some went on their own. This worked really well.

 

Don't stress about taking care of your guests the entire time. We were worried about this at first too, but it worked out much better by having a couple of arranged times (in addition to dinner) and everyone doing their own things. We often ran into people on the ship, and even on shore. Sometimes we'd end up hanging out some.

[cruisernewbie1]

I have a much smaller number of guests coming....but what I did was choose excursions (my fiance and I chose actually - can't leave him out!) through the ship. Then I emailed everybody and told them what we were doing and when so that if they felt like it, they could choose the same one. As far as I know right now, no one has signed up for our excursions. I think most of them are thinking of it as their vacation so they're pretty much doing their own thing.

[PrettyHazardous]

On my website I actually have a page dedicated to cruise activities. We have a tour scheduled for the wedding day and basically the entire group will be spending time with us most of that day. But we told them that outside of that day they were on their own vacay and we didn't expect them to spend ever day with. The day after the wedding we are planning to have an alone day in Antigua. But closer to our sailing date we'll prolly give the group info on one excursion that we are planning to do together that is reasonably priced and give them the option to join us. It may be thru Carnival but we usually book outside of Carnival soo we don't know for sure: Heres what I put on my website....

We are overjoyed that you decided to join us on our wedding adventure aboard the Carnival Freedom. We understand that while your main intention is to attend our wedding, you also want to have a relaxing and enjoyable vacation. Therefore outside of the plans for the wedding day no other activities have been scheduled for the group (besides the group being seated together for dinner in the main dining room). However please take advantage of the buffet meals on the Lido Deck as well as meals in the Supper Club. Carnival offers many ways to have fun such as:

* Movies at the seaside theatre

* Mini golf

* Dance clubs

* Broadway style shows

* Art Auctions

* Comedy Shows

* Game Shows

* Dance Classes

* Arcades

* Casinos

* and much, more.

So please take advantage of all the ships has to offer...

Make sure to visit www.carnival.com for virtual tours of the ship.

Also visit www.seauonboard.com for more information regarding Carnival cruises (the website was created by Cheryl an avid Carnival cruiser who has done a lot of research and then compiled it all on her website. She gives good advice/tips for things such as packing, cabin selection etc.).

[lowash67]

Ashley I really like that.. I think I will be using it..Thanks again

[PrettyHazardous]

Locita I just read what you wrote sure, you're welcome to use it. Lemme know if you need anything else..