Wrapped gifts

[CathieM88]

We just found out that our friend who will be sailing with us on the Oosterdam Jan 2007 will finish with her Masters Program the week before we sail. We are planning on giving her a gift while we are cruising and I am not sure if we are allowed to bring wrapped gifts on board? the box will be about coat box size and I am planning on carrying it on.

[Grumpy1]

We just found out that our friend who will be sailing with us on the Oosterdam Jan 2007 will finish with her Masters Program the week before we sail. We are planning on giving her a gift while we are cruising and I am not sure if we are allowed to bring wrapped gifts on board? the box will be about coat box size and I am planning on carrying it on.

We flew to Ohio at Christmas and had many gifts for kids and grandkids. We played it safe and left everything unwrapped, but took all of the wrapping materials with us. I'm not sure if the cruiseline will be as critical about their inspections as TSA, but if you will be flying with the gift, I would leave it unwrapped. I just checked your post again and see that you are in San Diego, so I guess you won't be flying with the package to board the Oosterdam.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Definitely leave everything unwrapped - airplanes especially don't allow wrapped gifts. If they have to inspect anything, they will just tare off the wrapping. When we had a friend celebrating a birthday a few years ago, I just bought a package of the folded gift wrap paper and took along some scotch tape and my own ribbon to make a bow.

[sail7seas]

If you are not flying, you should be okay with wrapping the package for bringing aboard the ship. As long as they can x-ray it, it should be okay.

But.......good suggestions to bring wrapping paper and ribbon and wrap it once you get aboard.

[Randyk47]

You always run the risk of having to unwrap a gift when traveling by air. I've done it and personally I've never had to unwrap one but I've seen it happen to others. I don't think the cruise lines care though I've only taken one wrapped gift onto a ship and there was no problem with it.

[CathieM88]

I think I will just play it cautiosly and do as suggested above and bring paper, tape and ribbon. We aren't flying, but I would hate to have to unwrap it.
Thanks all for you responses!

[MumsTheWord*]

I, too, was concerned about taking a wrapped gift and so last November when we cruised with extended family, I purchased an L.L. Bean Boat Tote for each family (cabin), monogrammed with their last name. It folded flat in our luggage and once onboard, I filled it with "goodies", stuffed the top with tissue paper and added a ribbon (which I had brought with me.) The tote was an adorable 'gift bag' and everyone was VERY appreciative at the end of the cruise to have an extra bag to carry all of their additional purchases home in!:)