Cruise gifts are a great way to create excitement for an upcoming sailing.
These gift ideas will instantly upgrade their experience.
We've surveyed hundreds of thousands of cruisers. Most agree on one thing. A few small items can have a significant impact on the cruising experience. The items below are the most frequently recommended cruise accessories.
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Why Gift Cruise Gifts?
Create Anticipation: Everyone knows the saying, "anticipation is half the fun." It's true. We love having something to look forward to. A cruise is on the top of that list. Cruise gifts are a great way to spark that excitement. A set of lanyards at the six month countdown. A set of luggage tags at three months. A travel tote bag at a month. All are great ways to build anticipation.
Cruse Agent "Thank You" Gift Ideas: Cruisers have many options when selecting an agent. They're plopping down a significant investment for their vacation. The agent receives a healthy commission from our business. We never feel like we're owed a "thank you." But, we're always very grateful when our agent sends a nice gift to show her appreciation. These small cruise gift ideas can go a long way in terms of "customer loyalty."
To Say, "You're Going on a Cruise:" She may be a bit confused when opening up a set of cruise lanyards. She may start putting the pieces together with the cruise cabin nightlight. Once she opens that last envelope with her cruise ticket, she should have a pretty good idea what's going down.
Treat Yourself: Sometimes (ok, often times), we like to treat ourselves to something nice. These cruise gifts don't need to be for anyone else. You deserve it. A few small accessories can have a significant impact on your cruise experience.
Regardless of your reasoning, here are the best cruise gift ideas as recommended by our readers.
Cruise Gifts
21 Best Ideas
Cruise Gift Idea #21 - Travel Mug
If the intended gift recipient doesn't like coffee then you can skip this gift idea. If they are normal, however, then this is a great idea. This might just be the most important item they add to their cruise packing checklist. The coffee mugs provided by the cruise line are insultingly small. Your friend will not realize how great this is until the first morning of their cruise!
Cruise Gift Idea #20 - Waterproof Phone Pouch
Water and smartphones go together like peanut butter and horseradish. Unfortunately, the two meet frequently on cruise ships. Everyone is constantly handling their phones and there's no shortage of water to be found. With the new safety protocols, phones will also replace key cards. This phone pouch and lanyard set solves all these issues. They'll have the device handy and safe for frequent and dry use!
Cruise Gift Idea #19 - Towel Bands
Towel bands are an amazing new invention and one of our favorite cruise gifts. Old school cruisers love towel clips. These are bulky and often break. Towel bands are the hottest ticket. These wrap around beach or pool chairs to keep towels firmly attached without blowing into the ocean. They also offer a convenient way to find your cruise setup amongs a sea of similar towels and chairs!
Cruise Gift Idea #18 - Cruise Door Decoration
Cruise Door Decorations are a must have item for that extra level of personalization. Every cabin door is identical. This can get extra confusing after a long happy hour. These sticky frames easily apply to the stateroom door with any printed decoration. They're also great for inside the cruise cabin to display daily itineraries, food menus, and more. We like to post a fun new daily message showing our hometown and reason for cruising. It always gets a few fun comments from our ship mates.
Cruise Gift Idea #17 - Porthole Sticker
Give the gift of a "cruise cabin upgrade." The lucky recipient will be immediately elevated a cabin class. From "Inside" stateroom to "Oceanview." Adjust your scenic view to any part of the cabin, for your viewing pleasure. Once you're cruise is complete, add it to your office cubicle wall for a slicee of nastalgia!
Cruise Gift Idea #16 - Collapsible Beach Towel
Here’s another cruise hack that we recommend when asked what to gift for a cruise. It’s more of a strategic investment. How so? When a cruiser arrives at the beach, vendors will charge $25 per lawn chair per person. That’s $50 per day for just one port! Someone could buy a few of these for that price. And, with this cruise accessory, they're not limited to how far they can drag a beach chair. They can have the freedom to escape the crowds and lounge wherever they'd like.
Cruise Gift Idea #15 - Packing Cubes
This cruise accessory is like “organization porn” for the Martha Stewart types. There’s a feeling you get when unpacking your cubes and sliding them into your closet. It’s a satisfaction reserved for the Type A neat-freaks out there. If the list were “how to pack for a cruise” instead of “what to pack for a cruise,” it would be #1 on the list.
Cruise Gift Idea #14 - Key Card Wallet
Give the gift of convenience! Cruise key cards are notoriously annoying to take care of. Cruisers need them constantly. But, passengers are also changing clothes constantly throughout the day. One consistent accessory, that never leaves one's side is their smartphone. This accessory lets the cruise key card piggyback all week long.
Cruise Gift Idea #13 - Travel Shampoo Bottles
With this travel liquids set, your friend or family member can bring their favorite product along on the vacation. Favorite soaps, shampoos, moisturizers, etc, are an essential ingredient to prepare for a fun-filled cruise night. While their cruise line will provide some options, those soaps and shampoos are more similar to a 7-11 than The Ritz. Give the gift of beauty and comfort!
Cruise Gift Idea #12 - Motion Night Light
Cruise cabins are tiny. They're also very dark at night. Those midnight trips to the restroom require a little illumination to avoid damaged shins. The lights in the cabin, however, will wake up everyone in the room. This cruise cabin night light offers the perfect solution. It's motion activated to light up with activity. And it can be pointed in any direction to eliminate cranky spouses waking up with each trip. It also offers a magnetic base to stick onto cabin walls with ease!
Cruise Gift Idea #11 - Magnet Hooks
Magnet hooks pair well with the cruise organizer seen above. These attach to most cruise walls as they're made of steel. Stick them anywhere throughout the cruise cabin. The magnetic hooks are extra strength to hold wet towels, organizers, purses, or other. Check any "must have cruise essentials" list and you'll find these towards the top.
Cruise Gift Idea #10 - Hanging Organizer
Does the cruiser in your life need some cabin organization? If so, the tops our list of cruise gifts. Easily organize your cruise tiny cruise cabin to keep clutter free all week. The cruise hack here is to use "vertical space!" This hanging organizer offers 15 pockets of storage potential. It's your ticket to a "clutter free" cruise vacation.
Cruise Gift Idea #9 - Nail Strips
Cruise Nail Strips are a great way to stand out on a cruise. These Carnival Cruise inspired nail strips feature nautical designs in red, white and blue. They're guaranteed to get some attention from passerbys on the ship and multiple daily compliments. The nail strips are incredibly easy to apply. They're vibrant colors and should last for the entire cruise.
Cruise Gift Idea #8 - Funny Cruise Shirt
Do you have a nerdy friend who loves drinking and cruises? Here's a funny cruise t-shirt to combine those passions in one ridiculous display. He or she will enjoy countless smiles with every wear. This is a must have for the social cruiser in your life!
Cruise Gift Idea #7 - Cruise Lanyards
Cruise Lanyards are on the top of our Cruise Gifts Ideas list. If you've cruised, you'll notice that everyone wears these around the ship. Why lanyards? Cruisers are constantly on the go. From cabin to pool to port and back. Throughout their vacation, they'll need to keep the necessities safe and close. A waterproof badge holder fits cruise key cards, cash, and credit cards perfectly. The lucky recipient will never lose their essentials with this great gift!
Cruise Gift Idea #6 - Cruise Luggage Tags
Give the gift of guaranteed luggage. We've had our bags lost on a cruise. It's a terrilbe way to start your cruise vacation. That's why these cruise luggage tags are a favorite gift for travel agents to send their clients. The cruise lines suggest that you print your issued e-tags and to STAPLE them onto your luggage! No thank you. We arrive in style and with the assurance our luggage does too. Click through to find the cruise luggage tags by specific line.
Cruise Gift Idea #5 - Cruise Tote Bag
She'll need a handy tote bag for trips back and forth to the pool and port. Carry towels, snacks, reading material, and a change of clothes easily. The travel tote folds up into the palm of her hand when not in use. It's also ideal for port visits. She'll need extra space for those souvenirs. This offers more than enough space for any new trinkets! It's machine washable and extra durable for many cruises to come.
Cruise Gift Idea #4 - Cruise Power Strip
This must have cruise item is on the top of all cruisers' packing lists. Cruise cabins typically have just two plugs. Yet we all have phones, laptops, cameras, e-readers, and countless other devices requiring constant juice. Unfortunately, any old power strip won't work. It must be "cruise approved." This one is made specifically for cruise passengers and makes for a great present!
Cruise Gift Idea #3 - Cruise Surprise Card
All of the mentioned items are cruise gift ideas to help improve the experience. This item is a bit unique. If you're actually surprising someone with a cruise as a gift, then this product is essential. It's the most fun way to surprise a lucky recipient. The front reads, "Oh Ship". The inside reads, "You're going on a cruise!" We've used this to surprise others a couple times and it's always an amazing (and hilarious) reaction. It pairs perfectly with item #2 below!
Cruise Gift Idea #2 - Printable Cruise Ticket
Cruise customers are often disappointed that they don't receive a physical ticket after booking. They want something to touch. Something that they can post to their refrigerator. Fortunately, we have the solution to this as well. Gangwaze offers a free cruise ticket template. Use this cruise widget to customize and download your cruise ticket in minutes. You can then print it out and include it with any of the cruise gifts mentioned above.
Cruise Gift Idea #1 - Cruise Excursion
What better gift than a truly amazing experience. Every cruise ship stops at one or more ports along the journey. Most passengers participate in an organized excursion. These range in price from roughly $50 to $500. Find the perfect cruise port tour for your friend or family member and they'll never forget the generous gift!
If you're thinking of getting cruise gifts for friends or family, these are wonderful ideas. We hope you find the perfect item.
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