Amazon Prime Day is coming on June 21 and 22, and cruise fans who are Prime members have the opportunity to save big as they gear up for their upcoming sailing.
Many of Amazon’s Prime Day deals revolve around the home, from Echo Dots to InstantPots, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t finds for travelers. While we don’t know exactly which products Amazon will discount this June, we can take a pretty good guess, based on previous year’s sales.
If you’re planning on doing some shopping before your 2021 return to cruise, here are our recommendations for the best cruise gear to buy on Amazon Prime Day 2021.
Amazon Kindle e-readers
Don’t pack your carry-on full of paperbacks if you like to read by the pool on your cruise. An e-reader will save you space and weight in your backpack. Amazon usually offers deals on its Kindle e-readers, such as the Kindle Paperwhite, on Prime Day. Start tracking prices now, so you can assess how good the offer is when it’s announced.
Books
For those of you who love the heft of a physical book in your hands, you can ignore all the above advice and still get a Prime Day bargain. Currently, Prime Members can save 20 percent on popular fiction titles. Look out for additional deals on physical and e-book purchases on Prime Day.
Fire Tablets
Don’t lug your laptop on vacation; take a tablet instead. Amazon’s proprietary Fire tablets typically go on sale on Prime Day, and they’re perfect for watching videos, surfing the Web, and checking email while you’re on your cruise. In previous years, you could get a Fire tablet for $25 if you bought two.
Headphones
Headphones are a traveler’s best friend. Use them to watch movies or listen to music on the plane (to block out those crying babies), while you chill out on your balcony, or to motivate you in the gym. In previous years, Amazon has slashed prices on Bose headphones and Apple airpods on Prime Day, so look out for similar deals this year.
Smart watches and fitness trackers
If you’ve never worn a fitness tracker on a cruise ship, you’ll be amazed at how many steps you can rack up, especially if you take the stairs from your cabin to the pool deck buffet every day. Track your activity, so you can make smart decisions about whether to indulge in that chocolate melting cake at dinnertime or not. Apple watches and Fitbits have been hot sellers on previous Prime Days, so look for discounts as you gear up for your summer or fall cruise.
Vacation wardrobe
Amazon is already promoting its Prime Day Big Style Sale, so make sure you stop by on June 21 and 22 to update your vacation wardrobe. Look for deals on sun hats and swimsuits to wear in port, sundresses to wear to dinner onboard, even designed sunglasses from brands like Ray Ban (these were discounted last year).
You might be the kind of person who loves to hit the onboard fitness center or take boot camp classes on your cruise. Or, you might be the kind of person who prefers to wear comfortable tank tops and leggings, regardless of whether you actually work out. Either way, Prime Day is often the perfect time to stock up on workout gear and athleisure wear for less. An early deal is running for 60 percent off activewear.
Amazon has already offered early discounts of 40 to 50 percent off Prime Exclusive clothing (i.e., Amazon fashion brands); previous Prime Days have offered deals on Levi’s, Columbia, Calvin Klein, and other big-name brands, as well.
Luggage
Is your suitcase beat up from overuse, or are you ready to upgrade to spinner wheels from your 10-year-old bag? Prime Day is a great time to shop luggage on Amazon, and some deals are rolling out early in June. Look for discounts on brands, such as Samsonite, American Tourister, and Rockland, as well as the Amazon Basics brand. You might even score a suitcase set half off.
Cameras and accessories
If you’re looking to invest in a DSLR for your summer cruise to the Greek Isles or a telephoto lens for that Alaska sailing, head over to Amazon to check out the camera deals. Previous sales have offered discounts on cameras, as well as lenses, tripods, memory cards, and other photography gear by brands such as Canon and Nikon.
Miscellaneous cruise gear
Amazon could slash prices on anything on Prime Day, so be prepared. Make a list of all the items you need to purchase before your cruise – anything from water bottles to day packs and fashion jewelry. Track prices on the more expensive purchases, so you’ll be ready to evaluate the Prime Day deals to determine if they’re worth buying.
Keep your cruise packing list by your laptop, so you won’t forget what you’ve been meaning to buy when the deals roll in. Impulse buys are fun, but you don’t end up saving much that way.
Erica Silverstein
Erica Silverstein is a cruise and family travel expert, who has been covering the industry for more than 15 years. Her articles have appeared on Cruise Critic, Porthole, TravelAge West, and USA Today. A staunch advocate of cruising as an ideal family vacation, she has, on occasion, banned her own children from cruising with her.
