With the holidays right around the corner, you might be wondering what to get your cruise-obsessed family member or friend. Even if they don't have an upcoming vacation, your gift might inspire them to reach out to their travel agent and start planning their next adventure!
We asked well-known cruise experts for their recommendations for the perfect gifts for cruise lovers to make shopping easier. From basics like packing cubes to innovative sleeping masks with Bluetooth connectivity, these are the best holiday gifts for travelers.
Selfie sticks
It can be awkward asking strangers to take a picture of you and your loved ones on vacation. Instead of trying to locate a camera-savvy passenger, Cruising with JT recommends a selfie stick.
"Simply take out your long stick, extend it to its max, and voila! You will have an amazing picture ready to be taken wherever you are in the world," he says.
Selfie sticks are compact, with many measuring less than 7 inches when retracted. However, when you're ready to snap a picture on the deck or in port, they'll extend as far as nearly 40 inches, so you don't have to worry about leaving anyone out!
Portable charger
Cruise ship cabins aren't known for having an abundance of outlets, especially on older vessels. Plus, most plugs are near the vanity. If you want to change your phone bedside, you're out of luck unless you pack a portable charger.
Sheri Griffiths from Cruise Tips TV also says they're ideal for long days ashore: "A versatile charging brick with built-in cables or a portable charger is a thoughtful gift that will keep their devices powered up, no matter where their adventures take them."
Griffiths recommends this VRURC portable charger with a built-in cable. It costs just $32.99, and since it has a built-in cable, you won't have to worry about tangled cords in your day bag when on excursions.
Lightweight backpack
When I began college, I—like half of my campus—purchased a black North Face. While the backpack has withstood the test of time, it's not the most compact. It's also not ideal for traveling, as it lacks a strap to secure it to my suitcase as I'm navigating crowds at the airport.
Troy Petenbrink, a freelance veteran lifestyle and travel journalist living in Washington D.C., suggests gifting a packable backpack. "A packable backpack is ideal for excursions and day-tripping without having to use your heavy, bulky travel bag," he says.
The Travelon packable backpack is a must-have for him and can be purchased from Amazon for as low as $23.
Portable fan
Unless you're cruising to Alaska or Norway, you'll likely have to deal with warmer temperatures on your cruise vacation. Instead of suffering through unbearable heat, Heidi Bucolo from Eat Sleep Cruise recommends bringing a portable fan to help stay cool.
"Whether you’re exploring historic sites in the Mediterranean or relaxing on a beach in the Caribbean, it’s likely going to be hot. Plus, many tourist attractions and restaurants might not even have air conditioning. That’s why I always bring a portable fan when we travel. I have a small, foldable model that easily fits in my travel purse and stays charged for an entire day of sightseeing," she says.
Read more: How to deal with summer heat on a cruise
Travel adapters
Tony Barnette from La Lido Loca recommends giving a travel adapter. "Lots of folks don't have them and power is always an issue," he explains.
Petenbrink seconds this recommendation, adding that Epicka's travel adapter is the "Swiss Army Knife" of adapters.
"It works in more than 200 countries and is able to charge multiple different items with different port requirements. Its all-in-one design also eliminates having to play the puzzle game and fear losing pieces," he says.
That said, cruise lines have certain restrictions regarding outlet adapters, so if you know your recipient is loyal to a specific line, read the fine print before purchasing.
Adapters can be used in other scenarios, though. Perhaps they're taking a year off cruising to explore European cities not accessible on a cruise ship. In that case, a universal adapter that would work in multiple countries is a must!
GoPro camera
GoPro cameras aren't necessarily the cheapest gift, but they are ideal for adrenaline-seeking cruise enthusiasts.
Cruising with JT loves these cameras because they let him film all his journeys—whether above or below the ocean—and relive the memories with friends and family back home!
If you decide someone in your life needs a GoPro camera for their upcoming cruise, you may also want to consider purchasing an SD card as a stocking stuffer! This helps ensure their data is stored on the device and can be later uploaded to a computer when they're ready to begin sharing their videos and pictures.
Packing cubes
Do you want to help up someone's travel game? Consider buying them a set of packing cubes!
"Quality packing cubes are useful for both organizing and space savings—two very important things when staying in small cruise ship staterooms or hotel rooms," says Petenbrink.
Griffiths also spoke about the importance of packing cubes: "These handy organizers help maximize space and keep their belongings neat and tidy. For those cruising to colder destinations (like Alaska!), compression packing cubes are a game-changer, allowing them to pack more without sacrificing comfort."
Packing cubes also help simplify unpacking on a cruise, allowing passengers to simply remove them from their suitcases and place them on shelves and in drawers.
Beyond cruise travel, packing cubes are a versatile gift for any traveler. Whether for a weekend getaway or a multi-week European adventure, they keep everything organized and accessible.
Read more: Cruise packing list: Essentials to bring on a cruise
Luggage
Everyone needs a good set of luggage to pack for their cruise, regardless of length! Cruising with JT recommends brand-new luggage to ensure your loved ones travel in style and comfort.
"It doesn't have to be expensive," he says, "but something that is viable in helping them get all their belongings packed and secure."
Travelers Club has a 4-piece luggage set for just $118.99 on Amazon. In addition to 26" and 20" hardshell suitcases, the set also comes with a boarding tote and travel toiletry kit! While not the most expensive or luxurious set, it's received over 15,000 4- and 5-star reviews, making it a reliable choice for those on a budget.
Luggage tracker
While on the topic of luggage, Cruising with JT added that he thinks luggage trackers are a must-have these days: "Whether left by the airline or misplaced somewhere, a lost suitcase can really kill the buzz of a new adventure. Not anymore, you can look into getting an Apple AirTag to track exactly where your suitcase is via an app."
Bucolo also echoes the importance of keeping tabs on your luggage, explaining how she and her husband never travel without AirTags. "These tracking devices come in handy to monitor our luggage through airports," Bucolo says, "With a simple setup process, we can now locate all tagged items with the Find My app. With so many stories of lost luggage these days, we always know where our bags are with these handy little devices."
AirTags can also provide peace of mind during embarkation. Once you arrive at the terminal, you'll hand your larger bags to a porter and be separated from them for a few hours until they're delivered outside your stateroom. Though rare, cruise lines have lost suitcases before. Placing an AirTag in your bag allows you to track its location in real-time, so you can see when it's being safely delivered onboard, even if it has yet to arrive at your cabin.
Eye mask
Traveling with someone who likes to wake up earlier than you? An eye mask will ensure your sleep isn't disrupted, even if your travel companion likes to start their day bright and early.
In addition to using the mask onboard, eye masks are great for long-haul flights. "A quality eye mask is great for improving your sleep and provides a polite 'leave me alone' message to chatting seatmates," says Petenbrink, "A mask with built-in Bluetooth speakers is an added bonus."
These dual-purpose masks help block out light and allow you to drift asleep listening to your favorite podcast or white noise, which can be particularly helpful on rowdy cruise vacations, with travelers partying into the late hours of the night.
Kindle or e-reader
Reading is a popular pastime on cruise ships!
Griffiths says Kindles or e-readers can help enhance your travel experience since they won't have to worry about hauling bulky books around: "Consider an e-reader for those who love to lose themselves in a good book by the pool or on the beach."
From sunny sea days to leisurely beach excursions, there are plenty of opportunities for cruisers to dive into a great story and work on crossing off their ever-growing must-read list.
Neck pillow
Not all cruisers are lucky enough to live within driving distance of embarkation ports.
Even if they do, certain itineraries may require them to book long-haul flights, such as a Floridian considering a Mediterranean voyage.
"[Neck pillows] are inexpensive squishies that feel great and let you catch some z's before and after your trip," says Cruising with JT.
Magnetic hooks
Using magnetic hooks to increase your stateroom's storage space is one of the most popular cruise cabin hacks. Bucolo admits she and her husband are over-packed; however, their go-to storage solution is magnetic hooks.
"Since the walls of many cruise ship staterooms are metal, these devices come in handy for hanging items like bags, jackets, and hats. We also use them to hang a 'shoe organizer' which we use to store toiletries and other small items like sunglasses, electronic chargers, and more. This goes a long way in helping to free up valuable closet and counter space," she explains.
If you purchase hooks with clips, you can even hang important information—like shore excursion tickets and disembarkation tags—to your call to keep your vanity area free of clutter.
Gift card
If all else fails, a gift card is always a great choice. Cruising with JT says it'll give them spending money to buy whatever is on their mind, helping them in their future travels.
Perhaps they want to use the gift card to lower their out-of-pocket cost for a cruise drink package or purchase a new toiletries organizer.
Whatever it is, the flexibility of a gift card allows them to choose exactly what they need for their next adventure. You can either buy a cruise line-specific card or a generic Visa card. The latter will give them more flexibility; however, a gift card for a line like Carnival or Disney offers a more personalized touch.
A size-7 cruise
"If you REALLY want to spoil someone this holiday season, you could surprise them with a 7-day cruise! Seriously," says Cruising with JT.
"One of the best gifts a cruiser loves to receive from their significant other or family member is knowing they are booked on an ocean getaway, and while it may be rare to see, it's definitely special."
Even better, if you can tag along, there's nothing like making special memories at sea with friends and family. It doesn't have to be a weeklong trip, either. Many cruise lines offer enticing 3- and 4-night escapes, so you can give the gift of adventure without completely breaking the bank.
Read more: Here's what a 7-night Carnival cruise should cost you
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
