Gift ideas for Alaska cruisers

[havaneselover]

Next summer my kids (DD will be almost 15 and DS will be 13) and my mom are going on the Wonder to Alaska. I'm a chronic planner and thinking ahead about what gifts I could give for birthdays, Christmas, etc. that might be useful for this cruise. For example, DD would love LL Bean boots so I'm thinking that would be a good birthday present. Any other ideas?

 

[AngelDisney]

Fingerless gloves with flap cover mittens and binoculars.

Have fun planning!

 

[CathyCU03]

I'm planning to get my DH binoculars and maybe primaloft coats for everyone.

 

[saxmangeoff]

Binoculars are a good choice.

If you've got any readers, guidebooks are good.

 

[Gilland18]

My dad loves maps so got him a map of the inside passage. I agree binoculars are a good choice. A decent camera.

 

[xlxo]

A golden Loonie?

 

[Geomom]

Packable Rainshell. I got the White Sierra brand rainshells for my kids when they were on sale for $12 before our trip last year, the coat packs into one of the pockets: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LOZ9LPU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

Waterproof hiking shoes

 

[buddyjo143]

L.L. Bean makes a great double layer jacket: fleece that zips into a waterproof light outer jacket. Each has a hood, I think. We loved ours in Alaska because it was waterproof and really warm when we needed and you can take apart layers as it warms up.

 

[havaneselover]

These are great, thanks! Taking notes.

 

[havaneselover]

L.L. Bean makes a great double layer jacket: fleece that zips into a waterproof light outer jacket. Each has a hood, I think. We loved ours in Alaska because it was waterproof and really warm when we needed and you can take apart layers as it warms up.

Seems like something that would get a lot of use in general.

A golden Loonie?

I had to google this

 

[xlxo]

Vancouver is your embarkation and debarkation port. While some transactions are done in USD. The local currency is often called a "Loonie".

If you give the kids a loonie. They can buy things at a vending machine or offer it as tip for service in hotels & restaurants.

Some say Loonies give good luck. They say Loonies are often hidden in various construction for good fortune. It was a secret weapon in Olympic competition structures. http://www.cbc.ca/sports/lucky-loonie-olympics-1.3714417
http://canadiancoincollection.blogs...d.html#!/2012/08/the-lucky-loonie-legend.html

Alaska is known for the gold rush... polish a loonie and it looks like gold!

Currently the Loonie is devalued against the US dollar, so it's a great bargain.

There are collector versions too...
http://www.mint.ca/store/coins/lucky-loonie-coin-pack-2016-prod2730031#.WMT1ZjEzVmA

 

[moralesdavis]

Vancouver is your embarkation and debarkation port. While some transactions are done in USD. The local currency is often called a "Loonie".

If you give the kids a loonie. They can buy things at a vending machine or offer it as tip for service in hotels & restaurants.

Some say Loonies give good luck. They say Loonies are often hidden in various construction for good fortune. It was a secret weapon in Olympic competition structures. http://www.cbc.ca/sports/lucky-loonie-olympics-1.3714417
http://canadiancoincollection.blogs...d.html#!/2012/08/the-lucky-loonie-legend.html

Alaska is known for the gold rush... polish a loonie and it looks like gold!

Currently the Loonie is devalued against the US dollar, so it's a great bargain.

There are collector versions too...
http://www.mint.ca/store/coins/lucky-loonie-coin-pack-2016-prod2730031#.WMT1ZjEzVmA

Where do you get Loonies, or any other Canadian money, here in the states? I know there are exchanges at the airports, but I think the exchange rates at those are not great. Thanks in advance!

 

[xlxo]

Thoughts...

• I guess an IOU until they get into the country doesn't count.
• Most foreign currency exchange only deal with paper money.... not coins.
• How many loonies do you need pre-cruise? For small transactions, I think fees are worse than the exchange rate. Especially when the currency has collapsed.
• I see some available on Amazon for coin collectors, but I think the price is kinda high.
  https://www.amazon.com/Circulation-5-pack-Lucky-Loonie/dp/B00RWY4N0A/
• eBay has better prices than Amazon....
  http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...ian+loonie.TRS0&_nkw=canadian+loonie&_sacat=0
  
• stand outside airport international arrivals with a sign to see if anyone is willing to sell you a spare Loonie after a Canadian flight? If you offer the one US dollar, I'm sure they would be happy.
• would the chocolate version count? Will melt if handled...
  https://www.amazon.com/Canadian-Chocolate-Coins-Count-Pounds/dp/B018EGZ7MW/