Ideas for gifts for a friend going on a cruise?

[LuvOrlando]

I have a friend going on a Norwegian Breakaway cruise soon and wanted to gift her something. I'm not familiar so I'm wondering if anyone has any tips? I was looking for stuff onboard but it all seems very $$$ for low value, like the food looks ehhhh and they have buffets so not really a treat. Maybe there is something amazing I can get her from somewhere else not too big to take along?

 

[mommasita]

That’s so thoughtful of you

Off the top of my head
- charging dock
- book/books
- a nice beach bag (monogram initial)
- snacks for the room

 

[LuvOrlando]

Ohhh I like the books part, I know she is going with extended family and might welcome the reason for quiet alone time.

 

[OrangeBirdGirl]

With cruising everything is on your cruise card (which looks like a credit card). That's how you get into your room, what you scan to buy something, etc. Alot of people wear theirs on lanyards, so maybe a nice lanyard. There's also a casino on the ship so maybe just some cash and tell your friend to put it in a slot machine.

 

[NotUrsula]

A nice compact charging dock that will charge several devices using one 110v power plug.

 

[NYCgrrl]

You could make her a giant pom-pom so she can find her luggage on that football type field it’ll be resting on. The more garish and Rainbow Brite it is, the better.

 

[NYCgrrl]

A nice compact charging dock that will charge several devices using one 110v power plug.

Anker sells one that’s reliable and reasonably priced..probably about $20.00; available at Amazon.

 

[fly girl]

Cruise lines used to send you luggage tags, now you have to print them off and they can be easily ripped off when stapled and taped.

These luggage tag holders are fantastic! I have them for RCCL/Celebrity and I couldn't be more pleased as they are reusable. Not expensive either. They even have an option for lanyards and towel bands too if she is a pool/beach person.

https://www.amazon.com/NCL-Luggage-Tag-Holders-Cruise/dp/B07XKWFMR7/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2I2SEHXL9HS2T&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zKxdH505Y8yJBQOMmuaSYU2xUzNX-pj5I8Uyn5uc-lFqSZ176Yl-tj1LQNCYoW0rdbBd8GZQOBJIPZ3n5iMm95nnIwwfJIbiRKXZ2QcQj5xK6Ax2tA6Mg9OB22KxTTUW84PRPRZvJ_UFioqjbQrngVnONhT3ZSjn-W0qPHYuHk1L91PgzBzOkggq_JagoHk_t1yzpA9tbmulmF7vYSpRngDPK_tnxAsNdLmy9q_HzvjsQqDAdMl-9_-WG5X9dqBKDCJBdvyIZtRq7jpHmAGQgtVkCEc0NaCQPJ-_RVFEL2s.3SYh53H_jEioxvWeIa7714xfgQVttYDKFc2XBKsxh_s&dib_tag=se&keywords=cruise+luggage+tag+holder+norwegian&qid=1722475339&sprefix=cruise+luggage+tag+holder+nor,aps,166&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

 

[princesscinderella]

A nightlight that’s motion activated for the cabin bathroom, it’s so dark if you have to go potty in the middle of the night. This is the one I have and it works great to hang it on a shelf or towel bar in the bathroom. It works like a charm, the flex arm thats meant to hold it on a toilet bowl makes it easier to hook on. Some ships have started putting nightlights in their bathrooms but not all of them have it. Nothing worse than being blinded by bright lights going to the bathroom in the middle of the night. I have also accidentally turned on all the cabin lights too in the middle of the night because a lot of time the switches are right next to each other by the door outside the bathroom.

Energizer Toilet Light Motion Sensor, Toilet Night Light, 1 Pack, 20-Color Changing LED Toilet Bowl Light Motion Activated, Bathroom Night Light, Battery Powered, Unique & Funny Gift Idea, 54845 https://a.co/d/eUvTume

 

[tinkerbellandpeterpan]

Has she cruised before? If not, I have some suggestions for some easy inexpensive ideas.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Ask her where she is going and if she'll be staying ahead or on the back end in countries that use different outlets than we use to see if a travel adapter would be something she'd want if she doesn't already have one. The one we have also has multiple USB outlets to use.

Does she have a travel bag/purse that she'll take ashore? One that she could preferably wear cross-body and have anti-theft in mind? (thinking like less zippers on the outside kind of thing). There's some pretty stylish bags you can get too

 

[sam_gordon]

A nice compact charging dock that will charge several devices using one 110v power plug.

Be careful with any kind of power item. I know Royal doesn't allow power strips or extension cords, I assume NCL is the same. And ignore the Amazon ads that say "Cruise Allowed" or some such.

If you want to add outlets, try a couple of these (or similar): https://www.amazon.com/3-Outlet-Gro...8-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

The beach bag is a good idea as is the luggage tag holder as well as sea pass holder.

If they're the type of person to layout on deck regularly, maybe some towel clips.

Maybe a magnetic LED light for the bathroom https://www.amazon.com/Non-Fall-Cor...513198&sprefix=magnetic+light,aps,211&sr=8-10
It can be used as a "night light" so the main light doesn't need to be turned on.

 

[LynnTH]

We go on a lot of cruises. Here are a few ideas that we use: I put links on some - just so you can see what I am talking about.

1. Lanyard Holder (as someone suggested). We normally are on Carnival and they punch a hole in one corner. So, I get the lanyard that can just clip in the hole, not the one you put the card in plastic holder. As you constantly need to swipe the card. Not sure if NCL has hole punched card or not. Someone else might know.

2. Over the Door Shoe Holder. I bring this to put all of our misc stuff. Toiletries, Medicines, Sunscreen etc. Just keeps things neater for us. We hang it usually on the bathroom door with Heavy Duty magnet hooks. (The heavier the better).
https://www.amazon.com/24-Pockets-S...8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

3. Magnetic Hooks. Normally the walls are magnetic. Great to hold Lanyards, Purses, Hats, Sweatshirts etc. Put them throughout the cabin.
https://www.amazon.com/GREATMAG-Mag...95&sprefix=heavy+duty+mag,aps,115&sr=8-5&th=1

4. Reusable Straws in a small carry case. Lots of the cruise lines are going away from straws. But I still like to use them.
https://www.amazon.com/Kynup-Reusab...8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

5. Packable Beach Towels in Pouch. I know you can bring the Cruise Towels off the ship. But we have gotten ones from Dock Bay. They dry quick and take up so much less room when going ashore.
https://us.dockandbay.com/collectio...Ufe7HBxWmr8PKuS_cZTO2YcAHQqNorvxoCM7AQAvD_BwE

6. Pop Up Laundry Hamper. Nice to have for dirty clothes. Fold flat.
https://www.amazon.com/Mesh-Laundry...8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

7. Packing Cubes. Everyone in my family has their own color. Easy to put the cubes in the cubbies in the closets but still keep things a bit more organized. We use these on every trip - no matter where.
https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics...8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1


8. Locking Bag. Last trip I got a locking bag for the beach. We can put phones, cash, kindles in it when at the beach and in the water. It can lock around a beach chair.
https://www.amazon.com/Lewis-N-Clar...2840&sprefix=locking+bag,aps,110&sr=8-26&th=1

9. Passport Holder

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

7. Packing Cubes. Everyone in my family has their own color. Easy to put the cubes in the cubbies in the closets but still keep things a bit more organized. We use these on every trip - no matter where.

Unless someone asks for that specifically and gives you a kind I would stay away from that. There's different sizes, different types (like ones with mesh ones without, ones with handles, ones without, compression ones) and you don't know what luggage they would be taking. Plus not everyone uses them. I use both normal packing cubes and compression ones but my husband doesn't, they don't suit him especially with the size of his stuff (he's very tall) and it's not his preferred way of packing. Sometimes packing cubes also don't work in terms of fitting items in your suitcase. Many of the threads that have popped up over time on packing cubes typically have people who love to use them and people who see no point to using them

 

[iivye]

Fancy lanyard or multiple usb oulet cube. This is the one I always bring.

https://a.co/d/26HmZJ1

edited to fix link

 

[jimmymc]

Useful things would be portable chargers, USB charging block, metallic hooks, a pop-up clothes hamper, or travel toiletries bag.

Fun things would be magnets for their stateroom door, clothes, hats, gift card for the cruise line, lanyards for their cruise cards, or themed gifts for where they're going.

I agree that food is not necessary, but a bottle of wine or some beer would be nice if they don't have a drink package. Bottled water is also useful if they're doing excursions and want to bring it.

I like the CruiseTipsTV Amazon shop for cruise-specific shopping.

 

[mjkacmom]

Useful things would be portable chargers, USB charging block, metallic hooks, a pop-up clothes hamper, or travel toiletries bag.

Fun things would be magnets for their stateroom door, clothes, hats, gift card for the cruise line, lanyards for their cruise cards, or themed gifts for where they're going.

I agree that food is not necessary, but a bottle of wine or some beer would be nice if they don't have a drink package. Bottled water is also useful if they're doing excursions and want to bring it.

I like the CruiseTipsTV Amazon shop for cruise-specific shopping.

NCL offers a drink package that comes out to $21 a day, so most get it. With the package you can bring on unlimited bottles of wine.

 

[jimmymc]

NCL offers a drink package that comes out to $21 a day, so most get it. With the package you can bring on unlimited bottles of wine.

Normally yes, it is a great deal. But some discounted staterooms don't include it, so I think it's worth asking.

 

[sam_gordon]

Magnetic decorations for the cabin door (helps locate them when you're walking down a hallway of identical ones)?

Good catch on the lanyard holder. Royal has some ships that the cards need to swipe (so having in a holder is a pain) and some that are tap (so holders are good). I don't know how NCL is.

 

[robinb]

We go on a lot of cruises. Here are a few ideas that we use: I put links on some - just so you can see what I am talking about.

1. Lanyard Holder (as someone suggested). We normally are on Carnival and they punch a hole in one corner. So, I get the lanyard that can just clip in the hole, not the one you put the card in plastic holder. As you constantly need to swipe the card. Not sure if NCL has hole punched card or not. Someone else might know.

NCL no longer allows hole punches in their cards. I bought these to hold my cards and attached my lanyard to it. It’s easy to get cards in and out of. I didn’t use the carabiner clip but my husband did.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07H3PQ3V8