Putting together a thoughtful gift bag for a cruise lover or someone heading out on their first cruise can be a fun and personal way to celebrate their adventure. From practical essentials to cute cruise-themed goodies, there are plenty of affordable items to choose from that will make their trip even more special.
Here are 35 simple and inexpensive cruise gift bag ideas. Then we will talk about a few ways to go about creating your gift bag or cruise gift basket.
This article contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information please see the Disclosure page.
1. Beach towel clips
Towel clips are one of those cruise accessories that are both fun and practical.
They keep your beach towel in place on your lounger and stop the corner from blowing over on your shoulder. They also make a great seat identifier too. Especially on a cruise when 95% of the people are using the same towels.
You can choose from colored towel clips like these:
Or you can choose one in fun and cute designs like these:
2. Cruise lanyard
A lanyard is one of the more popular ways to carry your cruise card. If you are wondering what some other options are, check out 6 ways to carry your cruise card.
I prefer this style as it can be used with our without the plastic sleeve. This can clip directly to your card. While some like the sleeve, it can be a pain taking your card out of the sleeve every time you purchase a drink, open your stateroom door or are playing at the slot machines.
This cruise lanyard also has an easy detach clip that avoids you have to lift it on and off over your head.
3. Waterproof phone pouch
Here is another inexpensive cruise essential that is a perfect cruise gift bag filler. We bring our waterproof phone pouches with us on every cruise.
The main reason I bring it every cruise is not for the underwater photos. While it is great to have that option, the main reason I love it is that I can keep my phone, cruise card, ID and a small amount of cash with me at all times.
If I want to cool off in the ocean I don’t have to leave my valuables on the beach. It is safely kept on my body.
We have the Joto brand phone pouch and it was worked great. I do have to take my phone case off but that isn’t an issue.
4. Reef safe sunscreen
Sun screen is essential for any cruise. Consider a reef safe sunscreen like Sun Bum.
5. Rubber ducks to hide
This might surprise some, but on many cruise lines hiding and looking for rubber ducks is a thing. Not on Disney Cruise Lines though, they have banned them.
It is a way to add a little extra fun to your cruise. When someone finds a duck, they can decide to keep it or to hide it again. The only real rules are not to hide them in stores, pools, or hot tubs.
You can hide the ducks as is or put a tag on it saying who it was hid by. Here is a great cruise duck set that includes the tags. You could add a few to a cruise gift bag.
6. Stanley cup
This item is a little more expensive than the others, but is something that would really make a cruise gift bag pop, and is something that can be used daily and not just on a cruise.
Stanley cups are super popular and super trendy right now. A Stanley cup is a gift that would likely put a smile on their face.
To make your Stanley cup gift even more wow – check out these cute Stanley cup accessories. There are some super cute straw covers, charms, straps, etc. This is the perfect way to personalize this gift.
These are perfect to keep your cruise drinks colder longer or to take advantage of the free water and lemonade or other drinks the cruise line offers (differs by cruise line).
7. Stanley cup holder
These cup and phone holders are a brilliant idea! These are perfect for a cruise as you can keep your Stanley cup, phone and cruise card all in the same place and be hands free.
7. Passport holder (RFID Blocking)
Travel safer with a RFID blocking passport holder. This is an inexpensive yet very practical travel item perfect for a cruise or travel gift bag or as a stocking stuffer.
This comes in several different colors.
8. Journal
A journal is a great gift for anyone who likes to travel. It can be used for the planning and preparing for travel stage and/or for recording their memories and favorite moments.
There are so many styles and colors of journals, I’m sure you’ll find one perfect for your gift bag or gift basket.
10. Portable charger
A portable phone charger is a great addition to a cruise gift basket. With phones being used so much to take photos and videos, it is handy to have a portable charger with you.
I have even used mine to charge my phone by the bed on certain ships that don’t have plug-ins by the bed as I use my phone for an alarm.
11. Extra outlet power bank
Plug ins can be lacking on cruise ships, especially on the older ships. A power strip like this is a cruise essential I bring on every cruise.
It is important to note that not any power strip will do. It must have a NON surge protector. This one below is cruise approved (other than Royal Caribbean – see below) and is great as it has regular outlets, USB and USB-C outlets.
*NOTE: Royal Caribbean has just banned these. If you are planning a cruise on Royal Caribbean don’t buy this.
12. Book or magazine
A good or a magazine is a great gift bag filler.
13. Nail clipper set
A nail clipper set or manicure set is a great item for the cruise lovers on your list. There are travel nail kits that come in different colors making it a great small gift for men and women.
14. RFID blocking credit card holder
This isn’t just a great travel gift, it’s a great everyday gift. The RFID blocking technology makes it a smart and practical gift to help keep your personal information safe. The last thing you want to deal with on holidays is a compromised credit card.
Here is a popular option for men.
15. Travel first aid kit
A practical small gift that can be used for travel, kept in their vehicle or taken on camping or hiking trips.
16. Fillable travel sized perfume bottles
This is a great travel gift for those that wear perfume or cologne. Instead of bringing a big bottle or paying extra for a travel sized perfume try these refillable perfume atomizer bottles.
You fill these bottles with your favorite scent to make your own affordable travel size perfume.
17. Sea Bands
If you are putting together a cruise gift bag for a first time cruiser, consider adding a Sea Band. These are acupressure wristbands that can help with motion sickness.
18. Travel games
Travel sized games are a great small gift idea. They are perfect to pass time at the airport, adding extra fun to a sea day or keeping you entertained on a rainy cruise day.
The bonus is that it can be used any day and not just while traveling, making it an extra valuable gift idea.
Here are some other travel games ideas: 21 Fun games to bring on a cruise.
19. Sand free beach towel
While the cruise ships do have beach towels that you can use while on the ship and for port days, if you have the luggage space, you might want to consider a sand free towel. It is a great cruise gift basket filler.
The quick dry sand free towels are smaller and lighter weight than most cruise towels.
20. Fanny pack
Fanny packs have become popular, especially worn cross body. This is a great travel gift that will get lots of use.
21. Travel mug
If you have a coffee or tea lover on your list, consider adding a travel mug to their cruise gift basket. The coffee mugs the ships usually provide with the free coffee are quite small. A travel mug will keep coffee hotter longer and save a couple trips to refill.
This is another one of those items that can be used in every day life and not just while traveling.
22. Cruise luggage tag holders
Most, if not all cruise lines now have you print out your own luggage tags at home. A cruise luggage tag holder is the best way to attach these luggage tags to your suitcase. Here is more information on cruise luggage tags.
There are different sized holders for different cruise lines. Find different cruise line luggage tag holders here.
Here are the ones that will fit Norwegian Cruise Line luggage tags.
23. Luggage tags
When cruising, you will need the luggage tags mentioned above. Those are needed for the crew to deliver your checked bags to your stateroom door. You should also have regular luggage tags with your contact information, especially if you are flying to your departure point.
Luggage tags are inexpensive and come in so many designs and colors, making them perfect for a cruise gift bag.
I recommend ones with privacy panels, so that your personal information isn’t easily shown to anyone around.
24. Cruise nail decals
This is a fun and likely unexpected cruise gift bag filler idea. There are lots of cute nail decals or press on nails that you could include with your gift.
25. Mini medicine
Packing a selection of travel sized medicines are important cruise essentials to pack. There is a limited selection onboard, the stores have very limited hours, and the prices are considerably higher than at home.
You could purchase a small make-up bag or toiletry bag and fill it with travel sized medicines.
You could include medication for headaches, a sore throat, stomach issues, ginger pills (sea sickness), etc.
26. Travel laundry items
You could also include in your cruise gift bag some small laundry items.
Include items such as a Tide sink packet, Tide stain remover pen, and a Downy wrinkle release spray
These are items people often forget to pack for a cruise.
27. Sanitizer and holder
Pair a travel sized hand sanitizer and holder for an inexpensive yet useful cruise gift.
Or a blingy Bath and Body works hand sanitizer holder and a selection of Bath & Body Works sanitizers.
28. Lip balm
A lip balm with SPF sun protection is a definite cruise must-have that makes for an inexpensive cruise gift bag filler.
29. After sun lotion
This is a cruise essential for any warm weather cruise vacation. With the ship moving, there is a constant breeze. This can make the amount of sun you are getting deceiving.
30. Travel containers
TSA approved travel bottles for toiletries are a great gift bag filler idea if the person you are buying for has to fly to their cruise and especially if they like to travel with just carry on.
This allows them to travel with their favorite hair products and lotions without taking up so much valuable luggage space.
31. Electronics organizer
An electronics accessory travel organizer is a practical gift anyone will appreciate.
32. Jewelry travel case
A cruise gift idea for the jewelry wearers on your your list. Here is a cute and practical yet inexpensive jewelry travel case.
It comes in several different colors.
33. Drawstring backpack
A drawstring backpack would be useful on a cruise as a pool bag or shore excursion bag.
34. Hanging toiletry bag
A hanging toiletry bag is a cruise essential as it helps keep the small cruise ship bathrooms organized. There isn’t much counter space or storage, so hanging all your toiletries on the back of the bathroom door is a great space saver.
35. Beach bag
A beach bag is a cruise essential that can be used either as a cruise gift basket filler or as the gift bag itself.
I use my beach bag as my airplane carry-on bag, my cruise carry on bag, and as my shore excursion bag.
Now that we have come up with some cruise gift bag filler ideas, here are some ways you can put it all together.
- Fill a gift bag with the cruise items that fit your budget
- Create a gift basket using a color theme
- Fill a hanging toiletry bag with related items (travel sized meds, refillable bottles, first aid kit, landry items)
- Fill a beach bag with related items (towel, towel clips, sunscreen, lip balm, after sun, book, etc.)
- Use a drawstring backpack as your gift bag
Which ever items you choose or however you decide to put it all together I’m sure your gift will put a smile on someone’s face. It will help build excitement for an upcoming cruise.
Giving a cruise gift basket or gift bag is a great way reveal an upcoming family cruise or a surprise cruise vacation.
Here are some related articles you might find helpful: