Choosing a gift for someone going on a cruise can be challenging. It’s a gamble to guess what shore excursion they’d like or what gear (or clothing sizes!) they prefer to pack. Luckily, there are two easy ways to satisfy anyone who’s setting sail — a cruise gift card that can be used on everything from cruise fare to onboard credit, or a gift delivery on board (think: roses or their favorite Champagne).
Our recommendation? Give a gift card if you want the cruiser to have all the power in customizing their own vacation, or purchasing one to start with. Give an onboard delivery if the cruiser has already purchased the cruise and you want to add a personal touch to make it special.
Here’s our handy guide to what each major cruise line offers, so you send the perfect “bon voyage.”
Carnival Cruise Line
The Gift Card
Send an e-card or a physical gift card loaded with an amount from $100 to $1,000 that can be used toward payment for a cruise, a shore excursion, spa treatment, or your onboard account.
Buy it online here or at grocery stores including Kroger, Safeway, and Publix.
The Onboard Gift Delivery
The Fun Shop delivers everything from flower bouquets ($50) to teddy bears ($10) to strawberries and Champagne ($43).
Buy it online here.
Disney Cruise Line
The Gift Card
Disney offers cards that can be used at any of its parks or on a cruise, and they never expire. Pro tip: Choose the design with the cruise ship etched on — you can include messaging on how to redeem the card specifically for a cruise.
Buy it online here.
The Onboard Gift Delivery
Orders must be received no later than three days before the sailing: a one-day spa pass ($16), a Mickey Mouse cake ($25), room decorations with your favorite characters ($79), or even a Disney-themed Christmas tree ($135).
Buy it online here.
Norwegian Cruise Line
The Gift Card
These cards come in increments from $25 to $1,000 and can be used toward the purchase of a cruise, onboard expenses, shore excursions, specialty dining, and spa treatments.
Buy it online here.
The Onboard Delivery:
In addition to gift cards, you can gift everything from flowers to wine and casino tournaments ($20 to $1100) to spa gift certificates ($25 to $100).
Buy it online here.
Princess Cruises
The Gift Card
Send either a plastic or online gift card with a balance from $50 to $2,000, which can be used as payment for a cruise or put toward your onboard spending account.
Buy a gift card online here.
The Onboard Delivery
Royal Caribbean
The Gift Card
This line offers cards from $50 to $2,000 toward purchase of a cruise, or onboard credit toward the spa, bar, restaurants, or gift shop. One note: It must be redeemed before the final payment date.
Buy a gift card online here.
The Onboard Delivery
You can arrange everything from beach towels ($25) to sparkling wine and macarons ($70) to be delivered right to your stateroom.
Buy gifts here online.
Celebrity Cruises
The Gift Card
You can gift shipboard credit from $25 up for any purchase on board, including beverages, specialty dining, shore excursions, casino games, and gift shop items or a specialty restaurant credit ($45).
Buy it online here.
The Onboard Delivery
A bottle of bubbly (from $39), a tuxedo rental (from $90), a pair of velour slippers ($13), and a game set with a deck of cards and dominos ($25) are just a few examples of gifts you can have delivered.
Buy it online here.