How To Give A Cruise As A Christmas Gift: Creative Ideas and Practical Tips

You want to treat your family with an exceptional Christmas gift. Why not book them a holiday on a cruise ship? A cruise will give you all a well-deserved break, with many opportunities to have a magical holiday experience. How to give a cruise as a Christmas gift requires some consideration, but it is well worth the effort. 

Remember that some logistical planning is required when it comes to a cruise holiday. Think carefully about the when, where, and how to get your incredible gift’s purchase and delivery perfect. Check cruise availability well in advance, especially if you plan to travel during peak holiday seasons. Popular itineraries can sell out quickly, so booking early ensures the best options for your gift. 

Creative Ways To Give A Cruise As A Christmas Gift

It is easy to purchase a family cruise since you only need each guest’s personal information (i.e., birth name, birth date, etc.). Finding a creative way to present the gift on Christmas Day can make it even more special.

Gifting a cruise to anyone, regardless of whether they are your spouse, parents, or kids, is very generous. Understandably, you would want the moment to be unique, like a big reveal ending with the recipients being blown away by your gift. 

To take the pressure off coming up with your own innovative idea, here are a few to serve as inspiration for your gift delivery to your family on Christmas Day.

To take the pressure off coming up with your own innovative idea, here are a few to serve as inspiration for your gift delivery to your family on Christmas Day.

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Create A Boarding Pass Christmas Card

On platforms like Pinterest, you can find Christmas cards designed as cruise line boarding passes. Download the template, and you can add each family member’s name, the cruise details, and a fun comment. You can also get creative on Canva where they have hundreds of templates for making a variety of boarding passes, as well as other options for gift certificates and gift cards.

Give A Small Gift Representing The Cruise

Give each person in your family a small symbol of the real thing. For example, a nautical-themed t-shirt, a toy sailboat, anchor charm jewelry, other cruise-themed toys or puzzles, and so forth.

You can also buy stocking stuffers for the upcoming cruise – think suntan lotion, flip-flops, lanyards (for the cabin door keycard), sunglasses, etc. (Check out our list of recommended cruise accessories for ideas.)

You can also find a variety of cruise-themed Christmas ornaments, including some personalized options!

Reveal The Gift Through Art

If you have Photoshop skills, edit a free stock image of a family taking a selfie with a cruise liner in the background by adding the faces of your loved ones instead. You can also give them a beautiful print with a nautical theme or a framed map with all the highlighted ports they will visit.

Reveal The Gift Through Music

Instead of a Christmas playlist, compile a cruise holiday playlist for your family. You can create your own one on a platform like Spotify or use their pre-selected boat-themed playlist. If you are creating your own list, here are some song ideas to include:

• “Cruisin” by Gwyneth Paltrow & Huey Lewis
• “Come Sail Away” by Styx
• “Beyond the Sea” by Bobby Darin
• “The Love Boat” by Jack Jones
• “(Day-O) The Banana Boat Song” by Harry Belafonte
• “Under the Sea” by Samuel E. Wright (the kids will love this one!)

Make Them Work For It

Create a scavenger hunt where your family must solve puzzles to find items symbolizing the cruise. You can get creative with riddles about boat themes from TV and film (e.g., Pirates of the Caribbean, Love Boat, etc.). Each correct answer will get them small rewards, like luggage tags, a sunhat, or a bon voyage card, until they reach the ‘treasure chest’ (i.e., cruise tickets).

Use Social Media

Create a Pinterest board with pins relating to cruising and port destinations. Name the board Merry Christmas and share it with your loved ones. You can also create suspense before Christmas by posting a daily countdown on Facebook or Instagram and tagging your family members. They won’t know what they are counting down to, but it will definitely build anticipation!

Message In A Bottle

Print copies of the cruise tickets or cruise-themed messages and give them in gift bottles to each family member on Christmas. You can even add a little story that you picked up the bottles by the ocean and think they are worthy recipients of the potential treasure map inside.

It doesn’t matter how you gift a cruise. The generosity of your present will overwhelm any loved one.

Considerations For How To Gift A Cruise As A Christmas Gift

Buying a cruise for others is as easy as booking it for yourself. The only difference is you’ll need to add the personal details of any additional passengers, such as full names and birth dates. For international cruises, ensure all travelers have valid passports with expiration dates more than six months beyond the cruise’s return date. Some destinations also require visas or travel authorizations, so it’s important to check these requirements before booking.

Step 1: Confirm Travel Details
Before booking, decide when and where the cruise will take place. Check school schedules, work commitments, and any personal obligations to choose the best time for your family to travel. If flexibility is needed, consider cruises with open-ended dates or purchasing a cruise gift card, which allows recipients to select their preferred sailing. Keep in mind that peak seasons, like summer or holiday breaks, can sell out quickly, so planning early is key.

Step 2: Research Cruise Lines and Itineraries
Choose a cruise line and itinerary that aligns with your family’s preferences. For example, some cruise lines are tailored to families, offering amenities like supervised kids’ clubs, teen lounges, and waterparks (e.g., Royal Caribbean, Carnival). Others may cater more to adults and couples, focusing on enrichment programs or luxury services (e.g., Viking, Celebrity Cruises). Research onboard activities, dining options, and shore excursions to ensure everyone will have a fantastic experience. Detailed information is typically available on each cruise line’s website or in their brochures.

Step 3: Understand Booking and Payment Policies
Most cruise lines allow you to book on behalf of others without using their payment details, so you can surprise them without needing their direct involvement. However, policies for name changes or guest substitutions vary. Some cruise lines charge fees for modifications (e.g., Royal Caribbean) or may have restrictions on transferring bookings. Review the terms and conditions carefully to avoid unexpected issues. If you’re booking multiple cabins or travelers, confirm whether separate reservations are needed for each cabin and how payment can be managed.

Step 4: Consider Cruise Gift Cards as an Alternative
If you’d rather let your family choose their preferred cruise, gift cards are a flexible and thoughtful option. Many cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Holland America Line, offer gift cards that can be used for booking or onboard expenses like dining, drinks, or excursions. These cards are typically available online and can be purchased as physical or digital versions. Be sure to review the specific terms, such as expiration dates and eligible purchases, to ensure the gift meets your family’s needs.

Step 5: Keep the Gift a Surprise
If you’re planning to surprise your family with the cruise, take extra care to keep the details under wraps. Use your own contact information for the booking to avoid any notification emails or calls tipping off the recipients. If personal details like birth dates are required for booking, try to gather them subtly in advance. Additionally, consider setting up a separate email account or asking the cruise line to send confirmations only to you.

If you’re going with the 100%-surprise route, consider taking out cancellation insurance. This way, you are protected financially should something unforeseen happen that forces you to cancel the trip.  You also have the option to get Cancel For Any Reason coverage, which gives you maximum flexibility and whimsy! The Platinum Plan from AXA Insurance is one of the top-rated companies that offer that option. Check it out for more information!

If you opt to purchase insurance through the cruise line, verify the specifics of the cancellation policy. Some policies allow for future cruise credits instead of refunds, so it’s important to know your options if plans need to change unexpectedly.

Pre-purchasing A Gift For Your Family On Their Cruise

Suppose you’ve already surprised your family with a cruise as a Christmas gift. In that case, it’s safe to say that you probably gained all the brownie points imaginable in their books. Yet, you can treat them further by purchasing a gift in advance that will be delivered to their cabin on the cruise, making their holiday even more special.

• Step 1: Go to the relevant cruise line website.
• Step 2: Access the ‘manage’ or ‘manage your cruise’ tab. 
• Step 3: Depending on the website, you need to navigate to gifting. It will be under categories like ‘In-room gifts and shopping’, ‘onboard packages’, ‘royal gifts’, and so forth.
• Step 4: Once you arrive at the gifts page, most sites will allow you to purchase gifts for yourself or someone else (e.g., if you have older children staying in a separate room from yours). All you will need is the reservation details.
• Step 5: Once you have entered your family’s personal and booking details, you can choose your gift from multiple categories. You can send them gift cards, snacks, beverages, or goods. 
• Step 6: Next, you’ll have to enter the exact date you want to gift delivered to your family members, along with other options, like adding a personalized message.
• Step 7: The final step is to go to complete the necessary payment. 

Closing Thoughts

We hope you’ve enjoyed these fun ideas for how to give a cruise as a Christmas present. Booking a cruise to give as a gift is straightforward; the most difficult part is deciding when to book and how to surprise them with this gift of a lifetime. Start planning your unforgettable gift today and create memories your family will cherish!

Last update on 2024-12-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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