Shopping for someone with a cruise on the calendar? Whether they're headed to Alaska to spot humpback whales, the Mexican Riviera to explore historic ports, or Baja for sun-soaked relaxation, the right gear makes every day at sea and ashore more enjoyable. This collection focuses on practical items that actually get used, the kind of gifts that earn permanent spots in their cruise carry-on and come out trip after trip.
The Merrell Jungle Moc proved to be the ideal footwear choice during my recent Viking Octantis Great Lakes cruise, delivering unexpected versatility across diverse cruise experiences from rocky island trails to elegant shipboard dining. When packing space is limited and cruise itineraries demand footwear that transitions seamlessly between adventure and sophistication, these slip-on shoes exceed expectations.
Read more: Merrell Jungle Moc Review: The Perfect All-Purpose Shoe For On and Off The Cruise Ship
Whenever I prepare for an upcoming Alaska cruise, I always remember how important having a good reliable waterproof backpack is. The unpredictable weather and stunning landscapes of Alaska demand gear that can withstand the elements while keeping my belongings safe and dry. A good waterproof travel backpack not only protects my essentials but also enhances my travel experience by allowing me to explore without worry - even just simply being able to set the bag down in a Zodiak boat or on a glacier and not needing to worry about my gear getting wet is a relief. In this article, I will share my top picks for lightweight waterproof backpacks that are perfect for your Alaskan adventure.
Read more: Lightweight Waterproof Backpacks Perfect for Your Alaska Cruise Tours
Keeping your travel group connected on a cruise ship shouldn't require expensive WiFi packages or unpredictable cell service. Walkie-talkies offer instant, cost-free communication whether you're tracking down family members scattered across 18 decks or coordinating meetups during shore excursions in Ketchikan or Puerto Vallarta. The challenge is finding radios that actually perform inside a floating steel structure designed to block signals. This guide covers the best walkie-talkies for cruise ships - radios proven to work in the unique environment where metal bulkheads, multiple decks, and crowded frequencies create real communication challenges.
Planning your visit to Alaska, then get ready to experience once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as a black bear standing in a dense forest, a humpback whale breaching at dawn, or an iceberg falling into the water. Of course, if you want to look at nature at its closest, why not invest in a first-rate pair of binoculars?
Read more: Witness Alaska's Wonders: Top 5 Travel Binoculars for Your Cruise
It's a sad reality for many people, but covid tests and masks have become required traveling companions for most folks these days when we cruise. While governmental guidelines and cruise line requirements have changed to open everything up so we can go "back to normal", a search of any cruise "roll call" group will show that COVID is still widespread on cruise ships right now - and that will only increase this fall and winter. As such, we like to have the best test and be able to get fast, accurate results as well as a pathway to get appropriate treatments prescribed quickly. That's why we love this new Lucira Health rapid COVID test.
Read more: We Tried Lucira Health's PCR Quality "At Home" Check It COVID-19 Test
Good shoes are one of the most important things to bring with you on any cruise. While people think first of jackets for Alaska cruises and swimsuits for warm weather voyages - a good solid pair of shoes for wearing around the ship is essential. While cruise lines do an excellent job of making sure that wet surfaces are dried quickly ... damp outdoor decks are subject to weather and the area around pools is notoriously slippery due to dripping wet swimwear. Ultimately though, the challenge is finding a great pair of shoes that is stable enough for these situations that is also comfortable enough to wear all day long and yet still be appropriate to wear to dinner.
Read more: These Huk Classic Brewster Shoes Will Help You Avoid Slipping On A Wet Cruise Ship Deck
