With Christmas just around the corner, thoughts are invariably turning to what to buy our nearest and dearest. If your nearest and dearest just happens to be a cruise enthusiast, then we have the perfect present ideas. Read on for the top 10.
1. Lightweight, hard-wearing travel bag
When cruising the ocean blue, you need to ensure that you utilize every inch of your luggage space and while there are generally a multitude of shops onboard it’s always preferable to be well prepared. By gifting a lightweight, waterproof bag such as the Helly Hansen 30-litre duffle you’re giving the gift of a jealousy-inducing piece of travel kit. This particular model comes with compression straps, an extendable handle and wheels – perfect if your loved one is happiest when they’re on the ocean waves.
2. A thermal jacket
For anyone who loves to spend time up on deck, a lightweight but warm jacket is a must. North Face’s ThermoBall is easily packable, and works perfectly as an outer layer for those cool evenings on board. Cruising the Arctic? Then it will work as a great mid-layer underneath your thicker winter garbs. What’s more, it looks pretty smart too. And if they already have a jacket, fear not because the range also contains vests, boots and scarves.
3. Hiking shoes
No traveller is complete without a pair of decent hiking boots. Whether you’re on a scenic walking tour of Monet’s famous painting spots (during a cruise along the river Rhine) or stopping off in the frontier town of Skagway and exploring a historic gold rush camp (during your cruise to Canada and Alaska), good hiking boots are sure to prove invaluable. The Danner Mountain Pass boots don’t come cheap but are carefully crafted using Vibram soles and Gore-Tex leather uppers. The manufacturer will also repair them for a very reasonable fee should they get damaged. An investment piece that is sure to come in handy time and time again for the seasoned traveller.
4. App that deletes other people from your photos
Maybe an app isn’t the most traditional of gifts but for those bitten by the travel bug, this could come in very handy indeed. Adobe has revealed a new camera app that can delete unwanted tourists from photographs, easily and automatically. The app works by using an algorithm to analyse what is moving and what isn’t. It will then produce a photo with the moving objects cut out, invaluable if you’re planning a trip to the heavily congested Taj Mahal for instance. Your pals will wonder how you managed to find so many world heritage sites completely empty!
5. World scratch map
Great for children and the young at heart, a scratch map is a fantastic idea if you like to keep a track of where you’ve been and where you still have to visit. The ‘Scratch Map Oceans’ comes on an attractive transparent acetate with blue tonal prints and contains interesting oceanic facts. It measures 59 x 82cm so would be a great addition to a study or child’s bedroom.
6. Go Pro – Hero 6
Go Pro’s latest offering, the Hero 6 is sure to be the perfect addition to any cruise fanatics stocking. The camera is completely waterproof and all photos taken will automatically upload to the GoPro app on your camera or laptop. The impressive low-light capabilities and night mode means you can even capture star-strewn vistas in the middle of the ocean. The hands-free nature of the Go Pro mean that your peripatetic pal will never miss a thing!
7. A Moleskine notepad
That’s right, a plain old notebook. A rather stylish notebook perhaps but certainly one that requires no power source or Wi-Fi connection. The magical expanse of the deep blue or the unique and gratifying experience of seeing one of the seven wonders of the world can bring out the writer in many a cruiser. The humble notebook is sure to come in handy if artistic inspiration flashes.
8. Binoculars with built-in camera
There’s an awful lot to see from the upper deck of a cruise ship. Whether you’re lucky enough to catch a shoal of dolphins in the middle of an Atlantic cruise or you simply want to see the sights in more detail from your river cruise along the Volga, binoculars with a built-in camera will help you capture the moment beautifully. Capable of taking photographs of up to 12 megapixels, the Bushnell binoculars are a must have for any eagle-eyed cruiser who doesn’t want to carry around too much equipment.
9. The Kindle Paperwhite
Remember the days when avid readers had to pack 10 books in their suitcase? Well, luckily those days are a thing of the past thanks to the invaluable e-reader. The Kindle Paperwhite is one of the best on the market and it’s affordable too. It can hold more than 1,000 books and can go weeks between charges, perfect if you have a round-the-world cruise lined up in the new year.
10. Fossil shave kit
Packing to go away can be one of the downsides of regular travel if you’re not well prepared. Luckily, having a trusty wash bag with all your toiletries ready to go makes cruise travel a breeze. The stylish Fossil shave kit has a distinctly premium feel – soft to the touch leather and masses of space, the bag has a waterproof lining and small internal zipped pockets.
So, there you have it! Whether your loved one prefers around the world cruise or a five-day river getaway, you’ll know exactly what to get them come December 25th!
And after all that altruism now’s the time to treat yourself. See our full selection of amazing cruise itineraries online or call our friendly sales team on 0808 2746 777.
