06 Aug 2015

A question about : Hamper ideas for a couple who like cruises

Stuggling with what to get my brothe ran dhis wife as a gift, they have recently starting taking cruises and have 'the bug', with taking three in the last year.

I thought of a hamper around cruising, maybe a small suitcase or handluggage bag with various things inside, but I'm struggling with what to put inside:

suncream, mozzie spray, towel......

I've never been ona cruise, would I be ok making a hamper the same as someone who likes flying holidays?

I thought of wrapping the case, then thought about cellophan wrapping it open, but am unsure.

I wouldn't want to spend more than Ј50 on this, and preferably around the 35-40 mark if possible.

I could add a book too, I think they'll get towels in their room anyway.

Best answers:

  • We take cruise holidays so I will try and help, if you search online cruise forums such as Cruisecritic, you will find an array of "stuff" people feel is essential. Our essentials have been whittled down over the years, but a few things we always travel with, as they suit our needs, and have bought family and friends when they have taken their first cruises.
    Luggage tag holders, nowadays you tend to print your own luggage tags and secure them to cases, plastic tags to put them into are popular, we got ours from here
    https://www.thanetdirect.com/index.ph...index&cPath=75
    Cabins (staterooms) on ships are small, organisation makes it a better experience for us.
    A pop up laundry bin, one of the mesh type, bought for a couple of pounds, or even Ј1 if you can find one in Poundland. Takes up no room in the case, but is very handy to have.
    We also take a couple of containers to sit on the dressing table and bedside table, (hard to explain what I mean but a non rigid basket) the larger one we drop all the bits and pieces in as we come in to the room. Sunglasses, hats, cameras, cruise cards etc, keeps everything in one place and you know where to find it. Smaller one for jewellery at the end of the night, if you don't feel like putting it away properly, and other little bits you might want to keep at hand.
    Every evening you get the next day's schedule delivered, Highlighter pens are useful, you can mark things you really want to do. We don't bother with these, but a lot of people will tell you they are an essential, as are post it notes. We do take these, so useful and not just for notes, handy to cover the little red dot on the TV, green dot on the aircon unit and the little beam of light through the door spy hole. Seriously the rooms are so dark those lights are annoying.
    The cabin walls are also magnetic, so again that helps with storage if you have magnets, easy to pop up shore excursion tickets, dinner or Spa reservations, and if you're celebrating on board birthday cards! Earlier in the year I bought these
    https://www.paperchase.co.uk/magnets-...hors-ahoy.html
    They work great.
    Towels are included,both for the bathroom and pool/beach, so no need to take. On the lines we use all the bathroom amenities are also included.
    Depending on the ship bathroom space and storage can be very limited, I find a hanging toiletry bag really useful.
    I hope some if those ideas help a little
  • Just to add, these are the type of basket I mean for tabletop storage
    https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/10288299/
  • How about: (I know they will already have but could get them a new set)
    toiletry bags
    travel toothbrush etc
    mini shampoos/deod/conditioner
    travel slippers
    dry spray shampoo
    a voucher for drinks package
    a nice picture frame so they can keep their memories visible
    tea bags/coffee (because the tea doesn't taste the same)
    puzzel book
    just a few things not fantastic but could make a hamper from some of it.
  • Thanks you so much! I love all ideas!
  • There are some very long sticky threads at the beginning of the forum for gift ideas, in the hamper thread there are a number of different versions for travel and cruises - you have to scroll down to find them, they are all on one page further down it.
    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/....html?t=414524
  • pack of cards if they enjoying playing?
  • A monocular, or a set of binoculars.
  • Mini bottles of their favourite toiletries. Yes basic ones are provided but I am a bit picky about which conditioners I use (my hair is very dry!).
    Some people like to take rum runners or fake bottles of toiletries on board to sneak booze on in.
  • A travel journal, so they can write down thir adventures/ memories/ favourite excursions perhaps?
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