On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
Twelve summers cruising
Eleven waiters waiting
Ten decks a-leaping
Nine ladies dancing
Eight men a-watching
Seven kids a-swimming
Six pokies playing
Five l ifebuoy rings
Four bingo cards
Three course lunch
Two cocktail drinks
And a towel partridge in a towel tree!
If all of that sounds like too much trouble, online shopping is your
answer.
The cruise passenger in your life is sure to appreciate a present that
helps them prepare for their next trip or to better enjoy their time
onboard.
Many companies have released cruise-related gifts that may appeal
to your friends of family, but you need to order now to receive
delivery before Christmas Day.
For a cheap stocking-filler, Queensland-based Bling Lanyards has a
sale on five-packs in various sparkly designs and colours ($25 with
free postage; www.bling-lanyards.com).
A lanyard, by the way, is like a necklace with a plastic pouch to carry
your cruise card – handy when you are wearing swimwear or clothes
with no pockets.
The Cruisey is a stubbie holder for your drink, also worn around your
neck, so you can have all hands on deck.
Each one has a nautical phrase printed across it – my two favourites
are Ship Shape and Pier Pressure (US$5 each plus postage;
www.thecruisey.com).
Australian swimwear designer Kiargo has a new range of bikinis and
one-pieces, influenced by the glamour of luxury ocean cruising.
Earlier this year, the company held a fashion show aboard a
Silversea ship while docked in Sydney Harbour.
With sizes from 8 to 22, A to G cup, any woman will love one of
these flattering, supportive designs (www.kiargo.com.au).
In the UK, the Cruise Gift Store (www.cruisegiftstore.co.uk) is
dedicated to cruisers.
The site sells hundreds of items under $20: shirts, magnets, luggage
tags, mugs, ties, games, keyrings, pill boxes and much more.
Festive items include Sea-son Greetings cards, Christmas-themed
aprons and chocolate ships.
A few funny options include Gin & Titonic ice-cube trays, lifejacket
wine bottle chillers, and port and starboard cufflinks.
Café Press (www.cafepress.com.au) also has a wide selection of
cruise clothing, journals, posters, bumper stickers, calendars, coasters,
and some random products such as pet bowls.
If you can’t find the perfect present, personalise it.
This site allows you to customise t-shirts, mugs, iPhone cases,
jewellery, water bottles, bathroom products and even pairs of thongs
for the whole group.
Of course, the ultimate present is an actual cruise, so look out for
the summer sales on offer this month.
Have a cruisey Christmas
