Cruise Ship Shops – Here Are Things You Didn’t Plan to Buy, But Probably Will

I have sailed with many different cruise lines and been on board many different-sized ships and I have noticed that the onboard shops tend to sell very similar things.

Shops onboard often sell “duty-free” items, but the items on sale aren’t always bargains.

Onboard shops are only open when the ship is at sea, not when it is docked in port. You will see their shutters down, and you will have to wait until the ships have left port before you can enter and make any purchases.

This is to do with international maritime laws.

The shops on a cruise ship typically open about 30 minutes after the ship leaves port – when she is sailing in international waters.

Once in international waters, the laws of the country from which the ship departed no longer apply.

The specific distance varies, but it’s generally around 1-12 miles from the coast, depending on the country and regulations.

Toiletries and Essentials (The ‘Oops I Forgot To Pack It’ Section)

If you have forgotten to pack an essential toiletry item, don’t worry, you can usually buy something onboard. I’m talking about things like:

• Toothpaste, shampoo, razors, deodorant, sanitary products, suncream and plasters.
• Branded toiletry items like Nivea, Gillette, and Colgate,
  • usually in travel-sized packs or normal packs, that will cost far more than at home.
• Medication basics like painkillers, seasickness tablets, and cold and flu remedies are available
  • If you are desperate, you will buy them!

Find out what toiletry items I pack when I am going on a cruise. This saves me from having to pick up expensive supplies onboard!

Staying Healthy When You Cruise, Avoiding Seasickness – Medications and First Aid Items to Pack

Cruise Line Branded Gifts (The Things You’ll Find on Every Line)

• Ship model replicas, branded caps, hoodies, mugs, and tote bags.
• Magnets, postcards, luggage tags, and Christmas ornaments (yes, even in July).
• Often themed around the ship name or cruise line – e.g., “Carnival Magic 2025”.
• Some limited-edition merch for inaugural cruises or anniversaries.
• Often buy-one-get-one-free deals or included in onboard shopping promos.

Have a look at that memorable British Isles cruise, and see the places I visited here:

Clothing and Accessories

There is normally a range of clothing available onboard, but the prices aren’t cheap! Think:

• Swimwear, beach bags, flip-flops, wide-brimmed hats.
• T-shirts with cruise line logos, and jumpers, sometimes branded with destinations you are travelling to. Generic resort wear brands like Roxy, Quiksilver, or Tommy Bahama.
• Lightweight jackets or jumpers/sweaters for surprisingly chilly sea days.

I was lucky enough to get onboard Norwegian Aqua before her official launch, and be one of the first to check out the onboard shops!

Find out what I thought of Norwegian Aqua here:

Jewellery, Watches, Sunglasses

I am never sure who buys watches and jewellery on cruise ships, it isn’t me! I do sometimes buy sunglasses, though.

You are likely to find:

• Popular watch brands: Citizen, Invicta, TAG Heuer, Fossil.
• Jewellery – From sparkly costume jewellery to genuine gold/diamond pieces.
• Effy, Le Vian, and Swarovski are common brands on bigger ships.
• Branded sunglasses, such as RayBan’s or Oakley’s

Perfume and Cosmetics

I do sometimes buy perfume and cosmetics onboard, particularly if I have onboard credit I am trying to use up! You will find:

• Major fragrance brands like Chanel, Dior, Versace, and Armani.
• Skincare and makeup from brands like Estée Lauder, Clinique, Lancôme, etc.
• Travel gift sets and bundles are promoted as “cruise exclusive deals”.

I often pop into the shop to test the different perfumes, if I happen to be passing!

Alcohol and Tobacco

You may find:

• Duty-free spirits: Rum, vodka, whisky, gin, tequila, often cheaper than on land.
  • Make sure you know what you would pay on land though, don’t just assume it is a bargain, because the cruise line tells you it is!
• Cigarettes and cigars
  • Remember that there are strict rules about bringing these back home, and the rules vary by country. Do your research.
• Some cruise lines apparently offer alcohol tasting events in-store, but I have never seen that.

As the cruise line doesn’t want you to drink your cheap duty-free alcohol onboard, they will usually deliver it to your room the night before disembarkation.

Souvenirs and Destination Gifts

This is something I rarely buy, but I know many people like to take souvenirs back from their travels.

You will often find onboard:

• Generic souvenirs like shell necklaces, shot glasses, “I ♥ Bahamas” shirts – even if you’re in Spain.
• Port-of-call-themed merchandise is sold on ships, sometimes cheaper than ashore, but usually not unique or made in the country it promotes!
• Sometimes they sell region-specific items (e.g. Items featuring Trolls in Norway).

Tech and Travel Gadgets

You may be able to purchase:

• Headphones, power banks, phone cases, memory cards.
• Cameras and camera accessories.
• Adapters, waterproof phone pouches, etc.

These items are often overpriced, but useful if you are stuck. My advice is to buy a universal adaptor like the one below and always leave it in your travel bag or suitcase!

Toys and Kids’ Stuff

People understandably like to treat their children when onboard, or take things home for the grandchildren. Items often include:

• Small toy selections: plushies, puzzles, and branded cruise mascots.
• Pool toys, snorkels, floaties – often seasonal.
• Kids’ cruise merch like “Future Captain” T-shirts or rubber ducks.

Other Things You Might Find

Snacks – Think Pringles crisps or Toblerone chocolates

You really shouldn’t need to buy extra snacks onboard, but the cruise line caters to impulse purchases by selling a selection in its shops.

Books

Easy holiday reads, or sometimes books about the cruise line you are sailing with.

Cunard sells many books in their shops about Cunard’s long maritime history.

I found books on Queen Anne by my friend, maritime historian and Cunard lecturer, Chris Frame.
You’ll find all of Chris’s books here.

Sale Tables and ‘Daily Deals’

On sea days, when the cruise lines have captive audiences, they often hold table sales in the atrium area. Expect to find:

• Discounted scarves, sun hats, handbags, and watches.
• $10 sale events are common, but quality of goods varies.

In my experience, these “one-day-only” table sales often offer items that can be found in the onboard shops every other day!

Cruise line shops offer convenience and branded items.

If you have forgotten something, they have you covered. But don’t expect to find unique items, similar things are available on every cruise ship you sail on!

Find out about that interesting cruise on a Royal Caribbean ship, designed for Asia, here:

Before You Go

Find out what happens if you get sick on a cruise ship, and the cruise ship’s shop medications aren’t enough, here:

What Happens if You Get Sick on a Cruise? – Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Only 1% of the ships sailing are cruise ships. Find out what the others are here:

1% of Ships are Cruise Ships, Here’s What The Rest Are