Missed The Cruise Ship Model Onboard? Here’s Where To Find One

I’m often asked where people can buy the little cruise ship models I have at home.

These are the souvenir models of individual cruise ships that are usually sold in the onboard gift shop.

The frustrating bit is that they generally aren’t something you can just order from the cruise line once you get home.

If you missed one onboard, or want a model from a ship you sailed on years ago, you normally need to look at buying one second hand.

What Are Cruise Ship Models?

They are small display models, made to look like a specific cruise ship.

They will have the ship’s name and cruise line branding on them. They will have the cruise ships individual features – like waterslides, skydomes, and pools clearly shown.

Each cruise ship model – like each ship – is unique.

Although ship models are designed to show the cruise ship exactly as it is, there are a few models that are slightly out of date.

Norwegian Pearl, for example, has had her waterslides removed, but they still appear on the cruise ship models.

This is because cruise line models are often handcrafted ahead of time and rarely retrofitted when things are removed or added.

The are often sold in the onboard shop alongside mugs, magnets, ornaments etc.

They are popular with guests, and many like to collect one from every ship they sail on.

Different ships and cruise lines have different styles and sizes of models.

They normally come in a nice, sturdy box with the cruise ship’s name on the front.

Can You Buy Them From The Cruise Line Online?

Generally, the souvenir models sold onboard aren’t available to order from the cruise line after your cruise.

Cruise line online shops, (where they exist at all) tend to have much more limited merchandise than the actual onboard shop.

This is why I always recommend buying one onboard if you know you want one.

The stock of model cruise ships can sell out during a cruise, particularly on new ships. Buy one early!

The Best Place I’ve Found For Secondhand Models Is eBay

This is the main answer I give people.

Search for the exact ship name and “model” or “cruise ship model”.

There are usually lots of models available from current and older ships.

This is particularly useful if you want a model from a cruise you took years ago.

You may also find discontinued models from ships that have changed cruise lines, been renamed or retired.

Watch The Prices

Some sellers massively mark them up because they know they’re difficult to buy elsewhere.

Don’t assume the first listing is a sensible price.

Search completed/sold listings if possible to see what people are actually paying.

Wait and check again later if the price seems ridiculous. You might be lucky, and some reasonably priced ones might appear.

Remember postage can be expensive because models are bulky and fragile.

How Much Do Cruise Ship Models Cost?

If you buy a cruise ship model onboard a ship, they cost in the region of $70 -$100.

If you buy them secondhand, the sky is the limit!

When I look on eBay at the prices today, they start at around £25/$33 – but go up to hundreds of pounds/dollars.

Clearly, it is better to buy one onboard if you are going to want to have one.

Check The Condition Before Buying

Look closely at photos.

Check whether funnels, lifeboats, masts or other small pieces are missing or broken.

Original boxes are useful, particularly for shipping safely.

Make sure it is actually the ship/model you want because ships with similar names can be confusing.

You don’t want to buy a model of the Legend of the Seas for example – and then find out it is the 1995 Legend, not the new ship! Cruise lines often reuse names.

Find out more about the orginal Legend, and what happened to her here:

What Happened To The Original Legend Of The Seas? Will The Same Happen to The New One?

Older models may have yellowing, faded paint or damage.

I bought a ship model of Norwegian Aqua when I was onboard. I was one of the first guests to sail on her, and was invited onboard to see all she had to offer by Norwegian Cruise Line.

Unfortunately, my model of Aqua got broken during the trip home, so I need to glue her back together!

This shows that the models can be quite delicate, as they have small pieces on them that can easily be broken.

Have a look at the real Norwegian Aqua in the video below. She is an amazing cruise ship!

What About Facebook Marketplace?

Models occasionally appear there too.

It’s possibly worth checking if you’re struggling to find a rare one.

Personally I prefer eBay because the buying/payment process gives me a bit more confidence.

Marketplace listings can be more hit-and-miss, particularly if something needs posting rather than collecting.

Other Places To Look

You can always try checking:

• Local second-hand sites/auction sites.
• Cruise memorabilia groups and collector groups.
• Charity shops/car boot sales are possible – but obviously much more random, you are unlikely to find the particular ship you are looking for.

eBay is still the easiest option because you can specifically search for the ship you need.

My Advice If You’re Onboard Right Now

If you definitely want the model, buy it onboard rather than assuming you can get it later.

You might find it second hand afterwards, but there’s no guarantee.

It could end up costing considerably more than it did onboard.

If you’ve already missed your chance of buying one oboard, eBay would be my first stop.

Before You Go

Have a look at some of the other things available to buy onboard cruise ships here:

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

When you see that the cruise you will be sailing on is fully booked, that doesn’t necessarily mean the ship is actually full. Find out why here:

A Sold Out Cruise Ship Usually Isn’t Actually Full – Here’s Why