Amazon Prime Day – We Found the Best Deals Cruise Essentials
It’s time for the annual Amazon Prime Day sale, the favorite commercial-based holiday of many (or at least that’s what Amazon wants you to think). Honestly, it’s funny that a quasi-holiday is made up just to increase sales and drive consumer spending. That being said, if you were going to buy a product anyway, why not get it while it’s on sale? I always make a list of things I’ve been waiting to purchase, and then if they go on sale on Prime Day, buy them at that time. That way, I’m not spending needlessly but saving money instead.
Are you looking for discounts on cruise-related stuff? Amazon Prime Day runs on October 10th and 11th this year. Here are the best cruise-related deals we see so far. We’ll keep updating this page as the event goes on, so refresh the page when you visit.
Magnetic Hooks
On a cruise ship, storage is at a premium, especially on the older ships. Because cruise cabins are all made from metal, you can use magnetic hooks to increase your storage space. I bring two types of hooks with me, heavy-duty for bathing suits and clothes and standard hooks for my sunglasses and room key.
Heavy Duty Magnetic Hooks
These hooks say they’ll hold up to 110 pounds. I can’t vouch for that, but they are pretty strong. I’ve used them to hold up binoculars, wet swim suits, baseball caps, and soda cups.
MIKEDEE Magnetic Hooks, 150lb, 4-pack
Was $10.89, Now $8.38
Standard Magnetic Hooks
These standard hooks are much smaller than the heavy duty hook above; one hook is about the size of a quarter. They say they’ll hold up to 27 pounds, but I’ve never tested anything that heavy. I use these to hold onto things like sunglasses, room keys, face masks, and even wedding rings.
Neosmuk Magnetic Hooks – 10 pack
Was $6.90, now $5.90
Retractable Card Holder
On a cruise, your room key is everything; your ID to get off the boat, your room card, and how you make purchases on the ship. You’re constantly taking it out and using it, which makes it easy to loose it. While you can get it replaced, it’s such a hassle, so try a retractable badge holder instead.
Some people prefer lanyard you can put around your neck, but I prefer this. I can easily attach the clip to my shorts and keep my card in my pocket. When I use it as a room key, I just pull it out and swipe it and stick it right back in. When I use it to buy a drink, I just unclip it from my belt and hand it over. On Carnival that cards are even pre-punched. On other cruise lines, just go to the guest services or casino desks and they’ll punch a hole in it for you.
These came with a plastic sleeve, so they can be used with both traditional room cards with hole punches in them and also the newer RFID cards seen on the newest ships.
Retractable Card Holder with Sleeves – 10 Pack
Was $9.99. Now $8.39
Kids’ Cruise Coloring and Activity Books
Recently, we created two books for the younger cruisers in your life. Both were created to help new cruisers who might be anxious to sail, or to keep kids busy while onboard. These are the Royal Caribbean editions with places like Studio B and Sorrento’s featured.
Was $8.99. Now $7.99
Cruise Ship Coloring Book for Kids 3-5 – Royal Caribbean Edition
Let’s Get Cruising Activity Book for Kids 6-8 – Royal Caribbean Edition
Cruise Ship Coloring Book for Kids 3-5 – Carnival Edition
Let’s Get Cruising Activity Book for Kids 6-8 – Carnival Edition
Water Shoes
When cruising, you may visit some of the most pristine white sand beaches in the world. But you also may end up on a rocky or rough beach where you’d want water shoes You may also be on an excursion where you’re swimming in rivers or waterfalls where you need protection for your feet. Even just walking around a water park, having these shoes protect your feet from the hot pavement.
A lightweight pair of water shoes in invaluable. You can buy really thin water shoes, also called water socks sometimes, but I recommend more sturdy ones so they’ll be good for all kinds of excursions.
Men’s Water Shoes
Was $49.99. Now $21.79
Women’s Water Shoes
Was $49.99. Now $22.59
Snorkel Set
If you’re going to be visiting cruise line’s private island, save some money and bring your own snorkel. For close to the price they’d charge you, you can have a snorkel you can use over and over again. Even better, you don’t have to worry about someone else’s germs on it.
I purchased this snorkel in 2018 and have used it at Half Moon Cay and while traveling in Bali. I highly recommend it.
Adult Snorkel Set
Was 26.99. Now $22.94
For kids, a traditional snorkel might be hard to to use. The separate goggle and breathing tube can be confusing for them. Instead, try this full-face version. Because of the way it’s designed, it doesn’t fog up as much and it makes it easier to breath when laying flat in the water. It comes in 6 different colors.
Kid’s Snorkel Set
Was $23.19. Now $17.19
Packing Cubes
If you’re going on a 7-day cruise, you have a lot of clothes to bring. Casual day outfits, night outfits, swimming clothes, lounging clothes; it can be hard to fit it all in one suitcase. Packing cubes make it so much easier.
You simply put your clothes in one of the cubes, zip it up to condense them, and throw in your suitcase. Personally, the biggest benefit I see is organization. You can have one for socks, one for underwear, one for t-shirts, so you don’t have to rummage around. Also, it makes it super quick to unpack in your cabin. Just open your suitcase, and throw the cubes in the closet or dresser drawer, and you’re done.
Veken Packing Cubes – 6 Set
Was $26.99. Now $14.99
Insulated Mug
While it’s easy to get drinks like lemonade, ice tea, coffee, and juices on board, the cups that you’ll find in the buffet are ridiculously small. Bring your own insulted tumbler and save yourself some trips. This is a knock-off version of the very popular Yeti cups. It works for hot things like tea and coffee, or cold things like juices and lemonade. I bring one with me every morning to the buffet and stock up on the juices that they stop serving around 10 am. That way I have some in my fridge in the room.
Note: for sanitary reasons, please do not fill this cup directly from the dispensers. Grab a clean cup in the buffet and use that to get the juice and pour it into your mug
30oz Insulated Mug
Was $14.99. Now $11.99
Over-the-door Shoe Rack
An over-the-door shoe rack is one of those things you constantly see in cruise message boards and Facebook groups. Personally, I’ve never had the need for one, but I could see it if you were traveling with small children. You can put this rack on either side of the bathroom door to hold toiletries, shoes, socks, toys. It’s pretty versatile.
Aooda Over-the-door Shoe Rack / Storage
Was $29.99. Now $11.98
Kindle
Personally, one of my favorite things to do on a sea day is sit down on the deck and read a good book. It’s hard for me to get through a book in the normal hustle and bustle of every day life, but on a cruise I have no problem. I hate having to carry books though, they’re heavy and take up packing space. Instead, opt for an E-reader.
The Kindle holds thousands of books so you can easily bring a variety of books to choose from. Even better, you can download all your books at home and not have to pay for wi-fi onboard to use this device.
Trying to read a normal tablet or phone screen while in direct Caribbean sun is difficult, but the Kindle uses an e-Ink screen that looks just like paper. You’ll have no problem reading in the sun.
There are two versions we recommend. The basic one which is pretty cheap and affordable today. Then there’s the paperwhite, which has a whiter screen, higher resolution, and is waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about splashes from a pool, hot tub, or a little sea mist.
Kindle – Was $99.99. Now $74.99
Kindle Paperwhite – Was $139.99. Now $94.99
USB Charger (instead of extension cord)
Most cruise cabins only have one or two power outlets available. With the number of devices we have now-a-days (your phone, Apple Watch, Kindle, fitbit), it can lead to a fight over the available outlets.
Most cruise lines do NOT allow surge protectors because of fire issues that may occur with cruise ship wiring. Some will allow extension cords that don’t have surge protectors, but there a lot of stories of confused gate agents not knowing the difference and confiscating them anyway.
A safer option is to bring a USB hub. This one specifically will let you charge up to 4 devices at once. What makes this different than some of the cheaper ones out there, is it has two USB-C ports on it. This port can be used to fast charge many devices like iPhones, Android Phones, Nintendo Switches, Tablets, Chromebooks, and Laptops.
Anker USB C Charger 65W with 4 ports
Was $65.71. Now $49.99
If you have an iPhone and you’re getting the charger above, do yourself a favor an also get a USB-C to Lightning cable. If you have an iPhone 8 or newer, your device supports quick charging but Apple doesn’t give you one. To get quick charging, you’ll need a USB C charger like the one above and this cable Anker USB C to Lightning Cable. It’s so much faster, giving you 50% battery charge in 30 minutes. The best part is once you’re home from the cruise, you can keep using this and charge your phone so much faster.
Anker USB-C to Lighting Cable – 6 ft
Was $12.99. Now $8.99
Sun Protection Shirt
Did you know that a white t-shirt only provides the equivalent of an SPF protection of 7 and when it’s wet, only 3! That’s nothing. If you’re going to be spending at day at the beach or outside, and you have fair skin, an sun protection shirt can be a life saver. When clothing provides sun protection, it is UPF rater (rather then SPF which is for skin products). The technology has come a long way, and UPF shirts no longer feel like wet suits of vinyl. Some are just as soft as a regular t-shirt. Great for kids who forget to re-apply sunscreen or protecting your back’s hard to reach spots. This is also very important for some destinations, like parts of Mexico, that do not allow chemical sunscreens to be used.
Kid’s UPF Shirt
Was $24.99, now $12.49
Reusable Straws
If you’re heading to a beach excursion with children, these beach buckets are awesome. They fold flat so you can easily back them in your suitcase and carry them to the beach in a backpack or stroller. I purchased them for my trip to Horseshow Bay in Bermuda and the kids loved them. This set has 3 buckets, 3 shovels, and a mesh carrying bag.
Foldable Beach Bucket – 3 pack
Was $29.99. Now $18.39
Kids Cabin Toys
If you’re traveling with small kids, finding stuff to keep them entertained while in the cabin in a chore. Space is limited, but in the cabin and when packing. These two toys are great though. We brought them on our last cruise and kids love them.
These magnetic people will stick to almost anything in the cabin; the floors, walls, ceiling, and more. It’ll help keep the kids entertained while you’re in the cabin.
Magnetic People – 20 piece set
Was $21.97. Now $18.62
Nightlight for Bathroom
This light is a must-have if you’ll be sailing with kids or are known to have to make a trip to the bathroom in the middle of the night. The bathrooms on cruise ships are notoriously small and pitch dark. For most ships, if you’re using the bathroom at night, the only option is to turn on the bathroom light, blinding yourself (and potentially others through the crack in the door).
This night light is perfect for a cruise ship. It’s magnetic, so it just clings to the bathroom wall. You can always leave it on or use the motion sensor so it only activates when you step into the bathroom. It also offers varying levels of brightness (the lowest level is fine for me).
This unit is rechargeable using a micro-USB port and needs no batteries. One charge is more than enough to last an entire cruise if you use it on the motion sensor setting.
What I also love about this light is that it’s not just a purchase for a cruise. Each light comes with a metal plate with a sticker that you can use to mount it at home. I put one light in my front closet to light up whenever I open it. Then when I go on a cruise, I just grab it and put it in my bag.
Rechargeable Battery Night Light with Motion Sensor
Was $16.99. Now $14.44
Bluetooth Trackers
Bluetooth trackers have become as necessity in recent days as airlines have gotten awful at keeping track of luggage. Just drop one of these tags in your luggage and you’ll be able to see where it is in case it gets lost. On my last flight, the airline didn’t load my luggage on the plane. As soon as I landed at home, I could see my bags were still in Seattle, and I was able to go and file the necessary paperwork before luggage even started coming out on the belt.
These trackers have no on-going fees and have no data connection themselves. Instead they connect to phones nearby and relay the information through them. It’s not very useful on the ship (and don’t think of trying to track children on board with them), because of all the metal and lack of cell phone connections.
Today’s sale is on Tile trackers which work with Apple or Android devices. If your whole family uses Apple devices, I’d recommend AirTags (which aren’t currently on sale), but otherwise Tile works great.
Tile Mate (2-pack)
Was $47.99. Now $32.99
Even better, when not traveling you can just attach these to your keys, briefcase, or purse and continue using them on a daily basis.
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