What are the best sellers in cruise retail?
- Adrian Pittaway
- Mar 13
- 4 min read
10 Best-Sellers in Cruise Retail: Why These Products Sail Off the Shelves
Cruise retail is a unique shopping experience, offering passengers the chance to indulge in luxury, pick up practical items, and take home souvenirs that remind them of their journey. But what makes certain products stand out as top sellers? In this blog, we’ll explore 10 best-selling items in cruise retail and uncover the reasons behind their popularity.
1. Ship Models
Why They Sell So Well:
Ship models are the ultimate cruise souvenir, capturing the essence of the voyage in a beautifully crafted keepsake. They appeal to collectors, maritime enthusiasts, and first-time cruisers alike. Their nostalgic value and intricate detailing make them a must-have for passengers looking to commemorate their trip.
2. Diamond Rings
Why They Sell So Well:Cruises are often associated with romance and celebration, making diamond rings a popular purchase for engagements, anniversaries, or milestone moments. The tax-free shopping environment, limited editions and exclusive designs available onboard further enhance their appeal.
3. Sunglasses
Why They Sell So Well:
Sunglasses are both a practical and stylish accessory for cruise passengers. Is there anything that is more suited to selling on cruise ships than sunglasses? With sunny destinations and poolside lounging, a high-quality pair of sunglasses is essential. Luxury brands like Ray-Ban, Maui Jim and Gucci dominate this category, offering passengers a chance to elevate their vacation look.
You can learn more about selling sunglasses onboard cruise ships by joining one of our many sunglasses courses in our E-Academy
4. Hennessy Pure White
Why It Sells So Well:
Hennessy Pure White is an absolute cruise retail legend. It's status makes it a highly sought-after product for liquor enthusiasts. Its smooth flavour and really limited availability create a sense of exclusivity, driving passengers to purchase it as a luxury indulgence or a unique gift. This liquor sells substantially more than any other brand onboard in the Caribbean, and will be well known by experienced cruise retail professionals!
5. Bluetooth Speakers
Why They Sell So Well:
Here's a surprise one for you! The best selling tech product onboard used to be mobile phones, but more recently it has changed. Bluetooth speakers are a really practical, good value (tax-free) and fun purchase onboard for passengers and crew looking to enhance their onboard or onshore experience. Compact, portable, and perfect for poolside tunes or beach parties, they cater to the tech-savvy traveler and are perfect for crew to listen to their music in their cabins, or on the beach.
6. Swiss Watches
Why They Sell So Well:
Swiss luxury watches, such as Omega, Breitling and TAG Heuer, are synonymous with luxury and timeless elegance. They have been a top seller onboard cruise ships for many years now thanks to a number of reasons. The tax-free prices, the amazing watch specialists and exclusive models available onboard make them a compelling purchase for affluent travellers looking to invest in a high-end timepiece. Many guests go sailing simply to purchase their new watch at the best price, and this makes them an indispensable part of the cruise retail top seller list!
7. Designer Handbags
Why They Sell So Well:
Designer handbags from brands like Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Guess, Valentino and Coach are a cruise retail staple. Their appeal lies in their status symbol, practicality, and the significant savings offered by tax and duty-free pricing. In recent years, cruise ships have also started to sell pre-owned designer handbags as well, making them even more affordable! Passengers love the thrill of taking home a top-designer brand luxury bag at a fraction of the cost.
8. Cruise Ship / Destination T-Shirts
Why They Sell So Well:
The mighty Cruise ship t-shirt! Just walk into any cruise port in the caribbean and you will immediately see a huge range of cruise t-shirts, many with the ships on them, many with the destinations on them. Guests love to get a simple momento of their cruise and the ports that they visit and the legendary t-shirt is one of the most popular. Usually found for sale in a special event onboard, destination t-shirts are affordable, nostalgic, and perfect for casual wear. They serve as a tangible memory of the cruise and its ports of call, making them a popular choice for seasoned cruise ship passengers!
9. Sun Hats
Why They Sell So Well:
As with sunglasses, can you think of a more suitable product to sell on a cruise ship than a sun hat or baseball cap? Sun hats are both a practical and stylish accessory for cruise passengers especially for all the port and beach time that guests will enjoy. With hot and sunny destinations, excursions and outdoor activities, a wide-brimmed or baseball hat is essential for sun protection. Their lightweight and packable design make them an easy purchase for travellers. Usually there are huge varieties available, personalised to the ships or the destinations, or from artisan suppliers. You will never be short of choice onboard!
10. Toothpaste
Why It Sells So Well:
Let's finish our list with a totally different product, the humble tube of toothpaste!! While it may seem surprising, toothpaste is a practical necessity that passengers very often forget to pack or have their luggage lost on the way to the ship. Not only that but crew always need to look their best onboard, so having toothpaste is essential! Cruise retail shops capitalize on this by offering travel-sized and premium toothpaste options, ensuring passengers can maintain their routines while onboard.
What Makes These Products "Cruise Retail Stars"?
The success of these top sellers + many others can be attributed to a few key factors:
Emotional Appeal: Many items, like ship models and destination t-shirts, evoke memories of the cruise experience.
Practicality: Products like sunglasses, sun hats, and toothpaste cater to the everyday needs of travelers.
Luxury and Exclusivity: High-end items like diamond rings, Swiss watches, and designer handbags offer passengers a chance to indulge in luxury at tax-free prices.
Impulse Buying: Affordable items like Bluetooth speakers and Hennessy Pure White are perfect for spontaneous purchases.
The Future of Cruise Retail
As the cruise industry continues to evolve, so too will the products that dominate onboard retail. By understanding what drives passenger purchasing decisions, cruise retailers can continue to offer items that delight, inspire, and meet the needs of their diverse clientele.
What’s your favorite cruise retail purchase? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let us know which of these top sellers you’ve taken home from your travels!
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