The Cruise Maps offers cruise lovers the perfect way to capture unique and memorable voyages with a map of a cruise itinerary. We were invited to test this product – so here’s our review of The Cruise Maps along with our step-by-step guide to creating your own cruise map.
If you would like to create your own cruise map of a significant cruise, you can take advantage of a 10% discount by using the code CRUISELIFESTYLE10 at the checkout. This is not an affiliate link and we do not earn any commission – we simply want to pass this on for you to use.
What is a Cruise Map?
The Cruise Maps launched in 2023 with the idea to provide cruise fans with a special keepsake to mark a memorable cruise.
What makes this particular gift special is that it’s created using satellite ship tracking technology. This allows the location of the cruise ship to be tracked at 15 minute intervals so the exact route is plotted.
This means that if your cruise had to change itinerary, miss a port or avoid bad weather, it’s shown on your bespoke cruise map.
Some cruise ships even take certain routes to create special images on cruise tracking software. For example, before the inaugural Disney Wish cruise, the ship plotted a route in the shape of Mickey Mouse!
It could be a cruise to mark a special occasion such as a birthday, wedding, honeymoon or anniversary. It can even mark a special cruise taken to scatter ashes of a loved one.
Matthew Jones from The Cruise Maps said “The technology we use means that we have the capability to mark the position of a burial at sea or special ceremony.”
You can do this immediately after you’ve placed your order with The Cruise Maps. Simply send an email to hello@thecruisemaps.com with the event and location to have it included on your customised map.
The AIS satellite data is from 2015 onwards so unfortunately cruises before this cannot be accurately mapped.
Step-by-Step Guide to Ordering your Cruise Map
Step 1: Visit thecruisemaps.com and select ‘Create your map’
Step 2: Choose the size, print and layout of your cruise map.
There are two size options:
- 30 x 40cm (approximately A3 size)
- 45 x 60cm (approximately A2 size)
We opted for 30 x 40cm as we had a place in our house in mind where we wanted to hang it on our wall.
Because our cruise map was for a repositioning cruise travelling east to west, we decided a map in landscape view would be most appropriate. If your cruise moves north or south, we would recommend selecting portrait view for the best result.
You can choose to have your cruise map framed or as a print. The frame is black so bear this in mind when choosing.
Step 3: Add the key details of the specific cruise you want to map. It’s really important to get the dates correct to ensure it’s accurate. By entering these details, the satellite ship tracking technology can pinpoint the exact route your cruise took.
Step 4: A new feature of The Cruise Map, introduced in 2024, is the inclusion of port names. We thought this was a really nice touch. It is a wonderful reminder of all the ports you visited on your cruise. To ensure each port is labelled on your personalised map, make sure you check the box.
Step 5: Add to cart
You will be shown a summary of your order.
Step 6: The Cruise Map payment options include:
- Apple Pay
- PayPal
- Shop Pay
- G Pay
- Credit/debit card
If you’re paying by card, choose ‘Check out’ where you’ll be taken to another page, where you can complete your details.
The Cruise Maps Discount Code
You can use CRUISELIFESTYLE10 at the checkout to get 10% off your order at The Cruise Maps. There is no expiry date to this discount code.
The good news is that delivery is free of charge and available worldwide!
Review of The Cruise Maps
We found the ordering process very easy and it took no more than ten minutes from start to finish. The most important part was ensuring that the dates, cruise ship and start and end ports were accurate.
Delivery took 9 days and given that each cruise map is individually printed for your specific cruise, we thought this was pretty reasonable. Just bear in mind that this takes a little bit of pre-planning if you’re ordering a cruise map as a gift for a special occasion or specific date.
When our cruise map arrived it came well packaged. It was exciting to unbox to see our cruise in map form.
It is an excellent reminder of a special cruise, not only because it was an inaugural voyage on a new ship but because of the itinerary, which included transiting the Suez Canal.
We couldn’t wait to get it on the wall. Since it’s been displayed, we have found ourselves reminiscing about that particular cruise. We’re also contemplating more cruise maps to display the other cruises we’ve enjoyed.
A few little inclusions on the map, were extra nice touches. Especially the total number of nautical miles travelled, port names and the option to give your cruise map a title.
This would be a perfect gift for a cruise lover. If you know someone who would appreciate a gift like this but you’re unsure of the exact details of the cruise, you can buy a gift card for The Cruise Maps.
The Cruise Maps partnership with Cunard
The Cruise Maps has partnered with Cunard to offer a special version of cruise map, with the Cunard logo featured on every map. This gives you a distinctive version, that highlights a memorable cruise with Cunard.
There’s also a special commemorative edition for passengers who enjoyed the maiden voyage and British Isles Festival Voyage on Queen Anne in 2024. To find out more, visit The Cruise Maps.
For more gift ideas for cruise lovers, check out our gift ideas for cruisers.
Laura is a UK cruise blogger based in Cornwall, UK. She founded Cruise Lifestyle in 2016 to share useful advice about cruising, destinations and food.
Last port visited: Bridgetown, Barbados
Next port of call: unknown, but she can’t wait for cruising to resume safely!
Find me on: Twitter/X
