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The holidays are near. I start shopping early every year but I'm only successful about half the time. If, like me, you have an avid cruiser on your gift-giving list and appreciate ways to make shopping less stress, you will want to check out these suggestions.

These are the best gifts for cruise lovers.

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Stocking stuffers

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Lanyards

Lanyards are a topic of debate. Some passengers say they keep track of their cruise cards, while others say they wouldn't be caught wearing one.

They are affordable and small enough to fit in a stocking. They come in a wide range of styles and colors. Now is the time to decide if the giftee would prefer a nautical theme or something with more bling.

Magnets

If you are new to cruising, you might not know that metal walls are magnets.

Passengers use pushpin-style magnets to keep everything from spa flyers to shore excursion tickets organized and easy to find. Magnetic hooks can be used to hang bathing suits, towels, bathrobes or workout clothes. Pick a type that can handle the weight

Bathroom spray

Everyone who has shared a bathroom knows how embarrassing it can be. You should not include a bottle of scented toilet spray in a stocking for a person with a sense of humor.

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Squatty Potty's Pootanicals is one of the brands on the market that makes sure everything comes out roses. The bottles are small enough to fit in a carry on container.

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Highlighters

Although many cruise lines are moving away from printed daily schedules, it is still possible for passengers to request physical copies if they prefer something tangible.

highlighters are useful for marking off the most appealing activities because they are jam-packed with them. If you get the recipient a pack with several colors, they will be able to indicate their preferred pastimes on the same sheet.

Gift cards

Do you know a person who is going on a cruise ship? You can give them a cruise line gift card for as little as you want. They can use the value to offset purchases like alcohol, specialty dining, spa treatments and shore excursions.

If the person you are buying for doesn't have a sailing planned, the gift card can be used for a new booking. Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival, Holland America, Princess and Celebrity offer different denominations of cards. Disney gift cards are accepted for booking and onboard spending. If they have to fly to their port of embarkation, you could give them an airline gift card.

These are the best credit cards to buy gift cards.

Price-conscious presents

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Magnetic board

A magnetic board is a great present if you want to show your appreciation for the cruiser in your life. Magnetic tape can be attached to the back of the board.

The frames for many of the options are made of wood or metal. Theshape is easy to wrap.

Portable charger

It's tempting to share travel photos on social media. After a long day on the beach or in the port, a mobile battery needs some juice. Even sea days can drain batteries quickly with many cruise lines using mobile apps for everything from daily schedules to dinner reservations.

A portable charge will be useful for cruisers who just can't seem to stay in touch. They are available in a range of sizes, colors and price points, but good ones will set you back between $50 and $100 and can charge multiple devices.

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Alcohol camouflage

I don't recommend sneaking alcohol onto a cruise ship, but many people try to save money by bringing their own booze. It's tacky because it isn't usually allowed. It will end up costing you more if you combine the price of the alcohol with the drinks you purchase onboard.

If you know a person who insists on skirting the rules, they will welcome a set of plastic liquid bags with caps, or faux toiletry bottles, which allow boozes to easily masquerade in checked bags.

Travel tracker

The frequent cruiser on your list will love the chance to show off where they have been with a present that tracks their travels.

Right now, travel maps are in high demand. They range from scratch-off poster versions to corkboard wall hangings that can be marked with pins. Larger-scale wooden versions that take up entire walls give wanderers the ability to check off locations with markers, paint or chalk.

Gadget organizer

Today's travelers know that travel is almost impossible without gadgets. It means wrangling cell phones, tablets, laptops, camera equipment and, of course, charging, whether they are using a cellphone to check in for a flight or a device to read a novel by the pool.

Help them keep it all neatly organized and in one place with a number of packable pouches that offer zip pockets, elastic loops, and lots of other nooks and crevices for storing everything they need to stay plugged in when they sail. Want to make it extra special? When they forget to bring their usual phone charging cable, put a spare in there.

Seaworthy splurges

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E-reader

If you know a cruiser who is also a Bibliophile, you can give them a shiny, new Nook orKindle that they can use on their next voyage to save space. It's not necessary to carry a lot of heavy books on vacation.

You can give them a gift card that will cover the cost of their first title or two.

Luggage

Do you know a seafarer in need of luggage? There is a decent selection of styles, colors and brands at a range of prices.

The recipient might be more of a carry-on traveler. Some formidable options can be recommended if that is the case. The standard-size carry-on bag from Away is my favorite because it doesn't fit in some overhead bins. You may want to consider packing cubes or small liquid containers to complete the present. Attach a luggage tag instead of a traditional "to/ from" holiday tag.

Do you want to shop locally? You can check out a luggage store.

Action cam

If you're an active cruiser who has just about everything, consider a GoPro or similar action camera to help you score footage of your experience on the onboard waterslide or on a crazy zip line adventure in port.

Some of the add-ons, like memory cards or head straps, are worth including in an action cam.

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Car service or private jet

If you have funds to work with, you can use them to reserve a car service or private flight for a loved one on a cruise this year. All you need is their name and departure date, and a pickup location for a car service, and you'll be good to go.

There is a good place to begin. You can check out semi-private flights. Car service to the embarkation port is included in some of the fares of some cruise lines.

Cruise

One of the best gifts for cruisers is a cruise, but there is no better present than a cruise. If you know the recipient's preferred travel style, it's a gift that will impress. Certain factors, such as the line, ship and destination, can make or break a cruise experience.

You can book a cruise using points and miles, or you can earn points through a portal, such as United Cruises or the American Express Cruise Privileges Program. Before you commit to a cruise, you should learn the basics.

Our list of quirky but useful cruise must-haves is a great gift idea.

How to maximize your winter holiday spending

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Do you have a lot of points? It's possible to use them to buy presents for everyone on your list.

You can maximize the return on your spending by brushing up on the season's latest credit card offers.

You can get up to five points per dollar spent on Amazon with an eligible American Express card. If you don't have an American Express card, there are other cards that will give you more bang for your buck when you shop at Amazon.

The Points Guy did not collect the information for the Discover it Cash Back. The card issuer did not review or provide the card details on this page.

Maybe it's time to apply for a new card if you plan to spend a lot of money on gifts this year. If you make $4,000 worth of purchases within the first three months of opening your account, you will receive a generous welcome bonus. The Amex Platinum will give you 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months.

Are you planning to go on a cruise ship? These are the stories to start with.