When your cruise vacation comes to an end, you’re left with incredible memories, hundreds of photos, and that little plastic card that was your key to everything on board.
Your cruise card gave you access to your cabin, allowed you to make purchases, and sometimes even served as your boarding pass. Now that the cruise is over, what do you do with it?
We asked the Life Well Cruised Facebook community to find out what they do with their cruise cards after their vacation. More than 250 members shared their creative and practical ideas for repurposing these little souvenirs, proving that cruise cards can have a second life beyond the ship.
If you’re not quite ready to throw yours away, here are some great ideas for keeping them as a souvenir or finding a new use for them.
12 Ways to Reuse Your Cruise Card After Your Cruise Vacation
1. Store Them in a Binder
One of the most popular ideas among the Life Well Cruised community is organizing cruise cards in a binder. This allows cruisers to keep track of where and when they have sailed, as well as how many cruises they’ve taken.
Over time, this turns into a great collection that showcases all of their cruising history. Some cruisers from the Life Well Cruised community mentioned that they organize them by cruise line, year, or ship to make them even more special.
2. Keep Them in a Box
Many cruisers simply store their old sea pass cards in a box instead of having a highly organized system. Several Life Well Cruised Facebook community members mentioned keeping their old cruise cards in a memory box or drawer.
Even though they may not have any use after the cruise, many cruise travelers find it difficult to throw them away. A box is an easy and practical way to keep these sentimental items without worrying about losing them.
Over time, this collection becomes a fun way to look back on past cruises.
3. Use Them as Christmas Tree Decorations
One of the most unique ideas comes from a Life Well Cruised community member who uses their old cruise cards as Christmas tree decorations. By adding a small hook or ribbon, these cards can easily be hung on a tree as a reminder of past cruise vacations.
This idea is perfect for those who love to collect travel-related ornaments or want to incorporate cruise memories into their holiday traditions.
4. Display Them in a Lanyard
Some cruisers prefer keeping their old cruise cards in a lanyard. This is especially popular among those who wear lanyards on their cruises, as they can simply add each new card to the collection.
While the cards may no longer serve a functional purpose, they hold sentimental value for many travelers. Having them all together in one place makes it easy to look back at past trips.
It’s also fun to show off a growing list of cruise adventures!
Related: How to Carry Your Cruise Card (cruise lanyards & alternatives)
5. Turn Them Into Fridge Magnets
A creative and functional idea shared by a Life Well Cruised community member is turning old cruise cards into fridge magnets. The card becomes a fun and practical souvenir by attaching a small magnet to the back.
This allows cruise travelers to keep a reminder of their cruise vacation in a place they see every day.
Those who have cruised with Princess Cruises mentioned that their Medallions are already magnetic, making them perfect for this use without any extra effort. This is a great way to keep cruise memories visible and repurpose something that would otherwise be stored away or thrown out.
6. Create a Cruise Card Wreath
One of the most impressive projects shared by a Life Well Cruised community member is a wreath made entirely of cruise cards. This idea takes a bit more creativity and effort. However, the result is a unique and eye-catching display.
Over time, as more cruises are taken, new cards can be added to the wreath. It’s a wonderful way to showcase a passion for cruising while repurposing cruise cards.
Those who enjoy DIY projects may find this to be a rewarding and fun way to display their cruise history.
7. Add Them to a Photo Album or Scrapbook
Many cruisers enjoy creating photo albums or scrapbooks after their cruise vacations, and adding a cruise card is a great way to enhance these keepsakes. A Life Well Cruised community member shared that they always include their cruise card, photos, and other memorabilia.
This small detail helps tell the story of the trip and keeps the card from being forgotten in a drawer. Scrapbooks allow travelers to document their cruise experiences in a creative way. Adding a cruise card is a simple but meaningful touch.
8. Store Them in a Memory Jar
A unique and visually appealing way to preserve cruise memories is by keeping cruise cards in a memory jar. One Life Well Cruised Facebook community member shared that they store their cruise cards, daily planners, seashells, and other small souvenirs in a decorative jar.
This jar is then displayed alongside others from previous cruises, creating a beautiful collection of travel memories. This is a wonderful idea for those who enjoy home decor that tells a story.
It’s also an easy way to keep small souvenirs from getting lost over time.
9. Use Them as Bookmarks
Another simple but useful idea shared by the community is using cruise cards as bookmarks. Since cruise cards are the perfect size and shape, they work well for marking pages in books.
This is an easy way to repurpose the card while keeping a reminder of past travels close at hand. Every time they open their book, they get a little reminder of their time at sea.
10. Give Them to Grandchildren
One of the most heartwarming ideas shared by a Life Well Cruised community member is giving old cruise cards to grandchildren. Kids love to play pretend, and cruise cards make the perfect “credit cards” for their games.
This simple gesture gives the cards a second life while bringing joy to young family members. It’s a great way to share a love of cruising with the next generation.
11. Use Them for the Cruise Cabin Power Slot
Many modern-day cruise cabins require a key card to be inserted into a slot to activate the electricity in the room. A clever idea shared by a Life Well Cruised community member is to use an old cruise card instead of the one currently in use.
This allows travelers to keep their actual cruise cards with them without worrying about losing access to power in the cabin. It’s a simple trick that can make things more convenient while onboard.
This is one of the more practical ways to reuse an old cruise card!
12. Display Them on a Whiteboard
For those who like to keep visual reminders of past cruises, a whiteboard or corkboard display is a great option. Many Life Well Cruised community members shared that they pin their cruise cards alongside other travel memorabilia.
This creates a fun and personal display that serves as a daily reminder of past vacations. It’s also a great way to keep cruise memories alive while waiting for the next adventure at sea!
What do you do with your cruise card once you’re done cruising? Please let me know in the comments below.
Happy Cruising!
Ethan
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Ethan Schattauer, a seasoned cruiser since the age of four, has gone on over 40 cruises with his family. Drawing from his extensive travel experiences, Ethan offers a fresh and youthful perspective on the world of cruising. He also writes about cruise cuisine, onboard experiences, and practical tips, providing valuable insights for cruise travelers worldwide.
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