Sailing & Sending: How to Send Postcards from Your Cruise Vacation

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There’s something timeless and charming about sending a postcard while you’re on vacation — especially from a cruise ship! Whether you want to share the stunning views with family back home or just love the nostalgia of sending snail mail from exotic ports, sending postcards from a cruise is a fun and easy way to capture the magic of your trip. Here’s everything you need to know about sending postcards while cruising the high seas.

1. Postcards as Souvenirs and Keepsakes

First things first — postcards aren’t just for sending! Many travelers love to collect postcards from each port they visit, tucking them into scrapbooks or using them to decorate travel journals. Whether you’re sending them or saving them, postcards are a compact, inexpensive souvenir that’s easy to carry and packed with memories.

2. Where to Find Postcards on a Cruise

You’ll usually find postcards in a few places during your cruise:

• On the Ship: Many onboard gift shops stock postcards featuring the ship itself, which make great keepsakes.
• In Port: Almost every port — especially popular tourist destinations — will have postcards available at souvenir shops, newsstands, and even local markets. These often feature stunning photos of local landmarks, beaches, and cultural highlights.

3. Sending Postcards from Port

The easiest and most reliable way to send postcards is directly from the port when your ship docks. Look for:

• Post Offices: Many port areas have a post office within walking distance or a short cab ride from the cruise terminal.
• Tourist Shops: Some souvenir stores sell stamps and offer to mail your postcards for you.
• Hotels & Visitor Centers: These often have mailboxes or offer mailing services for travelers.

Pro Tip: Ask for international stamps if you’re sending your postcard home to another country.

4. Sending Postcards from the Cruise Ship

Most cruise ships do offer mail services, but there are a few things to know:

• Postcards and letters dropped off at the Guest Services desk are usually mailed from the next port of call.
• Some cruise lines charge a small fee for postage, or you may need to purchase stamps onboard.
• Mail from ships can take a while to arrive (often weeks, depending on the port and destination), so don’t expect your postcard to beat you home!

Not all cruise lines offer this service on every itinerary, so it’s a good idea to ask at Guest Services early in your trip if you’re hoping to mail something directly from the ship.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to bring a list of addresses with you! Whether you keep them saved in your phone or write them down in a small notebook, having addresses handy means you won’t be scrambling to remember Aunt Susan’s zip code while you’re in paradise.

5. Personal Touches: What to Write on Your Postcard

Part of the fun of sending a postcard is crafting a little snapshot of your adventure. Here are a few ideas for what to write:

• A quick update on your trip — “Just sailed into Cozumel and the water is crystal clear!”
• A funny travel anecdote — “Tried my first escargot last night… and survived!”
• A weather report — “Sunny skies and ocean breezes every day so far!”
• A teaser — “Wish you were here, but don’t worry — I’ll bring back souvenirs!”

6. Make It a Travel Tradition

Whether you send one postcard or a dozen, writing and mailing postcards from your cruise can become a cherished travel tradition. They’re a simple, personal way to stay connected with loved ones — and they make a wonderful addition to your own memory collection when you receive them back home.

Anchors Aweigh and Stamps at the Ready!

The next time you set sail, don’t forget to pick up a few postcards, jot down your favorite moments, and send a little piece of your adventure to friends and family back home. Whether your postcard travels faster than you or takes the scenic route, it’s sure to bring a smile to someone’s mailbox.

Happy cruising — and happy mailing!