‘The Cruise Maps’ - All You Need to Know
I’ve recently become an affiliate with new business ‘The Cruise Maps’ as I was particularly taken with their product. As you may know, I don’t usually carry Ads on my site or links from which I benefit. However in this case I genuinely felt it was such a great idea as a souvenir of our cruises, that I wanted to share it with you.
I was gifted my own map of my P&O Cruises Britannia Caribbean cruise - and I absolutely love it it’s such great quality and now takes pride of place in my home
About ‘The Cruise Maps’
Matthew Jones set the business up in the summer of 2023 with his co-founder Will Ellison, who's an old university housemate and now a naval architect and marine data expert. Matthew has been a lifelong cruise fan after his parents met whilst both working on the QE2 (as a nurse and engineer) in the 1980's.
The big unique element of The Cruise Maps is that they use AIS data to show your exact route on the map not just the itinerary route - this means that every map is totally unique and personalised to you.
You don't need an amazing memory and a load of input on which ports you went to (which is just as well as I often muddle my cruises up and forget ports). The Cruise Maps team get all of this information from the data with complete accuracy.
As standard, they include a written port label for every port that you stopped at on your cruise. General place names (outside of your cruise route) aren't shown on the map because it could clutter the design too much and make it less attractive on your wall!
Every framed print is professionally framed, but you can also buy an unframed version, and the maps are printed in portrait or landscape. The Cruise Maps also mark on exact special locations on the map for customers such as engagements, weddings, vow renewals and memorial events at sea. The data goes back to January 1st 2015, so you can commemorate any cruise after this date.
The Cruise Maps can even take pre-orders for your upcoming cruise, which will then be created and delivered to you after you disembark - imagine coming home to your personalised memento rather than struggling through airport security loaded up with over-priced souvenirs.
The Cruise Maps use the latest AIS satellite ship tracking technology to get a position report for your ship every 15 minutes for the dates you were travelling. This allows them to then create an extremely accurate track on your Cruise Map. If your map isn't completely accurate, you'll get a full refund.
Every single Cruise Map is made manually for each customer from thousands of data points, so it isn't possible to automatically generate a preview immediately when you are ordering your map. However, the sample maps shown on the website and social media channels are very accurate representations with regards to general appearance and style. They also offer a full money-back guarantee on your map if the route isn't 100% accurate.
The maps are produced on FSC-certified 200gsm museum quality paper. This gives an ultra-durable matte finish to the map. All of the wooden frames are made from sustainably-sourced pine with a natural black finish, and durable clear plexiglass covering the map.
What Information Is Needed to Make Your Map?
When you are ordering your custom map, you will need to provide the following information to make sure they get exactly the right cruise:
The name of the ship you sailed on - there is a useful drop-down list on the website to find the right ship
The names of the ports where you joined and left the ship. Again you can choose from the drop-down lists to find the right ports
The dates of your cruise
Customising Your Map
Your map will be unique to the exact route that you took. You can also add a personalised message or title on the map or leave blank if you prefer.
If you have got engaged, renewed your wedding vows or had a special birthday on a cruise, let them know the event and the location by email (hello@thecruisemaps.com) when you book your order, and the exact location it happened will be included it in your map.
Shipping
The Cruise Maps ship globally, for free. However, shipping varies significantly based on your location. In the UK/Europe/North America, it can be as quick as 3 business days. You'll be able to track your order via the link in your order confirmation email. If you are ordering from further afield delivery may take longer.
Occasionally the brand works with cruise agents or tour leaders who want to order multiple copies of a cruise map. If you are ordering over 5 copies of the same map it is worth contacting them to discuss a discount.
What about returns?
Unfortunately, given that the prints are so highly customised for each customer, The Cruise Maps team are unable to offer returns. In the rare event that there is any issue with the quality of your print or if there are any mistakes in the route, you can contact then to ensure they have the opportunity to make things right.
I have just received my own map depicting my 14 night Caribbean Cruise on P&O Britannia and I love it. It reminds me of all the beautiful ports we visited and will have pride of place in my home office. It has even inspired me to consider creating a gallery wall of my future cruises.
If this article has piqued your interest and you’d like a map like mine, The Cruise Maps have given me a code to share with you, giving you a 10% discount on your first map just follow this link http://www.thecruisemaps.com/discount/CRUISELOWDOWN10 and quote CRUISELOWDOWN10
Related post https://cruiselowdown.com/blog/Cruise-maps-memento