Can You Send Postcards From a Cruise Ship? How Mail Works at Sea
Yes, you can send postcards from a cruise, but there's no ship's postbox that empties every morning. Your card has to enter a national postal system somewhere, and the stamp has to match the country where that happens.
Which stamps do you need?
This is where most people go wrong. A stamp is valid only in the country that issued it, so the stamp depends on where the card is posted, not where you bought it or where you live.
| Where the card is posted | Stamps to use | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Vancouver, before boarding | Canadian | Use a downtown postbox before you board |
| Alaska ports | US international postcard stamps | Post offices are close to the docks in the main ports |
| US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico | US stamps | Same rates as the mainland |
| Mexico and most Caribbean islands | That country's stamps | Delivery is slow and less predictable |
| Europe | That country's stamps | Often sold at tobacconists and newsagents |
| Handed to guest services | Ask which port it'll go from | Buy stamps for that country |
A US international postcard stamp is about US$1.70 at recent rates; confirm at the counter.
How to send a postcard from your cruise
- Buy cards early. The gift shop sells ship postcards; ports sell scenic ones for less.
- Ask guest services on day one whether they collect mail, which port it goes from and whether they sell stamps.
- Write them on a sea day so they're ready before the first port.
- Post them yourself at the first suitable port if you can. A post office drop is more reliable than mail passed through the ship.
- Write "Canada" clearly on the last line of the address, in capitals.
Why postcards arrive after you do
Mail given to the ship sits until a port with a reliable postal link, then joins that country's international mail. Cards posted in Alaska usually take one to three weeks to reach Canada. From some Caribbean and Mexican ports, several weeks is normal, and some cards never turn up.
Is it still worth it?
For grandparents, classrooms and kids who collect stamps, yes. A card from Ketchikan or Cozumel with a foreign stamp and postmark is a small souvenir that a photo message can't match. Treat it as a keepsake, not news.
If speed matters more than postmarks, postcard apps can print your own photo and mail it from a printer in Canada, which needs only a few minutes of wifi (see how cruise ship internet works).
Planning a grandkids' trip? Grandparents cruising with grandkids has ideas, and a postcard home to parents is a nice daily ritual. Souvenirs are covered in duty-free shopping limits for Canadians.
Have a question about this? A licensed cruise expert can answer it for free — no booking required, no pressure.
Ask a cruise expert →Continuing this classic travel tradition
Sort the stamps for each country, post cards ashore whenever you can, and tell the recipients they're coming. The postcard is the souvenir; the delay is part of the charm.
Want this priced up for your dates? Speak to a licensed cruise expert — same price as booking direct, plus perks like onboard credit and prepaid gratuities the websites don't show. No fee, no obligation, and you can book online if you'd rather.
Get a quote or book online →Frequently asked questions
Can you mail postcards from a cruise ship?
Yes on most ships. Guest services typically collects stamped postcards and sends them ashore at an upcoming port, and some ships sell the right stamps. The surest method is to post them yourself at a post office in port.
How long does it take for a postcard mailed from a cruise to arrive?
Usually one to three weeks to Canada from Alaska or the US, and often longer from the Caribbean or Europe. Expect to be home before your postcards are.
Can I use Canadian stamps on postcards sent from a cruise?
Only if the card goes into the Canadian postal system, for example posted in Vancouver before you board. Stamps are valid only in the country that issued them, so cards posted in Alaska need US stamps and cards posted in Mexico need Mexican ones.
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