Planning a group cruise is exciting — and nothing pulls your crew together quite like matching custom shirts. Whether you're celebrating a family reunion, a birthday milestone, or a squad getaway, coordinating your look ahead of time makes the whole experience more memorable. Here's a practical step-by-step guide to make the process smooth from start to finish.
1. Order Early — Give Yourself Plenty of Lead Time
The most common mistake groups make is waiting too long. Custom shirts require design time, production, and shipping, so we recommend placing your order at least 3–4 weeks before your sail date. If your group is large (20+ people) or you're requesting a complex design, aim for 5–6 weeks. Ordering early also gives you buffer time to review your proof and request any changes without stress.
2. Collect Adult and Youth Sizes from Everyone
Before you can place your order, you'll need a size from every person in your group. Create a simple shared spreadsheet or group chat poll and ask each person to confirm their preferred size — including whether they need a youth size for kids. Be sure to collect:
- Adult sizes (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, etc.)
- Youth sizes (YS, YM, YL, YXL) for children
- Any fit preferences (unisex vs. fitted)
Having a firm headcount and size breakdown before you reach out to us speeds up the quoting and production process significantly.
3. Choose Your Colors and Style
Color selection is one of the most fun parts of the process. Think about your cruise destination and theme — tropical brights, nautical navy and white, or bold sunset hues all work beautifully. A few tips:
- Pick 1–2 primary colors to keep the look cohesive
- Consider how the shirt color will photograph against ocean and port backdrops
- If you have a mix of adults and kids, you can use the same color across all sizes for a unified look
Browse our popular options to get inspired:
- Custom Cruise Squad Shirts — perfect for friend groups and travel squads
- Custom Family Cruise Shirts — ideal for multi-generational family trips
- Custom Birthday Cruise Shirts — great for celebrating a milestone birthday at sea
4. Submit Names, Cruise Details, and Personalization Info
Many groups love adding individual names, nicknames, or roles (like "Birthday Queen" or "First Mate") to each shirt. When you place your order or submit a quote request, have the following ready:
- Each person's name or nickname as it should appear on the shirt
- Your cruise line and ship name (great for adding to the design)
- Your sail date or destination (e.g., "Caribbean 2026")
- Any special text, inside jokes, or group name you'd like included
The more detail you provide upfront, the faster we can turn around a design proof for your review.
5. Review Your Design Proof Carefully
Once our team creates your custom design, we'll send you a digital proof before anything goes to print. This is your chance to catch any typos, confirm name spellings, and make sure the layout looks exactly how you envisioned it. We recommend sharing the proof with a few other group members for a second set of eyes. Common things to double-check:
- Spelling of every name
- Cruise ship name and sail date
- Color accuracy and placement
- Overall design balance
Once you approve the proof, production begins — so take your time on this step!
6. Coordinate Group Delivery
Decide early how you want shirts delivered. Options typically include:
- Ship to one address: One person receives all shirts and distributes them to the group before the cruise. This is the most common approach for families or local friend groups.
- Ship to multiple addresses: If your group is spread across different cities, we can ship individual orders to each person. Just let us know when you request your quote.
Plan to have shirts in hand at least a week before departure so there's time to sort, distribute, and try them on — and make any last-minute exchanges if needed.
Ready to Get Started?
Every group is different, and we love helping you create something truly custom. If you're not sure where to begin or have a large or complex order, request a custom quote and our team will walk you through the process from start to finish.
Bon voyage — and may your matching shirts be as unforgettable as the trip itself! 🚢
