Our Story

Your cruise is booked! You've started packing. You're counting the days, and before you know it, you’ll be heading to the port ready to board a floating palace and make an in-hand umbrella drink your fast friend.

How do you commemorate the getaway you've worked so hard for? From first-time sailors to experienced frequent floaters, a custom-designed shirt is the perfect way. Since 2007, while on his very first cruise, on the Carnival Valor, John Agnesini—an Art Director for various media outlets—sought to combine a decade-plus worth of Graphic Design expertise with his ever-growing love of cruising.

Fast forward to 2018 (some 45+ cruises later), and John was about to embark on Carnival Horizon's Inaugural Voyage out of Barcelona—a 13-day round-trip calling at ports like Livorno, Rome, and Naples, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; and Corfu, Greece. This was his first time being part of such a special sailing, and many fellow guests marked the occasion by purchasing commemorative shirts from various vendors. Witnessing this product appetite was the inspiration John needed.

Several sea days went by and internal conversations were starting. Could this dream of starting a line of cruise shirts actually work? After much consideration (and just enough internet service to fuel research), John decided to take the plunge and purchase a domain while on a hop-on, hop-off bus in Messina. Once back to the states, the company had a soft launch and was a hit, with rave reviews coming from cruise staff, travel agents and fellow cruisers. The cruise community has welcomed ShipTees with open arms, a reception that has been “truly humbling” according to the designer, and the company is committed to bringing innovative designs in celebration of a myriad of cruise experiences to come.

Today, John is celebrating 500+ days at sea with itineraries such as the Transpacific crossing from Seattle to Sydney, numerous Transatlantic crossings from Barcelona, Hawaii, Alaska, Mexican Riviera as well as the Caribbean.

In addition to making lifelong friendships and business partnerships around the globe, ShipTees has become a trusted merchandise provider of the industry's premier cruise directors, piano bar entertainers, charters and travel industry professionals worldwide.