What to pack for any cruise is always important, but what to pack for a Mediterranean Cruise is an even bigger deal. You have to deal with airplane luggage requirements that limit your size, but Mediterranean Cruises are usually long and you may even want to dress up for dinner at least occasionally. But then you have to plan to walk a lot around hot cities during the day. And spend some time in the pool.
Planning what to pack for a Mediterranean Cruise can be a daunting task, but these are some suggestions on how to make it easier:
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. That means that, at zero extra cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
Start with good luggage
Good quality, good sized, light-weight luggage is an important place to start when you are trying to pack for your Mediterranean Cruise. You need luggage that is durable enough to make it through your embarkation and debarkation cities and is light enough that the luggage itself isn’t weighing you down.
I personally cannot pack for that long of a trip in a carry-on. I know many people can, but I also think it is more important to bring what you need to be comfortable. You will spend two days dealing with your luggage (or paying for an extra bag), but 7+ days on the cruise ship where you will want to have things to make you comfortable. Don’t go crazy, but if you would bring a full sized suitcase for a cruise in the states, bring a full sized one to Europe.
But I love to pack a lot. Check out this whole article on why you SHOULD overpack for a cruise
Bring a hat
The Mediterranean is sunny and hot. Make sure you are prepared with a hat to keep you cool and from getting sunburned up on deck or while walking around sunny ports.
Cool, comfortable clothes
You will be outside in the heat a lot on a Mediterranean Cruise. We all want to look cute, but also make sure you are comfortable. Europeans don’t wear shorts as much as we do, but people are probably going to know you’re a tourist anyway. Don’t worry about it so much.
But that said, Europeans do dress up a little more than we do in the US. Plus for evenings on a cruise ship you may want something a little nicer. That depends on the cruise line of course, but if you want to participate in formal night, you have to plan accordingly!
Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes
You will be walking a lot. Over cobblestones. Up and down hills. Bring shoes you have walked in a lot at home and know are comfortable.
A water bottle
You will want a water bottle for when you are in port and even while on the ship. I highly recommend this one because it actually has a wide enough mouth that you can get ice into it and then it will keep your ice frozen for hours while in the heat. We have actually been known to have to by drinks while on excursions because our ice was still so frozen that we had no water, only ice.
A personal fan
You can bring an old-fashioned paper fan or a fancy electric one, but a fan is great for helping cool you down when it is just really hot out there. We really enjoy our electric fan. You do have to remember to charge it, but it’s small enough to fit in a purse or pocket and it’s electric so you can just relax while you cool.
Hanging Shoe Holder
It doesn’t take up very much room in your luggage, but a hanging shoe holder is very handy for keeping things off the counter and out of your way on a long cruise. We don’t actually use ours for shoes, but for things like sunglasses, hats, sunscreen, fans, masks and other items we need to grab on our way out.
Day bag or purse
I love my baggallini purse. It holds water bottles, travel guides, cameras, everything all at once. It has a slash-proof strap and plenty of zipping pockets.
Europe is not a great place for backpacks. I would really encourage and cross-body bag, even for men (they’re actually kind of fashionable in southern Europe) because of the problems in European cities with pickpockets.
Something in which to hide your money
I wear a money belt when I travel. I know that is kind of nerdy, but you can’t see it anyway. You’d never know if you met me on the streets of Rome. It just tucks right up under my clothes and I keep my passport, extra credit cards and extra cash in it. During the day I have one credit card and whatever cash I think I need for that day secure in either a pocket or an interior pocket of my purse.
There are plenty of other options of places to hide your money, but I find something large enough to hold my passport just makes be feel more secure while traveling.
Mediterranean Cruise Guide Book
I love Rick Steves. He is the only man I want to travel with and he has a guide book for Mediterranean Cruises! It has information about the embarkation ports as well as self-guided walking tours for ports of call. Check it out here.
If you are staying in your embarkation or debarkation port for more than a couple of days ahead of time, you may also want to check out his guide book for that city. While occasionally strongly opinionated, he gives great practical advice and plots out awesome self-guided walking tours!
Bathing Suit
I know, you’re thinking you will spend all your time in ports touring European cities, but when you get back on the ship you are probably going to rest your tired feet in a hot tub or pool. The pools were always super crowded on our Mediterranean Cruise. After returning from shore everyone wanted a way to cool off and relax before getting ready for dinner.
Binoculars
I know they sound bulky when you are traveling across the Atlantic to get to your starting point, but binoculars really do make it so much more fun to watch as you arrive and leave each port. Especially if you have a balcony, get a small pair of binoculars.
What else do you need to pack for your Mediterranean Cruise?
Make sure you have everything you normally travel with. This is not supposed to be a list of everything you could possibly need on a Mediterranean Cruise, only things that might be different from what you would normally bring on a cruise.
Remember – bring what you need to be comfortable and to enjoy yourself. You only lug your suitcase around the airport two days and then you will not touch it again while you spend a week or longer without packing or unpacking in your stateroom.
Pack what you think you will use!
What to read next:
What do you need to bring on your first cruise?
Why you SHOULD overpack for a cruise!
