Packing for your first Mediterranean cruise is an exciting time, but it can be a little confusing if you’ve never been to that region of the world before. Once you’re on the ship, there’s no running back home to grab something you forgot, so keep these tips in mind to ensure that you have everything you need for your week of vacation bliss.
Clothing: Women
You probably think it will be quite warm in the Mediterranean, and during the daytime, that’s true. Yet, once the sun goes down, it can get a bit too chilly for shorts and a tank top. Be sure to pack at least one sweater or cardigan and one pair of pants for chilly nights. Also, most cruises have at least one formal night, so pack a cocktail or sundress. As for footwear, heels are more than likely not your best option (especially with the ship rocking back and forth). Instead, pack a pair of flip-flops for the pool, some flats for dinner, and tennis shoes for shore excursions. You should be all set!
Clothing: Men
If you’re planning to hang out on deck all day or go ashore at each of the ports of call, you will need to pack at least a couple polo or short sleeve shirts, a pair of cargo shorts, and a pair of trousers to stay cool in the Mediterranean sun. For dinnertime, it’s a smart idea to pack a long-sleeve button-down shirt, a pair of dress pants or khakis, and a sweater to keep you warm. Be sure to pack a pair of tennis shoes for shore excursions and perhaps a baseball cap to keep the sun off your face as well. Abide by our list, and you'll be cruise-ready!
Toiletries
Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen! Skin cancer is no joke, so anytime you step outside, you need to be spraying or slathering on sunscreen. Use SPF 50 or greater to keep your skin wrinkle and cancer-free. If you’re prone to motion sickness, pack enough Dramamine or other motion sickness medication to last the whole week. As for every vacation, bring shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, because the ones provided are typically of lower quality (and quantity).
Electronics
You’ll be out at sea without a signal for the majority of the trip, so you might as well leave your phone at home or packed away in your suitcase. Most ships do offer wi-fi (for a price), so if you can’t handle being offline for a whole week, you do have the option of bringing your laptop and using it to check emails...or Facebook. The most important electronic item you can bring is a camera to document all of your fun adventures, but be sure to keep it away from the water!
Miscellaneous
Many cruises allow you to bring on a bottle of wine or champagne, so you can save a few bucks by buying a bottle at your local liquor store and taking it with you. Beware, if you want to bring your wine to the dining room for dinner, you will likely be charged a corkage fee of around $15. Finally, even though you exclusively use your onboard credit while on the ship, it’s never a bad idea to bring a little cash if you need to add more money to your account, or if you need to catch a taxi back to port after wandering around Barcelona.
