While summer is undoubtedly the most popular time of the year to cruise to the Mediterranean—the sunny beaches, the hot weather, the long days spent on the sand—there are tremendous benefits to traveling around Europe during the more under-appreciated fall shoulder season, which kicks off in October and lasts until early November.
During the fall shoulder season, you’ll avoid the large crowds that visit popular Mediterranean destinations during the summer. Restaurants and attractions aren’t as busy, and finding a spot to lay out on the sand is easy.
By this time of year, all the kids are back in school, most Europeans are back at work, and there’s a bit more breathing room to appreciate all the magic the Mediterranean has to offer.
The weather is still quite pleasant in October in the Mediterranean. While temperatures can heat up over the summer, October weather offers a slight chill in the air and can sometimes be warm enough to take a dip in the Mediterranean Sea.
Of course, the unpredictability of the early fall weather makes figuring out what to pack for a Mediterranean cruise in October a little more difficult than just throwing a bunch of swimsuits and sandals in your bag as you would during the summer.
In fact, you’ll want to be prepared for both sunny and chilly days while on your vacation, so you might pack a little bit more than usual.
Read: Warm Places to Visit in October
Packing List for a Mediterranean Cruise in October
Warm sweaters and cardigans
Repeat after us: layers, layers, layers. Since it’s impossible to predict whether you’ll get warm or cold weather during a cruise to the Mediterranean in October, we suggest packing a combination of light and warm sweaters.
These versatile items should be on your cruise packing list because they can be thrown on or taken off depending on what kind of weather you encounter during your trip. (There’s a reason why October is called sweater weather season.)
Windbreaker or jacket
In October, the weather can get quite chilly once the sun goes down, so it would be wise to bring along a light jacket, especially when you’re off exploring port destinations.
Expect a strong afternoon breeze when the ship is out at sea. While you won’t need to bring a parka, you’ll be thankful you packed a windbreaker or jacket, which will keep you warm as you sip cocktails at the Lawn Club or take in the view at other outdoor spaces onboard.
Read: Best Time to Cruise the Mediterranean
Rain jacket
While the early fall season in the Mediterranean doesn’t typically include a lot of rainfall, it’s never a bad idea to pack a light, waterproof rain jacket just in case. It’s better to be prepared for an unusual day of rain rather than get rained on during an outdoor excursion.
Scarf or pashmina
A scarf or colorful pashmina is a must-pack travel accessory. Not only will it keep you warmer during the chillier days of your cruise, it also works as a way to dress up a more casual outfit.
Scarves and pashminas can come in handy during walking excursions around European cities, where many cathedrals and churches require tourists to cover up their shoulders.
Swimsuits
You won’t regret packing at least two swimsuits for your upcoming October cruise to the Mediterranean. While it may be cooler than the summer months, chances are you’ll still have some lovely warm days during your vacation and you’ll want to be able to dip in the bright blue Mediterranean Sea.
You’ll also want to bring a swimsuit if you decide to enjoy one of the ship’s hot tubs during a chilly afternoon onboard.
Hat and sunglasses
Sunny days are common in the Mediterranean in October, so pack at least one pair of sunglasses for your trip. Bring along a sun hat or cap to protect you from the sun during days spent by the pool or ocean and during long walking excursions in all those lovely European cities you’ll be visiting.
Swim cover ups
Swim cover ups are a must for a cruise vacation. You’ll need a cover up for when you’re walking from your stateroom to the pool, and vice-versa. It’s also nice to have one on hand if you plan to spend time on one of the best beaches in the Mediterranean.
Casual, comfortable clothes
If you’re wondering what to pack for a Mediterranean cruise in October, there are several clothing staples that you should make sure to bring year round, regardless of the weather. T-shirts, shorts, jeans, dresses, and skirts will keep you comfortable while you walk around and explore Mediterranean port destinations and the ship.
Pack a mix of long-sleeved T-shirts and short-sleeved tops and bring an equal amount of pants and shorts so you’re comfortable during both chillier and warmer days on your trip.
Dinner or smart casual clothes
Pack dressier clothes for nights out and romantic dinners in port during your Mediterranean cruise. Dinner or “smart casual” attire is also required onboard when you’re having dinner in the main restaurant.
For women, the ship’s smart casual dress code requires skirts, pants, or jeans with a casual top. For men, the smart casual dress code is pants or jeans with a short-sleeve sport shirt.
As always, we want our guests to feel comfortable, so the dress code for smart casual is fairly flexible, but keep in mind that there are still some restrictions. T-shirts, swimsuits, robes, bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps, and pool wear are not allowed in the main restaurant or specialty restaurants at any time. In addition, shorts and flip-flops are not allowed at all during the evening hours onboard.
The smart casual dress code also works for several other areas of the ship in the evening, including bars and lounges and during shows and events at the ship’s theater.
Evening chic clothes
Cruises that are six nights or longer will feature at least one “Evening Chic” dinner night. The Celebrity Cruises dress code for Evening Chic nights is cocktail dresses, skirt, pants, or designer jeans with an elegant top for women, and pants or designer jeans with a dress shirt, button-down, or sweater for men.
The Evening Chic dress code leaves a lot of room for you to show off your personal style. If you’re wondering what to wear on a cruise during these nights, you can flaunt everything from a pair of designer jeans with a stylish top to a cocktail dress you’ve been dying to show off for a special occasion.
There is no such thing as being overdressed to our Evening Chic nights. We consider these nights your opportunity to shine. Don’t forget to take plenty of photos!
Comfortable walking shoes
When considering what to wear on a Mediterranean cruise in October, it’s important to take into account your footwear as well. If you plan on doing some sightseeing around several European cities in the Mediterranean, packing a pair of comfortable walking shoes is a must.
Since the weather might be colder during a Mediterranean cruise in October, we recommend choosing a pair of closed-toe shoes, such as sneakers or boots.
Sandals, flip flops, or waterproof slides
Even though closed-toe shoes are best for excursions in port, you can also bring along a pair of sandals, flip flops, or waterproof slides for those moments you’ll spend by the pool or sunny days at the beach.
Read: Best Beaches to Visit in October
Evening shoes
For dinner, either onboard or at any of your port destinations, you’ll want to leave the sneakers and sandals in your stateroom. For these dressier occasions, women will want to pack a pair of heels, pumps, or dressier flat shoes, while men should consider bringing along a pair of smart shoes.
Light gloves
Just as you should come prepared for warm weather during a late fall cruise to the Mediterranean, it can’t hurt to be equally ready to deal with an unexpected cold front during your trip. While a pair of gloves might sound excessive for an October cruise to the Mediterranean, packing thin gloves in your suitcase isn’t a bad idea.
Backpack or handbag
A backpack or handbag is one of the most essential items you’ll need to pack on your cruise. A backpack comes in handy during port visits, where you’ll need to bring along your documentation, money, phone, camera, change of clothes, and other basic items in order to comfortably enjoy your visit.
Jewelry and accessories
If you feel like dressing up for lunch in Rome or perhaps want to look your best during one of our signature Evening Chic nights on board, add your favorite jewelry and accessories on your Mediterranean cruise packing list.
Other basic essentials
Now that you know what to wear on a Mediterranean cruise in October, are you ready to book a shoulder season cruise to Europe? There are plenty of Mediterranean itineraries to consider this fall.
Start planning ahead and researching your dream fall Mediterranean cruise and get your top pick for itinerary and stateroom type and location onboard. It’s never too early to start planning the perfect vacation.
To book your perfect Mediterranean Celebrity cruise, browse our itineraries or speak with your local travel agent.
