What to Pack for a Mediterranean Cruise

The Mediterranean is world renowned for its many breathtaking coasts, gorgeous cities, ancient history, and delicious cuisine. Who can resist its charms?

Taking a cruise around the Mediterranean is one of the best ways to discover this fantastic region full of culture, art, and romance. Our cruises visit popular ports like Barcelona, Spain, little-known towns such Santa Margherita in the Italian Riviera, and bucket-list locations like Santorini and Mykonos, Greece.

Since you’ll be packing for a multi-country cruise, it’s important to pack wisely for your journey.  Here are some tips on what to pack for a Mediterranean cruise.

Casual clothes

During a Mediterranean cruise, you’ll be doing a lot of walking. Make sure to bring a number of casual and comfortable clothes to wear during your days in port.

T-shirts, shorts, jeans, day dresses, and skirts are perfect options for days in port when you want to feel at ease. Focus on breathable fabrics, like linen and cotton, especially if you’re cruising in the summer months.

If you’re traveling during the shoulder season (April and October), bring a few long-sleeved t-shirts and light sweaters that you can layer on top of your clothes in case the weather gets chilly.

Read: What to Pack for a Mediterranean Cruise in October

Swimsuits

What to pack for a Mediterranean cruise will always include swimwear. Pack at least three swimsuits for lounging on the beach in port and by the pool on board the ship. This way, you’ll always have a dry swimsuit at hand.

Swim cover-ups

If you’ll be spending a lot of time in your swimsuit, a coverup is a must. You’ll need one when walking between your stateroom and the pool. They’re also great for beach days in port when you want to take a break from sunbathing and swimming to enjoy a seaside lunch or drink at a nearby cafe.

Sun hat

Protect your face from the sun by packing a hat that will keep the rays at bay. For men, a good baseball cap or SPF-protective hat will work, while ladies, if you want to feel like a glamorous, old-school movie star, pack a wide-brimmed straw hat, which gives you extra protection and pairs well with almost every outfit.

Sunglasses

Shield your eyes from the sun and avoid squinting in all of your pictures by packing at least one pair of sunglasses for your Mediterranean cruise. If you want to look extra stylish, bring an additional pair and change up your look every couple of days.

Comfortable walking shoes

You’d be surprised at how much walking you end up doing on a Mediterranean cruise, as you stroll around charming towns and historic cities. However, many streets in Europe are made up of uneven cobblestones, so walking around in flip-flops or heels can be painful.

Pack at least one pair of comfortable walking shoes, such as sneakers or supported flats, that will keep your feet happy and healthy throughout your vacation.

Sandals

For days spent by the pool or at the beach, pack a pair of sandals, flip flops, or water shoes that won’t be ruined if they get a little sand or water on them.

Sweater or light jacket

If you’re sailing in the summer, the Mediterranean Sea is usually calm with warm breezes at night. During the spring and fall seasons, the wind cools down and the evenings are chillier.

Bring a light cardigan or stylish jacket to wear when you’re spending time at any of the ship’s outdoor areas, such as your private veranda, the Lawn Club, or the Rooftop Garden on Celebrity Edge and Apex.

Read: Why a Cruise Is the Best Way to Travel in Europe

Scarf or pashmina

A scarf or pashmina is also a must when cruising around the Mediterranean. Not only is it an easy solution for when the weather is colder, it’s also important if you plan on visiting European churches, since many of them require female visitors to cover up their shoulders in order to go inside.

If you happen to be wearing a tank top or spaghetti-strap dress, a light scarf draped over your shoulders will work, so make sure to bring one along in your day pack during port days.

Dinner and evening clothes

For evenings on board or on a cruise with overnight stays in port, pack a few dressier outfits. For women, a maxi dress or a fashionable top paired with pants and a skirt are great options. For men, smart pants with a short-sleeve sport shirt or button-down shirt work well.

While our dress code for dinner in the main dining room and specialty restaurants is flexible, we do have a couple of restrictions that you should keep in mind when thinking about what to pack for a Mediterranean cruise.

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 during the evening hours onboard.

For “Evening Chic” nights, you’re encouraged to dress up. If you plan on attending one of our Evening Chic dinners, the dress code for women allows for cocktail dresses, skirts, pants, or designer jeans with an elegant top, while men can wear pants or designer jeans with a dress shirt, button-down, or sweater.

Evening shoes

Now that you have taken care of your dinner attire, don’t forget about your shoes! Women should pack heels or dressier sandals, while men should make sure to include at least one pair of smart shoes in their suitcase.

Backpack or handbag

Aside from all of your clothes, it’s important to pack one backpack or handbag for your Mediterranean cruise. A backpack is essential for days in port, when you’ll be off exploring European towns and cities and will need to carry things like your wallet, passport, phone, clothing items (sweater or pashmina), and camera.

Jewelry

The easiest way to dress up an outfit is by adding an accessory. Don’t forget to pack a few pieces of jewelry, like your favorite pair of earrings or a statement necklace, for days and nights when you want to take your look up a notch. Rest easy knowing that all of our staterooms and suites have a safe, where you’ll be able to store your valuables.

Lightweight jacket

If you’re traveling during the shoulder season, pack a lightweight jacket. Pick one that can be easily stored in your backpack or bag during shore excursions—preferably in a fabric that won’t wrinkle—so you can put it on in case the weather turns.

Medicine

The onboard pharmacy doesn’t fill prescriptions, so make sure to bring enough of your medications for the length of your cruise. It’s also smart to pack first aid essentials such as bandaids, pain relief medications, anti-nausea medicine, and upset stomach relief.

Read: Cruising While Pregnant

Phone and phone charger

Buying an extra phone charger and packing it in your suitcase before your cruise is a smart way to make sure you can snap all of those incredible vacation pictures and upload them to your social media accounts.

Other travel essentials

Aside from all the recommendations above, don’t forget to pack other essentials such as underwear, socks, pajamas, cosmetics, wallet, passport, and cash.

Camera

Last but not least, pack a good camera. Sure, your phone can do the trick, but you might want to get even better pictures of the beauty of the Mediterranean coast and all of its picturesque sights.