What to Pack for a European Cruise: A Complete Guide

AvatarByDale Richard Cruise/Cruising

What to Pack for a European Cruise

A European cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you want to make sure you’re prepared for everything. From packing the right clothes to getting your passport in order, there are a few things you need to do to make sure your trip is a success.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about packing for a European cruise, from what to wear to what to bring for your cruise excursions. We’ll also provide tips on how to stay organized and make the most of your trip.

So whether you’re planning your first cruise or you’re a seasoned cruiser, read on for all the information you need to pack for a European cruise!

Item Description Packing Tips
Passport You will need your passport to board the ship and enter each country you visit. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date.
Visa If you are visiting countries that require a visa, you will need to obtain one before your trip. Check the visa requirements for each country you plan to visit well in advance of your trip.
Clothing You will need to pack a variety of clothing for a European cruise, as the weather can vary greatly from one country to the next. Pack layers so you can adjust to the changing weather conditions.
Shoes You will need comfortable shoes for walking, as you will be doing a lot of exploring on your cruise. Pack a pair of walking shoes, sandals, and dress shoes.
Electronics You may want to pack a camera, phone, laptop, and other electronic devices. Make sure your devices are charged and have enough storage space for your photos and videos.
Toiletries You will need to pack your own toiletries, as they are not provided on the ship. Pack a small travel-sized kit with your essential toiletries.
Other Items You may want to pack other items such as a swimsuit, beach towel, sunglasses, hat, and money belt. Make sure you pack everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable cruise.

A European cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you want to make sure you pack everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable trip. This comprehensive packing list will help you get started, with everything from clothing to toiletries to electronics.

Clothing

What to wear on the ship

On the ship, you’ll be spending most of your time in casual clothes. Comfortable, lightweight clothing is essential, as you’ll be doing a lot of walking. You’ll also want to pack some weather-appropriate clothing, as the weather can change quickly in Europe.

  • Tops: T-shirts, tank tops, blouses, sweaters, cardigans, and jackets.
  • Bottoms: Shorts, skirts, dresses, capris, and pants.
  • Shoes: Sneakers, sandals, flip-flops, and dress shoes.
  • Accessories: Hats, sunglasses, scarves, jewelry, and handbags.

What to wear in port

When you’re in port, you’ll want to dress a little more formally than you would on the ship. This is especially true if you’re planning on doing any sightseeing or visiting restaurants.

  • Tops: Blouses, button-down shirts, sweaters, and jackets.
  • Bottoms: Skirts, dresses, slacks, and pants.
  • Shoes: Dress shoes, sandals, and heels.
  • Accessories: Hats, sunglasses, scarves, jewelry, and handbags.

Casual clothes

You’ll want to pack plenty of casual clothes for your cruise. These are the clothes you’ll wear most of the time, both on the ship and in port.

  • Tops: T-shirts, tank tops, blouses, sweaters, cardigans, and jackets.
  • Bottoms: Shorts, skirts, dresses, capris, and pants.
  • Shoes: Sneakers, sandals, flip-flops, and dress shoes.
  • Accessories: Hats, sunglasses, scarves, jewelry, and handbags.

Dressy clothes

You’ll also want to pack some dressy clothes for your cruise. These are the clothes you’ll wear for special occasions, such as going to dinner in a nice restaurant or attending a formal event.

  • Tops: Blouses, button-down shirts, sweaters, and jackets.
  • Bottoms: Skirts, dresses, slacks, and pants.
  • Shoes: Dress shoes, sandals, and heels.
  • Accessories: Hats, sunglasses, scarves, jewelry, and handbags.

Swimwear

You’ll definitely want to pack some swimwear for your cruise. You’ll be able to enjoy the ship’s pool and hot tub, and you may also want to go swimming in a port.

  • Swimsuits: Bikinis, one-piece swimsuits, tankinis, and cover-ups.
  • Beachwear: T-shirts, shorts, skirts, dresses, and sandals.

Outerwear

You’ll want to pack some outerwear for your cruise, as the weather can change quickly in Europe.

  • Jackets: Windbreakers, raincoats, and sweaters.
  • Scarves: Pashminas, pashmina wraps, and infinity scarves.
  • Hats: Baseball caps, sun hats, and beanies.

Shoes

You’ll want to pack a variety of shoes for your cruise. You’ll need comfortable shoes for walking around the ship and in port, as well as dressier shoes for special occasions.

  • Sneakers: Running shoes, tennis shoes, and walking shoes.
  • Sandals: Flip-flops, sandals, and wedges.
  • Dress shoes: Pumps, flats, and heels.

Accessories

You’ll also want to pack some accessories for your cruise. These can help you dress up your outfits and keep you comfortable.

  • Hats: Baseball caps, sun hats, and beanies.
  • Sunglasses: Polarized sunglasses and sunglasses with UV protection.
  • Scarves: Pashminas, pashmina wraps, and infinity scarves.
  • Jewelry: Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings.
  • Handbags: Tote bags, shoulder bags, and cross-body bags.

Personal Items

In addition to clothing, you’ll also need to pack some personal items for your cruise.

Passport and other identification

Make sure you have your passport and other identification with you at all times. You’ll need your passport to

What to Pack for a European Cruise

Packing for a European cruise can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. By following a few simple tips, you can ensure that you have everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable trip.

Clothing

The type of clothing you pack will depend on the time of year you are traveling and the ports of call you will be visiting. In general, you will want to pack a mix of casual and dressy clothes. For warm-weather destinations, you will want to pack shorts, skirts, dresses, T-shirts, tank tops, and light sweaters. For cooler-weather destinations, you will want to pack pants, long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, and jackets. You may also want to pack a swimsuit, beachwear, and a raincoat.

Shoes

You will want to pack a variety of shoes for your cruise. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for exploring the ports of call. You may also want to pack sandals, flip-flops, and dress shoes.

Accessories

A few essential accessories to pack for your cruise include a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a camera, a swimsuit cover-up, and a money belt. You may also want to pack a travel adapter and a universal power plug.

Toiletries

Pack a small toiletry bag with all of the essentials, including your toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, moisturizer, and makeup. You may also want to pack a first-aid kit and any prescription medications you take.

Electronics

If you plan on using your electronic devices on your cruise, be sure to pack a charger for each device. You may also want to pack a portable power bank.

Other Items

A few other items you may want to pack for your cruise include a passport, a copy of your itinerary, a travel guide, a journal, a pen, and a book. You may also want to pack a beach towel, a travel umbrella, and a water bottle.

Packing Tips

Here are a few tips to help you pack for your European cruise:

  • Pack light. You will be doing a lot of walking on your cruise, so you don’t want to be weighed down by heavy luggage.
  • Pack versatile clothing. Choose pieces that can be mixed and matched to create different outfits.
  • Pack for the weather. Be sure to pack clothes that are appropriate for the climate of the ports of call you will be visiting.
  • Pack comfortable shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking, so be sure to pack comfortable shoes that you can wear for extended periods of time.
  • Pack essential toiletries. Pack a small toiletry bag with all of the essentials, including your toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, moisturizer, and makeup.
  • Pack a first-aid kit. Pack a small first-aid kit with essential items such as bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and allergy medication.
  • Pack a copy of your itinerary. Be sure to pack a copy of your itinerary so that you know what to expect at each port of call.
  • Pack a travel guide. A travel guide can be a valuable resource for planning your days and finding the best things to do in each port of call.
  • Pack a journal. A journal can be a great way to document your trip and remember your experiences.
  • Pack a pen and a book. A pen and a book can come in handy for jotting down notes, reading, or playing games.
  • Pack a beach towel, a travel umbrella, and a water bottle. A beach towel, a travel umbrella, and a water bottle can be helpful for days at the beach or exploring the ports of call.

By following these tips, you can pack everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable European cruise.

Travel Documents

The following travel documents are essential for a European cruise:

  • Passport. You will need a valid passport for your cruise. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the end of your cruise.
  • Visa (if required). If you are a citizen of a country that requires a visa to enter Europe, you will need to obtain a visa before your cruise.
  • Travel insurance. Travel insurance is a good idea for any international trip. Travel insurance can help cover medical expenses, lost luggage, and trip cancellations.
  • Flight confirmation. You will need to have a copy of your flight confirmation for your cruise.
  • Cruise documents. You will receive your cruise documents from your cruise line prior to your cruise. These documents will include your cruise ticket, boarding pass, and shipboard account

    What should I pack for a European cruise?

  • Clothing

You will need to pack a variety of clothing for a European cruise, as the weather can vary significantly from one port to the next. In general, you should pack light layers that can be easily layered as needed. For warm weather, pack shorts, skirts, dresses, and tops made from lightweight fabrics such as cotton, linen, or silk. For cooler weather, pack pants, sweaters, and jackets made from wool, fleece, or other warm materials. You may also want to pack a swimsuit, raincoat, and hat.

  • Shoes

You will need to pack a variety of shoes for a European cruise, as you will be doing a lot of walking. Comfortable walking shoes are essential, such as sneakers or sandals. You may also want to pack a pair of dress shoes for more formal occasions.

  • Accessories

You will also need to pack a few accessories for a European cruise, such as a swimsuit, sunglasses, a hat, and a camera. You may also want to pack a travel adapter and a power converter.

  • Documents

Be sure to pack your passport, travel insurance documents, and any other important documents. You may also want to pack a copy of your itinerary and a map of the ports you will be visiting.

  • Money

You will need to exchange some money for the local currency of the countries you will be visiting. You can do this at your bank or at a currency exchange bureau. It is also a good idea to bring some credit cards and/or traveler’s checks, as they can be used in many places.

  • Electronics

You may want to pack some electronics for your European cruise, such as a laptop, a smartphone, and a camera. Be sure to pack any chargers and adapters you may need.

  • Other Items

You may also want to pack some other items for your European cruise, such as a first-aid kit, a sewing kit, and a flashlight. You may also want to pack some snacks and drinks, as they can be expensive on the ship.

How much should I pack for a European cruise?

The amount of luggage you need to pack for a European cruise will depend on the length of your cruise and the activities you plan to do. In general, you should pack enough clothes for a week, plus a few extra items in case of spills or accidents. You should also pack a carry-on bag with essential items that you will need during the day, such as your passport, medications, and a change of clothes.

What are some packing tips for a European cruise?

Here are a few packing tips for a European cruise:

  • Pack light layers that can be easily layered as needed.
  • Pack comfortable walking shoes.
  • Pack a swimsuit, raincoat, and hat.
  • Pack a travel adapter and a power converter.
  • Pack your passport, travel insurance documents, and any other important documents.
  • Exchange some money for the local currency of the countries you will be visiting.
  • Bring some credit cards and/or traveler’s checks.
  • Pack some electronics, such as a laptop, a smartphone, and a camera.
  • Pack a first-aid kit, a sewing kit, and a flashlight.
  • Pack some snacks and drinks.

What are some common packing mistakes for a European cruise?

Here are a few common packing mistakes for a European cruise:

  • Packing too much.
  • Packing heavy items.
  • Packing bulky items.
  • Packing unnecessary items.
  • Not packing the right clothes for the weather.
  • Not packing the right shoes.
  • Not packing a travel adapter and a power converter.
  • Not packing your passport, travel insurance documents, and any other important documents.
  • Not exchanging some money for the local currency of the countries you will be visiting.
  • Not bringing some credit cards and/or traveler’s checks.
  • Not packing some electronics, such as a laptop, a smartphone, and a camera.
  • Not packing a first-aid kit, a sewing kit, and a flashlight.
  • Not packing some snacks and drinks.

packing for a European cruise can be a daunting task, but by following these tips, you can ensure that you have everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable trip. Be sure to pack clothes for all weather conditions, comfortable shoes, and plenty of swimsuits. Don’t forget your passport, travel documents, and medications. And most importantly, don’t forget to pack your sense of adventure!

Here are some key takeaways to remember when packing for a European cruise:

  • Pack clothes for all weather conditions, including warm layers for cold weather and light, breathable clothing for warm weather.
  • Comfortable shoes are essential, as you will be doing a lot of walking.
  • Don’t forget your swimsuits! You’ll want to take advantage of the many opportunities to swim in the ocean, lakes, and pools.
  • Pack your passport, travel documents, and medications.
  • Be sure to pack your sense of adventure!

Author Profile

Dale Richard
Dale Richard
Dale, in his mid-thirties, embodies the spirit of adventure and the love for the great outdoors. With a background in environmental science and a heart that beats for exploring the unexplored, Dale has hiked through the lush trails of the Appalachian Mountains, camped under the starlit skies of the Mojave Desert, and kayaked through the serene waters of the Great Lakes.

His adventures are not just about conquering new terrains but also about embracing the ethos of sustainable and responsible travel. Dale’s experiences, from navigating through dense forests to scaling remote peaks, bring a rich tapestry of stories, insights, and practical tips to our blog.