Are you going on a Mediterranean cruise this Spring? Below, I will give you some travel tips on what to pack for a Mediterranean cruise in the spring. Plus, I will share my Mediterranean cruise packing list as a free PDF printable that you can download and to use as a checklist to help you with your cruise packing.
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What to Pack for Your Spring Mediterranean Cruise
Spring is a pleasant season to cruise the Mediterranean, but you need to be prepared for the temperature changes. The spring temperature in the Mediterranean will fluctuate- days can be warm, up to 70°F, but the nights can be chilly, down to 50°F.
Plus you will be in an air conditioned cruise ship. When packing for Spring Mediterranean cruises, you have to pack with layering in mind. You should have clothes and accessories that can be versatile for warm spring days to cool Mediterranean evenings.
Another thing to consider is the dress code for mosques and churches that you might visit during your shore excursions. These places of worship often require visitors to dress conservatively, covering their shoulders, knees, and sometimes their heads. You should pack some items that can help you respect these rules, such as scarves, shawls, or cardigans.
Mediterranean Cruise: Spring
1. Pants
Pack a few pairs of pants that are comfortable and easy to mix and match. Jeans, khakis and capris are great. Pants are also useful for visiting places that require modest attire.
2. Shirts
Pack a variety of shirts that can suit different occasions and temperatures. You can pack t-shirts, polo shirts, button-down shirts, or blouses. You can also layer your shirts with a cardigan or a jacket.
3. Sweatshirts and/or Sweaters
Pack a few sweatshirts and/or sweaters that can keep you warm and cozy on the ship or on shore.
4. Jackets
It’s still pretty cool in the Spring, you will need a jacket. The ultra light packable jackets are great for spring cruises.
5. Underwear
Pack extra underwear because you might change a few times in one day if you swim. I always add extra, for example if you are going on a 10 day cruise, bring 14 underwear.
6. Socks
Similar to underwear, pack extra socks just in case. You will need socks when you visit mosques such as the Blue Mosques and Hagia Sophia in Turkey since they will require you to take off your shoes.
7.Hats or Baseball Caps
Pack a few hats or baseball caps that can protect you from the sun and add some style to your outfit.
8. Gym Clothes with Sneakers
When I go on cruises, I always forget to pack gym clothes and I always regret not packing any gym clothes. They are perfect for working out on sea days or just relaxing on the ship (even if you don’t exercise).
9. Pajamas
Pack some pajamas that are cozy and comfortable.
10. Flip Flops
Pack a pair of flip flops, you will need it when you go to the pool. It also doubles as slippers when you are in your cabin.
Check out the 25 Things People forget to Pack for a Cruise
11. Umbrella
Pack a small and compact umbrella that can fit in your bag. Trust me, you will be glad you have an umbrella for when it rains while you are out sightseeing.
12. Sunglasses
Don’t forget your sunglasses! It’s a must-bring for Mediterranean cruises.
13. Mesh Laundry Bag
Pack a mesh laundry bag that can help you organize your dirty clothes.
14. External Battery Packs
Pack a few external battery packs that can charge your devices and that can last for a long time. I like these external battery packs because they have a built-in flashlight.
15. Chargers
Don’t forget to pack the chargers for your phone and other electronic devices!
16. European Plug Adapter
A European plug adapter is a useful item for your Mediterranean cruise. Depending on the cruise ship, you may or may not need one on board. However, if you are staying in a European hotel before or after your cruise, you will definitely need one. Most European countries use the Type C plug with two round pins, but some have different types. I always bring a universal travel adapter that is adjustable so you can switch from the UK to EU to US outlets easily.
17. Electronics (iPad, Switch)
Don’t forget your devices to keep you and your family entertained – such as iPad, Switch, or Kindles. You will have some downtime during the cruise, especially on sea days, and you may want to use your devices. To avoid using your internet data or paying for a subscription on the ship, I recommend downloading movies and games at home before you board the ship.
18. Travel Coffee Mug
A travel coffee mug that can keep your drink hot or cold is a must-have for your cruise. I recommend these 20 oz insulated mugs with lids. I love filling mine with water or seltzer and adding some lemon for a refreshing drink. It’s so convenient to have it with me all day on sea days. You’ll thank me later when you don’t have to go to the buffet every time you need water.
19. Refillable water bottles
Refillable water bottles will come in handy during your Mediterranean cruise. Most cruise ships don’t provide free water in your cabin, unless you purchase the bottled water from the cruise line or get water from the buffet. I like to fill up my water bottles with water and ice and take it to my cabin. I also do the same when I go ashore.
Pro tip: Don’t bring water bottles with straws since it’s a hassle to wash. I like these insulated water bottles without straws. If you’re prone to losing water bottles, then you’ll need this crossbody bag that is made to hold water bottles!
20. Bathing Suit and Swim Goggles
Since you are going on your Mediterranean cruise in the Spring, you will most likely not be spending a lot of time by the pool. But if your cruise ship has an indoor pool, you may want to take a dip during one of the sea days. Bring your bathing suit and goggles just in case!
21. Walking Shoes
You will be doing a lot of walking when you go on a Mediterranean cruise. Definitely bring comfortable walking shoes for exploring cities and when you go on shore excursions exploring ruins.
22. Bug Spray
Bring some bug spray to keep insects away. Some cities can be surprisingly infested with mosquitoes, such as Venice. I always bring a few packets of these insect repellent wipes. You don’t want to get bitten there!
23. Sunblock
Pack some sunblock that can protect your skin and that can fit in your bag. I like to pack at least a 50 SPF sunblock. I usually bring a sunblock stick for the face and cream for the body.
24. Tote Bag or Backpack
Pack a tote bag or backpack for when you go on shore excursions. It will come in handy to put drinks and snacks when you’re out sightseeing. Here is an easy packable backpack.
Check out: 16 Cruise Ship Embarkation Hack (How to Board the Ship Faster)
25. Resealable Plastic Bag (Ziploc)
Pack some resealable plastic bags or Ziploc. It will come in handy to store snacks.
26. Beach Chair Towel Clips
I always bring my own beach chair towel clips to secure my towel to the beach chair so it doesn’t fall off or gets blown away. It’s a pet peeve of mine to lie down on a beach chair where the towel has slipped off. I like these fun beach chair towel clips. If you want a less bulky option, bring these towel bands instead. I know you are going on your cruise in the Spring but you never know, you might want to lounge by the indoor pool!
27. Eveningwear (dress, jacket)
You will want to dress up on your Mediterranean cruise. Although the dress code is often optional, it’s always nice to dress up for the different evening dinners such as captain’s dinner, the gala night, or the farewell party. There are also a lot of photographers at the cruise so it’s always nice to be dressed up when you get your picture taken. I always try to get our family photo during cruises because it’s a lot less expensive to buy them on the cruise than having to go to a studio back home.
28. Evening Bag or Clutch Bag
Pack an evening bag or a clutch bag that will go with your evening wear. I personally like clutch bags with wrist straps so I can keep my hands free especially when I’m at the buffet.
29. Shawl/Pashmina
A shawl or a pashmina is a handy item to pack for your Mediterranean cruise. You can use it to keep warm in the chilly dining rooms when you wear a dress. You can also use it to cover your head when you visit mosques in Turkey, where conservative dress is required. A shawl or a pashmina is a versatile and stylish accessory for your trip.
30. Dressy shoes
Pack a pair of dressy shoes that can complement your evening wear. Make sure it’s comfortable because that’s your only dressy pair!
31. Swim Cover Up
Pack a swim cover up. It’s especially useful when you are at the pool and just want to go to the buffet to grab a quick bite, you can easily put on the swim coverup. Of course, if you don’t plan to swim even if there is an indoor pool, then you don’t need a swim cover up.
32. Lip Balm with SPF
Pack a lip balm with SPF that can moisturize your lips and prevent sunburned lips.
33. Lanyard
Pack a lanyard to hold your cruise card. Trust me, you will wish you had a lanyard because you need your cruise card for everything- getting on and off the ship, buying in the gift shop and getting into your cabin. It’s a hassle to have to rummage in your bag to find your cruise card. Do know that some ships will have wristbands (kind of like the Disney MagicBand) so you don’t need lanyards.
34. Walkie Talkie
If you are traveling with family or a big group, it’s nice to have a way to communicate to each other onboard. Cellphone service is poor and internet service is expensive. Bringing a long range walkie talkie is an easy way to stay in touch and it can be a lot of fun for kids to use.
35. Binoculars with strap
I always pack binoculars when I go on cruises. It’s fun to use when your balcony. Definitely get one that is lightweight and with a strap.
36. Mosquito Bite Ointment
Pack some mosquito bite ointment, it will come in handy if you get bit by mosquitoes. I’m prone to mosquito bites so I will always have it in my bag. I like these mosquito bite ointments that come in a roller so you can easily apply it on your bug bite!
37. Seasick Medicine
Years ago, cruise ships used to give out seasick medicine freely. Now, I find that is not the case. It’s best to bring your own seasick medicine (unless you want to pay Cruise ship gift shop pricing!) If you are cruising with kids, you should bring seasick medicine for kids– they are chewable and the dosage is meant for children.
Pro tip: Eating frequently can help you prevent seasickness on a cruise. It’s not hard to do on the cruise since you are eating all the time! Don’t let your stomach get empty. An empty stomach can make you more prone to feeling nauseous.
38. Cross Body Bag with zipper
A cross body bag is a great choice for a Mediterranean cruise, as it can keep your valuables safe and handy. Europe has many pickpocketers, so you need to be careful when you walk around and sightsee. A cross body bag is more convenient than a shoulder bag, as it stays close to your body and does not slip off. Make sure it has a zipper to keep your valuables secure.
I like this crossbody bag that has RFID to prevent identity theft by keeping your credit card information secure. I also like this slash-proof cross body bag because the strap and bag are slash-resistant and there is also RFID blocking so your card information is safe from identity thieves. Here is an anti-theft sling bag with RFID blocking.
39. 1 Bottle of Wine (check cruise policy)
Most cruise lines will allow you to bring one bottle of wine on the ship when they board. You are allowed to bring one 750 ml unopened bottle of wine or champagne per person. Any alcohol that you buy ashore will be taken and kept until the end of the cruise. Double check with your cruise line before you bring wine.
40. Power Strip
Cruise cabins are notorious for being stingy with outlets- there never seem to be enough outlets for charging devices! The solution is to bring your own cruise-approved power strips!
41. Cash (small bills)
Pack some cash in small bills. It will come in handy for tipping. Of course, you can always get change from the guest services desk. But if you bring your own, you will avoid the long lines at Guest Services.
42. Travel Documents (Passport/Tickets)
Don’t forget your passport and tickets and other Identification for travel. I keep my passport in this RFID blocking passport holder! This holder also has a RFID blocking feature that prevents identity theft and keeps your travel documents secure.
43. Photocopy of Passport/Cards
Pickpocketing is a common problem in Europe, so you should pack photocopies of your passport and your credit cards as a backup. If your wallet gets stolen, you can call the credit card companies to cancel the card and report the theft. You can also go to your consulate to report the loss of your passport, which will be easier if you have a photocopy of it.
44. Toothbrush & Toothpaste
Don’t forget your toothbrush and toothpaste, they don’t provide this on the cruise ship. You will have to buy it from the cruise gift shop if you forget to bring yours.
45. Comb/ Hairbrush
Same goes for your comb and hairbrush, bring your own or else you will have to buy one on the ship.
Check out: I’ve Been on over 25 Cruises, Here are 17 Things I’ll Never Do on a Cruise
46. Moisturizers and Face soap
Pack moisturizers, face cream and face soap. You don’t want to break your daily routine just because you are traveling.
47. Shampoo/Conditioner (if you like to use your own)
This is optional. You don’t need to pack shampoo, conditioner, or body wash for the cruise ship, as they usually provide them in the shower dispensers. However, if you are picky about your hair products, like me, you may want to bring your own shampoo and conditioner.
Pickpocketers are common in Europe. Check out: 11 Anti-Theft Cruise Tips that Every Cruiser Needs to Know
48. Medication
Don’t forget to pack your medication. Bring some over-the-counter meds for allergies and pain relief. If you take prescription medicine, bring extra in case of emergencies. You never know when you might get stranded due to a flight cancellation or a strike, which are common in some European airports, especially in France. I’ve gotten stuck in France many times because of strikes!
49. Lysol Wipes
I always pack lysol wipes so I can sanitize my cabin. I like to wipe down the remote control, cabin phone, door knobs and more!
50. Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer is a useful item to pack for your Mediterranean cruise. Even though the ship has many sanitizing stations, you will need your own when you explore the sights.
2 Weeks Mediterranean Cruise Wardrobe for Women
Here is an example of what to pack on a 14 days Mediterranean Cruise for women. Use packing cubes to stay organized!
- 20 pairs of underwear
- 14-18 pairs of socks
- 14 t-shirts/blouse/button down shirts
- 10 pairs of jeans or pants
- 1-2 pairs of leggings (for the gym or sea days)
- 4 sweaters or cardigans or sweatshirts
- 5 sleepwear/pjs
- 1 lightweight packable jacket
- 1-2 blazers
- 2 dresses or suit
- 1 pair of dress shoes
- 1 pair of sneakers
- 1 pair of very comfortable walking shoes (stylish, not sneakers)
- 1 pair of flip flops
- 1 bathing suit (optional)
- 1 swim cover ups (optional)
- 1 hat or baseball cap
- 2 shawls or pashminas
- 1 evening bag or clutch bag
2 Weeks Mediterranean Cruise Wardrobe for Men
Here is an example of what to pack for a 14 days Mediterranean Cruise for men
- 20 pairs of underwear
- 14-18 pairs of socks
- 14 t-shirts/polo shirts/button down shirts
- 10 pairs of jeans/khaki pants
- 1 pair of shorts or sweatpants (for the gym or sea days)
- 4 sweaters or sweatshirts
- 5 sleepwear/pjs
- 1 lightweight packable jacket
- 2 suits or blazers
- 2 dress pants (match with blazers)
- 4 dress shirts
- 2 ties, belts and cufflinks
- 1 pair of dress shoes
- 1 pair of sneakers
- 1 pair of very comfortable walking shoes
- 1 pair of flip flops
- 1 bathing suit (optional)
- 1 swim cover ups (optional)
- 1 hat or baseball cap
If you need to book tours for your Mediterranean cruise, a great platform to book tours is with viator.
What to Pack in Your Mediterranean Cruise Carry-On Bag
A large carry-on bag is essential for your Mediterranean Cruise. You should bring a small roller luggage that you can take on board with you and store in the overhead compartment on airplanes. This is because your checked luggage will not be delivered to your stateroom right away on the first day of the cruise. It may take a few hours for your luggage to arrive. Therefore, you should pack your first day essentials in your carry-on bag. Here are some items that I suggest you pack in your carry-on bag.
Lysol Wipes
I like to sanitize my cabin the moment I get in, so I always keep a pack of lysol wipes in my carry on bag.
Medication
Definitely bring your medication in your carry-on bag. My son is allergic to peanuts and I always pack his epipen and allergy medication in the carry-on bag.
Book, Electronics and Toys
There will be some downtime on the first day. If you are cruising with kids, you will need electronics and toys to keep them entertained. I like to bring my book with me just in case.
Toiletry Bag
I always pack my toiletry bag in my carry on so I have access to my face soap if I want to freshen up.
Cruise Essentials
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Cruise Lanyard
Bring cruise lanyards; to make your life easier so you are not constantly looking for your cruise card!
Towel Bands
Towel bands are great in keeping your beach towels in place! So, they are slipping off the pool lounge chairs!
Power Strip
Definitely bring a cruise-approved power strip so you have more outlets for charging your devices. Cruise cabins never have enough outlets! Please double-check with your cruise line, as some do not allow power strips and will only allow USB charger cubes.
Packing Cubes
Use packing cubes to make cruise packing easier. These cubes will help keep your clothes organized. Unpacking is easy because you just need to take the cubes out of your luggage and put them in the drawers and shelves—so easy! Assign a color for each person in your cabin so you don’t get your cubes mixed up.
Anti-Theft Cross Body Bag
This anti-theft crossbody bag is perfect for travel. It features a slash-resistant design and RFID-blocking technology for added security. It even comes with a side pocket to hold your water bottle.
Luggage Tags
For safety, make sure every luggage and bags are labeled with a luggage tag. I like these custom luggage tags that you can order and personalize with your information.
Magnetic Hooks
Bring magnetic hooks to organize your cabin and keep it clutter-free. These hooks are for hanging baseball caps, cruise lanyards, goggles, bathing suits and towels.
Detergent Travel Packets
These detergent travel packets are great for handwashing bathing suits in the sink.
Anti-Seasickness
This anti-seasickness medicine is a go-to to combat seasickness on a cruise. If you have kids, make sure you bring the chewable version. If you are looking for a natural solution, try these acupressure bands.
Hanging Toiletry Bag
Cruise cabin sinks are notoriously small. Get a hanging toiletry bag to make it easier!
Mediterranean Cruise Travel Planner Printable
Get our 30 page cruise travel planner to stay organized before and during your cruise. It includes pre-cruise and post-cruise itineraries, a cruise port planner, sea days planner, packing lists, cruise budget tracker and more!
Cruise Travel Insurance
It’s smart to always buy cruise travel insurance. Get a quote for CFAR (Cancel for Any Reason) if you are going on a cruise during hurricane season.
Wrinkle Releaser
Keep your clothes wrinkle-free and odor-free with these travel size Downy wrinkle releaser.
Shore Excursions
Cruise shore excursions are expensive, I suggest doing a quick price comparison with Viator to see if you can get the same tour for less.
Get Your Free Spring Mediterranean Cruise Packing List
Sign up once and you will get access to ALL exclusive content on this website. After unlocking the printable, just save the printable image and then print it. Use it as a checklist when you pack for your cruise, so you don’t forget anything! I hope you like it!
You might be interested in reading about the 8 Travel Mistakes that Everyone Makes (and how to avoid them)
Check out our other cruise packing lists:
42 Banned Items You Can’t Bring on a Cruise
25 Things People Forget to Pack for a Cruise
Don’t Forget these Items: Cruise Toiletry Bag & Cruise First Aid Kit Packing List (free packing list)
If you need to book tours for your Mediterranean cruise, a great platform to book tours is with viator.