Greek Island Cruising: What to Take with You

Preparing for a Greek island cruise? With these travel essentials, you’ll be ready for an unforgettable day.

Travel Documents

Most people who cruise the Greek Islands travel here from an international destination, which means a passport (and possibly a visa – check here for current requirements) is necessary. Be sure that your passport is valid for at least three months beyond the duration of your stay. As many countries require six months, if you plan to visit elsewhere and your passport expires within that time, you may need to renew anyway. Make electronic and paper copies of your passport. Stick paper copies in your luggage or carry-on and, ideally, scan your passport then email the file to yourself so you can easily access while traveling in case it’s misplaced or damaged.

Bring your itinerary and any other travel documents you’ve been provided with as well as travel insurance documents and health insurance information.

Pack a Carry-On with Essentials

In case your luggage is delayed or lost by the airline, assuming you’re flying in, be sure to pack a carry-on with essentials that you can keep with you at all times. Include prescription medications and/or other over-the-counter meds, toiletries and a change of clothes along with those important travel documents. You may want to toss in some reading material too.

Clothing

The hard part is almost always deciding what type of clothing to bring. If you’ll be cruising early or late in the season, you may want to bring a light, waterproof jacket for cooler evenings and the possibility of rain. Packing clothing that can be layered, and mixed and matched, is always a good idea. When cruising during the peak summer months, opt items in light, breathable materials. You’ll want comfortable walking shoes for those fun shore excursions, and a pair of water shoes can come in very handy for rocky beaches. Bring at least two bathing suits so that you’ll have a fresh one to wear when one is still wet – many cruisers like to have a coverup to toss on over a suit for walking around the ship.

Usually, your comfortable walking shoes will suffice while you’re exploring cities and villages, but if other adventures are planned, perhaps longer hiking treks over rocky trails, you may want a pair of hiking boots. On the other end of the spectrum, if you want to experience some of the famous nightlife islands like Mykonos are known for, a nice pair of sandals or slightly fancier shoes can be a good idea, but skip the heels as walking cobblestone streets in them can be hazardous. Oftentimes, cruises include a special welcome dinner or a captain’s dinner which typically calls for smart casual – there’s unlikely to be a need for any formalwear.

Sun protection is essential. Bring sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat that can be worn on or off the ship – just make sure it won’t blow off easily in the breeze. Good quality, environmentally safe sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher is strongly recommended.

Electronic Gadgets/Adapters

Bringing a camera to capture photos of all those magnificent sights is probably on the top of your list, but you also might want to get an affordable waterproof camera to avoid risking pricey equipment by getting it sandy or wet since a lot of what you’ll be doing will involve the water. Either way, memory cards – take at least two so you have a backup.

Of course, you’ll need to keep your electronics powered up, which means bringing a power plug adapter. In Greece, you’ll almost always encounter Type C, E, and F, which are the same throughout most of continental Europe. They can be purchased on many sites online, electronic retailers, discount stores and airports.

Other Items

The personal items you’ll need may vary, but in general, think about bringing travel size shampoo and conditioner, moisturizer (the sun and sea tend to dry out the skin) along with the usual items like a toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant. While rough seas are unlikely, especially during the months most cruises take place, if you’re prone to motion sickness, you may want to bring over-the-counter medicine to combat it just in case. Most ship cabins and hotel rooms these days include hairdryers, so you’re unlikely to need one – save the space for souvenirs and gifts.

Oh.. and your hat and sunscreen! You will definitely need them!

Take a look at our Greek Island Cruises here or call our travel experts on +1 646 201 9437 to find out more!